USS Bataan’s Women’s Organization to Reach, Teach and Help (WORTH) program sponsored a career enhancement day to educate Sailors and Marines about their future and what opportunities are available.

Chief Petty Officers and officers were nearby to talk with any Sailors who had questions about becoming a chief and what is available for officer programs.

“Basically its multiple programs coming together to bring awareness to different problems Sailors may face,” said Air Traffic Controller 1st Class William Brooks. “There are many problems that can happen in the Navy and people don’t realize what programs are available to help them out.”

“The purpose of today is to make Sailors aware of what’s going on not just for them

career wise while on board Bataan, but when you get off this boat,” said Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Tia Davis. “There’s a lot of new people that come to the boat and they aren’t aware of programs that are out there for them, so it helps people that just got here.”

“I think this is a great opportunity for Sailors to be able to get some free time to come down and educate themselves on their career” said Navy Career Counselor 1st Class James Lutes.

“Not only was it a good opportunity for Sailors to learn about paths for their career, but it is a good

place for everyone to see the faces of the personnel manning the different programs aboard Bataan” said Lutes.

“You get to meet different people, see different faces and teach people something

Lt. Hardy Owens, from Covington, Ga., has been a Navy Chaplain for a little more than a year and a half, but has been involved with ministry for more than 19 years. Since April 2013 he has held more than 56 marriage and family related

counseling sessions for Sailors aboard the USS Bataan (LHD 5).

In August, he had the opportunity to teach two classes on board, I Relate: Before I Say I Do and I Relate: Now That the Knot is Tied, because of an alarming

statistic discovered by a Marine Chaplain; over 70% of E-5 and below marriages end in divorce. The statistic is indicative of the effort required by couples to sustain a healthy relationship and the hardships faced while developing a young marriage. The classes are one example of the resources available to Sailors to ensure they maintain

a high quality a life.“We saw it as an opportunity to serve our

Sailors here on the Bataan,” said Owens. “I tell people all the time that the number one reason for divorce isn’t finances, but is communication, or lack-there-of.”

Owens says he strives to teach people how to become better communicators, acknowledging that partners come from different backgrounds.

“Communication is a big part of the equation and is a two way street, talking and listening,” Owens explained. “Most people spend more time preparing for their wedding day, rather than their marriage. And it’s unfortunate because we have these dreamy ideas of what marriage is going to be like, and it can be like that,

September 12, 2014Volume: 2 Issue: 18

Look Inside!Tuition Assistance, Page 3 | Plain White T’s, Pages 4 & 5 | Air Brush, Page 6

Career cont. page 2

Building Blocks For Constructing a Stronger MarriageBy MCSN Michael Fiorillo

WORTH Program Sponsors Career Enhancement DayBy MCSN Caleb Strong

Photo by MCSN Caleb Strong

Marriage cont. page 2Photo by MCC Dennis Herring

IN CASE YOU MISSED ITExecutive Officer Capt. John A. Carter took a wild ride in a personnel-transfer chair while the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) steams alongside the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) during a replenishment-at-sea Sept. 11.

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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(SW) Erik Foster MC3(SW/AW) Chase Hawley

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

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

Marriage from Front Page 1

Career from Front Page 1they may not have known before they came to your table,” said Brooks.

“The career enhancement day is a useful resource for those who aren’t sure where to go with their career questions, or for those who just want to know what their options are,” said Lutes. “If you didn’t make it to the event, try to take advantage of it next time or visit the career counselor’s office

with any questions you may have.”•Representatives from Drug and

Alcoholic Program Advisors (DAPA)•Sexual Assault and response Prevention

program (SAPR) •WORTH•Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialists

(EAWS) coordinators•Command Career Counselors

•U.S. Military Apprenticeship Program (U.S. MAPS)

•Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD)

•MedicalThese programs were all present to help

field any questions Sailors had. Contact the representatives of the following for any questions you may have.

but a lot of times we don’t spend enough time learning how to communicate with the other person, learning what interests the other person.”

Owens’ class covered topics such as dealing with marital emotions, the ABC’s of communication, verbal contracts between couples and how to go from me to us.

“Often times they are so busy trying to win the heart of the other they barely have enough time to find out who the other really is.”

Owens’ classes also discuss topics of expectations with regards to faith, communications, money and children. Each topic deserves the space and attention as they are enormous milestones along the life span of a marriage. Having a forum to freely and openly discuss difficult topics allows couples to get to know one another on a deeper level in a safe environment.

“Each marriage is different and my job is to prompt questions that get people talking,” Owens explained. “The couples have to explore the answers and come to a unified understanding.”

Owens plans on holding additional classes after the holidays because of the positive feedback and requests from Sailors. Sailors requested additional classes to bring their significant other to open up discussions that will help couples develop a healthy unified marriage. Photo by MCSN Michael Fiorillo

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An 8-year-old girl really wants a toy boat for her birthday, so her Dad goes out and buys one. When he gets home he realizes that it is an unassembled model and not a completed toy. With only a day until her birthday Gas Systems Mechanical 2nd Class Richard Gonzalez, from Miami, Fla., comes to the rescue.

Starting early in the morning he assembles the shrimping trolley out of the 80+ pieces in the box and over the next 24 hours has the whole boat assembled and painted, right down the rigging and weathered wooden decking. The little girl got her toy boat for her birthday and couldn’t have been happier.

Gonzalez, deployed on USS Bataan (LHD 5) with Assault Craft Unit 4 (ACU 4), has been a plastic-scale modeler on and off since he was six years-old.

“I’ve been building scale models since I was six, but I didn’t hit my stride and really get good at it until I was 15 or 16.”

Growing up, Gonzalez discovered that he had a learning disability that made it difficult for him in school to stay focused. A counselor recommended he try building models as a way to practice his concentration.

“The time I’ve spent building models has helped me learn about paying attention to detail, which is important now that I’m in the Navy and performing maintenance on multi-million dollar equipment. When

you’re building models for a competition it’s all about that attention to detail.”

Before joining the Navy, Gonzalez worked at an auto shop doing collision repair and painting cars and learned how to airbrush well. On deployment he airbrushes various things for people, such as game controllers and flight helmets, creating unique designs for them.

“My biggest accomplishment in modeling was taking first place for scale diorama in a Virginia Beach/Norfolk competition with a World War 2 German

Half-track with troops deploying out of it.”

Gonzalez was voted to go on to a regional competition by the local branch of the International Plastic Modelers Society, but was unable to compete due to being deployed. Subsequently his goal is to eventually compete in the national level

competitions.“Once you are able to build and sell your

models you know you are at a professional level,” said Gonzalez. “About a year ago I reached that point. My Senior Chief was transferring and I built a model of an LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) to sell to him for use with his shadow box.”

Gonzalez more commonly gives his models to friends as gifts, “It shows my appreciation and it means a lot more to give them something you spent time working on and building rather then just

going out and buying some random gift.”

Gonzalez prefers building models of a 1/48th scale. Straight out of the box a model can take anywhere from 12 to 48 hours, usually over the course of a few weeks, to complete. The more customization he does and if he creates a complete diorama including a display and hand-crafted environment for it can greatly increase the amount of time it takes.

“Working on my models gets me into a mind set where I am completely focused on and paying attention to every detail,” Gonzalez says. “It’s helped me

a lot to be able to reach that same level of concentration with my job in the Navy.”

Gonzalez advises others to, “Try new things, don’t just immerse yourself in video games and TV. With all the technology out there, don’t be afraid to get out and try something old school. It can be a very rewarding experience.”

Sailor Shows Off Modeling Skills Old School StyleBy MC3 Chase Hawley

Photos by GMS2 Richard Gonzalez

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This month is Suicide Prevention Month, and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has said preventing military suicides is one of the Defense Department’s highest priorities.

This is the first article in a four-part series about a Navy petty officer who came close to taking his own life but did not do so, thanks to the intervention of his leadership and the use of support networks, and how he continues to brave his battle with alcoholism and depression.

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Thompson, is an instructor at a joint command in Maryland. He began his journey in Detroit as the child of a mother and stepfather who were drug users. He suffered physical and emotional trauma, he said, and his mother repeatedly told him he was a liar and a cheater, that he was stupid, and that life was only going to get worse.

Because of this, Thompson said, he first thought of suicide when he was 8 years old, and he attempted it when he was 9.

“I tried to hang myself,” he said, “but I didn’t understand the physics of hanging, so I wound up embarrassed on my closet floor with a wooden clothes hanger bar snapped and all of my clothes on top of me and a belt around my neck.”

When he was 11, his mother found him with a gun before he had the chance to pull the trigger, and then at 13, he thought about using a knife to cut his wrists. With every attempt, he said, he was told, “Just get over it” and “Just toughen up,” or he received more disciplinary action instead of therapy or counseling.

While living with his mother could be challenging, Thompson said, his father fought for custody and was a positive influence.

“My father was and remains my best friend,” he said. “Unfortunately, given Michigan’s legal processes at the time and my mother and stepfather’s unified efforts, I was terrified to speak out against them, and my father simply could not get any legal recourse.

“Over the course of weekends and holidays,” he continued, “my father and I bonded truly as a parent and child should. We continue an excellent dialogue that both nurtures and guides while also being a slapstick comedy show. He’s one of four people in my entire family I speak to regularly.”

Thompson said he thought again about suicide at 18, but decided his best way

forward was joining the Navy, and he enlisted July 7, 1998. He began his naval career as an undesignated seaman aboard the guided missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones, where he became a boatswain’s mate and then a quartermaster. In 2003, he cross-rated into the journalism career field, and then in 2006, the career field merged into the mass communication specialist rating.

“My time in the Navy has been adventurous,” Thompson said. “It has been bittersweet at times. It has been melancholy and lonely at times. My time in the Navy has been marked by tidal shifts of long periods of sustained superior performance and also intense depression, melancholy, loneliness and dystopia.”

Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Misty Hubbard, the Navy element senior enlisted advisor at Thompson’s command, has known him for 11 years. They first served together aboard USS Enterprise in Norfolk, Va., when Thompson was a petty officer 3rd class, and she as a petty officer 1st class.

“He’s always been a phenomenal worker,” she added. “We used to tease him all the time [that] he was Superman. Anything that needed to be done well and quickly went to him, because he could perform like a champ

Part 1 of a Series: Navy Petty Officer Considers SuicideBy Shannon Collins, DoD News Features

Suicide cont. page 8

in a pinch. The challenge was he wasn’t very good at letting people know when he was overwhelmed or when he had taken too much on his plate.”

Hubbard said that when people are deployed, they learn each other’s quirks, and that one of Thompson’s quirks was that he had a bit of a temper and would have little “hiccups.”

“He would have a blow-up but then he would very quickly get control of himself again and pull himself back together,” she said. “And 95 percent of the time, he was No. 1, on fire, with a bullet -- just [an] incredible sailor [and] worker.

“But every three or four months, you could guarantee he was going to do something impulsive and silly and not well thought out that was going to result in him getting in trouble,” she continued. “And he would have to bank on all the great work he had done up until that point to kind of rescue himself from the situation he would get himself in about once a quarter.”

Thompson kept in touch with Hubbard and maintained a protege and mentor relationship with her. They met back up as instructors at the joint command, and Hubbard continued

providing professional development to Thompson and felt responsible for him.

In 2012, Hubbard said, she started noticing a change in Thompson when the chief petty officer promotion boards did not select him.

“Initially, he took it hard, which is not abnormal,” she said, and we sat down and talked about what were the factors that prevented him from getting promoted and what could we focus on in the upcoming year to make him more competitive for promotion. In my mind, that’s when it started -- he wasn’t selected for promotion.”

Not long after that, she said, Thompson broke up with his girlfriend, a relationship she said was one of the healthiest she had seen Thompson in since she had known him.

“He didn’t get promoted; the relationship ended; those were two big things that happened within a few months’ span,” she said. “He started oversleeping, showing up unshaven with his uniform not looking its best, and then he missed a duty day. He was behaving out of character. These are the sort of things you see from a junior sailor who is struggling to adapt to Navy life. This is not what you see all of a sudden from this senior E-6 who’s been in the Navy for 14 years.

“It went from a slip every three or four months to a screw-up every other week or every week,” she said. “We verbally counseled him and did written counseling to document this stuff to explain to him that these things were going to be factors in his annual performance evaluation. There was just no way around it.”

During this time, Thompson, at age 32, had decided he was going to take a jump off the Duke Ellington Bridge in Washington, D.C.

“I didn’t give away any of my possessions,” he said, “but I did write two suicide letters, one of which I was going to pin to my body for emergency people to find. One had emergency contact information, how to unlock my apartment door, and how to enter my cell phone, and then I left the other one at the house for my dad to read. I also talked about where all of my stuff was going to go.”

He said he did not say goodbye to anyone, because he did not want to give away any kind of signs.

“I didn’t want an intervention,” he explained. “I didn’t want to cry for help. That wasn’t my interest. That wasn’t my goal. My goal was to die. I wanted to die.”

Suicide from Front Page 7