Resolution Fun Run takes place Jan. 21 at 11:30 a.m. Sign up at BodyWorks Fitness Center!

Vol. 49, No. 28 Serving the Military Community in Southeastern Connecticut since 1918 Thursday, January 6, 2011

SUBLANT announces Welcome home USS Alexandria!

Battle “E” winners

By Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. – Vice Admiral John M. Richardson,

Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (COMSUBLANT), has
announced the winners of the 2010 Battle Efficiency (Battle

New Haven, CT 06511

40 Sargent Drive
“E”) competition and Health Readiness Unit awards.
“The competition for these honors was, as always, extremely
keen,” stated Richardson in the Naval message announcing the
winners. “These awards should be a source of great pride to
each and every crew member. Bravo Zulu.”
The Battle “E” competition is conducted to strengthen indi-
vidual command performance, overall force readiness, and
to recognize outstanding performance. The criterion for the
award is the overall readiness of the command to carry out
its assigned wartime tasks as a unit of the Atlantic Submarine
Force, and is based on a year-long evaluation.
One submarine from each submarine squadron in the
Atlantic Fleet is recognized. The awards are presented by the
commodore of each squadron to the submarine under their
command which has demonstrated the highest level of battle
readiness during the evaluation year.
The 2010 COMSUBLANT Battle “E” winners, their home-
ports, and commanding officers are:
Commander, Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) TWO
(Groton, Conn.) – USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720), commanded by
Commander Michael Savageaux.
SUBRON FOUR (Groton, Conn.) – USS Virginia (SSN 774),
currently commanded by Cmdr. Tim Salter, but also command-
ed during the competition by Cmdr. James Waters.
SUBRON SIX (Norfolk, Va.) – USS Albany (SSN 753), com-
manded by Cmdr. Thomas R. “T.R.” Buchanan.
SUBRON EIGHT (Norfolk, Va.) – USS Boise (SSN 764), com-
manded by Cmdr. Brian Sittlow.
Commander, Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

NEWSPAPERS
SHORE LINE

PRSRT/STD
(Groton, Conn.) – USS Alexandria (SSN 757), commanded by
Cmdr. Eugene Doyle.
SUBRON SIXTEEN (Kings Bay, Ga.) – USS Florida (SSGN
728) (Blue) commanded by Captain Randy Crites, and USS
Florida (SSGN 728) (Gold), commanded by Capt. Thomas
Calabrese.
SUBRON TWENTY (Kings Bay, Ga.) – USS Rhode Island
(SSBN 740) (Blue), currently commanded by Cmdr. Douglas
Adams, but also commanded during the competition by Cmdr.
INSIDE
Robert Clark, and USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) (Gold) com-
manded by Cmdr. Kevin Mooney.
The 2010 Health Readiness Unit Award went to USS Rhode
Island (Gold). The award competition is used to promote Photo by MC1 Virginia K. Schaefer
individual command health awareness and to promote pro-
GROTON, Conn. - The crew of Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757) returns to Naval Submarine
grams which encourage healthy lifestyles for submarine force
Base New London, Dec. 18 following a regularly schedule deployment. The homecoming was an early Christmas gift
Sailors.
for loved ones who lined the pier in chilly winter weather to greet the submarine’s compliment of 13 officers and 121
For more information on the submarine force visit the
Submarine Force Web site at www.sublant.navy.mil.
enlisted Sailors, who departed for deployment May 21. For more photos and the complete story, see page 4. Meet the new
EFMP Liaison
SUBASE receives parting holiday ‘gift’ from Connecticut Governor at FFSC
Page 2
By SN Michael Henderson

GROTON, Conn. – Assistant

Secretary of the Navy (Energy,
Installations and Environment)
and Connecticut native,
Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, joined
Connecticut Governor M. Jodi
Rell, during a special event held
at Naval Submarine Base New
London’s (SUBASE) Historic
Ship Nautilus and Submarine Sailors make a
Force Library and Museum
to ceremoniously accept the difference for
state’s second investment in those in need
infrastructure improvements at
the base, Dec. 23. Page 7
Rell presented the Navy with
a state-sponsored gift of $3.22
million for SUBASE projects,
which will fund the devel-
opment of a Virginia class
Submarine “training galley”,
and an expansion of a cur-
rent Naval Submarine School
building that will house a new
Submarine Bridge Trainer.
“These projects mean this Clinics ensure
base will remain the undis-
puted home for training our parking for
nation’s submarine crews,” patrons
said Rell.
In acknowledging the state’s Page 8
generous gift, Pfannenstiel
noted Connecticut’s long affin-
ity for the base.

“I grew up a few miles from
here…I realize how import this
SUBASE is to the economy of
southeastern Connecticut. And
clearly Governor Rell realizes
it also,” the Assistant Secretary
said. “We’re using this money
to modernize the base’s infra-
structure and maintain cutting-
edge technologies. We’re giv-
ing our people the best train-
ing possible, so they have the
skills they need to successfully
complete their missions.”
The training galley will rep-
licate the same conditions and
INDEX
Photo by SN Michael Henderson
GROTON, Conn. - Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell (left) shakes hands with Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment) Jackalyne
Pfannenstiel (right) after the Navy’s formal acceptance of $3.22 million in state funding to improve infrastructure on the base. The event was held at Naval Submarine
Base New London’s Submarine Force Library and Museum, Dec. 23. The funding will be used to create a “training galley” that replicates that found on a Virginia class Local...................................2
attack submarine, and will also provide an expansion of a current Submarine School Building to house a new Submarine Bridge Trainer. Movies ......................................5
Classifieds........................8
working space that Culinary Petty Officer of SUBASE’s “The program will offer not riners will learn navigation
Specialists are required to Cross Hall Galley. ”This rep- only OJT (on the job train- and other critical skills.
make use of during months on lica will provide all the char- ing) but also have a class- “They’ll operate in a 360-
deployment inside a Virginia acteristics of a full sea going room setting for professional degree virtual environment—
class submarine. operation, minus the angles knowledge and further career so real, that they’ll sense
“[It’s] a perfect platform for and dangles.” development,” said Wanca. the vessel’s motion,” said
junior Culinary Specialists in According to Wanca, the train- Naval Submarine School’s Pfannenstiel.
transition to the Fleet,” said ing galley will allow CS’s to be Nimitz Hall will be expanded Recognizing the Governor’s
Chief Culinary Specialist proficient in food preparation, to accommodate the Submarine last official visit to the base,
Michael Wanca, Leading Chief presentation, and sanitation. Bridge Trainer, where subma-
See Gift on Page 3
2 • THE DOLPHIN • Thursday, January 6, 2011

SUBASE welcomes its

first EFMP Liaison to FFSC
By MM3 Sean Phillips

GROTON, Conn. – Naval Submarine Base New London’s

This newspaper is an authorized publication for personnel of the
Department of Defense and their families. Contents of The Dolphin are not
necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the
Department of Defense or the Department of the Navy.
Commanding Officer Naval Submarine Base New London
Capt. Marc W. Denno
Executive Officer Naval Submarine Base New London
Cmdr. Daniel M. Rossler
Command Master Chief Naval Submarine Base New London
CMDCM(SS) Ray Powell
Public Affairs Officer - Christopher Zendan
Editor - Sheryl Walsh
Editorial Assistant - Christina Lough
Public Affairs Staff - MCC(SW) James O’Donnell,
MC1(AW) Peter Blair and SN Michael Henderson
• NEWS - The editorial content of this newspaper is prepared, edited
and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the Naval Submarine Base New
London. News items and photos must be received by 4 p.m. the Friday
before publication. News ideas and questions can be directed to Christopher
Zendan at 694-5980. Readers can e-mail us at dolphin@ctcentral.com. Log
onto the Web site at www.dolphin-news.com.
• ADDRESS - The Dolphin staff can be reached at 694-3514 or write to:
The Dolphin, Naval Submarine Base New London PAO, Box 44, Groton, CT
06349-5044. All news releases should be sent to this address.
• ADVERTISING - Advertisements are solicited by Shore Line
Newspapers and not the editorial staff or Public Affairs Office. Inquiries
regarding advertisements should be directed to the Display Advertising or
Classified Advertising departments.
Display Advertising, Laura Carpenter at (203) 752-2704, Betsy
Lemkin at (203) 752-2706 and Mercy Mosher at (203) 752-2702
Classified Advertising (in Conn.) (800) 922-7066
Classified Advertising (outside Conn.) (203) 789-5200
(SUBASE) Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) wel-
comed Lisa Dain as its first Exceptional Family Member
Program (EFMP) liaison, Nov. 29. Dain, a Navy wife for
more than 24 years, is a deployment specialist who delivers
briefs for deploying Sailors. Her new position will help her
train and educate Sailors about EFMP and let them know
help is available.
The Navy has installed EFMP liaisons on smaller bases in
order to get the word out according to Dain. “[EFMP] goes
hand-in-hand with the CNO’s message in that family readi-
ness is critical to mission readiness.”
The program, said Dain, was created to support Sailors
with family members who have medical, educational, or
mental concerns or needs. These members are categorized
on the degree of service they may require.
Depending on the severity of the condition, said Dain, the
Sailor maybe limited to assignment to larger bases and or
fleet concentration areas in order to better provide for the
special needs of his or her family member.
“The entire program is a detailing tool,” she said, adding
that EFMP will not hurt a Sailor’s chances of advancement.
To enroll in EFMP, the family member must be enrolled
in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (www.
tricare.mil/DEERS), have been diagnosed with a condition
Photo by MM3 Sean Phillips
that has persisted for six months or longer, and reside with
an active duty sponsor (unless living as a geographical GROTON, Conn. – Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) welcomes Lisa
bachelor). Dain as its new Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Coordinator. EFMP is
For further inquiries about the EFMP, contact FFSC at a detailing tool that helps Sailors and their families take care of family members
(860) 694-3383 and ask for an appointment, or contact the who have special needs. For more information or to schedule an appointment,
call the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) at (860) 694-3383.
EFMP liaison at (860) 694-2233.

The Dolphin is published every Thursday by Shoreline Newspapers,

40 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT 06511. Telephone (203) 752-2701.
Minimum weekly circulation 10,000.
Most housing rates dip for 2011 as pay, subsistence increase
determined for service members
John Slater, General Manager
Shore Line Newspapers
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service
“A provision ensuring against rate decreases in each pay grade, with and with-
out dependent family members.
The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Naval
Submarine Base New London Public Affairs Office.
WASHINGTON - Most mili-
for service members already stationed at a The department will pay its more
than 1 million active-duty service-
The Dolphin is published by Shoreline Newspapers, a private firm in no
way connected with the Department of Defense or the U.S. Navy under exclu- tary housing allowance rates will
decrease slightly for 2011, but
location means Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and members an estimated $19 billion
in housing allowance over 2011.
sive written contract with the Naval Submarine Base New London.
The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts of
supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense
service members will receive, on
average, as much or slightly more
Marines will receive an average 1.1 percent Jerilyn Busch, director of mili-
tary compensation, said service
or Shoreline Newspapers of the products and services advertised.
Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for pur-
money than they did this year,
Defense Department officials said
increase.” members also will see an increase
in pay and subsistence allowances
Cheryl Anne Woehr
chase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national today. in January. A 1.4 percent basic
origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other Cheryl Anne Woehr, housing pay raise takes effect Jan. 1 by
non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. change. Even if housing allowance officials said. operation of law, and it reflects the
allowance program analyst, said
overall rates are fairly stable. rates decrease over two or more “The reality is, the [basic allow- change in the employment cost
This newspaper is printed on recycled newsprint. Please help conserve our years, military members stationed ance for housing] rates vary and
resources and recycle this paper when you are finished with it. “On average, they’ll decrease index, she said. That raise will be
about six tenths of a percent,” she in the same location are assured the changes in the rates vary in effect until Congress passes the
said. their previous, higher rate, Woehr across the country, with some National Defense Authorization
The 2011 Basic Allowance for said. housing areas decreasing as much Act, which currently contains a

News in your community Housing rates take effect Jan. 1.

Sign up for
youth basketball
Dolphin Sports and Recreation
is currently accepting registra-
tion for this season’s youth bas-
ketball program. Boys and girls,
ages 2 – 15, are welcome to join.
Registration is $55 per child for
military, which includes uni-
form and end of season award.
Check out their Web site, www.
dolphinsportsandrec.org. You
can register on-line. For more
information, call Dawn at (860)
235-0666.
will hold their regular monthly
meetings, Jan. 20, at the Branch
Home. Unit 20 will meet at
6 p.m. and Branch 20 will
meet at 7 p.m. All members
in good standing are encour-
aged to attend these meetings.
Membership in the FRA is open
to all active duty, retired, and
veterans of the Sea Services, i.e.,
the Navy, Marine Corps, and
Coast Guard. Membership in the
FRA Auxiliary, or Unit, is open
to all spouses, children and step
children over age 16, parents
and grandparents of FRA mem-
A provision ensuring against rate
decreases for service members
already stationed at a location
means Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen
and Marines will receive an aver-
age 1.1 percent increase, Woehr
said. That overall increase is
“because of the effects of individual
rate protection and the distribution
of servicemembers throughout the
[United States],” she explained.
Individual rate protection
ensures that members who have
made lease or contract commit-
ments for housing aren’t penal-
ized if an area’s costs decline. Any
decreases apply only to members
who move to a location after rates
“They receive the higher of what
they were paid Dec. 31, or the new
rate,” she said. “If the rates go
down one year, the service mem-
ber receives the previous year’s
rate. If the rates go down again,
the service member would con-
tinue to get that year-one rate.”
The allowance covers housing
costs for service members living
off military installations in the
United States; those who live in
government housing don’t receive
the allowance. Service members
stationed overseas who live in pri-
vate housing receive the overseas
housing allowance. Rates for that
allowance are reviewed at least
every six months, defense finance
as 8 percent and others increasing
more than 10 percent,” Woehr
said. “Rent is the largest compo-
nent of the BAH rates, so that has
the most influence on what rates
do.”
The allowance rate is computed
annually for each military hous-
ing area and is based on three
factors: median current market
rent; average utilities, including
water and sewer, electricity and
heating costs; and average renter’s
insurance.
Total costs are assessed for six
housing profiles, based on dwell-
ing type and number of bedrooms,
in each military housing area.
Housing allowance rates are then
1.9 percent pay raise. But the final
raise military members receive will
be in accordance with the defense
authorization act as signed by the
president, Busch said.
The basic allowance for subsis-
tence in 2011 will increase 0.36
percent, Busch said. The new
rates will be $223.04 for officers
and $323.87 for enlisted service-
members.
Since 2002, defense officials
said, military pay has risen 42
percent, housing allowances have
risen 83 percent, and the subsis-
tence allowance has risen 40 per-
cent. By comparison, private-sec-
tor salaries have risen 32 percent
over that time, officials said.

USS Iwo Jima reunion

is scheduled for 2011
The USS Iwo Jima (LPH2/
LHD7) shipmates reunion has
been scheduled for June 1
through 5, 2011, at the Marriott
City Center Hotel in Newport
News, Va. Those interest-
ed should contact Robert G.
McAnally at (757) 723-0317 or
via e-mail at yujack@megalink.
net. All ship’s company and
embarked Navy and Marine
Corps personnel are invited to
attend.
FRA announces
January events
Branch and Unit 20 of the
Fleet Reserve Association (FRA)
bers in good standing. For more
information, call the Branch
Home at (860) 445-0731.
The first Saturday breakfast of
January 2011, will take place Jan.
15 from 8 to 11 a.m., at the Branch
Home, located at 242 Thames
Street in Groton. This breakfast
boasts an extensive menu for
a donation of only $5. The bi-
monthly breakfasts, on the first
and third Saturdays of the month,
resume Feb. 5. Volunteers, par-
ticularly cooks, to help with the
breakfasts are always welcome.
Call (860) 445-0731 and leave a
message for Charlie.
The February Board of
Directors meeting will take
place Feb. 1 at the Branch
Home at 6 p.m. All members
in good standing are invited at
attend.
MCPON stresses do your part for ‘zero tolerance’ on sexual assault
Special from Master Chief Petty
Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/
SW) Rick D. West
WASHINGTON - Master
Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
(MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick D. West
released the following message
on Sexual Assault to the Fleet
Dec. 28.
“Shipmates,
As this year comes to an end
and we start to focus on priori-
ties for 2011, I’d like to address
a subject that is impacting our
great Navy, and that is sexual
assault.
It is incomprehensible that a
shipmate would commit such a

CSADD chapters recognized for horrible crime to another ship-

mate. Sexual assault in our Navy
undermines teamwork, morale,

top programs, look ahead to 2011 unit cohesion, and operational

readiness. Also, the long-term
effects of sexual assault dra-
matically impact the victim for
By Chief of Naval Personnel years to come.
For these reasons, sexual
WASHINGTON - The Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) is recognizing assault does not belong in our
the 2010 Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) sea Navy. We have a ‘zero tolerance’
and shore chapters of the year, and has laid out the group’s themes for policy for this criminal offense
2011. and it is each and every Sailor’s
“This program was designed as a resource for active and reserve responsibility to adhere to this
Sailors, Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) candidates and Junior policy and do your part to allevi-
Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) programs to promote good
ate this crime within our ranks
decision making processes, enabling leadership development and influ-
At the close of this year,
ence among peers at the most junior levels,“ said CNP Vice Adm. Mark
reports of sexual assault have
Ferguson.
increased from last year, which
Established in June 2010, CNP announced in NAVADMIN 376, 10 the
could be attributed to victims’
first annual CSADD sea and shore chapters of the year, USS San Jacinto
increased willingness to report
(CG 56) and Naval Submarine Base New London, respectively.
the crime, but data also shows
Sailors aboard San Jacinto earned their title as the sea chapter of the
that sexual assaults are still
year by developing a program titled “The Lost,“ which revealed how
occurring in our Navy. The
poor decisions impact the lives of Sailors and their families. Moving
highest risk group for victims
beyond their own ship, chapter members actively sought to share their
over the past several fiscal years
ideas with other afloat units along the Norfolk waterfront, while also
remains E-1 to E-4, ages 20 to 24,
encouraging other commands to establish CSADD chapters.
with most incidents occurring
In Groton, Conn., home of the New London submarine base, CSADD
during the weekends. In most
members created video messages with the Naval Safety Center, spark-
sexual assault incidents alcohol
ing other chapters to consider using similar visual communication
was a major factor impairing File photo
opportunities to reach Sailors. These messaging efforts were specifically
the judgment of predators, vic- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick D. West
highlighted by Ferguson when announcing the command as the shore
tims and bystanders.
chapter of the year, and he encouraged other chapters to emulate the boundaries and the majority of daughter or my wife/husband?’ other every day. Shipmates
Additionally, the most com-
same kind of outreach. victims know their offender. Wouldn’t you do everything in should be looking out for
mon sexual assault scenarios
“The first year of CSADD has been a huge success with over 100 chap- Sexual assault is a personal your power to protect them? Shipmates and getting involved
include off base parties, hotel
ters established throughout the Navy. Our young Sailors are taking lead- crime and we should all take it That’s how we should think when you see someone starting
rooms, barracks, night clubs
ership roles within their local chapters and having a very positive impact personally and think ‘what if it about our shipmates — we are to steer into danger.
and bars during liberty. Simply
on their shipmates, within their commands and across our Navy,” said was my sister/brother, my son/ a Navy family, we rely on each
put, sexual assault knows no
CNP Fleet Master Chief Scott Benning. See MCPON on Page 7
 Thursday, January 6, 2011 • THE DOLPHIN • 3

Emergency dental assistance with TRICARE

By Tricare Management Activity
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – While
dental emergencies occur far less
often than other health-related
traumas, it is wise for Tricare
beneficiaries to be prepared and
know their dental options.
Beneficiaries fit into one of
three programs for care: the
Tricare Dental Program (TDP),
the Active Duty Dental Program
(ADDP) or the Tricare Retiree
Dental Program (TRDP).
TDP allows beneficiaries trav-
eling within the 50 United States,
the District of Columbia, Puerto
Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin
Islands to visit any participating
network dentist for emergen-
cies. Beneficiaries can find a
participating dentist online or
call United Concordia at (800)
866-8499. If traveling outside
the United States, beneficiaries
can select a dentist using the
Overseas Host Nation Provider
Directory Search Tool (www.
tricaredentalprogram.com/tdpt-
ws/enrollees/hnp/hnp_search.
jsp). Beneficiaries may have to
pay up-front for care and file a
claim with United Concordia for
reimbursement.
Active duty service mem-
bers (ADSMs) should first seek
emergency dental care at the
nearest military dental clinic. If
service members are traveling
on leave or duty-related orders,
they can get care without a
referral. ADSMs can receive
emergency treatment from any
civilian dentist; however the rec-
ommendation is to get care from
a network dentist as follow-up
care with a non-network den-
tist is not authorized. ADSMs
should contact United Concordia
at (866) 984-2337 to let them
know about the treatment.
Retirees enrolled in the TRDP
can visit any licensed dentist
within the service area for
treatment. Selecting a dentist
from the dentist network saves
money and the dentist will file
the claims. If traveling over-
seas, beneficiaries should search
a list of dentists and dental clin-
ics in every country, provided
through Delta Dental’s interna-
tional dentist referral service.
For more information, contact
Delta Dental at (888) 838-8737
or visit the Web site (www.trdp.
org/).
Some tips TRICARE beneficia-
ries can use when dealing with
dental emergencies include:
• Broken Tooth - Rinse mouth
with warm water to clean the
area surrounding the affected
tooth. Apply a cold compress to
reduce the swelling. See a den-
tist as soon as possible.
• Cut/Bitten Tongue or Lip
- Clean the area with a cloth.
Apply a cold compress to reduce
the swelling. If the affected area
continues to bleed or swell, the
beneficiary should see a local
emergency room physician
immediately.
• Food/Objects Caught
Between Teeth - Use dental
floss to try gently removing the
object. If this is not successful,
the beneficiary should consult
a dentist.
• Knocked-Out Tooth -
Retrieve the tooth, if possible,
and hold it by the crown. Do not
try to clean the tooth or touch
the root. If possible, place the
tooth back in its socket. If not,
place the tooth in a container
of milk or water and immedi-
ately see a dentist. Baby teeth
(primary teeth) should not be
reinserted.
• Toothache - When experi-
encing a toothache, beneficiaries
should rinse their mouth with
warm water and check to make
sure that food or other objects
have not become lodged in the
area surrounding the affected
tooth. Also, be sure not to rub
aspirin or painkillers on the area
surrounding the toothache as
this can result in a burn on the
mouth. See a dentist as soon as
possible.
For information on preparing
a “dental emergency kit”, go
to www.tricaredentalprogram.
com/tdpforms/DentalERKit.
pdf. For specific information
about Tricare dental cover-
age, visit www.tricare.mil/
mybenefit/home/Dental/
MyDentalCoverage.

Scholarships
available for high
school seniors
Ronald McDonald House
Charities® (RMHC) of Connecticut
and Western Massachusetts
announces it will award a total
of $50,000 to 22 local high school
seniors this academic year through
its scholarship program. Students
of all backgrounds are encour-
aged to apply, with $31,000 allo-
cated to eligible Hispanic appli-
cants via the RMHC®/HACER®
(Hispanic American Commitment
to Educational Resources)
Scholarship and $19,000 via the
RMHC® Scholars Scholarship.
Scholarship applications are now
available online at www.rmhc-
ctma.org/scholarships or by call-
ing (866) 851-3994. Students can
also see their guidance counselor
for applications. The deadline for
submitting an application for the
2010-2011 scholarship program is
Jan. 28, 2011.
Eligibility requirements for
RMHC scholarships:
1. Be eligible to enroll in and
attend a two-or four-year college
with a full course study.
2. Reside in a participating
area.
Additionaleligibilityrequirement
for RMHC/HACER Scholarship:
Applicants must have at least
one parent of Hispanic origin.
Scholarship recipients will be
selected on the basis of academic
achievement, financial need and
community involvement.

Gift ...
Continued from page 1
and her service and support
of the base’s fleet, fighters,
and families, the Navy New
London team presented Rell
with a few mementos. The
Governor received a National
Ensign flown over the base
and Connecticut’s state ship,
Nautilus, as well as received
the title of honorary subma-
riner, complete with a set of
miniature gold “dolphins.”
SUBASE Commanding
Officer, Capt. Marc W. Denno
highlighted that the base has
long been supported by the
Connecticut community.
Since the service first
received the initial land for the
installation through a “Deed
of Gift” from the state in 1868,
one thing has remained con-
stant, said Denno, ”the support
our Navy has received from
our friends and neighbors in
the community.”
Three years ago, in a
unique initiative, the State
of Connecticut, through a
Connecticut General Statute,
had authorized proceeds from
a $50 million bond sale to
enhance infrastructure at
the Navy’s “First and Finest”
Submarine Base, and home
to 15 fast-attack submarines
and more than 70 tenant com-
mands and activities.
In 2009, Connecticut became
the first state to fully fund
a construction project on a
base when Rell presented cur-
rent Secretary of the Navy
Ray Mabus $7.65 million to
improve SUBASE.
Last year’s funding allowed
the construction of a new
Diver Support Facility at the
base and the modernization
of a boiler at the base’s power
plant.
“The base has been trans-
formed from one that was
slated for closure a few short
years ago…to the winner of
“Commander, Navy Region
Mid-Atlantic’s Award for
Installation Excellence,” con-
cluded Rell, “…I am very proud
of the role the state has played
in those changes.”
4 • THE DOLPHIN • Thursday, January 6, 2011

Submarine Sailors come home for the holidays

By Lt. Patrick Evans
Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs Officer

GROTON, Conn. – Wearing Santa hats, elf hats and reindeer antlers, the crew of Los Angeles-class
attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757) returned to Naval Submarine Base New London, Dec. 18
following a regularly scheduled deployment.
The homecoming, which included Santa Claus riding aboard the submarine’s sail, was an early
Christmas gift for loved ones who lined the pier in chilly winter weather to greet Alexandria’s crew, which
departed for deployment May 21.
On the pier, two crew members received early presents of their own. They held their babies for the first
time. Lailah Torres and Percibal Jude Firkin were born while their fathers were deployed.
“She’s so beautiful,” exclaimed Electronics Technician 2nd Class Sergio Torres as he stood with his wife,
Amanda, and held his daughter. “I’m just so happy to be home - not to just one beautiful girl, but two!”
Before holding him on this day, Lt. j.g. Joshua Firkin only saw his son in photos.
“It’s not the same at all,” said Firkin. “He’s so handsome! It feels great. I’m glad to be back to see the
kids.”
In addition, Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Patrick and Geri McClung participated in the traditional “First
Kiss,” while Susan Tweedy and family received the traditional “First Hug” from Chief Culinary Specialist
Chuck Tweedy.
Rounding out the homecoming, Santa passed out candy canes to the kids as the submarine’s 13 officers
and 121 enlisted Sailors were reacquainted with their loved ones.
“This crew has done great things,” beamed Commander Gene Doyle, Alexandria’s commanding officer.
“The ship did fantastic, but it’s just a hunk of metal without the crew.”
Alexandria conducted operations in the Central Command area of responsibility, supporting missions
vital to national security interests. Alexandria also visited ports in Bahrain and Limassol, Cyprus.
“These guys operated in some of the most extreme submarine environments out there,” said Doyle. “We
operated in places that no one else has gone before and have done things no one else has done before. And
these guys did it professionally with a lot of pride and, most of the time, with a smile on their face.”
According to Doyle, the submarine steamed about 30,000 miles and spent four and a half months in the
Persian Gulf in a challenging environment.
“Water out there is really less deep than the length of the ship. The sea water injection temperatures GROTON, Conn. - Santa waves to families on the pier from the bridge of USS Alexandria as the boat moors pierside follwing
were routinely approaching 100 degrees. The ship is not designed to operate routinely in that kind of stuff. a regularly scheduled deployment, Dec. 18.
So, we just make it work, and the crew did that,” said Doyle.
The challenges extended out of the water as well.
“When we were ashore, you were talking temperatures in the 130’s. We had to do unsupported main-
tenance thousands of miles from home. But we kept the ship in fighting trim throughout. t is an amaz-
ing story,” said Doyle, a native of Kalispell, Mont. who was commissioned through Officer Candidate
School after graduating from Montana State University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical
Engineering.
Fast-attack submarines like Alexandria have multi-faceted missions. They use their stealth, persistence,
agility and firepower to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary’s
military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea
superiority.
The submarine, commissioned June 29, 1991, is the third Navy vessel to be named for cities in both
Louisiana and Virginia.

Photos by MC1 Virginia Schaefer GROTON, Conn. - Family members and friends wait anxiously for their Alexandria Sailors to depart the boat at the home-
coming celebration.

GROTON, Conn. - Above, Chief Sonar Technician (Submarines) Charles Tweedy receives the traditional “first hug” from his
daughter Madison, as his wife, Susan (left) and oldest daughter, Libby look on. Below, Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Patrick
GROTON, Conn. -
McClung and wife, Geri, greet each other with the traditional “first kiss” at USS Alexandria’s homecoming, Dec. 18.
Above, Electronics
Technician 2nd Class
Sergio Torres sees his
daughter, Lailah, for
the first time. Right,
Lt. j.g. Joshua Firkin
meets his son, Percibal
Jude, for the first time
after his submarine,
USS Alexandria (SSN
757), returned to Naval
Submarine Base New
London. Percibal and
Lailah were born while
their fathers and crew
of the Los Angeles-
class attack subma-
rine were on a seven-
month deployment.

GROTON, Conn.
- Jim Holdorf
anxiously awaits
to see his son-in-
law, Electronics
Technician 2nd
Class Sergio
Torres, whose
daughter was
born during USS
Alexandria’s
deployment.

GROTON, Conn. - Santa Claus greets children of Alexandria Sailors after getting a ride on the submarine to SUBASE. Santa
didn’t stay long as he had to rest up for his big night the following week.
 Thursday, January 6, 2011 • THE DOLPHIN • 5

Backpacks bring supplies and smiles

to military children

Photo by MC3 Timothy Walter

HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele shares his desk at the
Connecticut State Capitol with Nathan (left) and Josh Hutson (right), who received backpacks
filled with school supplies as part of an outreach to military families. Machinist’s Mate 1st Class
T.J. Hutson along with his wife, Mandi and two sons attended a recognition ceremony for vol-
unteers involved with the military backpack give-away, Dec. 21. Fedele originally organized
for 200 backpacks to be sent to China to supply a need he personally saw there on a recent
visit to the country. However, when plans for the shipment overseas fell through, he used the
opportunity to help military families in his home state. With the help of New Haven Moving
Equipment, the backpacks were shipped in early November to Norwich, Conn. where Operation
SUBASE youth receive bicycles
Military Kids, a nationwide community program which aids children of deployed families, Photo by MM3 Sean Phillips
helped distribute the backpacks to military children. Naval Submarine Base New London Youth GROTON, Conn. – Stellarae Valdez watches as her daughter, Isabella Valdez poses for a picture with her new bicycle in Naval Submarine
Center and families of the PCU Mississippi benefited from the backpack give-away as well as Base New London’s Dealey Center, Dec. 21. Almost 60 bicycles were handed out to SUBASE youth who didn’t receive bicycles during the
the Army National Guard at Hartford and Niantic, and several Army recruiters. 2010 Slice of Summer event. The bikes were donated by the United Service Organizations (USO) and Cosmopolitan Magazine.

Mystic Seaport invites public

Carolers bring
holiday cheer
Photo by MM3 Sean Phillips
GROTON, Conn. – Naval Submarine
Base New London (SUBASE) Choir
sing Christmas carols in the lobby
of the Navy Exchange (NEX), Dec.
15. The SUBASE NEX put on a
special holiday sale with free
food, drinks, and a DJ. Familiar
Christmas characters visited with
the customers to make an interest-
ing shopping experience.
to have treasures assessed at
first-ever appraisal day
MYSTIC, Conn. - Representatives from the world-renowned
auction house Bonhams of New York City will provide verbal
auction estimates for attendees’ items at Appraisal Day at Mystic
Seaport, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will be hosted in the River Room at Latitude 41°
Restaurant.
Estimates will be given in a variety of antique and collectible
areas including maritime art, paintings, books, manuscripts,
maps, decorative art, watches, clocks, jewelry and Asian items.
Furniture, boats or other large items are not permitted, but photos
are welcome.
Appraisals will be given on a first-come, first-served basis and
no appointments will be given. Attendees are asked to allow for
plenty of time if necessary. A maximum of three hand-carry items
per person will be permitted for appraisal.
Advance registration is strongly recommended. Tickets are $25
($20 for members). All ticket proceeds support Mystic Seaport.
Registration is available online at www.mysticseaport.org/tickets
or by calling (860) 572-5322.
For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org/appraisalday.

Events, programs held at Groton Public Library
Holistic adventures:
Healing arts
A series of free workshops
sponsored by the Groton Public
Library will introduce vari-
ous healing modalities during
January 2011.
Experience Reiki
Kimberly R. Brito, Reiki
Master Teacher and co-owner
of The Brito Center, Experience
Reiki Treatment & Training
Studio will introduce reiki, a
Japanese technique for stress
reduction and relaxation that
also promotes healing. Reiki
produces a state of profound
relaxation and peace, Jan. 11
at 7 p.m. Through this state
the client may more effectively
heal issues or illness. Reiki is
not a replacement to traditional
medicine, but is a compliment
to the treatment received from
your health care provider. How
does someone become a Reiki
Practitioner? What should you
expect when receiving a Reiki
treatment? “Experience Reiki”
through this session.
Hypnosis, EFT and you
Back by popular demand,
Roberta Lewis, Certified
Hypnotherapist, member
American Hypnosis Association
and EFT Emotional Freedom
Technique practitioner will lead
this workshop on the power
of hypnosis and EFT, a heal-
ing modality “where emo-
tional relief brings physical
health.” She will act as a guide
to show how to bring about
self-improvement and personal
growth using positive motiva-
tional suggestions, Jan. 24 at
7 p.m.
January programs for
teens, tweens
The Groton Public Library
will sponsor several programs
for students in grades five and
up during January 2011.
Knitting Circle and
Crafternoons
Teens and Tweens in grades
five and up are invited to join
the library’s knitting circle
and crafternoon workshops on
Wednesdays, Jan. 12, 19 and
Mrs. Claus delivers backpacks
26 from 3 to 5 p.m. The infor-
mal knitting club is geared to
beginning knitters. Bring your
own needles. Crafternoons are
drop-in craft projects, which
will vary from week to week.
Both programs are held in teen-
scape space, are free and open
to the public.
Teen Writer’s Club
A monthly teen writing club
will be held on Tuesday after-
noons from 4 to 5 p.m. begin-
ning Jan. 18. Students in grades
five and up are invited to come
to the library and share works
in progress as well as get tips
from other writers.
Teen Book Club
The Groton Public Library‘s
Teen book club meets on the
third Wednesday of each month
at 7 pm. The club is open to all
students in grades five and up.
January’s meeting will include
voting for your favorite Nutmeg
Photo by MM3 Sean Phillips
book. You do not need to read
the same book, just bring a GROTON, Conn. – Kiley Payne hugs Mrs. Claus after receiving a backpack at the Naval Submarine Base New London
book you would like to share (SUBASE) Youth Center, Dec. 17. The backpacks were assembled by volunteers and filled with school supplies. The
and learn about the newest children received backpacks donated by Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele through Operation Military Kids. For
books in the teen collection. more information about SUBASE Youth Center, call (860) 694-4702.

Now showing at SUBASE Security sets, spikes way to victory

Dealey Center Theater Photo by MC3 Timothy Walter

GROTON, Conn. – Team 3-Peat,

assembled by Naval Submarine
Jan. 7 6:00 p.m. Love & Other Drugs Base New London (SUBASE)
Jan. 8 3:00 p.m. Tangled Police Department (SBPD), gath-
5:00 p.m. Burlesque ers around their volleyball cham-
7:15 p.m. Harry Potter pionship trophy with SUBASE
Jan. 9 3:00 p.m. Tangled Commanding Officer, Captain Marc
5:00 p.m. Love & Other Drugs Denno, Dec. 13. In a back and
7:15 p.m. Harry Potter
Jan. 10 6:00 p.m. Burlesque forth battle versus the Ben-Waas
Jan. 11 6:00 p.m. Love & Other Drugs team from Naval Branch Health
Jan. 12 6:00 p.m. Tangled Clinic, SUBASE’s security team of
Jan. 13 6:00 p.m. Harry Potter (last showing) active military personnel and civil-
ians finally triumphed after three
Tangled Cast: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Rated: PG, sets, earning the number one spot
Story Type: Action/Adventure, Family, Musical, Animation among the six teams that partici-
and Adaptation, Runtime: 100 min. pated in this year’s double-elimi-
Love & Other Drugs Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, nation intramural volleyball tour-
Rated: R, Story Type: Comedy and Adaptation, Runtime: 113 nament. Congratulations to team
min. 3-Peat: Fred Ah-mu, Maureen
Burlesque Cast: Cher, Christina Aguilera, Rated: PG-13, Shuttleworth, Julie Moeller,
Story Type: Drama and Musical/Performing Arts, Runtime:
Dave Moeller, Tony Burns, Lisa
119 min.
Burns, Danielle Kubit, Oxana Tidd,
Next Week: Matthew Fortin, Timothy Rizza,
The Tourist and Aloe Feomaia, Paul Tidd.
Narnia 3
6 • THE DOLPHIN • Thursday, January 6, 2011
 Thursday, January 6, 2011 • THE DOLPHIN • 7

Naval Submarine School

students show how they
‘can’ help their neighbors
By William Kenny
Submarine Learning Center Public Affairs
NORWICH, Conn. – St.
Vincent de Paul Place, located in
a former train station in down-
town Norwich, Connecticut, is
a community meal site and food
pantry supporting the homeless
and families on limited incomes
throughout the area.
Six days a week, volunteers
prepare about three hundred
breakfasts and the same num-
ber of lunches, averaging in
recent months close to 24,000
meals while also serving anoth-
er two hundred families with a
variety of groceries and other
everyday living supplies.
The need always seems to
exceed the donated goods, rang-
ing from bread and rolls, cereal
and fruit juice through pasta
and tuna fish with everything in
between. In the winter months,
as supplies of everything dwin-
dle, each item is rationed more
closely to stretch the assistance
as far as possible.
On Dec. 15, 14 instructors and
students from Naval Submarine
School helped provide some
breathing room for the center
as they donated the lion’s share
of 3,500 collected cans and non-
perishable items.
Naval Submarine School
Chaplain Jane Vieira organizes
a year-round calendar of com-
munity outreaches and activi-
ties offering Sailor-students an
opportunity to make a differ-
ence in the lives of neighbors
from around the region as vol-
unteers on a variety of projects.
Her annual Holiday Canned
Goods Collection Drive ran
this year from Nov. 15 to Dec.
15 and two local agencies, the
Norwich Veterans Center and
St. Vincent de Paul Place were
recipients of all donations.
The drive itself, spearheaded
by Religious Program Specialist
Second Class Petty Officer Chi
San Yeung and Electronics
Technician Second Class Petty
Officer David Pennick and sup-
ported by Submarine School’s
Master Chief Petty Officers, pits
the various departments across
the schoolhouse in a friendly
competition for bragging rights
on who the largest contributor
is. The real winners, of course,
are those whom the donations
help.
As Jillian Corbin, St. Vincent
de Paul Place Executive
Director, explained to the help-
ing hands unloading their two
delivery trucks, “(e)verything
you have shared today will
be put to use. We can only
help others because you, and
people like you, support us.
It’s wonderful especially dur-
ing this, the season of giving,
that you would provide such
an example of generosity and
charity and we are truly grate-
ful.”
Despite the freezing tem-
peratures and a sharp wind
that could have chilled any-
one’s enthusiasm, the Sailors
made short work of loading
the vehicles, transporting the
donations from the school-
house in Groton and unload-
ing in Norwich. They were
warm not so much from the
exercise as from the good they
knew they were doing,
As one student who request-
ed anonymity, said, “(T)here
were times before I was in the
Navy that I was receiving help
from neighbors and friends
where I lived so I know how
important being there to help
somebody else can be. Photo released by William Kenny
“I was happy to help because
NORWICH, Conn. – Helping hands from Naval Submarine School offload a holiday donation of canned goods and non-perish-
everyone sometimes needs a
ables at the St Vincent de Paul community meal site and food pantry to successfully conclude their 2010 Holiday Collection
hand. I’m glad we could make
Drive. Seaman Recruit Jarred Conway (back to the camera), Seaman Apprentice Paul Mosley, Seaman Recruit Tyler Cloud,
these people feel better but
Seaman Apprentice Marques Boykin-Spates, Seaman Recruit Travis Baker, Seaman Wesley Bogner, Seaman Apprentice
I wanted to help because I
knew that way I could feel Nickolas Farris, Seaman Apprentice Christopher Wedde and Religious Program Specialist Second Class Petty Officer Chi San
better, too.” Yeung all lent a hand, and some strong arms and backs to making sure the delivery went smoothly.

MCPON ... SOAC Graduation

Continued from page 2
In order to remove sexual assault from our
Navy we need to ensure commands have a
strong partnership with Sexual Assault
Response Coordinators (SARC) and a robust
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR)
Program which fosters an environment where
‘shipmates help shipmates’ by not allowing
destructive behavior to occur.
One of the ways to encourage the idea
of ‘shipmates helping shipmates’ is through
the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive
Decisions (CSADD) peer mentoring program.
The Navy launched the CSADD program June
24 with the focus on helping junior Sailors
make better decisions.
CSADD’s mission is: to provide Sailors with
the best prevention and intervention tools pos-
sible to deal with the issues of drinking, reck-
less driving, and other destructive decisions
while maintaining good order and discipline; to
assist Sailors in making life decisions that will
maintain positive lifestyles in keeping with the
Navy’s core values; to guide Sailors away from
making poor and destructive decisions by pro-
viding them with positive and dynamic training;
and to show Sailors how to make quick posi-
tive decisions and put their training to use in
moments of high stress and peer pressure.
Every command is encouraged to start a
CSADD chapter with Sailors in the age group
of 18-25 and enable them to take on a leader-
ship role within their CSADD chapter. For
more information on starting a CSADD chapter,
see OPNAVINST 1500.80 Coalition of Sailors
Against Destructive Decisions Peer Mentoring
Program, or the CSADD Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Coalition-
of-Sailors-Against-Destructive-Decisions-
CSADD/299642495316
We must continue to promote a positive com-
mand climate based on our Navy core values
and Ethos in order to defend against sexual
assault and continue to promote responsible,
personal behavior. Eliminating sexual assault
from our Navy is an All Hands effort, and I am
confident that each of you will step up and take
on this charge for the betterment of our Navy.
Everyday you’re making a difference and work-
ing hard in all corners of the world. YOU can
put a stop to this crime!
HOOYAH!”
GROTON, Conn - Eighteen members of Class
10050 graduated from the Submarine Officer
Advanced Course, Dec. 16.
Graduates were addressed by Captain Mark
VanYe, Commodore, Regional Support Group,
Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut.
The L. Y. Spear Award was presented by retired
Captain William Miller to the Class Honor Graduate,
Lieutenant Francis Montojo, USS Alabama (SSBN
731) (GOLD).
Lt. John Seifert, USS Missouri (SSN 782), received
the David Lloyd Award for Excellence.
Lt. Alan Mardegian, USS Tennessee (SSBN
734) (BLUE), was recipient of the Armed Forces
Communications and Electronics Award.
Lt. Jonathan Cantor and Mardegian were named
Graduates with Distinction.
Lt. Zachary Merritt received the SOAC Outstanding
Instructor Award.
8 • THE DOLPHIN • Thursday, January 6, 2011

NBHC Groton addresses patient parking issues Photos by HN Terrance Mendez

GROTON, Conn. - In a response to patient concerns over the lack of parking close to the medical clinic, NBHC Groton has
reconfigured the parking to allow for more convenient parking for patients, closer to both the medical and dental facilities.
The dental clinic (pictured below) has four handicapped and 21 regular patient parking spaces, and the medical clinic (picu-
tred left) has seven patient handicapped spots located in lot B to the left of the medical clinic front doors, and 106 parking
spaces (the entire lot) in lot E, which is located to the right of the clinic front doors. The parking lot on the northeast side of
the building is also patient parking only, designated by the patient parking signs that are posted. NBHC Groton continues to
listen and respond to patient’s needs while providing world class health care.