Special duty assignment pay revised by MC1 (AW) LaTunya Howard
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- NAVADMIN 156/09, announces revisions in special duty assignment pay (SDAP), which take effect July 26.
The revisions adjust SDAP levels for active and Reserve component full-time support (FTS) Sailors, but the majority of SDAP pay remains unchanged from 2008.
"We typically release a new SDAP plan once per year," said Jeri Busch, the head of the military pay and compensation policy branch for the chief of naval personnel. "Out of 166 line items, we reduced 36 single-level and 21 multi-level, with seven going to zero and 102 remaining unchanged," said Busch.
Approximately 26,500 Sailors receive SDAP each month, and of these, 6,300 are affected by this message. Adjusted pay rates will be reflected in the August pay cycle, said Busch.
Sailors whose SDAP will be eliminated will receive half of their previous SDAP entitlement for 12 months, or until the Sailor completes the tour, whichever comes first.
The SDAP program is an incentive for Sailors to serve in designated billets that are considered extremely difficult or entail arduous duty. Program levels change to reflect the current environment associated with each billet.
Commands holding SDAP billets are required to complete an annual recertification by Aug. 31. Guidance for this process can be found in NAVADMIN 168/09.
For more information on SDAP, visit www.npc.navy.mil.
Navy authorizes extra award points for Sailors supporting global ops by MCC(SW) Maria Yager
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- The Navy announced plans June 3 to increase the maximum number of award points authorized when computing the final multiple on Navy-wide advancement exams for Sailors with in-theater service as outlined in NAVADMIN 167/09.
"Since the earliest stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the performance and advancement results of Sailors have been monitored to ensure that in-theater service does not disadvantage Sailors. Where warranted by the data, policy adjustments have been implemented to counter in-theater advancement challenges," said Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson, chief of naval personnel, in the message.
"This action is intended to prevent the exclusion of in-theater award points for those Sailors who currently have the maximum award points for their pay grade," said Ferguson.
The new policy takes effect in August for Reserve advancement cycle 085 and September for the active-duty advancement cycle 204. Sailors who have served more than 90 consecutive days in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, Kuwait, Guantanamo Bay, Joint Task Force 515, or Joint Force Special Task Force-Philippines after Oct. 24, 2001 are authorized a two-point increase to the maximum award points authorized.
This increases the maximum number of award points to 12 for E-4 and E-5 candidates and 14 points for E-6 candidates.
"There are a lot of [hospital] corpsmen who miss it by half a point. So, any help is appreciated," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (FMF) Adrian Evans, assigned to Navy Branch Health Clinic aboard Naval Support Activity Mid-South.
Evans completed two deployments to Iraq as a platoon corpsman for the 2nd Marine Division Fleet Marine Force. With his prior awards and a recent Navy Achievement Medal, Evans is maxed out on award points, but, the new policy will allow him to get credit for his overseas contingency service on his next advancement exam.
In addition to extra award points for exams, the Navy has offered Sailors other advancement incentives for serving in-theater.
According to NAVADMIN 276/08 all chief petty officer and limited duty officer candidates who are eligible, meet the requirements and have the commanding officer's approval are waived from the advancement examinations while serving in-theater.
NAVADMIN 077/05 explains how Sailors can earn accelerated advancement through the Combat Meritorious Advancement Program. In order to qualify for the program, Sailors must currently be in pay grades E1 through E5. The program is not authorized to promote Sailors to E7 or above.
"When you compare the time and environment a non-operational corpsman gets to study versus an operational corpsman, anything extra helps," said Evans.
Housing recovery funds available
Military DoD civilians who face financial losses due to the current housing downturn can find relief in the ARRA influx of funds to the Housing Assistance Program (HAP).
Active members, former members, and survivors of those who have died on deployment of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, as well as DoD civilians, who have sold a primary residence for a loss, or are considering selling their home, may qualify for funds.
The Recovery Act appropriated $555 million in funds to the HAP, which DoD will use to temporarily expand this program in order to partially reimburse eligible members. applications.
To speak with a HAP representative, call (916) 557-6850 or 1-800-811-5532.
Load 'em up
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Aug. 31, 2010) An aviation ordnance team assigned to the Mad Foxes of Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 load a captive-carry MK-84 Harpoon training missile onto a P-3C Orion at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The exercise was part of the conventional weapons proficiency inspection to prepare for a tri-site six-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Jason R. Wilson
Hi-tech gas station
KOKOPO, Papua New Guinea (Aug. 23, 2010) Seabees assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 1, based in San Diego, hand pump gas into a container to be used for generators at the Vunamami Farmer's Training Center engineering site. ACB-1 is in Papua New Guinea participating in Pacific Partnership 2010, the fifth in a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance endeavors aimed at strengthening regional partnerships. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Marissa Myatt
Troop pay for combat, hardship remains steady for troops in Iraq 9/1/2010 by Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The change from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn does not affect the pays and entitlements troops serving in Iraq receive, a Pentagon spokeswoman said Aug. 31.
Service members deployed to Iraq will still receive hostile fire/imminent danger pay, hardship-duty pay, and incidental expenses. Some troops will qualify for family separation allowances. Also, all pay for warrant officers and enlisted members is tax exempt, while officers are exempt from taxes for up to $7,611.30 each month they serve in a designated combat zone.
"These pays compensate a member for the arduous conditions and additional burdens and dangers associated with being deployed to a combat zone," Eileen Lainez said.
For some troops, the additional pay could mean as much as $680 a month, not including tax exemptions, while deployed to a combat zone.
Troop levels in Iraq peaked at nearly 170,000 in 2007 during the height of the troop surge. Combat operations there officially ended August 31, 2010. Fewer than 50,000 troops will remain in Iraq until Dec. 31, 2011, to serve in an advise and assist role for Iraqi security forces.
Troop levels do not affect these special pays, Lainez said.
"Additional entitlements in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait or other countries in the Arabian Peninsula designated as combat zones, or direct support areas, are not tied to troop levels," she said. "Rather, the additional entitlements members receive are based upon a location's designation as a combat zone or direct support area."
The President deems what is and is not a combat zone, through Executive Order.
Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula were deemed combat zones in January 1991. Afghanistan received the same designation Sept. 19, 2001.
USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group to deploy 9/2/2010
EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) -- Three ships of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 -- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Momsen (DDG 92), and USS Shoup (DDG 86) -- will get underway Sept. 7 from Naval Station Everett for a scheduled routine deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.
The mission of the Lincoln Strike Group while deployed will focus on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts, which help establish conditions for regional stability.
"Security and stability lead to peace and prosperity. Lincoln Strike Group is ready to deploy worldwide as a force for peace in support of our nation's global interests," said Rear Adm. Mark D. Guadagnini, commander Lincoln Strike Group.
The deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operating in international waters around the globe, working with other coalition maritime forces.
"There are 5,000 men and women on this ship that are excited, prepared and determined to make a difference in the world. We're ready," said Capt. John D. Alexander, Commanding Officer, USS Abraham Lincoln.
Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 consists of flagship USS Abraham Lincoln, embarked Carrier Air Wing 2, San Diego-based guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71), and the embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, which includes the Everett-based destroyers Momsen and Shoup, as well as the San Diego-based destroyers USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Sterett (DDG 104), which will get underway from Naval Base San Diego in the near future.
NAVFAC Southwest awards contract for new Camp Pendleton hospital 9/2/2010 by Lee H. Saunders
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest awarded Clark/McCarthy of Costa Mesa, Calif., a $394 million Recovery Act funded contract Sept. 1 to design and construct a new hospital at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Navy Medicine West is the sponsor for the hospital representing the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.
NAVFAC Southwest will manage the largest American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project of 2009 to be awarded in the Department of Navy.
"The naval hospital replacement project at Camp Pendleton is one of the largest Recovery Act projects within the Department of Defense and plays a critical role for the support and care for the local military families in the Camp Pendleton area," said Cmdr. Whit Robinson, NAVFAC Southwest's resident officer-in-charge of construction for Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.
Clark/McCarthy, a joint venture, will design and construct the new 500,000 square foot, multilevel medical hospital on a 70 acre site at Camp Pendleton. The new hospital will include a central utilities plant, a 1,500 space multilevel parking structure, surface parking, site development and associated supporting facilities such as inpatient medical facilities, ancillary departments, emergency care, primary care, specialty care clinics, support spaces and facilities for non-ambulatory patients with stays in excess of 24 hours.
"I speak for both Clark and McCarthy in stating how pleased we are with NAVFAC's trust and confidence in selecting our team for this very significant contract award," said Richard M. Heim, a joint venture managing partner from Clark/McCarthy. "We pledge the utmost from both firms in making this much needed hospital a valued success for NAVFAC, a strong boost to the construction community and the best facility for our men and women in the Navy and Marine Corps."
The project will have facilities to provide a variety of medical services for surgery, patient overnight stays, dental care, intensive care and general medical and emergency care.
"Navy Medicine West strives to provide the safest environment for both patients and staff in California's earthquake-prone region," said Ché Miranda, Navy Medicine West's deputy chief of staff for installations and logistics. "California's Seismic-safety legislation, Senate Bill 1953, was passed in 1994 following the Northridge earthquake. The Northridge earthquake caused 23 hospitals to suspend some or all of their services and resulted in more than $3 billion in hospital-related damages. Although state standards do not directly apply to federal hospitals, Navy medicine leaders recognizing this vulnerability to one of the largest concentrations of U.S. Marine Corps forces in the world, and identified this project as a top priority for military medical construction."
The contract also contains two planned modifications and one option. One modification will purchase conservation banking credits. Conservation banking credits are approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that bank owners sell to developers or project proponents who need to compensate for the impacts their projects have on threatened or endangered species, wetlands, environmentally sensitive habitat areas, mudflats, sub-tidal areas and less sensitive resources.
The second modification is to obtain furniture, fixtures and equipment necessary to support the facility's function. The option is for building additional parking. The use of the modifications and option will increase the value of the contract to $451 million.
"In full swing, it is estimated that this project may employ between 700 and 1,000 construction workers daily, thus providing a large economic stimulus for the area," said Robinson. "The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, Navy Medicine West and the officer-in-charge of construction, Marine Corps Installations West have assembled tremendously experienced project and construction management teams to preserve our commitment of providing absolutely one of the most relevant and sophisticated health care facilities possible for our Marines, Sailors and their families."
The project is scheduled for completion in 2014.
Since April 2009, NAVFAC Southwest has awarded 107 Recovery Act projects for more than $814 million including the Camp Pendleton hospital project.
SURFPAC commands and local school district Partner in Education 9/1/2010
by MC1 (SW/AW) Elena Pence, Naval Surface Forces Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SURFPAC) joined local San Ysidro School District to create the first type commander and school district partnership in the history of Partners in Education (PIE), during a kick-off ceremony held at SURFPAC headquarters Aug. 30.
Commands volunteering to participate in the PIE program include: USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Makin Island (LHD 8), USS Comstock (LSD 45), USS Kidd (DDG 100), USS Pinckney (DDG 91), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Chief (MCM 14), Commander, Amphibious Squadron 1, and SURFPAC.
"Our Navy's concept of a 'global force for good' starts in our own backyard, as demonstrated by the number of surface warriors and community leaders here today," said Vice Adm. D.C. Curtis, commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. "The young men and women involved in the Partnership in Education program are our future leaders. We hope that our involvement really makes an impact."
PIE is a non-profit organization consisting of education partners focused on ensuring all students leave school with the academic, technical, and employability skills necessary to be successful in the workplace.
"My first involvement with a Navy ship was with the USS New Orleans (LPH 11) 18 years ago and the children benefited greatly from that relationship," said Jose Torres, principal of Ocean View Hills School. "Now my school is partnered with not one but two ships, Kidd and the Stockdale, and I'm excited to see where this relationship will take my children."
The idea for a partnership between SURFPAC and the San Ysidro School District originated with Capt. Emilio Marrero, SURFPAC Force Chaplain, Rear Adm. (retired) Joe Betancourt, and Manuel Paul, superintendent of San Ysidro School.
"We hope to make an impact on our children of San Yisdro and we hope it will equally impact our Sailors who will volunteer their time," said Marrero. "What we see is an investment, an opportunity to give up our selves, to be engaged and invest in young people so they grow up to not only know who we are as Sailors, but who we are as fellow citizens, Americans, and neighbors who give to one another."
For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.surfaceforces.surfor.navy.mil or follow the Surface Force at www.facebook.com/SurfaceWarriors.
DoD identifies Navy casualty 8/29/2010
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of Defense announced Aug. 29 the death of a Sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class James M. Swink, 20, of Yucca Valley, Calif., died Aug. 27 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Swink was assigned to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Forces.
For further information related to this release, contact 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs at 910-450-6575.
MCPON sends 2010 Labor Day message to the fleet 8/27/2010
Special from Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick D. West
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick D. West released the following Labor Day message to the fleet Aug. 27.
"Shipmates and Navy Families,
As we enjoy the last few weeks of summer, I would like to take this opportunity to remind our Sailors and their families to keep safety in mind especially during what is considered to be the unofficial last weekend of summer, Labor Day weekend.
We all need to think about off-duty risk management while planning our Labor Day weekend activities, and not try to cram in too many activities into one weekend which could lead to injury or fatality.
While we have seen success in summer risk management, the loss of even one trained and ready Sailor is unacceptable, and last Labor Day weekend we lost two. As of Aug. 6, 2010, eight Sailors have died this summer during off-duty hours: four in four-wheel motor vehicle mishaps, two on motorcycles and two during recreation mishaps. Based on an average of the last five years, nearly twice as many Sailors are killed on motorcycles during Labor Day weekend than any other weekend. Remember, proper personal protective equipment is a requirement year round, on or off base. Keep in mind that if you are going to play, play it safe … summer sports cause numerous minor injuries every year and 12 Sailors were injured participating in sporting activities last year.
I issued a challenge to the Fleet during Fourth of July weekend and that was to keep up the success rate of zero fatalities from Memorial Day, and I'm giving you the same challenge for this Labor Day weekend.
Use caution when driving, participating in water activities, and if drinking, have a plan. Stay safe and enjoy your much-deserved time off with your family and friends, and as always, keep in mind our Sailors who are deployed and can't be with their loved ones.
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend and HOOYAH!"
Navy tightens E5 eval recommendations 8/26/10
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- In an effort to more clearly define top-performing Sailors, the Navy is revising the E-5 periodic evaluations beginning March 15, 2011, with a mandatory "ranking" requirement.
According to NAVADMIN 286/10, the E-5 force distribution rules are being changed so that the total number of "early promote" and "must promote" recommendations cannot exceed 60 percent, and "Must Promote" recommendations can be increased by one for every unused "early promote" quota.
Previously, raters were not limited in how many "must promote" recommendations they were able to give, but "early promote" recommendations have been set and remain at 20 percent.
As the Navy continues centering its attention on performance, it is more important than ever for Sailors to ensure their records are up-to-date and accurate. The Electronic Service Record can be viewed at https://nspics.nmci.navy.mil and Official Military Personnel Files are available on BUPERS Online https://www.bol.navy.mil.
An updated release of the NAVFIT98A software is planned for January 2011 to incorporate the policy change. The software was modified earlier this year to incorporate changes regarding the documentation of Physical Fitness Assessments and Individual Augmentee assignments.
For more information, visit www.npc.navy.mil/CareerInfo/PerformanceEvaluation/FAQ.htm.
New law extends 75-day leave carry over 8/25/2010
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- A 2008 law that increased annual leave carry over from 60 days to 75 days has been extended to 2013.
The 2010 National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama in October 2009, extended the planned December 2010 expiration of the 75-day leave carry over benefit, until Sept. 30, 2013. Afterward, leave carryover eligibility will be reset to 60 days.
"While this extension was effective in October 2009, and policy documents were updated to reflect this change, it appears that many Sailors had not received this information. The release of NAVADMIN 281/10 ensures maximum distribution to the fleet," said Lt. Brandi McGehee, Navy military pay and compensation policy, assistant pay and allowances officer.
Special Leave Accrual (SLA) retention limits for SLA earned between Oct. 1, 2008, to Sept. 30, 2013, for service members assigned to hostile fire or imminent danger areas, certain deployable ships, mobile units, or other duty, were also extended to four fiscal years from the previous three-fiscal-year limit.
These leave carryover changes are now reflected in the MILPERSMAN articles that apply (1050-010, 1050-060 and 1050-070).
For more information, visit the Navy Personnel Command website at www.npc.navy.mil and read the message or contact your servicing Personnel Support Detachment.
