Olde Glory

11 November 2009 - Veterans Day. We took a few moments out of our busy underway routine this morning to muster the crew for a ceremony to honor all veterans. We had a simple Flag Passing Ceremony conducted in concert with the reading of the poem "Olde Glory." It was a touching ceremony and I believe truly honored all veterans. I have posted the poem below for all to enjoy.

OLDE GLORY

I AM THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. MY NAME IS OLDE GLORY.
I FLY ATOP THE WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDINGS
I STAND WATCH IN AMERICA'S HALLS OF JUSTICE.
I FLY MAJESTICALLY OVER GREAT INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.
I STAND GUARD WITH THE GREATEST MILITARY POWER IN THE WORLD.
LOOK UP! AND SEE ME!!!


I STAND FOR PEACE HONOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE.
I STAND FOR FREEDOM!!
I AM CONFIDENT, I AM ARROGANT, I AM PROUD.
WHEN I AM FLOWN WITH MY FELLOW BANNERS, MY HEAD IS HELD A LITTLE HIGHER - MY COLORS ARE A LITTLE TRUER

I BOW TO NO ONE!
I AM RECOGNIZED ALL OVER THE WORLD.
I AM WORSHIPPED - I AM SALUTED - I AM RESPECTED - I AM REVERED - I AM LOVED - I AM FEARED!!

FOR MORE THAN 200 YEARS, I HAVE FOUGHT IN EVERY BATTLE OF EVERY WAR; GETTYSBURG, SHILOH, APPOMATTOX, SAN JUAN HILL,THE TRENCHES OF FRANCE, THE ARGENNE FOREST, ANZIO, ROME, THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY, THE JUNGLES OF GUAM, OKINAWA, TARAWA, KOREA, VIETNAM AND IN THE HEAT OF THE PERSIAN GULF AND A SCORE OF OTHER PLACES.
LONG FORGOTTEN BY ALL, BUT THOSE WHO WERE THERE WITH ME.
I WAS THERE.

I LED MY SAILORS AND MARINES,
I FOLLOWED THEM, I WATCH OVER THEM, THEY LOVE ME.
I WAS ON A SMALL HILL ON IWO JIMA.
I WAS DIRTY BATTLE TORN AND TIRED BUT MY SAILORS AND MARINES CHEERED ME!!!!
I WAS PROUD!

I HAVE BEEN SOILED BURNED TORN AND TRAMPLED ON THE STREETS OF COUNTRIES THAT I HAVE HELPED TO SET FREE.
IT DOES NOT HURT FOR I AM INVINCIBILE.
I HAVE BEEN SOILED BURNED TORN AND TRAMPLED ON THE STREETS OF MY OWN COUNTRY AND WHEN IT IS DONE BY THOSE WHOM WITH I HAVE SERVED IN BATTLE. IT HURTS!!!
BUT I SHALL OVERCOME FOR I AM STRONG!!

ULTRA-S

8 November 2009 - Greetings to all.  In the past few weeks we have completed our inport maintenance period, successfully conducted a major ship wide inspection and transitioned to underway operations to support Second Fleet training.
  Maintenance is a necessary part of our existence here on STOUT.  Inport periods give us a chance to delve into more complex jobs such as pump repairs and equipment refurbishment.  In the time since returning from deployment we have corrected several nagging problems and performed many jobs to keep the ship operating in top condition.
  One of the other focus areas of the past few weeks has been preparing for an inspection we call ULTRA-S (Unit Level Training and Readiness Assessment - Sustainment).  ULTRA-S is basically a shipwide verification of our ability to safely train and assess our own performance.  During ULTRA-S the inspection team looked at our administrative programs, tested us in dmamge control drills on the flight deck, main engine rooms and throughout the ship, inspected the material condition of the engineering plant, observed as we conducted engineering drills and evolutions, verified each of our warfare areas by observing individual drills, tested our navigation skills as we got the ship underway at night time and conducted a night time anchorage, and finally observed the ship during an all encompassing drill at Battle Stations.  Needless to say it was a fun few days.  
   At the conclusion of ULTRA-S we sent the inspectors back to shore using our small boat and headed out to sea for our current assignment. We are assigned as OPFOR (Opposition Force) in support of the NASSAU Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) and the  EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group (CSG).  The ARG and CSG are preparing for deployment and needed a few ships to play bad guys.  So we are now acting as a warship from the ficticious country Garnet.
  As always the routine of the ship continues with preparing and serving food, cleaning, standing watches, conducting maintenance, getting flu shots, working on qualifications, etc.  Since returing from deployment we have said good-bye to a few Sailors as they departed for follow-on assignments and welcomed some new crew members to our family.  I would like to say farewell to the Sailors and their familys who have left us recently and say welcome to our new crew members amd families.  You all had and will have an important impact on STOUT as we continue our mission.  Have a STOUTSTANDING Day.

October

18 October 2009 - October has been a busy month for STOUT. After enjoying a bit of time to relax and take some leave following our return from deployment the crew came together again on October 7th to return to our "normal" work routine. I'm not sure there is a definition for a normal week in the Navy, but we are going full speed ahead again with warfare training, preventive and corrective maintenance, preservation, physical training, medical and dental visits, schools and watchstanding.

Back on the first of the month we promoted our Main Propulsion Assistant from CWO2 to CWO3. A Warrant Officer is someone who has came up through the Enlisted Ranks and specializes in a specific field. In MPA's case he specializes in surface ship engineering. As you can see Warrant Officers wear one collar device depicting their specialty (in this case a propeller) and one signifying their rank. STOUT has the good fortune to have three Warrant Officers in the Wardroom. Congratulations MPA on your promotion.

One of the things you will also notice in the photos with this post are the camouflage uniforms many of the crew are wearing. These are the new Navy Working Uniforms (NWUs) and we are making the switch to them this month.

We also had the opportunity to witness the re-enlistment of our Botswainmate Chief. You can see the picture of BMC and OPS on the messdecks during the re-enlistment ceremony. BMC is one of our great deckplate leaders and it was an honor to be at his ceremony. For those of you who are Naval History buffs, Botswainmate is the oldest rate in the Navy, dating back to the first days the Navy over 234 years ago.

Speaking of History, October is also the Navy's Birthday month. To celebrate we had a small commemoration where we read the Secretary of the Navy's message to the fleet and cut the birthday cake. As is tradition the oldest and youngest crew members are selected to cut the cake. This year the honors went to Master Chief Campbell and Seaman Johnson. (I know it's hard to tell, but Master Chief is the older of the two!)

General Chilton Visit

23 September, 2009 - STOUT recently had the opportunity to provide a shipboard tour to General Chilton, Commander United States Strategic Command. It is not often that we get the opportunity to meet with a 4-Star Combattant Commander, let alone spend 90 minutes giving a tour so everyone onboard was excited at the opportunity to show off STOUT. Even though we were in stand-down with half of the crew on leave, the crew came together and presented the ship very well.

General Chilton is a former astronaut and was very interested in our capabilities and our recent deployment. He enjoyed his time onboard and I believe he appreciated the opportunity to see some of the things the Navy does everyday up close. If you would like to read more about General Chilton his biogrgraphy cam be found at:
www.stratcom.mil/biographies/1/

Homecoming

5 September, 2009 - Norfolk! I've been a bit remiss in posting to this blog the past few weeks, but I wanted to let everyone know that we are still here and are enjoying Norfolk. We had a very successful reunion on 5 September with a great turnout on the pier to greet us.

The crew and I have sepnt the last few weeks catching up with family and friends. Most of the crew have taken leave as we adjust to Norfolk life again.

I included just a couple of images from our arrival for those of you who were unable to make it to Norfolk. As you can see wh had beautiful weather.

01 September, 2009 - Over the past few days our schedule was filled with training events, maintenance, preservation and studying for upcoming advancement exams.
Last Saturday we put our guns and gunners to the test with a live firing exercise. We utilized a deployable target, known in the Navy as a "Killer Tomato" because of its red color, to provide target practice. We fired all of our guns from the large 5" mount to our .50 caliber machine guns. I have to say that the guns and gunners both performed well. As I always like to say, our gunners are the highest caliber.
This morning we assembled the crew for an awards ceremony. I presented nearly 80 awards to well deserving Sailors for their performance over the past months. There are many things to be proud of today as we look back on past accomplishments. The high training level of the crew and outstanding material condition of the ship are also a testament to the hard work put in by everyone aboard.
At the end of the ceremony I took a few minutes to thank the entire crew for their outstanding efforts, reflect on our accomplishments and also look towards the future.
We will be back home in Norfolk on Saturday and of course everyone is excited. In addition to STOUT homecoming this weekend is also Labor Day weekend, the traditional end to summer. Staying safe as we head back to join our families and friends is important to me and I expressed the need to be smart about weekend activities with the crew. Please enjoy a safe and fun weekend with your Sailors. We'll see you in a few days.

UNREP

27 August, 2009 -

Underway Replenishments, UNREPs, are the life blood of US Navy ships at sea. Fuel and stores sustain us and keep us going for a few thousand more miles. The supplies we received today will be enough to take us across the Atlantic Ocean.

The crew performed very well, executing two tasks at once. At one station, part of the UNREP detail took on the fuel, while amidships, another part of the detail, supplemented by members of supply, took on and accounted for the food to be served and the snacks to be sold at the ship’s store. Taking on provisions is an “all hands” evolution, involving all members of the crew not engaged in watchstanding or another part of the detail to strike everything down into storage.

The crew was happy to get the fresh fruits and vegetables, but the snacks were most welcomed, as evident by the line of people waiting outside the ship’s store to get at the new arrivals. I leave you today with some great pictures of STOUT in action.