Naval Oceanographic Office

Ocean Frontier

Sea Scenes: Photo updates from the ships p. 3 August 2013

>

Naval Oceanographic Office

Lots of words that being with the letter F Words such as Fortitude, Focus, Flawless, and of course Furlough The first three are what I have personally witnessed in the building(s) as the entire office wrestles with the new reality of the impacts to our workload, priorities, travel, overtime and ultimately, our decision-making processes. Packing five days of work into three or four effective days is daunting enough, but what makes it even more difficult is having the personal stress on each of you as your paycheck dwindles and your sense of faith in the Congress and DoD wanes. It is easy to understand how work could suffer, focus could diminish, fortitude could be reduced and your flawless performances could degrade. However, I have not witnessed any of that whatsoever. I am amazed at your ability to absorb the challenges that surround you and retain your excellence in completing the critical aspects and highest priorities of your jobs. We just completed our Town Hall Meeting, and I wanted to share with you some of the more consistent questions and issues raised during the meeting. First, let me tell you my forecasting skills concerning anything related to the furlough stink. But, I can tell you what I think and what Ive read in the press. Will the furlough continue into FY14? The only place I have heard anything about furlough extending into FY14 is from SECDEF Hagel in news articles from around 20 July. His comments revolved around hard decisions facing the DoD in terms of continued sequestration cuts (~52B in FY14) and how to reconcile decisions on what to fundfuture programs, current readiness and/or personnel. We havent been tasked or asked to conduct any furlough planning for FY14 whatsoever. Will the DoD conduct a reduction in force (RIF) in FY14? We have not been tasked or asked to conduct any planning for a possible RIFnot even a hint of that issue from anyone. What is the outlook for our budget for FY14-19? We have been

August 2013
Completion of a critical Maritime Homeland Defense survey in the Pacific Northwest Completing hydrographic, mine warfare, acoustic and oceanographic surveys around the globe Coming up in the month of August: CNMOC enterprise Executive Council Meeting (6-7 August) where the annual spend plan briefs will be given, and any new guidance will be provided. Visit of the new head of the Information Dominance Corps and Deputy CNO (OPNAV N2/N6) for Information Dominance, Vice Adm. Ted Branch (Long Beach, Miss., native) on 12 August FNMOC Change of Command (23 August) Capt. John Okon will relieve Capt. Erika Sauer USNO Change of Command (29 August) Capt. Brian Connon will relieve Capt. Tim Gallaudet. My reading this month includes a re-read of The Imperial Cruise by James Bradley (also wrote Flags of our Fathers). It is a pretty informative book that deals with President Theodore Roosevelt, Secretary of War Howard Taft in the late 1800s/early 1900s and the nations imperial aspirations in Asia. What are you reading? Thank you for your dedication, superb work and for making me proud to be your CO each and every day!

Ocean Frontier
Fifth Annual Food Drive

Whats on my mind...

>

p.3..........................................................Awards ......................................Feds Feeding Families .................................................Dept. Focus: N6 p.4.........Cmdr. Gilless Named N1 Dept. Head ..........................................................Sea Scenes ........................................Community Outreach p.5.............................................................SEAC .........NAVOCEANO Participates in TOCTWD ......................................Calling All Ship Riders ...................History: Capt. Thomas H. Sumner p. 6......................................Fleet Survey Team ................................National/Naval Ice Center p. 7................................................Extra, Extra!

Whats inside...

given our budget controls by Fleet Forces command and CNMOC. They are relatively healthy and dont pose any major issues for the command. Wed always like more, and we do have to carefully consider our spending at the end of the year so we know where to focus in FY14, but we are largely in good shape, financially speaking. FY15 and out are absolute mysteries that no one (that I know) has figured out yet. Well have to wait and see how the sequestration impacts our out-year budgets. We have not been given any indications of massive cuts. Why are the travel and overtime rules so disjointed? The rules of conducting mission critical travel (approved by the CO) started earlier than the requirement for requesting Mission Critical Overtime so they were not aligned. We are doing our best to marry those two issues so we are better informed on impacts and can better articulate the mission criticality of each operation. In some cases, the requests for OT have been approved either because the mission has to be complete, or the OT helps reduce a later incurred cost (cost avoidance). The system hasnt been perfect, but it is getting better. How is the data collected on furlough impacts being compiled and articulated? We are gathering all of the impacts from each department and will be sending those to CNMOC for further submission to Fleet Forces. Those impacts include turning down requests for support, accepting an increase in data processing backlogs (increasing the timeline for safety of NAV data getting to NGA), a reduction in the completeness and detail in certain ASW products, a nearly 100% reduction in required training and many more subtle amounts of risk in our production. These impacts arent items that will capture specific headlines, but the impacts will continue to build and be more critical as this mess continues. You have done a very good job in determining and completing the most critical requirements and in delaying items that are less critical. Rear Adm. Brown understands how were doing business and understands that at least for the time being well not see catastrophic failures. What we cant capture are your personal issues and the challenges resulting from the drop in income. Things such as having to take a second job, place children in additional day care, draining savings accounts to pay mortgages, delays in purchases/investments, etc. Those impacts have to be understood by your elected officials, and I encourage you to make your issues known to them. Will the furlough end early? There is certainly a chance that the furlough will end early, but I cant offer any odds. There was an article in the news this week that indicated unnamed DoD officials talked about mitigating the days by some number (between 3-6 days). I am hopeful that it is true and that it will happen. However, it is best to plan for the worst and hope for the best in this case. Is there a chance that the money lost will be paid back to us? Also a hard issue to forecast, but your union rep put out a few all hands emails on 21 August that detail specific steps that are available to all civilian employees

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Chief Human Capital Officers Council and other agency partners, recently kicked off the fifth annual Feds Feeding Families food drive, which runs until 31 Aug. All federal agencies are working together again this summer to pursue a nationwide goal of collecting at least 2 million pounds of non-perishable food for local food banks across the country. Last year, Navy personnel at Stennis collected 1000 pounds which were donated to local food pantries in Hancock and Pearl River Counties in Miss. and St. Tammany Parish in La. Food donation boxes are located throughout Navy spaces around Stennis. Every donation will be significant in the lives of families in need. Although all non-perishable goods are appreciated, here is this years most wanted list: . Grains such as brown rice . Multi-grain cereals . Canned proteins . Soups . 100% juices . Condiments . Snacks . Baking goods . Hygiene items . Canned vegetables . Canned fruit in light syrup or its own juices For more information, contact AG1 Andrew Ribar (84927) or Becky Eckhoff (8-4002).

I am amazed at your ability to absorb the challenges that surround you and retain your excellence in completing the critical aspects and highest priorities of your job.

Upcoming Events
6 Aug.Executive Council 12 Aug.Vice Adm. (sel) Branch Visit 23 Aug.FNMOC Change of Command 29 Aug.USNO Change of Command 31 Aug.Feds Feeding Families Food Drive Ends

N6: New Telecommunications Architecture

N62, in a collaborative effort with POPS-Oceans, NP codes and DISA has been successful in upgrading our long-haul telecommunications capability with an Optical Transport Node. The OTN uses leading -edge fiber optic technology to optimize the fidelity of telecommunications while providing a means to provision multiple circuits over a single pair of fiber optics with Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing. This telecommunications capability ties in NAVOCEANO, as well as other regional DoD, DHS and other agencies, directly into the DISA Global Information Grid backbone and, as such, marks Stennis Space Center as a national asset for telecommunications along the Gulf of Mexico.

Awards
Sexson Promoted
Lt. j.g. Jeremy Sexson was promoted to lieutenant and pinned by Cmdr. Monty Spearman in a ceremony held 1 July at NAVOCEANO. U.S. Navy photo released/by Kaley Turfitt.

Spearman Retires

In the middle of all of this stress and insanity, some specific accomplishments we can be proud of: Our new Airborne Laser Bathymetric system (in CZMIL) finally tested properly and has been on survey in the Bahamas for several weeks. Very successful DET and T-AGS inspection of the USNS SUMNER was completed. Testing of a new multi-beam sonar for our HSLs

Cmdr. Monty Spearman retired from the U.S. Navy on 25 July after nearly 31 years of naval service. U.S. Navy photo released/by Kaley Turfitt.

As part of this effort, the Stennis OTN is installing large and diverse fiber optic trunks, which designates Stennis as a DISA Mega-Site.

>

Naval Oceanographic Office

Cmdr. Anthony Gilless Named N1 Command Services Director
Cmdr. Anthony Gilless has joined NAVOCEANO as the new N1 command services director. In case you have not met Cmdr. Gilless, he comes to us from CNMOC, where he served as deputy to the assistant chief of staff for Total Force (N1). Originally from Highland, Ind., Cmdr. Gilless graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy with a bachelors degree in oceanography. He earned two masters degrees, one in physical oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School and one in hydrography from the University of Southern Mississippi. Cmdr. Gilless served onboard USS Pioneer (MCM-9) and USS Sentry (MCM-3) as a surface warfare officer and was assigned to Commander, Carrier Squadron Eight as Strike Group METOC and scheduling officer. He held various positions at the Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Guam and later served as operations officer and officer in charge for the Fleet Survey Team here at Stennis Space Center. After conducting an assignment in Ethiopia as United Nations military observer, Cmdr. Gilless served in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Center before joining CNMOC. Cmdr. Gilless and his family currently live in Picayune, Miss., and he replaces Cmdr. Monty Spearman, who recently retired. Welcome aboard, Cmdr. Gilless! To submit pictures for Sea Scenes, please email NAVO_STNS_PAO@navy.mil.

August 2013
Ice Cream Social Builds Morale Despite Furlough
On Wednesday, 17 July, the Special Events and Activities Committee brought smiles to the faces of NAVOCEANO employees despite the furlough that is now upon us. A timely morale booster, SEACs annual ice cream social proved to be a success. Over 200 sundaes, cones and floats were served to employees who came together to enjoy a quick break and some tasty treats.

Ocean Frontier

Previous ship tweets can be found on NAVOCEANOs Twitter page by searching for NAVOCEANO_SSC on www.twitter.com. You do not have to have a Twitter account to view tweets and photos. All photos and wording is approved by Public Affairs and NAVOCEANO Security, as well as any other department involved (if content is operational) before being placed on Twitter and other social media forums. If you would like to volunteer to become a ship tweeter or would like more information, please contact Public Affairs at NAVO_STNS_PAO@navy.mil. As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated.

Capt. Thomas H. Sumner, by Lori Kerns

Thomas Hubbard Sumner was born in Boston on 20 March 1807 to Thomas Waldron Sumner and Elizabeth Hubbard Sumner. Sumner was one of eleven children, four of whom died young. Of the seven that survived, he was the only son. Sumner graduated from Harvard University in 1826 at the young age of 19. Immediately after his graduation, he journeyed to New York and soon married a woman of questionable character. The marriage was short-lived, however, and the couple divorced in 1829. Unable to return home, Sumner enlisted as a common sailor on a ship engaged in trade with China. In just eight years, Sumner had risen to the rank of captain and become the master of his own vessel. On 10 March 1834, he married Selina Christiana Malcolm and eventually had six children, two of whom died in infancy. Sumners most noteworthy voyage would take place in 1837, when he sailed from Charleston, S.C., bound for Greenlock, Scotland. On this trip, he discovered what is now called the Sumner Line of Position, a systemized method of locating a ships position by means of sight. He published his discovery six years later in A New and Accurate Method of Finding a Ships Position at Sea: By Projection on Mercators ChartThe Principles of the Method Being Fully Explained and Illustrated by Problems, Examples and Plates, with Rules for Practice, and Examples from Actual Observation. In its first year of publication, an order was given to supply it to every ship in the U.S. Navy. His career reached a climax with his discovery and the publication of his book. Shortly after, Sumners mind began to fail rapidly. On his birthday in 1865, he was committed to Lunatic Hospital in Taunton, Mass., never to leave. He died on 9 March 1876, suffering from apoplexy and partial paralysis.

NAVOCEANO Participates in Take Our Children to Work Day

On 25 July, NAVOCEANO and other agencies at Stennis Space Center hosted over 200 kids at Take Our Children to Work Day 2013. Forty-five kids were children of NAVOCEANO employees. Employees from N6, NP3, NP6 and FST provided presentations on pressure under the ocean, density, core samples, gliders and hydrographic capabilities.

3 0
Banked July Community Outreach Hours
Thank you Jennifer Craft Eric Kapusinski Jennifer Null Bruce McKenzie for your community outreach efforts!

Calling All Ship Riders

In support of NAVOCEANOs initiative to utilize social media to publicize unclassified everyday operations, the Public Affairs Office is looking for ship riders who would like to become ship tweeters. These tweeters would simply email photos and/or one- to two-sentence statements about what is happening at sea each day, such as weathering a storm, testing new equipment or simply having fun off the clock. This is an opportunity for coworkers, family members and the general public to gain a better understanding of the day-to-day lives of our ship riders, as well as the operations performed onboard our ships.

School is now back in session, and we would like to remind you about the 8 hours of community service each civilian employee is allotted each quarter. There are lots of things you can do to support our partnership with the Hancock County School district, as well as other area schools. Send any community outreach opportunities to kaley.turfitt@navy.mil.

>

>

Naval Oceanographic Office

Photo below (left to right): On 15 July, Fleet Survey Teams Lt. Michael Beall, Aerographers Mates 3rd Classes Matthew Tanner and Jacob Tutor and Aerographers Mate 2nd Class Clinton Boyle pose for a group photo after a day conducting hydrographic surveys of Shoalwater Bay in Australia for dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) in support of Talisman Saber 2013. U.S. Marine photo releasted/ by Sgt. Jonathan G. Wright.

August 2013
NAVICE Co-hosts Symposium Arctic Long Beach, Mississippi Native Takes Charge of Information Dominance and Naval Intelligence
Based on article by Joe Gradisher, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance Public Affairs

Ocean Frontier

The Naval Ice Center co-hosted with the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC) the 5th Symposium on the Impacts of an Ice-Diminishing Arctic on Naval and Maritime Operations from 16-18 July at the Navy Memorial Naval Heritage Center in Washington, D.C. The symposium brought together nationally- and internationally-recognized experts on Arctic observations, climate change, and maritime operations. High-level opening remarks were given by NOAA, Navy, USCG, USARC, Canadian Coast Guard and other U.S. and international government representatives. The symposium series addressed the changing state of Arctic sea ice and associated environmental conditions vis-a-vis emerging or expected naval, maritime and associated activities and operations in the region. The 2013 symposium highlighted relevant Arctic-related events that occurred since the 2011 symposium, including: 1. Record 2012 Arctic sea ice minimum record accentuating the downward trend of Arctic extent, volume and multi-year ice 2. Completion of Extended Continental Shelf cruises in the U.S. and Canadian Arctic 3. Completion of an Arctic Council Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement and development of an Arctic Oil Spill Response 4. Continued development of an IMO Polar Code for vessels operating in polar waters 5. Increase in Arctic oil and gas operations 6. Latest research on observed and forecast changes of the Arctic sea ice environment 7. Present and future impact of these changes on Arctic operations 8. Relevant national and international Arctic policy issues and potential need for policy changes

Ashore, Branch has served as an instructor in the A-7 and F/A-18 Fleet Replacement Squadrons, the Joint Staff in Washington, completed Navy Nuclear Power Training, served as executive assistant to the commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, and as director of Operations and Plans (N31) on the chief of Naval Operations staff in Washington. Branchs decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards. It is an honor and a privilege for me to assume these duties, said Branch. I look forward to leading the N2/N6 team and the Information Dominance Corps as we evolve and develop this new way of warfare. Vice Adm. Branch is scheduled to visit NAVOCEANO on 12 August.

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Ted N. Branch assumed the duties of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) for Information Dominance (N2/N6) and Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI) during a change-of-charge ceremony at the Pentagon, July 25. Branch succeeds Vice Adm. Kendall L. Card, who will retire following a distinguished 35-year naval career. N2/N6 is the Navys lead office for resourcing Intelligence, Cyber Warfare, Command and Control, Electronic Warfare, Battle Management, Oceanography and Meteorology capabilities, among others. The offices mission is to deliver end-to-end accountability for Navy information requirements, investments, capabilities, and forces. As DCNO, Card also directed the efforts of the more than 52,000 military and civilian professionals who comprise the Information Dominance Corps and provide warfare commanders with Assured Command and Control, Battlespace Awareness, and Integrated Fires. Before assuming the mantle of DCNO/DNI, Branch served as Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet, based in Norfolk, Va. Naval Air Force Atlantic is composed of more than 40,000 men and women who maintain and operate five aircraft carriers, 80 aircraft squadrons flying 1,000 aircraft, and a number of supporting shore facilities providing combat-ready air forces to commanders operating from the North Pole to the Antarctic, and from the East Coast of the U.S. to the Indian Ocean. Branch, a native of Long Beach, Miss., graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1979 and earned a masters degree in International Relations from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. A career naval aviator, his operational assignments include Light Attack Squadrons 15 and 37, USS Forrestal (CV 59), and Strike Fighter Squadron 37. He served as executive and commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 15, executive officer in USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), commanding officer in USS Coronado (AGF 11) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and commander of Carrier Strike Group 1/Carl Vinson Strike Group. During those tours, Branch deployed with both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets and has logged combat time in A-7 Corsairs and F/A-18 Hornets over Grenada, Lebanon, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Iraq. He participated in Operations Urgent Fury, Earnest Will, Southern Watch, Deliberate Force, Iraqi Freedom, and led the initial Navy efforts for Haiti earthquake relief in Operation Unified Response.

Constitution Corner

Photo below: On 15 July, a Fleet Survey Team Expeditionary Survey Detachment prepares to launch their survey craft and perform a hydrographic survey of Shoalwater Bay in Australia on 15 July for dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) in support of Talisman Saber 2013. U.S. Navy photo released/by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Lindahl.

18th Seabee Volkslauf Mud Run 7 September 2013

Register online: http://beta.active.com/gulfport-ms/ running/mud-runs/seabee-volkslauf-mud-run-2013

Sign up before 1Aug. to receive a $10 discount on your registration fee. NO race day signups this year!

Famous Quotes: I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. Benjamin Franklin, 1787 I consider the difference between a system founded on the legislatures only, and one founded on the people, to be the true difference between a league or treaty and a constitution. James Madison, Constitutional Convention, 1787 The Constitution, on this hypothesis, is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the Judiciary, which they may twist and shape into any form they please. Thomas Jefferson

>

Ocean Frontier is an internal monthly e-newsletter produced by NAVOCEANO Public Affairs. To submit photos or other information, contact Kaley Turfitt (8-4938), editor; Lanee Cooksey (8-5649), public affairs officer; or Becky Eckhoff (8-4002), contributing writer. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NavalOceanographicOffice Twitter: https://twitter.com/navoceano_ssc Flicker: http://www.flickr.com/photos/navoceano/

>