Ombudsman Newsletter July 2008

CO’s Corner

Happy 4^th JPJ Families,

The end of deployment brought much deserved down

time to the crew and the plan is to keep it that way for the

foreseeable future. Though the work has not stopped, it’s always nice to know your sailor will be coming home every night.

A great deal of post deployment maintenance was accomplished as

well as pre-maintenance availability preparations. We’ve already completed a few inspections and the ship has done well. The biggest news is Supply Department’s superior job on the Supply Management Certification.

This inspection happens every two years and by performing so well, the Supply Department earned the Blue “E” for the ship. This is a big step towards earning the Battle “E”. Additionally, Operations Department did extremely well on their Aviation, and Search and Rescue inspections. The Engineer’s played significant roles in all of these success stories.

As I write, we are settled in Seal Beach conducting our ammunition offload. We will return for the 4^th of July weekend and have a family day cruise on 07 July, our last underway period until mid October. I hope to see many of you onboard as we have many family oriented activities planned. Think if it as a one day “Tiger Cruise”.

Over the next few months, the ship will be in a major maintenance period. Initially the ship will enter a dry dock at NASSCO for six weeks, than move to Continental Marine for 3 weeks, than back to NAVSTA for 3 weeks. This is the opportunity to breathe new life into the ship, while spending quality and quantity time at home.

Your Sailors are the best group of men and women with who I’ve ever served. They are professional, hard working, honorable, and most importantly, inspiring. I hope you are as proud of them as I am. They are the reason for each and every success experienced on this great ship.

Christopher K. Barnes

CDR USN

Commanding Officer

CMC’s Corner

Hello JOHN PAUL JONES Family and Friends,

It's hard to believe we've been home a month already. The Crew has kept

themselves busy with schools, training and of course inspections. Congratulations to Supply Department and everyone that helped earn the blue E during Supply Management Certification(SMC). Now it's time to get ready for the yard period and prepare for the Khaki team to win the Captain's Cup! But before we do that we welcomed all of our families and friends on for the Family and Friends Day Cruise. The ship was packed and the crew was excited to show off their ship. It was great being able to meet a lot of you and talk about your Sailor and the ship. I hope you are impressed with your Sailor as much as I am.

I would like to extend a "Congratulations on a job well done" to the following Sailors who were recently recognized for sustained superior performance:

New First Class Petty Officer:

CS1 Dickerson

New Third Class Petty Officer:

SH3 Alvarez

Announcing new JPJ Babies:

SK3 Steele's wife, Kim, gave birth to their daughter Kenzie on 17JUN08.

OS1 Neihart's wife, Jill, gave birth to their daughter Ashleigh on 19JUN08.

CS2 Hemingway's wife, Lynda, gave birth to their daughter Destiny on 20JUN08.

Very Respectfully,
CMDCM(SW) Karol M. Kramer

OMBUDSMAN’S CORNER

Happy Fourth of July!

Summer is definitely here. The kids are, for the most part, out of school; Independence Day and the associated festivities are here; and weekends at the beach with the sunburns to follow are all a part of July it seems. But with all of the fun we need to remember to be safe. Children tend to forget that they aren’t immortal, so please be sure to be on alert.

Since we had our Family Day Cruise this month I thought that you might need some clarification for some basic customs and terms on the ship. You will find explainations for some of the most common questions in the Naval Terms and Customs section.

I hope you were able to enjoy your time with your sailor as much as my family enjoyed ours. We are fortunate that we will be able to have our sailors “home” for a while now. A fellow ship recently asked if our FSG could help them out since their FSG is just starting up. Our families stepped up to the plate and helped out our fellow Navy families. For all those who helped, by providing dinners, offering rides or emotional support, thank you! Your willingness to help another out speaks volumes about you. One spouse in particular, Darla Nydegger, went way past what was expected or even asked. She helped with kids, rides to get groceries, and even a ride to help pick up the Sailor when he returned. A huge thank you goes out to her. At the July 1^st meeting, the Boxer’s Command Master Chief, CMC Burrhus, their Ombudsman team, and other representatives joined us at our monthly meeting to say thank you and meet those that attended. Your FSG is also being recognized at the July Surface Forces Ombudsman Assembly-congratulations on your wonderful achievements!

I hope you all have a great summer and enjoy your time with your sailor.

Heather Cox

Command Ombudsman

USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53)

(619) 743-5416 OMB line

1-866-310-4650 Careline

jpjombudsman@yahoo.com

http://jpjfamilynews.tripod.com

Navy Trivia:

The American flag first flew over a foreign fort in what country?

A. Philippines

B. France

C. Germany

D. Libya

Family Support Group News

Dear JPJ Families and Friends,

July is upon us already! How time flies, seems like it was just yesterday that we were all standing on the pier awaiting the arrival of our sailors. Our July FSG meeting was held on the 1^st and we had special guests from the USS Boxer come to recognize our FSG for helping out two of the Boxer families while they were out. A special thanks to Darla Nydegger for going above and beyond while assisting a Boxer family for an entire week. Thanks to those of us who were able to help another family by providing meals in a time of need. Remember that our Hospitality Committee provides a week of meals to new moms (up to 3 months after birth) or to persons recovering from surgery or illness. If you are in need of these special meals please contact Maggie Martin at jpj_hospitality@yahoo.com. I hope to see you all at the Family Day Cruise scheduled for Monday July 7^th.

Have a great month!!

Julie Gushlaw, USS John Paul Jones FSG President

Fsg_53@yahoo.com

Important Dates in History!

July is National Bioterrorism/Disaster Education and Awareness Month: Be sure to have an Emergency Plan and kit made in place and have all members of your family aware of your plans and location of your emergency kit.

July 4, 1777 - John Paul Jones hoists first Stars and Stripes flag on Ranger at Portsmouth, NH.

July 8, 1835 Liberty Bell Cracks, while being rung at the funeral of John Marshall.

July 16, 1969 Apollo 11 Lifts Off on its voyage to the moon with Commander Neil A. Armstrong, Command Module pilot Michael Collins, Lunar Module pilot Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr on board.

July 17 1975 - Docking in space of the U.S. Apollo (Apollo 18) and Soviet Soyuz (Soyuz 19) space craft. This was the first manned space flight conducted jointly by the 2 nations. Former naval aviator Vance D. Brand was the Apollo Command Module Pilot. The Apollo craft was in space for 9 days and 7.5 hours. Recovery was by USS New Orleans (LPH-11).

July 18, 1792 - John Paul Jones dies in Paris, France

July 22 1905 - Body of John Paul Jones moved to Annapolis, MD for reburial.

July 23, 1950 - USS Boxer sets record crossing of Pacific to bring aircraft, troops, and supplies to Korea at start of the Conflict

July 31, 1790 First US Patent granted and issued to Samuel Hopkins.

Ask the Ombudsman!

Question: What are dry docks and why is the ship there? Does this mean my sailor will be home earlier?

Answer: Dry dock is where the ship is pulled into an area without any water. How you ask? Well the ship is floated in and then a gate closes behind it. The water is then let out and the ship is in dry dock. The JPJ is going into dry dock so that any repairs, upgrades or general maintenance needed can be done. Your sailor’s schedule will be dictated by what needs to be done and duty days. Some days he may be home earlier and some days may be later. Be patient and understanding that your sailor has a lot of work ahead and will be home when he is able.

Naval Terms and Customs

1. What is that thing we crossed to get on the ship called ?

That “thingamigig”, as I am known to call items I don’t know, is called a brow.

2. Why did my Sailor stop and salute half way across the brow?

Your Sailor was saluting the American Flag. Sailors will always face the Flag and salute, so sometimes they may be facing out to sea and sometimes they will face the pier. The Flag is always flown on the aft of the ship.

3. What is a fo’c’stle?

The fo’c’stle (which is short for forecastle) is the front end of the ship. When the ship is cutting through the waves it is said to look like a forecastle, hence the term.

4. Why is a ship referred to as "she?"

It has always been customary to personify certain inanimate objects and attribute to them characteristics peculiar to living creatures. Thus, things without life are often spoken of as having a sex. Some objects are regarded as masculine. The sun, winter, and death are often personified in this way. Others are regarded as feminine, especially those things that are dear to us. The earth as mother Earth is regarded as the common maternal parent of all life. In languages that use gender for common nouns, boats, ships, and other vehicles almost invariably use a feminine form. Likewise, early seafarers spoke of their ships in the feminine gender for the close dependence they had on their ships for life and sustenance.

5. Permission to board? I thought they were assigned to the ship!

All enlisted personnel must request permission to depart and return to the ship. Officers state that they have permission to depart the ship and report their return.

6. Ok, I have heard of starboard and port but which is which?

Port and starboard are shipboard terms for left and right, respectively. Confusing those two could cause a ship wreck. In Old England, the starboard was the steering paddle or rudder, and ships were always steered from the right side on the back of the vessel. Larboard referred to the left side, the side on which the ship was loaded. So how did larboard become port? Shouted over the noise of the wind and the waves, larboard and starboard sounded too much alike. The word port means the opening in the "left" side of the ship from which cargo was unloaded. Sailors eventually started using the term to refer to that side of the ship. Use of the term "port" was officially adopted by the U.S. Navy by General Order, 18 February 1846.

7. Why did the bell ring and then someone over the speaker system say “John Paul Jones arriving/departing”?

This is a sign of respect and to make all aboard the ship aware that the Captain of the ship is arriving or departing.

8. What is mooring?

Mooring is when you tie this ship to the pier.

Answers in italics were from the following source: http://www.history.navy.mil/nhc11.htm

Beach and Water Safety

Beach Safety

• Stay away from the rocks.
• Always swim near a lifeguard.
• Never swim alone.
• Feet first, first time — don’t dive headfirst.
• Protect yourself from the sun — drink nonalcoholic fluids, wear sun block and protective clothing.
• Obey warning signs and flags.
• Understand and avoid rip currents and dangerous areas.
• Don’t panic in a rip current — try to call or wave for help.
• Never go in after a drowning person — throw a rope or extend a pole.
• Dial 9-1-1 for a lifeguard.

Water Safety

Boaters

Know your boat and know the rules of the road. Take a safe boating course.
Check your boat for all required safety equipment.
Consider the size of your boat, the number of passengers and the amount of extra equipment that will be on-board. DON’T OVERLOAD THE BOAT!
If you will be in a power boat, check your electrical system and fuel system for gas fumes.
Follow manufacturer’s suggested procedures BEFORE starting up the engine.
Wear your life jacket – don’t just carry one on board.
Leave your alcohol behind. Work to increase your safety, not increase your risks!
Check the weather forecast.
File a float plan with a member of your family or friend.

Swimmers

Swim only in designated swimming areas.
Never swim alone.
Never rely on toys such as inner tubes and water wings to stay afloat
Don’t take chances by over estimating your swimming skills.

This Resource is for You!

Operation Prepare

With all of the natural and man-made disasters that can and have occurred, we want to remind you to make sure that your family is prepared in the event of a disaster. Operation Prepare is the Navy’s program to help you prepare for a disaster.

The Operation Prepare website gives guidance on kit making, planning, regional information (including Oversea locations) and other resources. Kits are available for purchase or you can make your own. Make sure that you include all members of your family when make a plan and kit. This includes seniors, children, and pets.

Below are listed several resources to help you get prepared for a disaster. Please review the websites and get prepared so that you will not be caught off guard!

Operation Prepare: www.cnic.navy.mil

American Red Cross: www.redcross.org

Ready America: http://www.ready.gov/

Federal Emergency Management Agency:

http://www.fema.gov/

American Veterinary Medical Association:

http://www.avma.org/disaster/default.asp

Disclaimer: The Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, and Navy Personnel Command do not endorse any commercial enterprise or their websites that may be found within this section. Information on any commercial enterprise or their websites are provided because of the useful information provided on these sites at no cost to the visitor.

Navy Trivia Answer: D

The American Flag was first flown over Fort Derne, Libya on the shores of Tripoli on April 27, 1805. The shores of Tripoli are mentioned in the first line of the Marine Corps Hymn as a reference to the first American war fought on foreign soil. The US Navy was created in 1794 by Congress to protect America’s interest from Barbary pirates who demanded “tributes” or ransom from Americans, resulting in a loss of approximately 20% of annual revenues. The Barbary States of Tripoli, Tunis, Morocco, and Algiers, for centuries, had demanded these tributes to fatten their coffers. Frequent contributors included the US, France, England and Holland. Thomas Jefferson initially refused to pay the ransom and sent troops to the region after Tripoli declared war upon the US. In 1801 Tripoli captured and enslaved all 301 Officers, Sailors and Marines of the USS Philadelphia, which was run aground after chasing a Tripolian ship. After a large enough fleet amassed, the battle of Tripoli began on August 3, 1804. The war, called the First Barbary War, lasted until 1805 when all but 5 of the captured troops were returned. The five that were not returned died during captivity . A ransom was paid for the return of the crew, which Thomas Jefferson said would not fix the problem. This later was proven correct when the Second Barbary War needed to be fought from approximately 1812-1816 to combat the same problem of piracy by the Barbary States.

CONTACT YOUR SAILOR:

Sailors love snail mail! Although we have the convenience of email, don’t forget to send letters and packages to your loved one at sea! Send mail to:

Service Member’s Name

USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG-53)

FPO AP 96669-1271

Remember…sailors love snail mail!

July 2008

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

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FSG Meeting

6:30pm

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Independence Day

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Family Day Cruise

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