1. VOL 1 / NO 44 October 18, 2010
After 5 years in the shipyard and 10 months of preparation,
VINSON Sailors say...
SURV IT UP
Story by MC3 Jessica Robertson
USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer INSURV is conducted every five years on every ship in
the Navy. It’s an enormous undertaking that has required
months of preparation, countless man-hours and plenty
Carl Vinson welcomed the Board of Inspection and of elbow grease.
Survey (INSURV) team on Day Zero, the first day in a As Day Zero progressed, Electronics Technician 3rd
five-day ship-wide evaluation to gauge material readiness Class Jarek Koch, a Sailor in Combat Systems Department,
on board and determine whether the ship is ready to commented on the level of effort he and his shipmates
deploy. See`INSURV` page 2
The Carl Vinson Voice is an internal document produced by and for the crew of
the USS Carl Vinson and their families. Its contents do not necessarily reflect
the official views of the U.S. Government or the Departments of Defense or
the Navy and do not imply any endorsement thereby.
U.S. Navy photo By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White

2. 2 Carl Vinson Voice
From`INSURV` page 1 they’ve accomplished with safety in
mind.
have exerted to contribute to “We’ve not only had to make sure
Vinson’s success during INSURV. we follow the correct procedures
“We’ve put in a lot of hours to when we are testing our equipment,
make sure everything’s perfect. but we also have had to make sure all
It’s not just for INSURV. We’re of our equipment is operating safely
going on a deployment soon and and is within safety standards,”
our equipment needs to work,” Koch said.
said Koch. “We don’t want to put Information Systems Technician
in a thousand man-hours to fix 2nd Class Blake Hausman, one of
something that should have been Koch’s fellow Sailors in Combat
fixed to begin with.” Systems Department, described
To ensure the department’s the level of motivation among the
equipment is up to par for INSURV, Sailors in his department.
Koch said Combat Systems has “It’s probably higher than it ever
been inspecting and testing every has been,” said Hausman. “We know
radar, communication and satellite that we want to be the best in the fleet.
system on the ship. They’ve been There’s a sense of accomplishment
checking for updated software behind it.”
and hardware and making sure the As for the rest of the crew, Koch said
equipment is clean. his shipmates in other departments
But Combat Systems wasn’t seem to be in the same mindset.
the only department under a “I think every department has the
microscope. Other inspections on mentality that they want to be the
Day Zero in various departments best,” Koch said. “We want to be the
included deck edge doors, best carrier in the fleet, and passing
elevators and fire-fighting systems. INSURV will help us get there.”
The ship’s crew and INSURV Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate
inspectors also conducted safety- (Handling) (AW/SW) Scott Doty
at-sea walkthroughs. said Vinson’s Sailors’ hard work has
“The primary focus of Day Zero not gone unnoticed. “The Sailors that
is to make sure the ship is safe,” worked and put time into [INSURV]
said Lt. Cmdr. Michael McGregor, deserve the credit, and I’m very
Vinson’s Material Maintenance proud.”
Management (3M) Officer.
Koch agreed safety is paramount.
He said everything Combat Systems
has done to prepare for INSURV,
Publisher
STAFF
Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey
Commanding Officer
Executive Editors
Lt. Cmdr. Erik Reynolds
Public Affairs Officer
Lt. j.g. Erik Schneider
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Managing Editor
MC2 Ashley Van Dien
Photo Editor
MC2 Adrian White
Layout and Design
MC3 Patrick Green
Staff Writers/Photographers
MC3 Jessica Robertson
MC3 Heather Roe
MCSN Zachary D. Bell
MCSA Kevin Harbach

3. October 18, 2010 3

4. 4 Carl Vinson Voice
VINSON Practices Electrical Safety
Story by MCSN Zachary Bell
USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer
It started almost the minute the INSURV
inspectors arrived onboard CARL
VINSON. They’re looking at everything
and no matter how prepared we believe
we are, few things can sink us faster than
safety discrepancies. Electricity, or the
lackadaisical use of it, could easily be the
culprit if we’re not careful.
Electricity is a necessary asset with
the potential to be a very serious, deadly
enemy And it’s especially dangerous in
a shipboard environment full of salt and
moisture. INSURV will bring problems
to light, so to speak, if they’re there; but all
hands need to be aware every day of the
hazards associated with unsafe electrical
practices.
Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Andrew Andresen spots Electrician’s Mate Fireman Dakotah Smith while de-
The process of electrically safety energizing an automatic bus transfer. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White.
checking items is necessary to ensure
the items and tools are in good working
condition before they get plugged into the The shop located at 4-190-5-A is for your Leading Chief Petty Officer and
ship’s electrical system. Items that are not Reactor Department. 01-54-1-A is where DIVO. The item then must be removed
properly safety checked could potentially Weapons Department can get their from the ship. If we are underway the item
cause damage to equipment, the ship and items safety checked. Combat Systems will be held until the ship returns to port.
Sailors. Department, as well as Operations, Intel, “Electrical safety is an all hands, all the
Expired or missing safety tags are Media, Navigation, Communication and time effort,” said Harry. “It needs to be a
the leading cause of hits on electrical embarked staff can go to 01-175-3-Q priority in order to ensure the safety of the
equipment during INSURV. for electrical issues. Air Department can ship and its crew.”
“When I see items not safety tagged go to the 03-118-12-L electrical
it really frustrates me, especially with shop, and Supply, Admin, Deck,
INSURV right around the corner,” said Dental, Medical, Safety, Legal,
Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class (SS) William Training and Religious Ministries
Harrison. “It’s really a simple process Department go to 01-133-2-Q
to get electrical items safety tagged electrical safety shop.
and the electrical safety shop is here for “We’re here to help. If you
everybody’s safety.” have safety issues with electrical
The process of getting personal electrical equipment in your department or
items safety checked starts with picking up with personal electrical equipment
a Division Officer (DIVO) approval form we insist you take it to your
at any of the five electrical tool safety issue assigned electrical tool issue shop,”
shops. Fill out all the information required said Electrical Officer, Lt. Zachary
on the form and get it signed by your Harry. “If you have any questions,
DIVO. Then take the form along with the contact assigned electrical tool
gear you need inspected to your specific issue and we will be more than
electrical tool issue shop. Electricians happy to help solve the issue.”
will properly check your equipment and Certain items such as heaters,
attach a tag if it meets all electrical safety electrical blankets and portable
requirements. fans are prohibited. If a prohibited
When in port, electrical safety tool issue item is found it will be confiscated
is open during normal working hours. and given to the Electrical Officer.
There are a total of five different electrical Then you will receive a confiscation
tool issue shops, each with a variety of letter which will allow you to pick
departments assigned to each shop. up the item, with approval from

5. October 18, 2010 5
By the Book the First Time, Every Time
(MRC) when you’re doing maintenance on a piece of
Story by MC3 Jessica Robertson equipment, you won’t know if the equipment will work
USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer when you try to use it,” said Grant.
But it’s not just about having equipment that works. If
More than 100 inspectors with the Board of Inspection one Sailor doesn’t practice procedural compliance while
and Survey (INSURV) will descend on CARL VINSON in performing maintenance, a piece of equipment could fail in
a little less than 72 hours. They’ll be looking at hundreds, a way that affects all personnel.
even thousands, of pieces of gear. They’ll be examining the “If the weapons system fails, the ship is defenseless,” said
condition of the ship. And they’ll be watching everything we Grant. “A firefighter could grab a piece of damage control
do to make sure strict procedural compliance is the absolute equipment and it might fail because someone didn’t follow
CARL VINSON standard. the instructions when they were doing the maintenance on
Following the rules and completing each task in the it.”
prescribed manner is even more important as Vinson Procedural compliance isn’t important just for maintenance.
prepares to head into a combat zone, where there is no room It is also vital to Vinson’s mission. The lack of procedural
for mistakes and there are no do-overs. compliance could mean walking the line between life and
Senior Chief Machinist’s Mate (SW) James Grant, Leading death.
Chief Petty Officer of Maintenance Material Management Chief Warrant Officer Gabriel Perez, Air Department
(3M) Department, gave one reason why procedural V-2 Division’s Aircraft Launch and Recovery Maintenance
compliance is so vitally important. Officer, knows just how thin that line is.
“If you don’t follow the Maintenance Requirement Card “My team deals with high-pressure systems and fluids, and
they need to know what they’re doing. If they don’t follow
strict procedural compliance, they’ll put the aircraft in the
water or get someone hurt or killed, and that means we’re
not accomplishing the mission of the ship, which is to safely
launch and recover aircraft,” said Perez.
Another way to guarantee mission failure, injury, or
death, is to become complacent. You might have performed
a check so many times that you feel reasonably confident
about what’s involved. You tell yourself it’s OK if you just
skim over the instructions because you know them by heart
now. But complacency comes with a price.
“When we go to start an aircraft, we don’t say, ‘OK, let’s
turn the electricity on and get some air to help the engine
start’,” said Cmdr. Jerry Macenas, Vinson’s Safety Officer.
“We (Naval aviators) don’t do that. We have to look down
at our knees (because) there’s a checklist telling us exactly
what to do, step-by-step. You don’t want to get to that point
where you’ve done something time and time again and don’t
follow the procedures… because that one time could kill
you.”
A widely-used Navy term for cutting corners, skipping
steps, or lying about work and maintenance you did or
didn’t do, is “gun-decking.” Gun-decking is an offense that
is punishable by captain’s mast. It can mean the difference
between life and death for Sailors, particularly those working
on the flight deck.
“You’ve got aircraft depending on the landing lights, the
deck-marking lights, and the communication system,” said
Macenas. “If you start gun-decking and not doing your
job to the letter, you are knowingly and willingly putting
people’s lives in danger. Gun-decking is a blatant disregard
for people’s lives.”
“If you gun-deck or don’t observe procedural compliance,
there will be no mission,” said Perez. “What we do, launching
and recovering aircraft, is the primary mission of this aircraft
Quartermaster Seaman Apprentice Matthew Rivera performs maintenance on a
carrier. If we don’t follow the rules, we won’t accomplish
door. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White. the mission.”

6. 6 Carl Vinson Voice
Sailor
SPOTLIGHT
IN THE
throughout the ship are transmitted, but also the senior Sailors too,” said
Story and photo by MC3 Heather Roe whether it is through internet, data Information Systems Technician 1st
USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer circuits, voice communications or Class (SW) Cyrena Douglas, the
phone lines. leading petty officer for CS-1. “She’s
Working in communication is not “I like my job because it’s hands- motivated, getting her qualifications
just a job for Information Systems on,” said Fox. “I enjoy setting up and working right alongside senior
Technician 3rd Class Antonisha Fox, circuits and being in control of second classes and first classes.”
but an opportunity to improve her communications transmitting on and “My chain of command has really
personal and professional life. off the ship.” helped me out with my qualifications
A native of Okmulgee, Okla., Fox is also responsible for and mentoring,” said Fox. “My goals
Fox is assigned to Combat Systems maintaining the division’s equipment and ambitions are to be dual qualified
Department and works in main and ensuring it is always ready for by the end of next year and leave Carl
telecommunications with various use. Vinson as a first class.”
types of communication equipment. “I feel important when I do my job Fox plans to submit her Seaman to
As part of CS-1 Division, Fox is because I like troubleshooting the Admiral Package by the end of 2010
responsible for assisting with all radio equipment in my space and working and have her Associate’s Degree in
communication throughout the ship with other ships when sending human resources by 2014. She is
and sending messages to other ships at messages,” said Fox. currently writing a book about the
sea and shore-based military facilities. “IT3 Fox is a hard charger. She journey of life and relationships and
Underway, she stands a 12-hour watch is setting an example not only for hopes to be published in the near
every day to ensure communications the junior Sailors in the department, future.

7. October 18, 2010 7
Know Your Berthing
Standards for INSURV
Story by MCSA Kevin Harbach
USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer
Mission readiness is the overall
characteristic the Board of
Inspection and Survey (INSURV)
inspectors will be looking for this
week.
One significant contributor and
indicator as to whether a ship and
crew are ready to accept and carry
out tasking is habitability. The
conditions under which Sailors
live and work are going to be
examined closely.
“Attention to detail is self-
explanatory,” said Air Traffic
Controller 2nd Class (AW)
Alexander Quinton. “Even if
something looks clean, make sure
everything surrounding it is clean
as well. Check around it, in it and
the sides.” VINSON leadership inspect a berthing aboard CARL VINSON to prepare for INSURV. U.S. Navy photo by Mass
VINSON crewmembers who Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White.
have been aboard USS RONALD
REAGAN and USS NIMITZ
after their recently-completed and emphasizes is that living comfortable in their surroundings,”
inspections have discovered that conditions have a direct impact said Quinton. “And cleanliness is
one of the main issues each of on mission readiness. step one for firefighting. Keeping
those ships faced was dirt and “Habitability is a very big things clean prevents fires. Keeping
dust in hard to reach places, like thing on a ship. People can’t things clean in the berthing daily is
the Emergency Escape Breathing work comfortably if they aren’t very important.”
Device (EEBD) boxes and in
cracks and crevices of racks.
“It’s important to clean
in the corners and the areas
behind the racks,” said Aviation
Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW/SW)
Joshua Shryock, “As well as high
dusting.”
Some other noted discrepancies
were rack lights in need of
protective metal. Any EEBD
holder designed to house safety
pins need to have those pins
inserted. Nothing can be zip-tied;
not racks, stand-up lockers or gear
lockers. No personal gear adrift
should be visible in the berthing.
Lock it up in your rack or locker.
Much of what INSURV discovers

8. 8 Carl Vinson Voice
Last-Minute INSURV Checklist
Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) is an intensive material readiness assessment for the U.S. Navy which occurs every
three years. Results of this inspection are reported to the SECNAV.
Ask questions! This inspection is here. Know Your Stuff!
• How does it affect my We all live here and we need • There are 19 categories in
spaces?
to take care of our ship. which INSURV inspects
VINSON can not function each space. The majority of
• What can I do to help? if we all don’t do our job. the spaces ship wide will be
• How do I know what to look It is an all hands effort. inspected.
for? • There are checklists for each
• Where do I get the materials different inspection area.
These can be accessed by
to fix what’s broken?
your INSURV departmental
• Who do I tell? representative or on the share
point site under INSURV.
INSURV directly affects the habitability of our Sailors to include our health, safety, and quality of life. It’s a direct
reflection of how prepared we are to fight in combat for the ship and how we take care of each other and our ship.