The Jolly Artist

Leaving a Legacy on USS Kidd

Walking through the passageways aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100), there are very few variations to the color scheme. The walls, known as bulkheads, are covered with layers of off-white or gray paint, typical of any Navy vessel. Yet there are some exceptions.

Navy Announces Alignment of End of Active Obligated Service with Projected Rotation Date

The Navy announced a policy and process change, directing commands to immediately take action to align Sailors' End of Active Obligated Service (EAOS) with their duty station tour length in NAVADMIN 307/17, Dec. 22.

Songs From the Sea

Behind the Music of Emay Holmes

Deep below the cold steel decks of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Sailors moving busily around the decks stop momentarily and listen to the soft strumming of an acoustic guitar, accompanied by a somber voice singing about life at sea.

A Small Token of Appreciation

How a surplus of holiday wreaths turned into an enduring symbol of remembrance

In 1992, the owner of a wreath company in Maine had a surplus of decorations leftover toward the end of the holiday season.

New Military Retirement System Effective Jan. 1, 2018

Opt-in Period for Eligible Service Members Opens

One of the most wide-reaching and significant changes to military pay and benefits of the last 70 years goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2018, with the implementation of the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System (BRS).

The Deployment Song

Nimitz Airman's Original Song

Deep below the cold steel decks of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Sailors moving busily around the decks stop momentarily and listen to the soft strumming of an acoustic guitar, accompanied by a somber voice singing about life at sea.

Healing through Woodwork

Veteran Overcomes PTSD by Making Toys for Military Kids

Sawdust lingers in the air, illuminated by small work lights. Silence fills the dark garage as the loud whirring of a belt sander comes to a stop. Bruce Empol stops working momentarily and runs his rough, weathered hands up and down the now-smooth wooden block.

Ike Sailors Trade in Coveralls for Overalls

A visit to the Ike Farm

Fifty Ike Sailors traveled to the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Historic Site, or "Ike Farm," with the mission of restoration and preservation of Eisenhower's estate, October 30.

Day of Infamy

A Survivor Remembers Pearl Harbor

December 7, 1941 dawned an ordinary Sunday for now-retired Lt. James "Jim" Downing. He and his wife of five months had invited a few other Sailors to breakfast, and were sitting around the table when they heard explosions. Boom. Boom. Boom. They could see smoke in the distance, across the island of Oahu.

Armor Up

Surface Warfare Officer School

A roaring wall of flames rolls over Sailors' heads as the hose team - made up of Sailors who just checked into their first ship - inches its way through a smoke-filled room.

75 Years of Federal Service

Celebrating a remarkable career milestone

Sarkis Tatigian's contributions to the Department of the Navy span more than seven decades.

An Epidemic of Hope

The U.S. Military's War on HIV

Many underdeveloped countries in Africa, South America and Asia are still experiencing a crisis when it comes to preventing and treating HIV/AIDS. As of 2015, about 36.7 million people are living with HIV, and most of those infected live in sub-Saharan Africa. Of that number, an estimated 1.8 million infected are children, who contracted the virus during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

The Navy at Guadalcanal

Series of Naval Engagements Ends 75 Years Ago

The bombs landed on the ships and in the water, fast and furious, the dark night sky lit up like the Fourth of July. Sailors ran to and fro, manning their battle stations, returning the barrage, putting out fires, dragging wounded shipmates to safety.

Military Family Appreciation Month

Honoring families who support their service members

Every November, Americans take time to honor and remember those who have given so much for their country. November is not only a month to appreciate veterans who served, but also to thank the military families who support their service members through thick and thin.

Pow Wows:

Preserving the rich heritage of Native Americans

From the famous Navajo code talkers to Medal of Honor recipients like Army Master Sgt. Roy Benavidez, Native Americans have served in every American war since the Revolution.

Never a Dull Moment

Serving Aboard LCS

Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) are small surface combatant ships with specific, yet flexible, capabilities. The ships employ a system-of-systems approach through a series of modular mission packages, unmanned vehicles and an innovative hull design.

Fall 2017 Petty Officer Advancement Results Released

The names of more than 24,000 active duty, Selected Reserve (SELRES) and Full Time Support (FTS) Sailors selected for advancement to E-4, E-5, and E-6 have been released.

What Does It Take to Make a Holiday Meal on Deployment?

As the holiday season approaches, the crew aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) prepares to celebrate on deployment. Being away from home for the holidays can be challenging, but the Nimitz crew comes together as a family to make the holidays special and memorable.

Fall 2017 Petty Officer Advancement Quotas Released

Petty Officer Advancement Quotas

The Navy released the fall petty officer advancement quotas Nov. 20 that provides 24,714 quotas for advancement to E-4, E-5 or E-6 for active duty, Full Time Support (FTS), and Selected Reserve (SELRES) Sailors.

Standing Strong

How one Sailor overcame sexual assault and attempted death by suicide

"Thanks for walking me home," Petty Officer Jane Harrison* told her friend, a fellow Sailor who had offered to escort her back to her overseas apartment one evening. He was a liberty buddy, someone she trusted, and she had been happy to have the company - happy that is, until he tried to follow her inside.

Three-Carrier Strike Force Exercise in Western Pacific

The USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) strike groups commenced a three-carrier strike force exercise in the Western Pacific, Nov. 11-14.

Online Retirement Requests Ready

The Navy announced a self-service function for Retirements and Separations within Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS) in NAVADMIN 273/17 Nov. 15.

Whidbey Angels

Navy Rescue Crews Save Sailors, Pilots, Civilians

The smell of crisp pine in the air, and the peaceful quietness of nothing but the rushing of emerald green glacial rivers as they flow down the side of a mountain describes most of the state of Washington. However, this heart-stopping landscape has a potentially lethal side that can claim even the most experienced hikers. But, luckily for those in northern Washington, there's a highly trained group of Sailors ready to answer the call.

Preparing To Be a Plebe

Enlisted Sailors, Marines Excel at Naval Academy Prep School

When Indoctrination Day begins at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, the newest batch of nervous, anxious and sweaty plebes (midshipmen 4th class) hurry around the majestic, riverfront campus from one processing station to the next. They receive a crash course in military bearing. However, about 270 of them are ready for the challenge.

Life After Serving

Armed Forces Retirement Home Cares for Veterans

In 1811, facing a generation of aging Revolutionary War veterans, the nation made a promise. It promised to care for them, seeing to their medical needs. It fulfilled that promise with first the U.S. Naval Asylum in Philadelphia in 1834, then the U.S. Military Asylum in Washington, D.C., in 1851.

What Can You Do?

Master-at-Arms Uses Training to Save Child

It began like any other day for Chief Master-at-Arms Joseph Pellicano: the familiar routine of waking up, putting on his uniform and getting in his car to drive to Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Florida.

Blended Retirement System

Continuation Pay

Service members will be able to choose their retirement plans starting Jan. 1, 2018.

Finding Relief and Peace in the Water

Navy Veteran turns to surfing to relieve pain

Waking before the sun to catch a wave is the best feeling, according to surfers. They say there is nothing better than cool, soft sand between your toes, especially before the daily mob of people arrives to sun bathe. The sweet smell of the ocean and the harmony of the waves can make time stand still. While this remains a dream for most people, or at most a pleasure to be indulged in once or twice a year, it is a regular reality for medically retired Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Nate Hamilton.

From Behind the Lens

Memories and Advice of a Life Well Lived

A brightly decorated pavilion at Admiral Baker Park in San Diego, California, bustles with activity. A party is well underway. Just about 100 people have gathered to celebrate a father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. His name is Joe Renteria. Wearing a vibrantly colored Hawaiian shirt and a long silver braid down his back, he walks confidently around the tables, shaking hands and embracing some in hugs of love.

Naturalized Chief Moved to Serve

Sailor paying success forward

As a child, Chief Hospital Corpsman Kleinne V. Lapid had a dream, a dream of freedom, of success, of service. She dreamed of joining the U.S. military.