An Insult To Officers

Your cover photo on the Oct. 8 issue is of a nature and quality that belongs on the National Enquirer, not the Navy Times. The photo of an " Officer " turning away and hiding his face, coupled with the headlines make a completely disgusting presentation. It is a blatant attempt at sensationalism and an insult to the officer corps. Tell the whole, hard story, but do it with professionalism and honor. If you can't, let me know and I will save the price of my subscription. - LT. CMDR. Scott C. Stoman ( RET. )- Ridgecrest, Calif.

Respect The Greens

I was very excited to see the new uniform concepts. Ive seen " old salts " get damn near misty eyed when speaking of the dress khaki, and it is a sharp looking uniform, to be sure. But if the Navy wants to make a commitment to tradition, it should save the aviation greens. I waited for 20 years to wear them, and when I made chief, that's what I did. It is , without a doubt, one of the sharpest looking uniforms out there, but the fact that they are treated essentially the same as utilities, due to being called a " working uniform " I'm sure had a lot to do with chiefs and officers in aviation commands not wearing them. So if you want to go " throw back " how about making some changes to the wearing of the aviation greens and keep them from going the way of beards and tattoos? - ATC (AW/NAC)Mark Mills (RET.)

Serve All Faiths Equally

The Rev. ( Lt. Cmdr. ) Ronald Stake rightly pointed out that the new rule by th e Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services limits the access that observant Roman Catholic service members have to communion. He goes on to say " Central Command requires each unit,afloat and on shore, to visited by both a Protestant and Roman Catholic chaplain at least once every two weeks so that service members will not be deprived of sacramental privileges. On the surface, this sounds great. we want to facilitate for the free exercise of religion and encourage our people to pursue spiritual fitness. Yet his words betray a larger issue. There are more than 100 Protestant communities represented in the Navy. many practice close communion that is, they can only celebrate communion with authorized clergy from their faith tradition. for example, sending a Methodist chaplain to a Missouri Synod Lutheran sailor does not satisfy his sacramental needs. Protestants have to settle for whatever chaplain comes their way on the two week rotation. That chaplain could be Mormon, Seventh-Day Adventist, Southern Baptist or a host of others. Protestant is not a denomination. Why should the policy favor the Roman Catholic tradition by ensuring that every Roman Catholic sailor can attend Mass every two weeks? To be fair, the policy should make the same provisions for all personnel.- Reserve Cmdr. John P. Perry - Orlando, Fla. -

Some Points On Porrn

After reading Navy Times coverage and letters about " adult materials " in military exchanges, I can't help but wonder why are we worried about this? There are so many other things that need to be addressed, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and rehabbing my fellow soldiers, sailors and Marines coming home from war. Lt. Wes Modder is wrong. Porn doesn't destroy families. Pornography in a relationship means one of two things: You and your spouse enjoy watching it together, or there is something missing in the relationship that the porn replaces. If a spouse were overseas, what would be the better scenario: Him or her looking at a dirty magazine or having an affair? Relationships, just like any good chain o f command, must have exquisite communication between all parties. Porn is a symptom, not the disease. - Sk1 ( SS ) Steve Loup - Silverdale, Wash.

Anticipating Tradition

I'm still in the Navy Delayed Entry Program, but it saddens me that when i make chief I like to be optimistic I will not get to experience the bonding and camaraderie that accompanies such activities. I am a a Freemason, and I understand the importance of initiation ceremonies. There is a difference between being initiated into an organization and hazing. Sure when I was initiated into the lodge, I wondered what the heck just happened, but the more I learned what everything meant and the significance of even the smallest detail, it all came together. I came out a better person than when I went in. An initiation is never meant to trifle with emotions, but as Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bill Worley wrote, it's all about teaching important lessons, building character and humbling when necessary. Despite being the young age of 24, I think it is sad that my peers are losing sight of the importance of rites of passage. I just hope when my time comes, there are still shell back initiations and such. - Bryan Hancock - Denison Texas -

Washington D.C.

About 1 in 8 veterans under age 65 is uninsured, a finding that contradicts a common assumption that all vets qualify for free health care through the Veterans Affairs Department, researchers found. The researchers at Harvard Medical School projected that about 1.8 million veterans overall lack health coverage. That's an increase of 290.000 since 2000. The researchers said most uninsured veterans were in the class and were ineligible for VA care because of their income. Still others cannot afford their co payments, or lack VA facilities in their community.

Iraq

3 troops killed by roadside bomb in Iraq - Three American soldiers were killed Tuesday southeast of Baghdad when their patrol struck a roadside bomb, the U.S. military said. Thrir names were not immediately released. The deaths brought to 3,842 the number of U.S. military personal killed in Iraq since the U.S. led invasion in March 2003.

Somalia

A U.S. Navy destroyer helped sailors who retook control of their North Korean flagged vessel from pirates off Somalia, the American military said. A helicopter flew from the James E. Williams to investigate a phone tip and demanded by bridge to bridge radio that the pirates give up their weapons the military said in a statement.The crew of the Dai Hong Dan then overwhelmed the hijackers, leaving two pirates dead, according to preliminary reports, and five captured, the military said. Three seriously injured crew members were brought aboard the Williams, the statement said. The pirates remained on the Dai Hong Dan, which was returning to the port of Mogadishu.

Families

Believing In Tomorrow - Whats Up: The Believe in Tomorrow Foundation provides free retreat houses for families of children being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. and at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Va. Have stayed free at retreat houses in Ocean City, Md. and on Wisp Mountain in the Allegheny Mountains near Mchenry, Md.Two houses in Baltimore serve families of children receiving care at the Johns Hopkins Childrens Center.

Defending Old Ironsides

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Earl Hankins wondered whether it would be worth the savings in money and sailors billets for the Navy to turn over the USS Constitution to the city of Boston to run as a museum. Both tell the public about the Navy. The Constitution brings to life more than 200 years of history, bravery, sacrifice and victory. The Blue Angels exemplify the Navy of today and Navy of the future. The service of both is essential to maintaining public pride, interest and perhaps service in the Navy. I do not know what criteria are used in assigning personal to "Old Ironsides" I understand the Blue Angels take only the highest motivated, most qualified individuals. Orders to either command should be a reward for stellar past performance. Those receiving orders to either should not only meet high expectations, but also should want or even covet such duty.

Editorials

Reclaim Congress Trust - The Navy has an image problem on Capitol Hill at a very dangerous time. In the midst of a land war in which its chief contributions are individual augmentees, the Navy is losing its battle for trust among the lawmakers who pay the bills. Late last month, the Navy responded to questions from Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-MD, regarding the services plan to "neck down" its helicopter force to two models the MH-60R and MH-60S. Bartlett had posed six multi-level questions about wheth er the new helicopters were capable of taking on the Navy's medium and heavy lift missions. The Navy's response took 41/2 months and totaled just five sentences. Barlett called it a non - answer.Then there is Sen. John Mc-Cain, R-Ariz. who accuses the Navy of glossing over the expanding cost of the expanding cost of the Littoral Combat Ship program. How can you justify a cost-plus contract that goes from $160 million to $400 million? How in the world would you justify that to the American people? McCain asked during a Military Times editorial board interview. You think that they have confidence in the way they see that? they don't. McCain was asked how the Navy responds to his questions. The same answer I get when I ask about any other cost over runs he said. They're all justified, all necessary the military asked for these changes and, by golly, we have to pay for them. Bartlett and McCain, and their colleagues on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, hold the future of Navy programs in their hands. As the Army and Marine Corps continue to grow, and the Navy and Air Force shrink amid questions about their relevance in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, the Navy cannot afford to be arrogant. On the contrary, Navy leaders must carefully and forcefully articulate their message to congressional authorizers and appropriators. The battle for funds today will dictate the force of tomorrow. Brushing off questions, not explaining requirements and casually accepting cost overruns puts that force in jeopardy. The Navy cannot afford to be so cavalier.

Closely Track Reforms

In the wale of the Walter Reed scandal, the Pentagon belatedly has begun a test program to begin overhauling the complex and some say , unfair disability rating and payment system. Injured troops would face one physical exam rather than two. They'd be assigned one disability rating, rather than two - one from the military and another from the VA. And those who are separated would transition to the VA with minimal fuss. The total "system time" faced by injured troops would be cut in half. This is a very good first step. But there is still cause for concern - the White House has issued its own plan for revamping the military and VA disability systems, to include new payment rates and three new disability - related payments, further complicating an already complex system. Even more troubling the White House wants to launch a seven month study of its plan - and is asking Congress for prior approval now so the plan can be put into effect as soon as the study is done. To repeat The White House wants Congress to green - light a plan that doesn't exist, based on a study that hasn't been done. This issue is too important to grant such a blank check. Congress should monitor the Pentagon test and keep pushing forward but with oversight to ensure troops best interests are served.

HOW THE V.A. CAN HELP YOU QUIT SMOKING

Free Smoking Cessation Clinics - Free individual counseling at on site VA clinics (Bakersfield, Lompoc, Los Angeles, Sepulveda and West Los Angeles.) 1. Attend clinic for a specific period of time. 2. Counselors give advice on how to quit. 3. Va provides smoking cessation medication and assistance. On site location - face to face counseling - you can have honest and confidential discussions. - Ask your provider to refer you to the V.A. Smoking Cessation Telephone Coordinator or call 1-800-516-4567 Ext. 2365 -

TV Spots Wanted

Sailors will have the chance to be on national TV Dec. 1 by submitting quick video spots that could air during commercial breaks in the Army - Navy football game. CBS Sports is looking for 10 second segments from Navy commands that show Navy " team spirit " according to a naval administrative message.

For Sale : Hitler's globe

A 91 year old ex - soldier is putting up for auction a singular souvenir that he brought home to Oakland Calif. over 60 years ago Adolf Hitler's globe. John Barsamian's unit arrived at one of Hitlers residences after other U.S. soldiers had stripped it bare except the globe. " literally " the place is all bombed out, and here this globe is sitting there on the desk, Barsasmian said. The globe is expected to attract bids from $15,000.

Cap Returns Sort Of

A little more than three months after comic book pallbearers laid Marvel Comics super hero Captain America to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Marvel announced Oct. 10 that Cap is coming back in January. Steve Rogers, the scrawny World War 11 era Army reject who ingested the Super Soldier Serum that gave him Caps power, is staying dead, Marvel says, an as yet unnamed character will be fighting bad guys as " Captain America. " Not only does the character get a new, more squared away costume, which includes a military style canteen on his belt, the new Cap will carry a pistol for the first time.

Star Treatment

On the morning of Oct. 1, Marine Gen. Peter Pace spent an hour on the Fort Myer parade ground, listening to President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates pay him tribute as the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs Of Staff and for his 40 years of uniformed service. Then Pace, still wearing his medal bedecked dress uniform, climbed into a car with his family and drove across the Potomac River to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. He walked to panel 50W and placed at its base an index card on which he had pinned a set of his silver four star rank insignia. Handwritten on the card were these words " For Guildo Farinaro, USMC - these our yours not mine !! with love and respect your platoon leader Pete Pace. Pace had laid down his rank for the first man killed under his command, back when he was a green rifle platoon leader in Viet Nam. Farinaro, a 19 year old lance corporal, was standing next to Pace when he was felled by a snipers bullet on July 30, 1968, in Quang Nam. Pace kept a photo of Farino on his desk during his years in the Pentagon. In his own remark earlier in the day at Fort Myer, Pace had mentioned Farinaro and three other Marines he lost in Viet Nam. Then he went to the Wall to remember and honor all four. Two panels to the right of the one bearing Farinaros name, he laid down three similar cards each also pinned with his four stars. Photos of the cards snapped by an unknown tourist quickly bounced around the internet, and more than a few friends and admirers sent copies to Paces former spokeswoman, Marine Col. Katie Haddock. She confirmed that the cards were indeed left by Pace. A tribute from one Marine at the end of his career to the men who fought and fell alongside him almost 40 years before. It really touched a lot of people, I think Haddock said.

A Visit From Mcpon

Master Chief Petty OFFICER OF THE Navy Joe Campa (SW/FMF) paid a visit to the Navys next generation of bubbleheads Oct. 15, telling students at the Naval Submarine School in New London, Conn. that he was there to listen to their concerns about their training and the Navy. Many students said they worried about how much computer based training they're required to do. Campa said he supports more traditional classroom time, with students learning from human instructors. With today's advances in technology, we need to ensure there is a balance between computer based and instructor based training Campa said.

Gator Delivered

The NAVY TOOK DELIVERY OF OF THE AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORT DOCK Mesa Verde Sept. 28, Marine Link maritime news reported, stationing sailors and Marines aboard Oct.1 as the ship sits in the yard in Pascagoula, Miss. The Mesa Verde is the third ship in the troubled LPD 17 class of amphibious ships, but it has so far shown few of the construction problems that plagued its older sister ships, the San Antonio and the New Orleans. The Mesa Verde is scheduled to be commissioned Dec. 15 ij Panama City, Florida. Then sail to its new home port of Norfolk, VA.

United States

Kitty Hawk Museum? - The carrier Kitty Hawk hasn't even left the fleet, but at least one plan is underway to give the ship a home in retirement. County commissioners in New Hanover County, N.C., voted unanimously Oct. 15 to approve a plan to acquire the Kitty Hawk, scheduled for decommissioning in 2008, and remake it in to a museum ship similar to the carriers Intrepid or Yorktown, the Wilmington N,C. Star News reported. A group of local boosters sought the green light to begin the bureaucratic process needed to acquire the Kitty Hawk, which includes setting aside land in the Wilmington area - home to a museum that features the World War 11 era battleship North Carolina and raising an estimated $7 million to tow the Kitty Hawk from the West Coast, where the ship is to be decommissioned. One major challenge, according to the newspaper report, is that the carrier is to big to fit under a bridge in the city, meaning organizers, have to find a site away from the cities downtown.

Malaysia

Friendly Frigate - The frigate Reuben James arrived Oct. 9 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, for a visit intended to strengthen ties with the Malaysian military. Crew members helped with construction projects such as visits to the Don Bosco, a teen girls school near Mount Linabalu, and Batik Harapan, an all boys special education school. Sailors also participated in a clean up of the Likas River. " Our purpose was not to clean the entire river, but to show that we care about it," said Gunners Mate 3rd Class James Smith. " Picking up trash heightened the environmental awareness of the local people, and many of them came out of their houses to help us.

Recruting Incentive Of The Week

Dance Away The Military Blues - Israeli officials are considering a novel ideal to persuade 18 - year - old men and women to show up for compulsory military service - modern - dance - troops. Agence France Press reports that about one forth of Israeli teenagers don't serve in the military - as - required by law - for a variety of reasons. Willing to try almost anything to get them to show up, the army is weighing the possibility of creating a new occupational specialty of " dancer " for what officials said are " exceptional and talented dancers " who might agree to serve in a troupe so that their professional civilian careers are not put on hold during the two or three years of mandatory service. The report says that many of the most talented teenagers, including some actors and athletes, decide to leave the country rather than serve in the military.

HEALTH CARE

Private Sector Pitches In - Whats Up: Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and the University of Calif. at Los Angeles have a new program to treat troops injured in combat. In " Operation Mend," UCLA Medical Center staff treat service members and house them at the campus Tiverton House.

Whats Next: Operation Mends first patient, Marine Cpl. Aaron Mankin, will go through a series of facial reconstruction surgeries at UCLA before returning to continue treatment for the burns that cover 25percent of his body. Mankin was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq two years ago. Costs not covered by the UCLA end of the project have been taken care of by the Katz Family Foundation, including lodging for patients and family members at UCLA. Program directors hope Operation Mend will serve as an example for other partnerships between military hospitals and public institutions.

Sea Mine Menace

Nato mine countermeasure ships began a major effort Oct.17 to clear northern European waters of mines left over from World World 11, eliminating a threat to navigation and commercial fishing off the coast of the continent. French officials said that navies have found and destroyed about 15 percent of the mines laid in the two wars by England,France, Germany and other nations. Nato warships have found some 56 mines so far in 2007, mostly in the Baltic Sea. A mine was discovered in August in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol about 500 yards away from the U.S. destroyer Forrest Sherman, which was in port for a training visit.

Navy Had Recruiting Ads On Gay Site

The Navy, Army ans Air Force unwittingly advertised for recruits on a web site for gays, who are barred from military service if they are open about their sexual orientation. When informed Oct.15 by USA Today that they were advertising on Glee.com, a networking website for gay professionals, recruiters expressed surprise and said they would remove the job listings. This is the first Iv'e heard about it, said Maj. Micheal Baptista, advertising branch chief for the Army National Guard, which will spend $6.5 million on internet recruiting this year. " We did'nt knowingly advertise on that particular website " whick he said does not meet the moral standards of the military. Capt. Jack Hanzlik, spokesman for the chief of navel personnel, said the Navy ordered more than 8,000 ads taken off Glee, which stands for gay, lesbian & Everyone Else. By Oct. 17, most were gone. The ads were placed through Glee's parent company, New York - based Community Connect, as part of an alliance with jobs - listing giant Monster.com.

2 Seabees Missing After Kayaking

Coast Guard and Navy rescuers were searching Oct. 19 for 2 Seabees last seem Oct. 17 kayaking off San Nicolas Island, Calif. The sailors kayaks were found around 6P.M. Oct. 18, tied together and found floating about 35 miles south east of the island, Coast Guard Lt. J. G. Andrew Munoz said. Builder 2nd Class Christopher Victor And and Equipment Operator 2nd Class Justin Johnson were reported missing by two friends who went kayaking with them around the island, said Teri Reid, a spokeswoman for Naval Base Ventura County. The men both from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 in Gulfport, Miss. had been stationed at San Nicolas Island for two weeks on a construction project, Reid Said.

Sailor Found Dead In San Diego Bay

The Navy is investigating the death of a sailor whose body was found floating in San Diego Bay on Oct. 12 between Piers 1 and 2, officials said. Officials identified the sailor as Machinist's Mate Fireman Justin J. Williams of Aurora, Colo. Williams 23, was assigned to the dock landing ship Dubuque, according to Cmdr. Jane Campbell, a Naval Surface Forces spokeswoman in Coronado, Calif.

JSC CHAIRMAN CROWE DIES

Adm. William J. Crowe, a Naval Officer whose long career included stints as chairman of the joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S.ambassador to England died Oct. 18. He was 82. Crowe died of cardiac arrest at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Navy Memorial CEO retired Rear Adm. Rick Buchanan said. He was an outstanding man, a dedicated Naval Officer, a wonderful American, a scholar and a teacher. He will be missed , Buchanan said. Crowe was chairman of the Navy Memorial's board. A 1947 Naval Academy graduate and a submariner, Srowe served as an assistant to President Eisenhower's Naval Aide. In 1980, he was named commander in chief of allied forces in Southern Europe and then in 1983 as commander in chief of U.S. Pacific Command. President Reagan tapped him to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs Of Staff in 1985, a position in which he served until 1989. During his tenure Congress passed the Goldwater - Nichols Act of 1986, a sweeping measure that unified many aspects of a then - disconnected military and made Crowe the senior - most U.S. military officer. Crowe is survived by his wife Shirley Grinel, and their three children. A funeral has tentively been scheduled for Oct. 31 at the Naval Academy.

Corpsman Dies In Motorcycle Crash

The Marine Corps on Oct. 16 identified the service member who earlier died in a motorcycle crash north of San Diego as Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Ismael Rubiolopez. Rubiolopez, 36 of Johnstown, Colo. was a field medical technician with 1 Marine Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Group at Camp Pendleton, Calif. where he was assigned to the Training Experimentation Group. He was riding a 2007 Suzuki motorcycle when it ran into a Cadillac sport utility vehicle Oct. 13, according to the San Diego County medical examiner's office. The accident happened in Pauma Valley, about 50 miles north of San Diego. Rubiolopez enlisted in the Navy in 2002, according to Camp Pendleton.

Comfort Home Comming

After four months, 11,680 natical miles, 12 countries, 98000 patients and 24,242 pairs of eyeglasses, the hospital ship Comfort dropped anchor in its home port of Baltimore on Oct. 19 and concluded the Navy's most recent foray as an international humanitarian service. You've truly invested in our future in the Western hemisphere, Adm. Jonathan Greenert, head of Fleet Forces Command, told crew members when the ship stopped Oct. 15 in Naval Station Norfolk, Va. What you've done is astounding, touching directly about 400,000 people and probably influencing millions and millions of others.

Persian Gulf

22nd MEU Boards Kearsarge ESG - It's back to sea for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. After wrapping up about a month's stay at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, members of the Camp Lejeune, N.C. based MEU loaded up and returned to the ships of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, according to a MEU news release. The MEU trained in the Kuwaiti desert, refining its desert combat skills. Many of the exercises were geared toward combat operations, countering improvised explosive devices, medical support training, MEU commander Col. Doug Stilwell said in a statement. The unit is continuing its scheduled deployment in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility aboard the Norfolk, VA. based ships, including the amphibious assault ship Kearsage, amphibious transport dock Ponce and dock landing ship Gunston Hall. The MEU is almost halfway through its routine six - month deployment.

North Carolina

Vmu - 2 Returns To Cherry Point - More than 120 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. based leather necks returned from Iraq on Oct. 14 Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 was welcomed home from a 7 month deployment, an air station spokesman said. This was the squadrons fifth deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Dog Parks To Open At North Carolina Bases

Marine Corps installations North Carolina are going to the dogs. Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Stations New River and Cherry Point are getting their first dog parks, called Woof Spots, this month. Atlantic Marine Corps Communities, the private company that oversees base housing at the installations, opened Cherry Point's first park Oct. 19; two other parks opened at the station the same day. A grand opening was to be held at Camp Lejeune on Oct. 26, followed by the opening of New River's dog park.

1 /3 Returns From Iraq Deployment

Leathernecks with 1st. Battalion, 3rd Marines, returned to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, on Oct. 16 following a seven month deployment to Iraq. The Roughly 400 Marines and sailors deployed to Anbar province in March.

Personal Finance

Easing Rules To End Contracts - Whats Up: Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D - Calif. wants to expand the rights of service members to get out of service contracts. A bill she recently introduced would allow any telecommunications contract - phone, cable or internet service to be canceled without penalty if a service member has to make a permanent change - of - station move or deploy.

Pay And Benefits

Still Seeking G.I. Bill Tweaks - Whats Up: Eligibility rules for reservists to qualify for more generous active - duty G.I. Bill education benefits would be relaxed under a bill introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D - Minn. Under her proposal, any reservist called up for at least 20 consecutive months who spends a year or longer in a combat zone would qualify for the active - duty benefits. Under current rules, reservists must be mobilized for 730 consecutive days, which excludes just about all reservists because the normal maximun deployment is 15 months. Even members of a guard unit from Klobuchar's home state that just pulled a 16 month tour in Iraq are ineligible.

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