Waking up in the morning and going about the day with the ability to see clearly is something a lot of people take for granted. People with glasses are even required by the Navy to have a back-up pair, because every thing a Sailor does aboard the ship requires him/her to see where they are going and what they are doing.

Thanks to the Refractive Surgery Clinic at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Sailors aboard the Bataan are one step closer to improving their quality of life through the Clinic’s “Ship of the Month” program.

“There are two types of refractive eye surgery, Lasik and PRK,” said Lt. Edgar Rhodrick, the ship’s liaison for the program from Germantown, Md. “They accomplish the same thing, there is only a slight difference in how the procedure is

performed. With Lasik, the surgeon uses a laser to make an incision around the cornea, flip it back exposing the eye, then uses the laser to shape the eye to correct it. With PRK, the cornea is completely removed, the laser shapes the eye, then the cornea is put back on. With Lasik, the recovery time is slightly quicker, but in the end, the patient recovers with 20/20 vision. The type of surgery the received is based off the results of the surgeon/patient

consultation. PRK tends to be a better option for patients with a thin cornea or have chronic dry eyes. After the operation, the patient is prescribed eye drops and antibiotics along with 3 to 4 follow up appointments.”

USS Bataan’s (LHD 5) Second Class Petty Officer Association (SCPOA) announced that it will be selling raffle tickets starting Aug. 18 for the first kiss,

first hug and first single Sailor off the ship when Bataan pulls into homeport .

The winner of each category will be the first Sailors off the ship once liberty has

been announced and can expect media coverage on the pier.

“Events like the raffle help morale and set the tone for homecoming,” said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Shannon Sheldon, president of the SCPOA on Bataan. “It lets everyone see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

All proceeds from ticket sales go towards funding Bataan’s Family Readiness Group (FRG). The FRG will be hosting a homecoming party for dependents the night before Bataan’s return to homeport and will hold the drawing of the raffle during it. Bataan’s FRG has regular meetings to provide support and information to Sailor’s dependents back home.

August 15, 2014Volume: 2 Issue: 16

Look Inside!Belt Buckle Wear, Page 2 | USS Tomich Commissioning, Pages 4 & 5 | Sked 3.2, Page 6

Eye cont. page 2

SCPOA to Sell First Kiss & First Hug Raffle TicketsBy MC3 Chase Hawley

Bataan Sailors Look Forward to Refractive Eye SurgeryBy MC3 Erik Foster

Photo by MC1 Rafael Martie

Photo by Bruce Cummins

Kiss cont. page 3

2

The editorial content of this newspaper is prepared, edited and provided by Bataan’s Public Affairs Office. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of military services at sea. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Navy and do not imply endorsement thereof.

Commanding OfficerCaptain George J. Vassilakis

Executive OfficerCaptain John “J.C.” Carter

Command Master ChiefCMDCM(SW/AW) Kevin M. Goodrich

Public Affairs Officer MCC(SW/SCW) Dennis Herring

News Team 5MC1(AW/SW) RJ StratchkoMC1(AW) Julie MatyascikMC3(SW/AW) Mark Andrew HaysMC3 Erik Foster MC3(SW/AW) Chase Hawley

MCSN Nicholas Frank CottoneMCSN(SW) Michael J. LieberknechtMCSN Michael FiorilloMCSN Caleb Strong

Layout and Design MCSN Nicholas Frank CottoneEditor MC1(AW) Julie Matyascik

The Navy’s refractive eye surgery program is so popular, the waiting period takes years to get through system. Designating the Bataan as Ship of the Month will help the hardest working Sailors receive the vision they deserve.

“The program is designed to give surface fleet ships a certain month for head of the line privileges. The Bataan is trying for February or March because the program requires a minimum six month period free of deployments afterwards. Seeing as we are scheduled to be in the yards at that point, it would be a great time for the ship to participate in the program.”

Though the exact date has yet to be determined, Bataan Sailors are lining up to cash in on this rare opportunity and enjoy the perks of serving in the military.

“The Sailor’s quality of life will improve along with the war-fighting capability of the ship and the Navy if more Sailors have 20/20 vision,” said Rhodrick. “The Sailors

aboard Bataan deserve this opportunity because they will have just completed a deployment. This is one of the benefits for men and women who serve their country. They have earned it, so they should take

advantage of it To apply, route a request chit to the dept.

head level and bring your most current eye prescription along with the signed chit to medical.

Eye from Front Page 1

Photo by MC2 Scott Wojciechowsk

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

AUGUSTESWS 1900

ESWS 1900

ESWS 1900

ESWS 1900

ESWS 1900

ESWS 1900

ESWS 2030EAWS TRAINING

EAWS TESTING

EAWS TESTING SATURDAY NIGHT LIVEESWS 1900EAWS TRAINING

BINGOESWS 1900EAWS TRAINING

SATURDAY NIGHTLIVEESWS 1900EAWS TRAINING

EAWS TESTING

ESWS 1900EAWS TRAINING

EAWS TRAINING

ZUMBAEAWS TRAINING

EAWS TRAINING

ESWS 1900 EAWS TESTING

BINGOESWS 1900EAWS TRAINING

ZUMBAEAWS TRAINING

ESWS 1900

ZUMBAEAWS TRAINING

EAWS TRAINING

ZUMBAEAWS TRAINING

ESWS 2030EAWS TESTING

3

“Our one year anniversary is Oct. 5 and it would be a great way to celebrate it by being the first one off the ship to see my beautiful wife and share a kiss with her,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Fuel 3rd Class James Travis, from Snellville, Ga.

Tickets are available to all Sailors, Marines and officers. Tickets are for one of the three categories available and there will be a separate winner for each one according to Sheldon.

Kiss from Front Page 1

Photo by MC3 Erik Foster

6

Bataan’s 3M Program Transitions to SKED 3.2By MC3 Mark Hays

Maintenance, Material, Management (3M) personnel aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) successfully completed the transition from SKED 3.1 to SKED 3.2 software starting July 23.

Bataan’s 3M System design provides equipment support, and achieves maximum equipment operational readiness. This system provides all maintenance and material managers throughout the Navy with a process for planning, acquiring, organizing, directing, controlling, and evaluating the man power and material resources used to support maintenance.

SKED is the Navy’s maintenance management software used for planned maintenance scheduling on every piece of equipment on ships and ashore. The 3.1 version of SKED was implemented in 2004 and revolutionized how maintenance was scheduled across the fleet. The Navy recently initiated the upgrade from SKED 3.1 to SKED 3.2, which is a visually interactive version that contains easy scheduling, better metrics, improved workflow, and training.

“About six months ago, we started the initial transition on Bataan to ‘3.2’ with

training for top-level managers involved in the program,” said Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Mike Sanders, the ship’s 3M coordinator. “Almost every Sailor is involved in maintenance at some level so this was a command-wide evolution. Since this newest version is more user-friendly, most had an easy time making the change.”

Although converting to a new system was a challenge for work center supervisors, leading chief petty officers, division officers, and Bataan’s 3MC who are all the managers in the program, there were many benefits to SKED 3.2 that make it a more efficient transition from SKED 3.1.

“I’m still working out some of the kinks,” said Aviation Electricians

Mate 2nd Class Collin Peskett from Long Island, New York. “This new version of the software definitely gives you more options and training. The more I use it the easier it gets.”

Bataan’s 3M manager started four months prior to SKED 3.2’s implementation giving visual and hands-on training, which better prepared the crew and made for an easier transition.

“I started the 3.2 training three or four months ago,” said Electronics Technician 2nd Class Thien Nguyen, from Huntington, California. “This system is definitely more user friendly. There are a lot of features, and functions with training aids that make it easier to use and beneficial.”

Bataan’s crew has carried out this transition while also being deployed. As the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, Bataan’s crew is currently deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo by MC3 Chase Hawley

7

Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash are possible when your body becomes overexerted in high heat conditions.

Heat Fatigue A factor that predisposes an individual to heat fatigue is lack of acclimatization. The signs and symptoms of heat fatigue include impaired performance of skilled sensorimotor, mental, or vigilance jobs. There is no treatment for heat fatigue except to remove the heat stress before a more serious heat-related condition develops.

Heat RasHes Heat rashes are the most common problem in hot work environments. Prickly heat is manifested as red papules and usually appears in areas where the clothing is restrictive. As sweating increases, these papules give rise to a prickling sensation. Prickly heat occurs in skin that is persistently wetted by unevaporated sweat, and heat rash papules may become infected if they are not treated. Interventions: In most cases, heat rashes will disappear when the affected individual returns to a cool environment.

Heat CRamps Heavy sweating; painful spasms usually in the leg or abdomen muscles. Interventions: Provide cool water, shade, and monitor victims.

Heat exHaustion Person experiences nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, pale and moist skin, heavy perspiration, normal or low body temperature, weak pulse, dilated pupils, disorientation, fainting spells. Interventions: Provide water, shade, elevate feet and seek immediate medical attention.

Heat stRoke Person experiences headache, dizziness, confusion, rapid/strong pulse, and hot, dry skin, high body temperature of 106 or higher. This is the most serious heat condition; which can possibly lead to vascular collapse, coma, and ultimate death. Interventions: Move victims to a cool shaded area, soak victim with water and fan to lower core body temperature as fast as possible, elevate feet and seek immediate medical attention. This is a medical emergency – dial 211.

Beat tHe Heat know tHe signs

put youR HealtH FiRst, know tHe symptoms oF tHese Heat

injuRies and tHe FiRst aid steps: