As we go to press, we have just returned from a very successful conference in Fort Worth. In the three and-a-half years that I have been here, I have not seen a conference where so much was well debated and accomplished. There was a lot of good committee work and, of course, we voted to change our Constitution and rename ourselves the Association of the United States Navy.

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It’s my privilege to introduce to you the Association of the United States Navy (AUSN). On 28 March 2009, your representatives at our Spring Conference voted to formally change our name and embark on a new course for our Association.

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 For those desiring to pursue a career in the U.S. Navy, the days of being “in” or “out” are long gone. You can be
“in” the Navy while serving in the Active Component (AC) or in the Reserve Component (RC). Take for example Julie, who is a hardcharging surface warfare officer who completed two successful sea tours and a
shore tour as a junior officer

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The Navy announced that, as of mid- March, more than 128,000 Sailors have established a self-service electronic service record (ESR) account. The Chief of Naval Personnel released NAVADMIN 043/09 in February announcing the requirement for all active duty and Reserve personnel (not IRR personnel) to establish and maintain a
self-service ESR account by mid-April. A self-service account is necessary for updating emergency contact information and other important features, such as enabling Sailors to submit directly PCS (permanent change of station) travel claims upon PCS transfer, update race, ethnicity, and religion information, and view all other ESR service record information. The Navy first implemented ESRs in 2006. The ESR provides individual Sailors, Personnel Support Activity Detachments (PSD), and personnel offices holding service records with secure, worldwide Internet access to personnel, training, and awards data. Navy Operational Support Centers and customer commands of PSDs can also use the system. Self-service accounts can be created at:
https://nsips.nmci.navy.mil.

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At this writing, the President’s FY 2010 budget is expected to be released shortly. One of our primary legislative
goals for the last three years has been the prevention of health care fee increases for retired military members. We recently wrote the White House on this issue and have asked our membership and friends to write in opposition to raising health care fees for retired military members. These increases should not occur. There are other ways to achieve financial savings besides increasing fees on those members that have served this country.

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Before I get into this month’s column, I want to express my great admiration for the families of those serving in harm’s way. You are my heroes! I know being a military spouse is never easy; without your love and understanding, our Shipmates would not be able to serve as they do. I think Chief Robbie Lane put it best at his retirement when he said of his wife – “She was there when I returned.” I pray that you continue to seek assistance when needed, work through the challenges of being a military spouse, and love your heroes that serve in harm’s way. I also pray that each of your loved ones returns to you safe and sound every time he/she deploys.

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Poorly written FITREPs routinely ruin careers. As competition for top jobs grows more intense, a single misstep can place a Sailor in the “dog house” for years, if not permanently. Therefore, let me share with you my perspective on fitness report preparation. Selection boards use FITREPs to decide on promotions and to select senior officers and COs for pay billets. Accordingly, write FITREPs for selection boards, and recognize that only the reviewing board member will actually read the comments. Aim for “talking points” that the briefer can use to sell your Sailor to other board members.

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Researchers mapping the sea floor off Victoria have uncovered the rusting wreck of the first American vessel to be sunk during World War II. The City of Rayville, which was carrying a cargo of lead, wool, and copper from South Australia to New York via Melbourne, was lost off Cape Otway after striking a German mine on 8 November 1940. The Rayville was the second ship to be sunk by one of 100 mines laid by the German carrier Passat in Bass Strait. Twenty-four hours earlier, the British steamer SS Cambridge was destroyed off Wilsons Promontory.

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 On 16 February 2009, I had the honor of being the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremony of a new building which will be used as a meeting place by disabled veterans in Northern New Jersey.

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The Seascape – Part 4 As we sat down to begin work on this year’s edition of the Seascape, it occurs to us that this might be a shorter article th...

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A name can symbolize many things. It can be a term of endearment; it can be a representation of what something stands for; or it can be a definition of a purpose.
In the days of old, names used to be given by parents to honor ancestors or immediate family members having a special meaning to the clan. Today, names are given to children or activities just because they have a nice ring to them or remind us of “a more preferred time.”
In my case, the name Aaron can mean “strength.” My parents told me that they thought long and hard about the names they would give me and my siblings. They didn’t want me to have just any name. They wanted a name with a special relevance and connotation.

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 In this month’s editorial, I mentioned the recent vote at our Fort Worth conference. President Hardy has also commented on the change as has Commander Aaron Bresnahan in his column this month. Nonetheless, I thought that perhaps a bit more needs to be said in an attempt to be sure that the membership understands the facts as they are today. First, while the Association voted at our conference in Norfolk last September to “Do Business As” the Association of the United States Navy, your President wisely decided to go very slowly down that road. Therefore, except for a few legal filings, we have essentially changed nothing during the intervening six months; nothing in the public domain that is. The President did appoint a Transition Committee to work all the issues involved in considering such a change. The committee was formed of officers and enlisted, serving and retired, newly active and a past President. The committee met frequently via conference call and once for two days at Headquarters. Subcommittees were formed around issues. I believe that there were nine or ten specific issues that were addressed in some form. The committee was tasked to develop a plan, to consider the positives and the negatives, and to make recommendations. The committee came to Fort Worth with a three-part brief on that plan. It recommended to the EXCOM that three Constitution and Bylaws changes be made at the conference. Those were to change the name of the Association, make several changes to the list of elected Vice Presidents, and to realign the Association’s Districts with the Navy’s districts. The EXCOM approved those changes and
recommended that they be adopted by the General Session. IAW Robert’s Rules of Order, we do not announce the specifics of a counted vote; but as National Secretary, I can tell you that the required 2/3 majority vote was easily achieved for each of the three issues.

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 About 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. Drinking water is usually supplied by a combination of surface water and underground water sources. In 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act gave regulatory oversight of public drinking water (tap water) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Water is necessary to every living creature on earth and makes up approximately 60 percent of body weight. Water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells, and provides a moist environment for ear, nose, and throat tissues. Your body cannot make or store water, so you must replace the water you eliminate. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water. No single formula fits everyone as to how much water you should drink every day. Your specific water needs depend on many factors such as your health, how active you are, and where you live. Several approaches attempt to approximate water needs for the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate:

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The Fourteenth District is looking forward and preparing for the anticipated changes to the NRA. Whether we’ll be known under a new name, have realignment of our District, or changes in membership eligibility, the 14th will be working to serve its members and carry out its mission. Membership is the key and attracting and retaining new members will be an overall goal of the District.

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Lately, several questions from members have arisen concerning the above subjects so this seems the appropriate place to address them and gain a better understanding.

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