Y'know, maybe it's just me...

While yours truly was looking for holiday photos from service websites, I stumbled across a few pictures of Jolly Old Saint Nick with GIs and kids. "Great stuff," I thought...then I read the captions. Of 10 photos I found, four of these OFFICIAL military photographers spelled the jolly big elf's name "Santa Clause."

You read it right - C-L-A-U-S-E...as in the title of the Disney flicks starring Tim Allen, or -- as Webster's Dictionary puts it -- "a distinctive article in a document" (as in a grandfather clause or restrictive clause). Not C-L-A-U-S...the derivative of "Klaus" or "Klas."

Hate to say this, but TWO of those pics came from professional Navy lens-slingers. What ever happened to the tried-and-true "approval chop-chain" from my old school JO days?

Hmmmm. Mhaybee theez fotografers niid uh refreshur korse in spelleng.

Okay...securing from "Grinch"-mode...

Party-time trivia...

Here's a tidbit that might win you a few drinks at your next gathering or local watering hole:

At your next get-together, ask your friends to name the SEVEN UNIFORMED SERVICES OF THE UNITED STATES. To really stump 'em, you can add that two of these services have NO ENLISTEDS, only COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Folks will quickly fire-back with the National Guard or Reserves (nope, they're already part of the military branches); some might counter with the Postal Service, TSA, DoD Police or National Park Ranger (yes, they wear uniforms; but nope, they're all hired federal employees, and not commissioned or enlisted).

When they've exhausted everything, drop this on 'em: the SEVEN UNIFORMED SERVICES OF THE UNITED STATES are: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force -- and the commissioned corps of the US Public Health Service (USPHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). USPHS and NOAA Corps have only commissioned officers in their ranks, both services wear Navy officer uniforms and ranks; and both services wear ribbons, specialty devices and decorations issued by their agencies.

You can learn more about the USPHS and NOAA Commissioned Corps at

www.noaacorps.noaa.gov/ and www.usphs.gov/

And don't forget to collect your bet...

How old are you??
We Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen are a pretty young lot -- considering our services were founded in 1775 (for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps), 1790 (USCG) and 1947 (USAF), respectively. Only one service organization is older than the US and the five standing forces -- the National Guard.

The Guard celebrated its 372nd birthday on Dec. 13, when the Massachusetts Bay Colony divided its citizen-soldiers, or militia, into the North, South and East regiments in 1636.

The Massachusetts Bay colony was seven years old back then. About 5,000 men, women, and children had made the two-month voyage to the New World, leaving behind the relative comfort and safety of England. In Massachusetts, they confronted a wilderness of dense forests, wild animals and suspicious Indians.

The colonists needed a military force for protection, but they had no money to hire a mercenary army, which was common practice in Europe at the time. So they turned to the English tradition of the militia -- citizen-soldiers who gathered for military training and who could fight when needed.

In Massachusetts, all able-bodied men between ages 16 and 60, except ministers and judges, were required to join the militia. By 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony militia was large enough to be divided into three separate regiments.

Today, the military lineage of those original 17th Century regiments is carried on by the 101st Engineer Battalion, 101st Field Artillery, 181st Infantry and the 182nd Cavalry, and are all still part of the Massachusetts Army National Guard -- the direct descendant of the original Massachusetts Bay Colony militia. These four units, in one form or another, have been in continuous service since 1636, and are the oldest units in the US Army.

Final thoughts for the year...
As we close 2008, I'd like to take this time to wish each of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, or Good Winter Solstice. What ever Holiday you celebrate, share the spirit of it with those less fortunate. I'm a firm believer in a strong NATION begins with STRONG COMMUNITIES. Do something nice for a stranger -- commit random acts of kindness. True Warriors also have compassion -- and that extends to the neighborhoods in which they live.

Be safe and be well. See you in 2009!

Until next time...

Jon Yim
Editor

Featured Upgrades this Month

Feature your Navy Family Members
Many of you are from Families with proud traditions of service - in some cases with three generations of serving Sailors in the family. We have often been asked how members should best identify their relatives on the site, beyond adding them to the My Shipmates list. We have come up with a way to feature selected Shipmates directly on your profile.

If you visit the profile of any of your brothers you will see a new My Shipmates section at the top of the left profile page:



All you need to do is select a title to give the member concerned and click Update and they will be featured in a special section on your profile. For example by selecting "Son" in the drop down field above and clicking Update your profile left page could look like this:



To remove a featured Shipmate just return to their profile and set the title to None.

Lastly you can also select shipmates to feature directly from the My Shipmates page:


Just select the Shipmates you wish to feature, choose a title and click Feature Selected.

Also There Emails
We have also added a new feature to notify you (at most once a month, and only as required) if any new members list assignments to the same ships/unit(s) as yourself, with overlapping years of service - these are the members you are most likely to know and we have often been requested to add such a notification. If you do not wish to receive these automatic emails they can be turned off from your account preferences page, as can all of our communications.

Story by MCCS (SW/AW) Bill Houlihan

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Public Affairs

WASHINGTON - Master Chief Petty Officer (SS/SW) Rick D. West took the helm of the enlisted force as the Navy's 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON), receiving the ceremonial cutlass from outgoing MCPON (SW/FMF) Joe R. Campa, Jr., in ceremonies at the Washington Navy Yard this month.

The ceremony marked the end of a 29-year career for Campa, who had served as MCPON since July 10, 2006. During his tenure, Campa emphasized a return to "deckplate leadership" for the Navy's chief petty officer community and stressed the importance of infusing the fleet with a sense of the Navy's heritage, traditions and rich history.

"With a singular drive, he infused in our chief petty officers' mess a renewed spirit of heritage, service and high standards," said Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead, who served as the ceremony's guest speaker. "He formed the MCPON's Leadership Mess to coalesce fleetwide chiefs around those renewed standards and expectations. He created and enforced The Chief Petty Officer Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles."

Campa wasted little time beginning a process he referred to as "re-setting the Navy's Chief's Mess." He introduced the Chiefs' Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles (MVGP) just two months after taking office then used that document as a foundation for a series of CPO Mess changes and recommendations to senior Navy leadership.

During the 30-month period he was in office, Campa deliberately introduced the MVGP to the Navy and inserted the language into Chief Petty Officer Selection Board precepts, as well as the recently developed new CPO evaluation.

He was instrumental in the decision to rescind a policy requiring an associate degree for selection to senior chief and also successfully pushed for opening up advancement exams to Sailors serving in theaters such as Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.

Campa discussed none of his personal accomplishments during his retirement remarks, though, instead focusing on the gratitude he felt at the opportunities the Navy has provided him and the memories he'll take with him of his years as a United States Sailor.

"In the years to come I can guarantee you that the Sailor in me will never fade," said Campa. "I'll miss everything about our great Navy. I'll miss the Sailors with their energy, their swagger and their courage to speak their minds. I'll miss the culture and the attitude that is ours and ours alone, and I'll miss the sea more than I care to admit."

West, who joined the Navy in 1981 recently served as Fleet Master Chief for Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, VA, and previously served as Pacific Fleet Master Chief. In his remarks, he discussed the honor associated with leading an entire enlisted force.

"You all exemplify what it is to be a United States Sailor," said West. "Honor, courage and commitment.

"You are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan; are on IAs in Cuba, Africa and Bahrain and are forward deployed on ships and other duty stations throughout the world. I will honor your commitment by upholding the ideal of service that my predecessors have established."

Campa and West, in a tribute to CPO heritage, accepted the ceremonial cutlass from Ima Black, widow of the Navy's first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, MCPON Del Black. Campa made Mrs. Black an honorary master chief in 2007.

- Photo by MC1 Jennifer A. Villalovos

Afghanistan's Karzai Visits Carrier

Story by US Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At Sea - President Hamid Karzai, elected leader of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan flew aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) earlier this month for his first visit aboard an American aircraft carrier.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai chats with Sailors in the hangar bay during his visit to the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt earlier this month. Karzai visited the aircraft carrier to gain a better understanding of how the US Navy conducts operations at-sea. - Photo by MC3 Jonathan Snyder

Karzai visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier at sea to gain a better understanding of how the U.S. Navy conducts operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command remarked that "President Karzai was able to see first-hand the professionalism demonstrated by our personnel and gain a better understanding of how we do operations."

Escorted by Gortney, Karzai toured the flight deck and observed flight operations, as well as visited the ship's bridge, an aircraft squadron's ready room and the ship's combat direction center.

"President Karzai was very interested in learning more about the capabilities and support that Theodore Roosevelt and Carrier Air Wing-8 bring to OEF," said Rear Admiral Frank Pandolfe, commander, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group. "We employ these capabilities every day to help the government of Afghanistan build a more peaceful and prosperous nation."

The Navy is a crucial partner in supporting coalition forces that operate on the ground, which help the government of Afghanistan establish a secure democracy for the people of Afghanistan.

"We were honored to host President Karzai," said Captain Ladd Wheeler, Theodore Roosevelt's commanding officer. "He was impressed with the Sailors he met as well as the dedication shown by them in the amazing work they do."

NTWS Ships Store - For All Your Shipmate Swag!

Visit to our online NTWS Ships Store for all your cool Navy swag - Shirts, Jackets, Hats, Jewelry, Footwear, Medals, Patches and much, much more!

(The Ships Store can also be found under the "Navy Store" tab or on the left hand Home Page just as you log into NTWS)

Over 9,000 quality Items at the lowest prices...and a 30-day, money-back guarantee! Here's just a few of the many items in our store:

• Navy Golf Shirts (Various logos and colors)
  
• Belleville US Army Insulated Combat Boot
• Jostens Classic Men's U.S. Navy Ring - Rectangle Stone
• US Navy Ship Art Prints (2000 ships to choose from)
  

Thank you for your support of the NTWS Ships Store. All Store proceeds go towards promoting the NTWS website, bringing more Sailors to the TWS Community.

Download Iraq and Afghanistan maps here.

                                                      - US Navy photo

New Year Brings New Tools to Quit Tobacco

FALLS CHURCH, VA - The Department of Defense (DoD) and TRICARE are offering new innovative online tools to help military service members keep their New Year’s resolutions to quit tobacco.

The DoD-sponsored educational campaign, Quit Tobacco - Make Everyone Proud, is expanding its interactive Web site. Users can now create a blog when they register on the site, www.ucanquit2.org, to share their experiences with family and friends and sign an electronic "I Resolve to Quit" Bulletin Board to publicly announce their resolution to become tobacco free. They will also have access to a customizable Quit Calendar after Jan. 4 to record milestones and track progress. The expanded networking capabilities allow users to share ideas, tips and advice with fellow service members, as well as family and friends.

"Giving up tobacco is a challenge, but a challenge that the men and women of the military have the strength and determination to overcome. We encourage them to make 2009 the year to start a healthier lifestyle," said Captain (US Public Health Service) David Arday, MD, MPH; chairman of DoD's Alcohol and Tobacco Advisory Committee.

"The online tools are there to support you in keeping your New Year's resolution," he added.

Deciding to quit tobacco is the first step, but becoming tobacco free may take more than one try.

On average, it takes 11 attempts before a person can quit tobacco for good. Motivation and support are key factors in giving up tobacco products. Studies show that if a person attempts to quit with a friend, they are 36 percent more likely to remain smoke free. The Web site allows service members to get the support they need to quit from family and friends, no matter where they live.

Studies show that quitters who seek counseling and support increase their chances of remaining quit to 15.8 percent, as compared to only 10.8 percent for those who do not seek counseling. Quit Tobacco-Make Everyone Proud is aimed at supporting enlisted active-duty military personnel in their efforts to quit tobacco. DoD urges service members to log on and take advantage of the Web site to increase their chances of becoming tobacco free.

The new features build on the interactive support tools already available on the Web site. Service members can listen to podcasts, chat anonymously with a trained tobacco Cessation Coach, browse research articles, locate local cessation programs, calculate how much money they’ll save when they quit tobacco, and create personalized quit plans.

Individuals who want to help someone they know quit tobacco can visit the Web site to find information on giving up tobacco, send motivational e-cards, and view their friend's and/or family member's progress to support them in reaching their goals.

 

IN MEMORY - A Sailor lays a wreath on a veteran's tombstone during a Wreaths Across America Ceremony at the Alfred G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery near Suffolk, VA. Wreaths Across America remembers the fallen, honors those who serve, and teaches the value of freedom to youths.
- Photo by MC3 Mandy Hunsucker

 

READY TO ROCK 'N ROLL - Steelworker 3rd Class Christopher Guevarra, from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, mans his M240B automatic weapon at a control point during the battalion's annual field training exercise, Operation Bearing Duel at Fort Hunter Liggett, CA. 
- Photo by MC2 Patrick W. Mullen III

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? - Boatswain's Mate Seaman Jacqueline Twigg reports-in to the pilothouse as she stands lookout watch on the signal bridge of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
- Photo by MC2 Remus Borisov

HONORARY MARINE - General James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, pins the coveted eagle, globe and anchor (EGA) on Father Peter F. Vasko, recognizing the Franciscan priest with the title of Honorary Marine earlier this month at the Pentagon. The Brooklyn-born priest returned to Jerusalem to carry on as the unofficial chaplain for the Marine Security Guard assigned to the US Embassy in the Holy Land. See the related story in the MARINE CORPS section of the Service News Roundup.
- USMC photo by Cpl. Erin A. Kirk

NASA COMES TO ROTA - Caleb Vietinghoff, a Boy Scout from Troop 44 aboard Naval Station Rota, adjusts the helmet visor for a volunteer wearing a shuttle pressure suit during a visit with NASA's Space Shuttle Response Training Team. Kids and parents met with the trainers and learned about NASA's history, equipment and the agency's mission in Spain. NAVSTA Rota, along with Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, are alternate emergency landing sites for all space shuttle missions.
- Photo by MC2 Joseph Ebalo

SUITING UP - Sailors don their fire fighting ensembles during a damage control olympics aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17). San Antonio is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group.
- Photo by MC3 Brian Goodwin

MEETING THE GUNNY - Former Marine Corps drill instructor turned Golden Globe-nominated actor, R. Lee Ermey, signs an autograph for Postal Clerk 2nd Class Maurice Elmore during his recent visit to Naval Medical Center San Diego. Ermey visited the hospital in-support of the "Toys for Tots" annual drive and to show his appreciation for hospital staff and service members.
- Photo by MC2 Greg Mitchell

IN THE SPIRIT OF BOB HOPE - Musicians Zac Brown, Kellie Pickler and Kid Rock perform a song for Sailors and Marines aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. The musicians, along with comedians Lewis Black, Kathleen Madigan, John Bowman and Tichina Arnold, are part of a USO tour led by Joint Chiefs chairman Admiral Mike Mullen to entertain GIs deployed overseas during the holidays. See Jim Garamone's story on the shows in our OFF DUTY section below.
- USMC photo by GySgt. Jason Bortz

TWS Coins, Coffee & More - the TWSCafe!

We're proud to announce the opening of the

In partnership with our friends at Devil Dog Brew, we've created the TWS Cafe where you can purchase custom coffee blends of "Devil Dog Brew" and "Snipers Brew" at a discounted price especially for TWS Members.

In addition to coffee, initial product offerings include the Marines and Navy TWS Challenge Coins shown below. 

Coins and coffee can be ordered directly from the TWSCafe page with payments accepted via credit card.

Coin prices are a flat $10 each, which includes shipping. Coins may also still be ordered via PayPal or by check/money order.

For PayPal, send an email payment (from within your PayPal account) to:
merchandise@tws-advisor.com

Check/Money Orders: Make checks payable to: TWS Events; PO Box 50, Bryantsville, KY 40410

BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR SHIPPING ADDRESS AND SPECIFY WHICH COIN YOU WANT with your check or PayPal order!

The Black Knights get another thrashing from the Middies!

WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama announced General Eric Shinseki as his selection to be United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

During the press conference, President-elect Obama praised General Shinseki's service to his country, and reinforced the importance of the sacred trust between America and her troops.

General Shinseki, a native of Hawaii, is the first Asian American to reach the rank of four-star general. He served two combat tours in Vietnam, where he was wounded in action.

On the anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, President-elect Obama stressed the importance of the post General Shinseki would hold.

"We owe it to all our veterans to honor them as we honored our Greatest Generation," the President-elect said. "Not just with words, but with deeds."

General Shinseki's appointment has garnered the support and praise of veterans' organizations.

National President of Vietnam Veterans of America John Rowan called the selection "a promising choice."

Veterans for Common Sense released a statement in "strong" support of Shinseki.

The statement read: "In February 2003, General Shinseki honestly and correctly assessed our nation's military needs before the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. This same level of candor and honesty will serve President-elect Obama well so he can quickly and accurately identify VA's many challenges and then implement responsible solutions that take into consideration our veterans' needs and concerns."

Bipartisan members of Congress have weighed in positively on the selection. On the "Fox News Sunday" program, Republican Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama called Shinseki "a great soldier, a great leader." Referring to Shinseki's recommendations to former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in a 2003 assessment of the American military involvement in Iraq, Sen. Shelby said, "we should have listened to [Gen. Shinseki]... We didn't and look where we are today."

On the same program, Democratic Senator Carl Levin said that the selection shows that the President-elect "will welcome people who disagree with him to express those views to him."

In a release from his office, Sen. Patrick Leahy praised the selection, saying, "throughout a stellar career, especially in his time as the Army's Chief of Staff, [Shinseki's] words and deeds reflected an overwhelming care about soldiers and all of our military service members."

Grammy-award-winning musician Kid Rock and Zach Brown entertain GIs

stationed at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 19

Story by Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - The enthusiastic reception servicemembers are giving performers on this year's Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff USO Holiday Tour have led Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, the nation's top military officer, to call the trip "Smiles Around the World."

At Mosul, more than 1,500 servicemembers jammed into a large festival tent for the show featuring Kid Rock, Kellie Pickler, Lewis Black, Tichina Arnold, Zac Brown, Kathleen Madigan and John Bowman.

In Al Asad, the performers entertained more than 3,000 Marines, Sailors, Airmen, Soldiers and US civilians at the soccer field from a stage that Navy Seabees built for the occasion.

The show at Al Asad started with decent temperatures, but once the sun went down, the temperature went south pretty quickly, too. The musicians felt the cold the most, but still kept "pickin' and a-grinnin'" through a number of songs that brought the house down.

The comedians - led by Lewis Black - clearly were enjoying the energy they were getting from the crowd, and all of the performers were on longer than scheduled. At the end of the show, the servicemembers started a chant of  "One more song...one more song...one more song!" Kid Rock, Kellie Pickler and Zac Brown did a rendition of John Cougar Mellencamp’s hit single "Little Pink Houses." The servicemembers all sang the chorus -- which begins, “Ain’t that America?” -- along with the performers.

The show here in Kosovo didn't start until midnight. It originally was scheduled to begin at 8:30, but the plane was late getting in, and then weather forced the group to motorcade from the airport in Kosovo's capital of Pristina to the base. The sound equipment took some time to get to Bondsteel and be set up. Mullen came early, spoke with the servicemembers and passed his personal coin out.

Few members of the mostly National Guard audience left the theater, despite the long wait. "We’re sort of forgotten here in Kosovo," one Army Specialist said. "Believe me, we're so pleased to have people like this come and entertain, we'd sit here all night, if necessary."

This is Mullen’s second holiday tour.

"'Smiles Around the World' is what I call it," he said during an interview aboard the Air Force C-17 Globemaster transport taking the troupe to Kosovo. "These performers can relate to the troops, and they appreciate the troops' sacrifices. They know how they feel at this time of year."

During the day, the chairman not only introduced the shows, but also received operational updates in Mosul and in Pristina. Earlier in the morning, he met with leaders of Multinational Corps Iraq at the Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory, outside Baghdad.

- DoD photo by MC1 Chad J. McNeeley

Sincerely,
The NTWS Administration Team
http://navy.togetherweserved.com