In This Issue...

GROWLTHE GATOR

Ramping Up For DC

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 7IT1 Going To A SubMaking The Exams

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 John “J.C.” CarterExecutive OfficerCaptain Eric N. Pfister

Command Master ChiefCMDCM(SW/AW) Scott HarvillePublic Affairs Officer MCC(SW/SCW) Dennis Herring

News Team 5MCC(SW/SCW) Dennis HerringMC1(AW/SW) RJ StratchkoMC1(AW/SW) Julie Matyascik

MC1(AW/SW) Gary Prill MCSN Caleb StrongSN Raymond Minami

Layout and Design MCSN Caleb StrongEditor MC1(AW/SW) Gary Prill

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U.S. Office of Personnel Management officials yesterday announced the results of the interagency forensics investigation into a recent cyber incident involving federal background investigation data and the steps it is taking to protect those affected.

In late May, as a result of ongoing efforts to secure its systems, OPM discovered an incident affecting background investigation records of current, former and prospective federal employees and contractors, officials said.

The forensics investigation determined that the types of information in these records include identification details such as Social Security numbers; residency and educational history; employment history; information about immediate family and other personal and business acquaintances; health, criminal and financial history; and other details.

Some records also include findings from interviews conducted by background investigators and fingerprints. Usernames and passwords that background investigation applicants used to fill out their background investigation forms also were stolen.

21.5 Million Social Security Numbers Stolen

Since learning of the incident affecting background investigation records, OPM and the interagency incident response team concluded that sensitive information, including the Social Security numbers of 21.5 million individuals, was stolen from the background investigation databases. This includes 19.7 million people who applied for a background investigation, and 1.8 million non-applicants, predominantly spouses or cohabitants of applicants, officials said.

There is no information at this time to suggest any misuse or further dissemination of the information that was stolen from OPM’s systems, they

added.“While background investigation

records do contain some information regarding mental health and financial history provided by those that have applied for a security clearance and by individuals contacted during the background investigation, there is no evidence that separate systems that store information regarding the health, financial, payroll and retirement records of federal personnel were impacted by this incident,” OPM officials said in a news release.

This incident is separate, but related to, a previous incident discovered in April affecting personnel data for current and former federal employees officials said. OPM and its interagency partners concluded “with a high degree

of confidence” that personnel data for 4.2 million individuals had been stolen, officials said.

“This number has not changed since it was announced by OPM in early June, and OPM has worked to notify all of these individuals and ensure that they are provided with the appropriate support and tools to protect their personal information,” the news release says.

To protect those affected, OPM is providing a comprehensive suite of monitoring and protection services for background investigation applicants and non-applicants whose Social Security numbers or other sensitive information were stolen.

For the 21.5 million background

investigation applicants, spouses or cohabitants with Social Security numbers and other sensitive information that was stolen from OPM databases, OPM and the Defense Department will work with a private-sector firm specializing in credit and identity theft monitoring to provide services tailored to address potential risks created by this particular incident for at least three years, at no charge.

In the coming weeks, OPM will begin to send notification packages to these individuals, which will provide details on the incident and information on how to access these services. OPM also will provide educational materials and guidance to help them prevent identity theft, better secure their personal and work-related data, and become more generally informed about cyber threats and other risks presented by malicious actors.

Other individuals whose name, address, date of birth, or other similar information may have been listed on a background investigation form, but whose Social Security numbers are not included, could include immediate family members or other close contacts of the applicant.

In many cases, the information about these individuals is the same as information generally available in public forums, such as online directories or social media, and therefore the compromise of this information generally does not present the same level of risk of identity theft or other issues, officials said.

The notification package that will be sent to background investigation applicants will include detailed information that applicants can provide to people they may have listed on a background investigation form. This information will explain the types of data that may have been included on the form, best practices they can exercise to protect themselves, and the resources publicly available to address questions or concerns, officials said.

OPM Acts to Protect Federal Workers, Others From Cyber ThreatsDoD News, Defense Media ActivityWASHINGTON, D.C.

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Story by MCSN Minami

As you sit down to take the advancement exam that can shape the course of your Navy future, did you ever wonder ‘who came up with these test questions’?

Ask the Chief. Those three words give voice to the

level of respect bestowed on the select Sailors who have earned the right to wear anchors. Chiefs are required to be subject matter experts (SME) in their technical field and must be able to communicate Navy values and information to Sailors on the deckplates.

Ask any Chief what they believe is their top job priority and they’ll tell you, it’s taking care of their Sailors. Senior Chief Machinist’s Mate Joey Alley, from Fredericktown, Mo., did just that by helping contour the tool Sailors need to professionally grow.

Alley, who has been in the Navy for 20 years and manages over 220 Sailors in Engineering Department aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5), is an example of a rating SME who attended an Advancement Examination Readiness Review (AERR) conference to help

structure Navy advancement exams. “I recommend every Chief do

an AERR,” said Alley. “It is an eye-opening chance to be involved in your Sailors careers. You are helping force the shape of what we want our Sailors tested on. This is what we think our next generation of Machinist’s Mates, Engineers, Information Technicians, Yeomen should be focusing on for their ratings.”

The exams are designed by rating experts who travel to the Naval Education And Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC) in Pensacola, Fla., on temporary duty to participate in AERR panels for a couple weeks each year.

The SMEs, who are Chief Petty Officers and above, are tasked with reviewing exam bank questions, writing new questions, verifying the topics and subtopics and appropriate the number of exam questions, and confirming all bibliography (BIB) material is up-to-date and accurate. In the end, the panels produce seven exams total — enough for a complete year’s set of cycles. Two each for E-4 through E-6 exams and one E-7.

During Alley’s visit, he reviewed an exam bank of roughly 10,000 questions to ensure the content was still accurate in equipment, technology, techniques and tools. He also removed obsolete questions and wrote new ones.

“To write the questions, we have all the current technical manuals and everything that is applicable to the rate,” said Alley. “Everything you see on your test is in the BIB”

The BIB is a listing of all the references used to develop a Sailor’s specific rating advancement exam. Alley stesses that if the source material is listed on your BIB, then you can expect to see those questions on the exam.

“There are no trick questions,” said Alley. “There is no marking ‘c’ when in doubt. There is no method in having the same number of a, b, c, and d’s. It is completely and totally random. All questions are pulled out of manuals, almost verbatim.”

“The best way to prepare for the test is to pay attention to the BIB, get your tech manuals and set a time to study.”

And if you don’t know where to get your BIB or study material, ask the Chiefs.

Story by MC1 Matyascik

USS Bataan Wants You to AdvanceStory by MC1 Julie Matyascik

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A USS Bataan shipmate has been chosen to be one of the first female enlisted Sailors to serve aboard U.S. Navy submarines.

Information Systems Technician 1st Class (SW/AW/IDW) Meghan Beaufort from Huger, S.C., is one of more then three dozen women Navy-wide, who made it through a competitive screening process to join the crew of the Ohio Class Guided-Missile Submarine USS Michigan.

Beaufort will be apart of a historic first for the silent service, the integration of enlisted women on U.S. Submarines.

“After going to a women’s symposium at the Naval Station Norfolk, and hearing about submarine life, I took into account my family and how this would give me more time with them. I was sold,” said Beaufort. “I thought about how females going into that new environment need good leaders to help guide them, so my decision came down to wanting to be a role model and leader for junior female Sailors who are also undertaking submarine service.”

Female officers have been serving on submarines since late 2011, and now Beaufort will be apart of the first wave of enlisted females to get stationed during a two-phase integration process aboard the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and the Ohio-class guided-missile submarines (SSGN). Eventually, before 2021, the newer Virginia-class attack submarines (SSN) will also have intergraded crews.

“When I get to the submarine, I expect to be treated as I am on the waterfront here serving on a surface ship, and I expect to work the same way as I do on Bataan,” said Beaufort. “I used to serve on a small ship and enjoyed it. When I was told submarines

had a crew similar to a small ship I was hooked. I like the small crew because of the sense of community you foster with your shipmates”.

Applications from women representing 31 different ratings from shore and sea commands worldwide were received for the initial application period. This was for the purpose of filling four chief petty officer (E7 pay grade) and 34 rating conversion positions in the pay grades of E6 and below across the two crews, Gold Crew and Blue Crew, of USS Michigan (SSGN 727). Michigan is one of the Navy’s Ohio-class guided-missile submarines home ported in Bangor, Wash.

“I always say that if you have an opportunity to do something great, something different; you must do it if you are able. IT1 Beaufort had the chance to become a part of history as one of the first enlisted female Sailors to serve onboard a submarine” Said Master Chief Information Systems Technician (SW/AW/ISW) Lisa Ingram from Camden, N.J.

“Because of the caliber Sailor she is, she quickly qualified. She says that I encouraged her, but everyone who has ever worked with IT1 Beaufort knows that she is hard working and very dedicated to succeeding at whatever she does. So, if anything, she inspires me”.

“I am so proud to have been a part of her career development, and I am proud to be able to call her shipmate,” said Ingram. “She will report onboard Michigan with the same drive and motivation that she has here onboard Bataan. Michigan will no doubt be a better submarine with the integration of women, and an even greater boat by gaining IT1 Beaufort.”

The female Sailors headed to the submarine force all come from different walks of life, and all of them have their own reasons for wanting to make this transition and take on a new challenge.

“My main concern is being away from my daughter, but now with the schedule of guided-missile submarines and how there are alternating crews, I know I’ll be able to spend more time with my daughter here at home in the States” said Beaufort. “I spoke with my Mom about how I will be going to USS Michigan and she was upset at first. I had to convince her, and now she supports my decision.”

“I’ve been in the Navy 12 years and my ultimate goal is to go as high as I can. Whether I become a master chief or captain, I want to put on khakis and lead people and set the example for the correct and respectful attitude a leader should have.”

A Bataan Sailor Journeys to the Depths

Story by MCSN Raymond Minami

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“GENERAL QUARTERS! To Sailors assigned to Navy vessels across the fleet this is a common occurrence, but for ships conducting maintenance periods in shipyards, we don’t hear it nearly as often.

General Quarters (GQ) drills and Inport Emergency Team (IET) drills are the chain of command’s ways of testing their Sailors, ensuring that in case of an emergency or casualty, their Sailors are knowledgeable and capable enough to engage the situation, and ultimately save the ship and its crew.

Aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5), things are no different, though you don’t hear the bells of GQ weekly for training. Each day’s duty section will face a fire, flooding or toxic gas drill. These drills help the Sailors stay ready for the inevitable casualties.

For the Sailors not on IET, the ship must also ensure they are ready for the fight, should it come. And although with the ship in dry dock for this maintenance period, once the ship is returned to the water, the process changes and the inspections and shipboard requalification begins.

The Navy’s Afloat Training Group (ATG) will host one of those inspections in September. The inspection will

test the ships ability to go into GQ and respond to multiple casualties at one time. In order for the ship to be successful during the inspection, it will take the whole crew.

“We need to be fully ready to go by the end of August for the inspections,” said Senior Chief Damage Controlman Shawn Durant, from Vergennes, Vt. “I have no doubt the crew will be ready, but in order to do so the crew must continue to work on qualifications, with a 200-300 or more Sailor change-out during this time period, the new

arrivals to the crew will need to re-qualify up to the recommended level of qualifications and go above and beyond.”

As we get closer to the inspection dates, Sailors can expect to see increased training opportunities to include daily-intensified drills, GQ evolutions and an increase in Damage Control Training sessions.

“We really need departments to push their people, and fill the gaps left in the repair lockers,” said Durant “In the past we have only had 30-35 people per locker, but with the new requirements we would like to see those numbers increase nearly double.”

For the Sailors that have been aboard longer and have held the various positions in lockers, now is the time to share the training they have received with others through Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) evolutions or individual training.

“We will start to see an increase in DCTT participation in drills,” said Durant. “We will also be offering more training for DCTT members

Bataan’s DC Division Prepares for Requalification

Story by MC1 Gary Prill

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and classroom availability for those interested in Damage Control Courses offered at the DC schools available on the base.”

To be considered ready for deployment, Bataan’s crew will ultimately be graded by the members from ATG. After they have given the “thumbs up” for the ship’s damage control program, the ship will move on to advanced training.

“One might ask the importance of damage control,” said Bataan’s Damage Control Assistant, Lt. Cmdr. Jason Smith, of Fredericksburg, TX. “You can’t dial 9-1-1 when you’re out at sea. Sometimes there’s not even another ship close enough to assist in an emergency. The crew must be able to provide the capability to combat, control and repair damage to keep the ship able to fight. Developing that capability requires lots of intense training, the kind of training that makes the difference.”

Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class (AW/SW) Sarah Schenk, from Rogersville, Tenn., has been selected to serve with the United States Navy aviation demonstration squadron, The Blue Angels. “I will be an Aviation Electronics Technician still, but I have a lot to learn about the Angels. The Blue

Angels are hard working and fast paced and I’m excited to be apart of that” said Schenk. “I just want to do the best that I can there, and see the world while I’m at it! I’m interested in learning the organizational side of my rate. Basically I want to become an expert at my job, see the world, and

positively influence other Sailors and people while I’m with the Blue Angels”.

For more information and performance schedules on the Blue Angels, check out www.blueangels.navy.mil/

WELL DONE

COMMAND PICNIC