Vol. 65 No. 10 Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Bridges to Relieve Marcell as CO of VT-3

By Ens. Andrew Stephen-
son

Cmdr. Jody G.
Bridges will relieve Lt.
Col. Christopher Marcell as
the commanding officer of
Training Squadron THREE
(VT-3), Friday, Mar. 20 at
2 p.m. in the Naval Air Sta-
tion Whiting Field Atrium
(Bldg. 1417). Lt. C
The change of Christophe
command ceremony is a time honored
tradition that allows the entire com-
mand to witness the transfer of author-
ity from on officer to another. It is un-
common in most military commands for
leadership to transfer from an Air Force
officer to a Navy officer, but is the stan-

-u
*r

dard for VT-3, the first
and only Navy joint
primary flight train-
ing squadron. Bridges
will transfer command
to Lt. Col. George K.
Hobson upon comple-
tion of his tour as com-
manding officer of the
squadron.
1. During Mar- Cmdl
Marcell cell's 28-month tour
first as executive officer and then com-
manding officer, the Red Knights flew
more than 55,000 mishap-free flight
hours and produced more than 700 Air
Force, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard and
international flight training graduates.
Under his tenure time-to-train was re-

I

r..

duced by ten percent and
overall student produc-
tion was increased by
one-hundred fifteen per-
cent making VT-3 the top
squadron in operations
efficiency. His leadership
and commitment to safe-
ty inspired the squadron
to earn the 2007 Chief of
Jody Bridges Naval Operations Naval
Aviation Safety Award.
Marcell's career spans approx-
imately 20 years and includes a tour of
duty overseas in the United Kingdom
as well as tours in Mississippi, North
Carolina, Colorado, and Whiting Field.
He is a command pilot with more than
(Cont. on Page 2)

Winters Resigns From Navy Secretary Post As Planned
From the Department of Defense
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The 74th Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter,
resigned his office March 13 as planned. Winter had agreed to remain in office
until March 13 to ease the transition of the Department of Defense.
"As I relinquish my duties as Secretary of the Navy, I count myself
blessed for having had the opportunity to serve as your Secretary," Winter said
in a message to the Navy and Marine Corps. "No period in my professional life
can compare to the experiences that I have had in this position."
Winter became the Secretary of the Navy on Jan. 3, 2006. During his
tenure, Winter focused on three priorities: prosecuting the war against terror-
ist enemies in Iraq and Afghanistan; taking care of wounded Sailors, Marines
and their families; and building the future fleet. Additionally, he carried out
far-reaching acquisition reforms, with an emphasis on rebuilding an acquisition 74th Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter, re-
corps of professionals within the department, demanding accountability, and signed his office March 13 as planned. Winter had agreed
insisting on a systems engineering approach to acquisitions. to remain in office until March 13 to ease the transition of
Under Winter's leadership, the Department of the Navy strove to the Department of Defense. U. S. Navy file photo.
maintain a balance of environmental stewardship while preserving the profes-
sional training requirements of the Navy and Marine Corps. The importance of these efforts was recognized by the Supreme Court in
a precedent setting opinion. Winter also enhanced the Navy's role in missile defense, codified policies to leverage special operations
capabilities in the Navy and Marine Corps, and increased the department's focus on intelligence collection and analysis.
"Every time I meet with Sailors and Marines, I come away impressed by the tremendous capability and flexibility of our warf-
ighters to accomplish the mission, no matter what the challenge," he said. "I am honored to have served you as your Secretary. Thank
you for your service to our nation."
BJ Penn will be the acting Secretary of the Navy until the U.S. Senate confirms a nominee chosen by President Barack Obama.

Sailors Help Local Family
VBy 2nd Lt. Nicholas Uzelac
A team of 11 volunteers
from Naval Air Station Whiting
Field devoted their time Fri-
day, Feb. 6 to cleaning up of a
local family's house. Their ef-
forts not only brightened up the
homestead, but the couple's day
as well.
The group put in nearly two
ailors stationed at comman s a oar work weeks of effort during the
Naval Air Station Whiting Field help clean day with 79 man-hours of work.
up areas of the Garvin residence. Photo Tasks accomplished included:
courtesy of Covenant Hospice. pressure washing the outside of
the entire house, taking five truckloads of trash to the dump, and taking
down sides of a caving in roof on a shed. The volunteers even went as
far as to gain authorization from the Fire Department through Hospice /
United Way to build a bonfire in the backyard to burn termite infested
wood, brush, and leaves.
The project was originally started several months earlier as part
of the October 2008 United Way "Day of Caring" event. Three NASWF
personnel showed up for the yard work and cleanup of the Garvin family
household. After working all day the three, Air Traffic Controller Sec-
ond Class Dustin Surrat, Air Traffic Controller Second Class Christopher
Duffie and Air Traffic Controller Third Class Brandon Smith, realized
that there was still much more work to be done which lead them to con-
tact Aviation Boatswain's Mate First Class Richard Manning, who serves
as the base's volunteer coordinator.
Manning made several phone calls and after some coordination
he had the stage set for part two of the cleaning which promised to be
much larger in scale than the first. Early on Feb. 6 Manning and one of
the original three arrived at the Garvin house. This time, however, they
were armed with 9 more motivated volunteers.
"I have never seen a team handle business the way I saw it done
that day," said Manning. "They really came together and got a lot of
work done."
The Garvin were extremely grateful for all the help that they
were receiving often talking to the volunteers and even bringing out lunch
for them.
"It was nice to help the couple knowing they really needed it.
Mr. Garvin was in his late 80's in age and had seven strokes," Manning
said. "We all enjoyed talking to them and I think it even motivated us to
work harder."
Covenant Hospice, which helped coordinate the efforts, was
equally grateful to the Whiting Team, and emphasized that it isn't just
one event, but year round volunteer efforts from the base that makes such
an impact to the Covenant community.
"Covenant Hospice is so thankful and blessed with ALL that
Whiting Field continues to do for us," said Sally Cary, Community Edu-
cator Milton Office Covenant Hospice
In addition to the ones mentioned above, the volunteers includ-
ed: Aviation Boatswain's Mate First Class Joseph Stager, Chief Naval Air
Crewman Dustin Martinson, Naval Air Crewman First Class Logan Rob-
ertson, Fire Control Technician Derek Carpenter, Aviation Boatswain's
Mate Second Class James Bowles, Naval Air Crewman Second Class
Kristopher Sellmeyer, Naval Air Crewman Second Class Nicholas Borah,
Aviation Boatswain's Mate Second Class Timothy Williams, and Avia-
tion Boatswain's Mate Third Class Jerry Owens.

VT-3 Change of Command

2,900 flight hours logged in diverse
aircraft. As an F-15E "Strike Eagle"
pilot he amassed 200 combat flight
hours in 65 combat missions. Mar-
cell has earned the Distinguished
Flying Cross for Heroism, the Air
Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters,
and the Aerial Achievement Medal.
Bridges takes command of Lt. Col.
the squadron after serving a tour as George Hobson
the executive officer. He reported to
the command in Aug. 2007 and is a 19 year naval avia-
tor. He has flown numerous patrols as a Patrol Plane
Commander and Mission Commander flying the P-
3C Orion, including missions in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and
launched more than 6,000 aircraft while attached to the
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) as the Catapult
and Arresting Gear Officer, Air Department Administra-
tive Office and Hanger Deck Division Officer.
Brig. Gen. Darryl Roberson, Commander 325th
Fighter Wing, will act as the guest speaker for the
event.

FELLOW EMPLOYEES NEED
HELP
Ms. Eva Leatherwood, Equal Employment
Specialist at CNRSE FDD Pensacola office, has
been approved for the Leave Recipient Program.
Leatherwood will be required to be out of work un-
til approximately April 6, 2009 and has exhausted
all of her leave.
Ms. Erica Milton, Program Analyst of
CNRSE Family Readiness Program at NAS Jack-
sonville, has been approved for the Leave Recipi-
ent Program. Ms. Milton will be required to be out
of work for approximately six to eight weeks and
will exhaust all of her leave very
soon.
Anyone wishing to donate annual leave
under this program may contact Jim Harbaugh at
CNRSE DSN 942-0041, or Commercial (904)542-
0041. Thank you for your participation.
The following forms would need to be com-
pleted by the donor OPM 630-A Inside Agency
(Anyone employed in Department of Navy) or
OPM 630-B Outside Agency (Employed other than
Department of Navy).

News and Notes
Fishin' With a Mission The United Way of Santa Rosa
County will host their "Fishin' With a Mission" bass tournament
and family festival April 11 at Carpenter's Park. Registration be-
gins Feb. 17 at the United Way offices at 6576 Caroline St or 6479
Highway 90 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Top prize is anticipated to be $3,000. Call 623-4507 or check out
bassfishing @unitedwaysrc.org. Rusty Whitfield will be the pre-
miere performer for the family day at the park.
On Golden Pond The play, "On Golden Pond," made fa-
mous by the movie with Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda, will
be presented by the Panhandle Community Theatre March 26, 27
and 28 at the Milton High School auditorium. Cost is $12 with a
portion of the proceeds to be presented to the Pace H. S. and Mil-
ton H. S. drama departments. The play is a fun, sentimental look at
growing older and the importance of family. Call (850) 450-2566
to make reservations or for more details.
CHS Fun Run Central High School will host a 5 K Fun Run/
Walk Saturday March 21 at the school. Advance registration is
available until March 16 for $20 and early registrants will receive
a race T-shirt. Same day registration begins at 6 a.m. for $25. Call
983-5640 for more information.
Golf Tournament Training Air Wing FIVE will hold a golf
tournament March 26 to support theNavy and Marine Corps Relief
Society fund drive. Forms can be picked up in the TW5 STUCON
office. The deadline for registration is March 23.
Softball Tournament NAS Whiting Field Military Appre-
ciation Softball Tournament. $150.00 entry fee per team. T-shirts
for first place team. Don't miss out on the Home-Run Derby.
Teams must be registered by Monday, April 20th for gate access.
Attached is the flier. Call or e-mail Todd Mooneyham (MWR,
Sports Coordinator) at 850-623-7502 ext.23 / todd.mooneyham@
navy.mil for all of the details (home-runs, bats, cleats,...etc.) This
Tournament is open to everyone including civilian teams.
Universal and Disneyworld Ticktes ITT now has the
free universal tickets & Disneyland tickets free tickets for active
duty, reservist, or retirees, and we also have the family and friends
tickets. For more information contact: 623-7032 Monday-Friday
9-5 and Saturday 9-12.

AFond Farewell
Capt. Enrique Sadsad, Naval Air Station Whiting Field Commanding
)fficer, presents a Letter of Appreciation to Marquita Rector. Rec-
:or is leaving Whiting Field to pursue another opportunity at Saufle3
ifter working at the base for more than 25 years. U. S. Navy phott
)y Jay Cope

Doug Kelley, a Public Works Department Employee receives a Meri-
torious Service Award citation from Capt. Enrique Sadsad on behalf
of the Civil Air Patrol. He received the award for his work as the
Group 1 command from 2001 to 2008. Photo by 2nd Lt. Nicholas
Uzelac..
Sesame Street Special "Coming Home: Military Fami-
lies Cope with Change" will air nationwide on PBS at 8 pm. This
primetime special, presented by Sesame Workshop and featuring
Queen Latifah and John Mayer, tells the stories of service mem-
bers returning home with injuries-both visible and invisible-and
explores the heroic struggles their families face on the path to
finding a "new normal." With help from Elmo, Rosita and their
Sesame Street friends, "Coming Home" gives voice to the children
as they play a central role in the family's adjustment process, and
encourages them to be what they are: kids. Check out "Coming
Home" on April 1st, 2009 on PBS at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, 7
p.m. Central and Mountain Time (check your local listings).
Golf Tournament The NASWF Leadership Council Golf
Tournament will be held on Fri, 24 Apr 09, at the NAS Whiting
Field Golf Course. Tee-off time will be at 1000. This is a 4-man
scramble, $120.00/team. Prizes for will be given to the top 3 teams,
longest drive and closest to the pin. Mulligans 3 for $5.00 per
person. Tee-Buster $3.00 per person. Fee includes green fees,
cart and light lunch. Pre-pay or pay the day of the tournment.
Contact LTJG Sirjoo, (850) 449-0360, or ABHC Perry, (850) 623-
7220, for reservations. Pre-pay or pay the day of the tournament.
Animal Adopt-A-Thon Santa Rosa County Animal Ser-
vices with sponsors Mediacom, Soft Rock 94.1 and WXBM 102.7
will hold its 5th annual adopt-a-thon on Saturday, April 18 from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the shelter located at 4451 Pine Forest Road
in Milton. For this special event, the adoption fee is $15 for cats
and $20 for dogs with a spay/neuter voucher provided at no cost
for any unaltered animal. Attendees who wish to adopt a new pet
and currently have pets at home should bring proof of rabies vac-
cination for each animal. Pets on leashes are welcome to attend.
Free food, local rescue organizations, vendors, children's activi-
ties, contests and drawings will be offered during the adopt-a-thon.
For more information call (850) 983-4680.
Sunset Stampede The Zoo at Northwest Florida's 1st An-
nual Sunset Stampede 5K Run/Walk will be held on Sat, 2 May 09
at Navarre Beach. The race begins at 6 p.m. with a Kids Fun Run
beginning at 5 p.m. The first 500 people to sign up get a t-shirt.
Cost: $20.00 thru 4 Apr, $25.00 after. See www.zoosunsetstam-
pede.org online for more information.

Fleet and Family Support Center Classes

Your Insurance Needs Thursday, March 19, from 1:00 3:00 pm
A 60 90 minute interactive program suitable for all audiences, designed to develop knowledge and skills that will enable participants
to make informed consumer decisions on the basic types of insurance, and to determine their personal need for life insurance. Class
will be held in the FFSC conference room. For more information, contact a Work and Family Life Specialist at 623-7177.
Ten Steps to a Federal Job Monday, March 23, from 8:00 10:00 am
"Is it worth your while to invest your time and effort in searching and applying for a Federal Job?" If your answer is "yes", then you
need to attend this class in order to learn how to prepare the best application possible. You will learn how to read an announcement,
analyze core competencies for language, analyze vacancy listings for keywords, and how to apply forjobs. Class will be held at the
FFSC conference room. For more information, contact a Work and Family Life Specialist at 623-7177
Consumer Awareness Tuesday, March 24, from 1:00 3:00 pm
According to the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs, fraud cost consumers over 40 billion dollars every year. We are constantly ap-
proached by people trying to take our money. Some offers are truly fraudulent and are illegal, most however, are simply rip-offs and
misrepresentations. Don't be a victim! Class will be held in the FFSC conference room. For more information, contact a Work and
Family Life Specialist at 623-7177.
Car Buying Strategies Tuesday, March 31, from 1:00 3:00 pm
Many people begin the car buying process by visiting a dealership, which should be one of the last things you do. Come find out why.
Class will be held at the FFSC conference room. For more information, contact a Work and Family Life Specialist at 623-7177.
Speed Reading
If you are a flight student, or anyone else desiring to improve your reading skills, the speed reading program at the FFSC can help you
learn how specialized eye movement exercises and other techniques can dramatically increase your reading rate. The program will target
both speed and comprehension skills. You can check out the CD at the front desk and utilize the program in our computer room.

HT-8 Spouses Support SR Kids House
"We supported another Child Advocacy Center before and we're so
excited to know that there's one here locally. We just love what they do," said
Lauren Stem of the HT-8 Spouses Club of Whiting Field.
On March 6, 2009 Lauren Stem presented Santa Rosa Kids House
Interim Co-Executive Director Cathy Powers-Sears a check for $2,000. The
group raised funds last October by accepting donations for baskets filled
with various items and chose the Santa Rosa Kids House as their beneficiary.
Stem received a tour of the House and was impressed by the Child Advocacy
Center model.
The Santa Rosa Kids House is an advocacy center serving children
who are victims of abuse, whether it be physical, neglect, or sexual. Several
agencies in the House combine efforts to help heal and prevent child abuse
in Santa Rosa County. The children are served by the Child Protection Team
Lauren Stern presents Santa Rosa Kids' House In-
comprised of trained professionals who provide physical examinations to the terim Co-Executive Director Cathy Powers-Sears a
children. The Department of Children and Families and a representative of donation for $2,000 on behalf of the HT-8 Spouses
the Sheriff's Office investigate allegations of abuse. The Guardian ad Litem Club. Photo courtesy of Santa Rosa Kids' House.
are court-appointed personnel who accompany the children to court and pro-
vide any other needs they may have. The State Attorney's Office prosecutes the cases and Lutheran Counseling Services
helps begin the healing process. Additionally, the Santa Rosa Kids House is the only advocacy center in Florida to house
the Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit designed to track and arrest those who operate in child pornography and child
trafficking through the internet.
The Santa Rosa Kids House is a non-profit agency that operates strictly on grants on donations.

Military Spouse Career Advancement
Account Program Authorized
With Congressional authorization in Public Law
110-417, the Department of Defense is implementing
the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account Pro-
gram, providing resources and assistance to spouses of
active duty services members, Guard and Reserve with
a spouse on orders for one year, supporting their pursuit
of a successful, long-term, portable career.
This centralized, virtual program, accessed
through Military OneSource, will provide counseling
and funding, up to $6,000, to assist with licensure, cer-
tification or education opportunities leading to portable
employment opportunities.
* A spouse will call the Military OneSource Cen-
ter (1.800.342.9647) and speak with a Career and Edu-
cation Consultant.
* The Military One Source Career and Education
Consultant will assist the spouse in selecting a career
goal and entering a Career Plan into the online system
"My Career Advancement Account."
* Upon approval of the spouse's Career Plan for
education, training, certification or licensure, Depart-
ment of Defense will provide direct payment to the
Payee (school, institution, or program) though the des-
ignated government Portal.
* The spouse will report back to Military One-
Source upon completion of the Plan and receipt of em-
ployment.
This Department of Defense funded program
will be available April 2009. Program specifics are
available for your review at www.militaryonesource.
r*nm

DoD Provides Guidance on

Travel to Mexico
Due to the increased violence of Mexican drug traffick-
ing organizations along the Mexican border regions, Navy Region
Southeast, per guidance provided by the Department of State, the
Department of Defense (Northern Command and U.S. Fleet Forces
Command), has issued a travel advisory for U. S. Navy active duty
military, civilians, and contractors.
As a matter of personal safety for region personnel and
their families, the following safeguards have been instituted:
Navy Petty Officer First Class or below will need a leave
or liberty chit signed by a Commander (0-5) or above in the travel-
er's chain of command to authorize travel to Mexico.
Navy Chief Petty Officers and above must notify their
chain of command of intent to travel to Mexico.
All Navy military, civilian, and contract employees must
have completed the Level I Antiterrorism Training within the pre-
vious 12 months.
The training is available at www.at-awarenews.org or from a certi-
fied Level II Antiterrorism Officer.
All Navy military personnel on liberty or leave in Mexico
must have in their possession the following numbers in case of
emergency:
American Counsel General
At Ciudad Juarez: Avenida Lopez 924-N Tele-
(Cont. on Page 7)

NAS WHITING FIELD

TAX CENTER

VITA is the ONLY FREE Tax Preparation
Service on base!

Location: Bldg. 2992 Supply Dept Rm. 21

Call: 623-7232

Hours: 8 a.m. 4p.m.

...... The Great

AEI American Clean-Up

Ready to pitch in and help your
Community?
Saturday, April 18, 2009

8 am through Noon
Meeting Spots
Milton Milton High School
Pace Pace Assembly of God
Navarre NatureWalk Park
Avalon Christian Life Church
Munson Blackwater Baptist Church
Floridale Bliss Way
Bagdad-Bagdad Museum (Church St)
For more information call 623-1930
Corporate Sponsor

ALLIED WASTE

CFC Lists To Be Printed

Free With Your Help
The EscaRosa
Combined Federal Cam-
paign is aiming to have
the 2009 Charity Lists
printed for free with the
help of Federal employees in Escambia and Santa
Rosa counties. How is this possible, you might be
wondering? The answer is, GO GREEN!
In 2008, the CFC program began testing
the recycling of used ink and toner cartridges from
selected local federal offices, not only to help the
environment but also as an effort to save the cam-
paign money. In less than a year, over $2,000 was
saved by turning the previously discarded ink ton-
ers and cartridges into cash. Using various nation-
al recycling companies, the money was returned
to the expense account which helped reduced the
campaign's administrative cost.
"We have only begun to scratch the sur-
face of the recycling benefits." said Ron Denson,
CFC Director, during the Local Federal Coordi-
nating Committee (LFCC) meeting held at Naval
Education and Training Command (NETC) in
February of 2009.
"With base-wide support of this initia-
tive we recognize that we can continue to drive
(Cont. on Page 7)

CFC Goes Green
(Cont. from Page 6)
down our administrative operating costs, which in turn puts the maximum
amount of money in to the hands of the non-profits that CFC donors desig-
nate their money to. And on top of that, we're helping the environment. It's
a win, win situation!"
A meeting was held onboard Naval Air Station Whiting Field
Thursday, March 12 with base representatives to ramp up the "Go Green"
program. Soon there will be drop boxes placed in several locations on
base so that personnel can drop off their expended toner cartridges and cell
phones to assist the CFC in their efforts.
During the February LFCC meeting, the local oversight committee
members, including CAPT Markus Hannan, COS, NETC, and other se-
nior representatives of the Federal Government, witnessed the benefits of
the campaign when they saw the office supplies expenses during the 2008
campaign cost only $47 vise the $1,500 originally budgeted.
LFCC Vice Chairperson CAPT William Reavey, CO, NASP stat-
ed, "Anything we can do for the CFC program in an effort to help reduce
administrative cost is extremely critical. Especially in these difficult eco-
nomic times which affect all of us, particularly the non-profits which rely
on the CFC program in their fundraising initiatives."
With more command involvement in the initiative this year, the
committee agrees that recycling money has the potential to pay for the
printing of the CFC Charity Lists, which is among the largest single ex-
pense of the program.
So, how can you help save the planet and give more to charity in
2009? If you see a recycling kiosks around base, drop your personal or of-
fice ink and toner cartridge in and we will collect them. If your office is not
currently participating in an ink and toner recycling program, have your
supply/purchasing officials contact the local CFC office at (850) 452-2029
or email cfcasst@escarosacfc.org for more information.

DoD Guidance on Mexico

(Cont. from Page 5)

Scammers Exploit Confusion
Over Stimulus Bill

BBB
Sa LWh TNa1

Pensacola, Fla. (March 13,
2009) Your Better Business
Bureau is warning the public to
be extremely cautious of com-
panies that are offering "free"
advice on how to get govern-
ment grants. Because of the
recently passed stimulus pack-
age and other actions taken by
President Obama, Web sites
are claiming they can help con-

sumers easily get government grants to pay bills or
get out of debt.
Contrary to such claims, the federal gov-
ernment does not award grants to help consumers
pay general debt and complaints to BBB show that
people who sought free advice were ultimately
charged as much as $69.95 every month on their
credit or debit card.
Immediately following the approval of
the $787 billion stimulus package, Web searches
for the word "stimulus" returned sponsored link
sites like officialstimuluschecks.com and Obam-
aStimulusGrant.net, in addition to many news
stories and Web pages discussing the bill. Ads for
grant schemes used enticing testimonials such as,
"I got my stimulus check in the mail in less than 30
days..."
Ads have also popped up on Facebook and
other popular sites, directing the public to Web sites
such as www.davidgetsgreen.com, set up to look
like a blog written by someone sharing the secret of
how they received $12,000 in government grants.
BBB has received hundreds of complaints
(Cont. on Page 8)

phone (011) (52)
(656) 227-3317
At Guadalajara: Progres-
so 175 Telephone (011) (52) (333)
268-2100
Naval Criminal Investigative Ser-
vice (NCIS) Corpus Christi (361)
961-2918
U.S. Border Patrol Texas
Marfa Sector (432)
729-5200 or 1-866-581-7549
Rio Grande Valley Sec-

tor (956) 289-4800
Lar
764-3200
De
778-7000
El
834-8350

-edo Sector (956)

I Rio Sector (830)

Paso Sector (915)

Local Command Duty Officer
Telephone Number

All Navy military personnel will
use the buddy system which includes any
individual, military or civilian, over the age
of 18. The name of the individual will be on
the request chit.
All Navy military personnel will
receive a country-specific (Mexico) secu-
rity brief from their local Navy security
department or NCIS office for the area(s)
of travel prior to the start of leave or lib-
erty.
All Navy military personnel will
register online with the American Consul-
ate prior to travel to Mexico at
https://travelregistration. state.gove/ibrs/ui/
index.aspx.
Navy active duty military personnel who
reside in Mexico or have immediate fam-
ily (father, mother, brother, sister) living
in the northern border areas of Mexico
are not restricted in traveling, but are

requested to inform their chain of com-
mand of travel plans and provide contact
information.
Family members, DON civilian
employees, and contractors are highly
encouraged to abide by this travel advi-
sory. Region personnel are advised to
cooperate fully with official police or
military checkpoints when traveling on
Mexican highways. Personnel who visit
the U.S.-border region, including the cities
of Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Nogales,
Matamoros, and Monterrey should remain
alert and be aware of their surroundings at
all times. These cities have been designat-
ed by the U.S. State Department as "areas
of concern."
For questions about traveling to
Mexico, please contact your local Secu-
rity/Force Protection Office, or the local
NCIS Office.

Scammers Exploit
(Cont. from Page 7)
from consumers who went to Web sites such as www.federalgovernmentgrantso-
lutions.com that sold information on how to get grant money from the govern-
ment. Two Las Vegas based companies, Grant Instructor and Raven Media have
set up dozens of Web sites and received 409 and 295 complaints respectively
from consumers across the U.S. and both have earned an F grade from BBB.
Before paying any money for assistance in earning government grants,
BBB offers the following advice:
S While it's true that the Federal government does give out billions of
dollars in grant money every year, most grants are given to help students pay for
college or for specifically defined reasons such as for research or to businesses in
particular industries.
S There's no reason to pay for software or guides when applying for gov-
ernment grants. Such information is already available for free on federal govern-
ment Web sites including: www.grants.gov, www.Studentaid.ed.gov, www.gov-
benefits.gov and www.sba.gov.
* Always check out a business' BBB Reliability ReportTM, available
free-of-charge at bbb.org, before giving out any bank account or credit card
information.
Information may have changed or web sites have been deleted so it is
always a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau before trusting an
online source for government stimulus funds.

-. 6N 3-

- t

U/?

S1500 maimnum donation per peso
who conplee the raise.
Prizes:
I roptces be pesenated to th 1 st placo vines rom each age
group.
Age Groupe:
Ur.:er 184
-30.

SR County to Hold

Passpord Fair
The Santa Rosa Clerk of Court's Office is host-
ing a Passport Fair in Milton, FL, on Saturday,
March 28, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
to provide passport information to U.S. citizens
and to accept passport applications.
The Santa Rosa Clerk's Office is joining
the Department of State in celebrating "Passport
Day in the USA", a national passport acceptance
and outreach event.
Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens
must present a passport book and/or other travel
documents approved by the U.S. government to
enter the United Stated from Canada, Mexico,
the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and
sea ports of entry.
Information on the cost and how to ap-
ply for a passport book and/or a passport card
is available at travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens
may also obtain passport information by phone,
in English and Spanish, by calling the National
Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-
A/'7 )77Q

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Above: ABH2 Nicholas Evans reenlists for six years
with his family. Lt. j.g. Jitindra Sirjoo presents the
spouse appreciation certificate and recited the reenlist-
ment oath for Evans to repeat.
Below: Lt. Michael McDonough presents AC2 Vanessa
Contreras her Honorable Discharge certificate during
her reenlistment ceremony at the Operations Audito-
rium. Contreras reenlisted for six years. U. S. Navy
photos by Jay Cope.

-March 28, 2009
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