Month: April 2023

Source: United States Navy

The students were in Pensacola participating in the Navy JROTC Nationals Competition. During their visit to the Pensacola area, they also visited various military commands. The cadets learned about cyber in the Navy from Information Warfare Training Command and NIOC Pensacola on board Corry Station.

At NIOC Pensacola, the NJROTC students learned about Cyber Protection Teams (CPT) and the equipment used to conduct defensive cyberspace operations. The Cryptologic Warfare Officer Community Manager was in Pensacola for a meeting, and stopped by to speak with the students about his career experiences.

U.S. Marine Corps retired Major David Arjona, a Senior Naval Science Instructor with the Georgetown ISD Navy JROTC, spoke of the experience at NIOC Pensacola. “It was an amazing experience at Corry Station, and the cadets had a chance to take a small peek behind the scenes,” said Arjona. “ It has been another great year of drill competitions and building memories and experiences that the cadets will remember for a long time.”

NIOC Pensacola’s mission is to execute cyberspace operations and signals intelligence in support of Naval, Joint Forces, and National tasking authorities.

For more information on NIOC Pensacola, visit the command Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NIOCPensacola or the public web page at https://www.navifor.usff.navy.mil/nioc-pensacola/.

Source: United States Navy

 The aircraft was flown to FRCSW in March of 2020 for long term storage and the command took on this effort, demonstrating its ability to excel at collaborating across international lines with foreign entities. Ehren Terbeek, F/A-18 Legacy & E/F Program Manager, was part of the command leadership that received the workload at the time of induction in August of 2022 and he oversaw the team taking on this challenge. The RAAF looked to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada to procure the aircraft for reconfiguration. However, after an internal issue delayed the Air Force’s timeline for delivery, the RAAF looked elsewhere for an aircraft. FRCSW took the stage in providing a replacement Growler from one of the command’s detachments.

Myra Balina, FRCSW Production Support Logistics Lead, knew the extensive research required to adapt the aircraft to fit the Australian configuration. “Managing this kind of special rework was not the norm.” Balina says. This was the first time the command took on the challenge of reconfiguring an aircraft to fit the needs of a foreign military ally.

Balina and her team conducted extensive research on the maintenance evolution, differences in modification kits, and aircraft avionics in order to correctly configure software requirements. Balina was also a pivotal player in the logistics of this operation, filling in the gaps between the planner and supply department, including managing the procurement of tooling, support material, and equipment from start to finish. There were many crossovers between her routine workload and this assigned mission. However, she and her team researched what was missing in their knowledge base to successfully bridge the gap between the U.S. Navy’s configurations to the RAAF. One of the challenges they were given was receiving failed parts to work with and another challenge took the form of material shortages. Despite the challenges, Balina said, “the successful collaboration efforts and communication from the artisans on the floor are what allowed us to fill in the gaps and kept us on schedule. We also identified any issues up front and communicated that to the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Program Management Activity (PMA) teams.” Neil Belmont, FRCSW Planner and Estimator, was another key player that specialized in rework of aircraft. While his main roles include tracking time schedules, cost performance and timeline reports, as well as providing technical directives, his past experience with crash and burn damaged aircraft as well as reconfiguration of aircraft contributed to the success of this accomplishment.

The completion of the reconfiguration in less time than anticipated and doing so while staying within budget was a “big part of the success.” Belmont said. As previously mentioned, this was not a typical workload the command, artisans, and the logistics team received. Belmont described the extensive research and “leveling up” that was collectively necessary in order to meet the goals of this mission.

In January of 2023, FRCSW successfully completed and sold the aircraft to Australia on its first flight. Aside from being the first reconstitution sold, this mission was beneficial to FRCSW by expanding the command’s knowledge in the business of working with entities outside of the U.S. Navy. Furthermore this mission boosts the capability of our warfighter, as well as the capability of the ally’s military. FRCSW’s mission is a testament to the strength of the existing partnership. Not only does it further strengthen the longstanding ties, but it also bolsters America’s reputation overseas and increases confidence in our military as an ally. Missions like these are what is fundamental to maintain alliances and boost strategic readiness in the face of major conflict.

Source: United States Navy

The COMREL brought together NSW operators and approximately 100 students to highlight safety, fitness, and teamwork among the youth.

“It’s really rewarding to be here,” said Cmdr. Mason Jones, an officer assigned to Naval Special Warfare Command. “The energy and camaraderie of the children during the team-building exercises made this a memorable day for everyone involved.”

NSW operators provided a fun, educational and team-building Navy SEAL physical training event for the children of Coronado Village Elementary school to foster good relations between Naval Special Warfare and the local community.

The event started with a safety brief that encouraged children to look out for their classmates and was followed by warmup exercises and calisthenics.

“It is an honor and privilege to have our hometown SEALs lead the workout today for our Village Elementary students,” said Dr. Heidi Bergener, Village Elementary School principal. “Our Village students will remember this day and how excited and proud they felt during their workout and that’s what it’s all about. Who better to lead our students than our SEAL heroes!”

Team-building exercises consisted of relay races, medicine ball pushes, and animal walks and concluded with a tug-of-war competition between different grades and the NSW operators.

“Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces throughout the event made it all worth it,” said Jones. “Being able to interact and see them overcome adversity while cheering for their friends embodied the spirit of NSW operators.”

The event ended with a question-and-answer session where NSW operators encouraged students to consider the SEAL career path.

“It was heartwarming to observe a little girl ask if she could become a SEAL one day and tell her ‘yes’,” said Jones.

Naval Special Warfare is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict.

Source: United States Navy

The All-Navy Team women’s team finished fourth. ENS Kristen Heinzel had a strong performance, finishing 5^th overall in the Women’s Elite Division. In the Master’s Divisions, the All-Navy men’s and women’s teams earned silver and bronze medals. The teams included CWO4 Jared Pohlman and CDR Nicholas Collier for the men and LCDR Christina Schreckengaust and LCDR Meaghan Foster for the women.

This year’s Armed Forces Triathlon Championship serves as a qualifying event for the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Military Championship that will take place May 4-9, 2023 in Brive la Gaillarde, France. The All-Navy Triathlon Team, comprised of Navy and Coast Guard triathletes, will be comprised of six men and women to compete at the 2023 CISM event.

For complete race results visit, armedforcessports.defense.gov/Sports/Triathlon/2023-Armed-Forces-Triathlon-Championship.

Source: United States Navy

However, a lesser-known word used to label the most experienced of SEALs exists. While the modern SEAL is synonymous with “Frogman,” only a special few can claim the coveted title —“Bull Frog”. A nod to both the legacy of Frogmen and the naval tradition of a “Bull Ensign” in every wardroom. The idea of the Bull Frog pulls upon NSW’s heritage and the naval tradition of cultivating leadership within a community.

Cmdr. Steve Elias, NSW’s 17th Bull Frog, explained that the senior ensign at a command is considered a bull because they are responsible for bullishly guiding junior ensigns to success and serve as the focal point of the wardroom’s expression of spirit and pride. Wardrooms grant that senior ensign the title of Bull Ensign.

“In that vein, Rear Adm. Richard Lyon, the first SEAL flag officer adopted the term Bull Frog as a parallel in our warfare specialty,” said Elias. “The only requirement to become the Bull Frog is to be the longest, continuously serving active-duty SEAL on duty at the time of receiving the title from their predecessor.”

Although Rear Adm. Lyon adopted the term once he retired in 1981, former commander, Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC), Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan made it official with a Navy instruction in 2007.

When a Bull Frog retires, NSWC officially passes the title on during a ceremony. The former Bull Frog hands over an engraved trophy adorned with a small wooden frog on top and the names of former Bull Frogs inscribed on the side to the newly recognized Bull Frog.

“I’m humbled just to have received a trophy with my name and the dates of cumulative service following the completion of my BUD/S training,” said Elias. “The highlight of this title is just being called the Bull Frog by current and former teammates who transitioned to the civilian sector. It really feels cool to say it now.”

The Bull Frog name highlights some of the key traits that are valued in the NSW and the SEAL community – adaptability, strength, and leadership.

“A lot of great people have served in the Navy, so they understand the tradition,” said Elias. “Most SEALs take pride in themselves staying in great physical shape; it’s part of the culture. I may not be as strong or as fast as I was in the past, but I am still a really competitive guy.”

While it may not be the most well-known tradition in the Navy, the passing of the Bull Frog has been an important part of SEAL culture, serving to honor and recognize the contributions of the most senior members of the team while also ensuring that their legacy and wisdom live on through the next generation of SEALs.

“I never thought I would be that man, but it happened,” said Elias. “I like the challenge that comes with being a SEAL and being a role model to this day.”