The White Falcon - 24.09.1993, Blaðsíða 3

Six sailors shift
By J03 (SW) Andreas Walter
Nervousness, anxiety and also a healthy
dose of good-natured fun. These are just
some of the feelings and impressions that six
base personnel have felt over the past eight
weeks as they went through a period known
as “Chief's initiation.”
MAC Richard Hewitt, MSC Andrew Dick-
ens, MSC Phyllis Miller, ISC Elizabeth
Pereira, HTC (S W) Daryl Thomas and CTAC
Diane Tutz are Naval Air Station, Keflavflc’s,
latest round of E-7s to make it through
“Chief’s Initiation.”
The tradition is a time when new Navy
chief selectees go through a series of de-
manding activities, dating back to the early
days of the Navy.
“Although this is generally viewed as a
“traditional” activity for incoming Chiefs,
the roots of the initiation are based on teach-
ing personnel to work together effectively,”
said Hewitt, Division Officer for the Cus-
toms Section, Naval Security. Hewitt spent
six years in the Army before switching to the
Navy. “I tried hard to adapt to the Navy’s way
kf life and believe I’ve succeeded,” said the
Rreer Navy man.
^ The transition from a petty officer first
class to E-7 is a special one in which the
to khakis as new Navy Chiefs
CAPT Charles T. Butler, Commanding Officer, NAS, Keflavlk,
offers a congratulatory handshake to ISC Elizabeth Pereira, as
RADM Michael D. Haskins, Commander, Iceland Defense Force,
looks on. (Photo by PH3 Don Kolb)
individual enters a se-
lect group of perform-
ers. At this stage in their
career, petty officers are
faced with greater re-
sponsibilities and a
stronger sense of respect
from their subordinates.
CTAC Tutz, Com-
mand Career Counselor
for the Naval Security
Group Activity, sees her
advancement as a
chance to nurture and
care for those under her.
“For years, we (petty of-
ficers) looked up to ‘The
Chief. Now I can apply
the knowledge I’ve
gained over the years
and help people new to
the Navy,” she said
To achieve this goal, the six selectees had
the option of enduring a lengthy initiation pe-
riod. During the two months, car washes and
various community service projects kept the
participants occupied. Certain detatils con-
cerning the initiation process tend to be cov-
ered up during questioning, lending an al-
most secretive air to the activities.
“To some selectees, and certainly to many
observers, these activities and tasks may seem
unnecessary. Yet, these events are important
team building tools, by letting the selectees
appreciate the community they work for and
the responsibilities they will face during their
careers,” said ICC (AW) Richard Gearheart,
Station Manager, U.S. Navy Broadcasting
Detachment, Keflavik, Iceland. Gearheart
went through a similar initiation process one
year age as he made the transition from petty
officer to Chief.
New college classes offered
By J03 (SW) Andreas Walter
The Navy Campus wishes to announce a new service being offered by
one of its colleges. Central Texas College now offers an instructional
program in reading skills. This is a developmental reading program that
is intended to be instrumental in improving reading skills. According to
Jim Rail, Site Coordinator for Central Texas College, major commands
on the base desire that the learning level of their personnel be at least 1 Oth
grade cm- better. “If people are interested in bettering themselves, this no-
credit program can improve the caliber of Navy personnel,” said Rail.
The class, in addition to the two other instructional programs offered,
Math and English skills, is free of charge.
“Personnel wishing to take this course must do so on their duty time,
usually from 8 to 10 a.m. The class takes a total of 45 hours to complete,
which works out to four and a half weeks,” he added.
Rail stresses that primary emphasis is cm Navy personnel taking this
course, yet it is open to both Air Force personnel and dependents. For
those desiring to take part, command approval must be obtained prior to
the start of the class.
Beginning dates of the classes are dependent on number of applicants.
Jim Rail says that a minimum of 10 people are needed and the maximum
n course is 15.
* The next course, Math, is slated to start on Monday. For more infor-
mation on this or other courses, contact Jim Rail at ext. 4408.
Up, up & away
It was a picnic in lieu of an Air Force Enlisted Ball. More
than a 1,000 people attended last weekend’s Air Force
Picnic held at hangar 831. The enlisted ball was called off
due to last minute cancellation of the band and guest
speaker. (Photo by J02 Carlos Bongioanni)
September 24,1993
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