uupdated 3-4-2010 Base By Laws to Undergo Updating in 2010 (Input Deadline, 31 July 2010) Members are urged to review the base bylaws and make suggestions to the E-board for changes, additions or deletion.  The base by laws may be accessed at http://gertrude-check.up-scope.org/BL.htm.  Make your suggestions to the base commander at ssbnswo@aol.com

 u6-16-2010 USSVI OFFICIAL BUSINESS: SubVet News - #2010-023

Date: 6/15/2010
To: Distribution List

=========================================================
NEWS-01: KAPS 4 KIDS PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Submitted by: Bobby Broderick on 4/20/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
More than 70 Sub Vet Bases are now involved in the program. This program is a Community Outreach Program which does the following:

1. It gives Sub Vets a way to reach the Community by giving embroidered caps to children who are the victims of cancer or other afflictions that have cost them their hair or dignity through Chemo or Radiation treatments (or for any other reason the Base may deem appropriate).

A. The Kids feel good about getting the cap.

B. The Sub Vets feel good about giving the Kids a cap.

C. This is an opportunity for a community media Press Release through Newspapers or TV.

Your Base will need to contact the local media and tell them about the program and when your base will be presenting the caps to the kids.

Your Base may need to take pictures of the event and write up a short story telling the community about what your Base is doing and send it to the local newspaper. Be sure that anything your Base does in the media includes a contact telephone number and name.

The way to get started is to contact your local Cancer treatment facility or contact Bobby Broderick for assistance with finding a suitable location. Explain the Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS) program to the appropriate person in charge of such events at the treatment facility. Get invited to give the caps away.

Establish a date to give the caps to the children.

Buy the caps. Contact Bobby Broderick for suggestions for suppliers, or use your own local resources. Most bases use kid sized Pink and Blue ballcaps with "Honorary Submariner" and dolphins on the front, but some bases prefer "bucket hats" or "doo-rags".

Attend the presentation with as many Sub Vets as the clinic or hospital will allow to participate. Wear your vests, bring pictures of submarines and other memorabilia such as models. Bring your Base Submarine Float, if you have one and it can be seen by the Kids. Take photos of the event and send copies back to the original Kids in the photos. Make it a memorable day for your Sub Vets and for the Kids.

This is an ongoing program as we will never run out of kids and most likely (unfortunately) we will never run out of Kids with cancer.

D. The media attention should attract other (and new) Submariners in your area to your Base.

E. E-mail the story and your photos to the American Submariner at subvetseditor@yahoo.com - I can guarantee that it will be published!

Bobby Broderick
Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS) Chairman
(361) 876-0042

=========================================================
NEWS-02: Holland Club commemoration 'coins'
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 6/9/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
The coin represents membership in the USSVI Holland Club and is a treasured and respected representation of your 50 years of submarine qualification, making it a nice keepsake and a remembrance to pass to the kids or grandkids as well.

(All profits after expenses from the sales of these coins are used to support the activities of the Holland Club.)

To make it even more personal, there is a place for you to have your local jeweler engrave two lines of information, typically your name, boat and qual year.

(NOTE: The Natl SK does not have the facility available to engrave these for you, so have your local jeweler do this on your coin(s).)

$12.00 ea, or 2 or more for $ 10.00 each.

Contact USSVI Natl Storekeeper Huey Hahn at subhuey@aol.com or 985-748-8459 to order.

Visit the link below to see the coin, or go to www.ussvi.org and click the STOREKEEPER button, then Challenge Coins.
http://www.ussvi.org/Documents/Online_Organization_HC-Coin_Examples.jpg

=========================================================
NEWS-03: 2011 USSVI Calendar "World Class Diesels"
Submitted by: Huey Hahn - Natl Storekeeper on 6/9/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
Time to pre-order your 2011 Calendar "World Class Diesels"

The 2011 calendar focuses on the world's most deadly Air Independent Propulsion submarines. Quiet and deadly, their shortcomings are speed and 'legs'.

Although the US Navy no longer uses diesel powered submarines, many of the world's navies are either constructing or using Air Independent Propulsion non-nuclear submarines.

They are used for coastal defense and as guardians at the world's shipping choke points where speed and the ability to travel long distances are unimportant.

Make no mistake, these 'AIP' boats are very silent and deadly, and if a sea war breaks out with a country having them, they will be a major threat to our 'Nucs' especially in the littoral zones.

Now accepting orders for delivery in July. Contact Huey Hahn, Natl SK for Base pricing.

subhuey@aol.com


https://www.ussvi.org/Documents/Online_Organization_2011_SubmarineCalendar.pdf

=========================================================
NEWS-04: Our National Binnacle List
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 6/14/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
Several months ago USSVI instituted a national "Binnacle List" which is accessible through www.ussvi.org (See Binnacle List Button), plus the 100+ bases using the standard USSVI website have this same button on their website.

All USSVI Base Tools users have the ability to add shipmates to this listing. All others can get them added by emailing the information to Fred 'Doc' Gardner, Manager of the Binnacle List project, at docgardnerfmf@yahoo.com

Keep these members in your thoughts and prayers.

You're encouraged to contact them or send them a thinking of you or Get Back to Battery card.

It is the right thing to do, and they will appreciate knowing that their shipmates care about them.

=========================================================
NEWS-05: Update on the USS Marlin museum boat in Omaha
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 6/14/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
The museum boat USS Marlin, located in Omaha NE, received its annual NAVSEA inspection, and reports are the inspectors were very impressed with the improvements made.

Most of the 'gigs' from last year have been cleared and the only new 'gigs' were to put padlocks and chains on two hatches; an easy 'fix'.

Congratulations to Lockwood Internet and USS Marlin Base for all the time, effort and money put into getting MARLIN back up to snuff.

It goes to show what a common purpose and teamwork can accomplish.

=========================================================
NEWS-06: DOD Seeks ‘Alternative Concepts’ To Cut Cost Of New Nuclear Subs
Submitted by: James A Fox on 6/15/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
The Defense Department is seeking "alternative concepts" to cut the huge cost of acquiring new submarines armed with nuclear ballistic missiles that would patrol the world's oceans for decades to come, according to DOD's No. 2 policy official. Defense Secretary Robert Gates questioned the program's affordability last month, days before launching a broad push to find savings across the department. The new SSBN(X) subs would replace the existing Ohio-class boomers that DOD considers the most survivable leg of the nuclear triad.

Please see link.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2528216/posts

=========================================================
NEWS-07: Hiring Bright Spot: Nuclear Submarine Plant
Submitted by: James A Fox on 6/15/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
The grime on Terry Allen's hands has built up over the 37 years he has worked at General Dynamics Electric Boat.

The USS Texas , the second Virginia-class attack submarine to be launched, is seen at Newport News,...
The USS Texas, the second Virginia-class attack submarine to be launched, is seen at Newport News, Virginia, in this April 2005 file photo. The Navy has doubled production of Virginia-class fast-attack nuclear submarines so General Dynamics Electric Boat will hire 450 new tradesmen to do the extra work.
(Chris Oxley/U.S. Navy)"I'm a shipfitter so I build things," he said as he reflected on countless hours he has spent fashioning parts for submarines.

"I like my job," he said. In fact, he has never looked for another one. It has been a while, though, since he has seen anything like the company's new hiring spree.

Please see link.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/hiring-bright-spot-nuclear-submarine-plant/story?id=10827643

=========================================================
NEWS-08: Electric Boat In North Kingstown Celebrates ‘Keel-Laying’ Of Mississippi Submarine
Submitted by: James A Fox on 6/15/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
NORTH KINGSTOWN — The hiss of an electric arc filled a cavernous building at General Dynamics Electric Boat Wednesday morning as welder Scott Fanning traced Allison F. Stiller’s initials onto a steel plate.

After Fanning, of Saunderstown, finished, Stiller proclaimed to a crowd of shipbuilders, sailors and dignitaries, “I declare this keel truly and fairly laid.”


http://www.projo.com/news/content/EB_KEEL_LAYING_MISSISSIPPI_06-10-10_PMIQNAP_v19.18408d0.html

=========================================================
NEWS-09: Navy Asks For Industry Ideas On Submarine Technology, Including Submarine Communication, Sonar, And
Submitted by: James A Fox on 6/15/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON, 9 June 2010. U.S. Navy researchers are asking industry for new ideas in submarine technology -- particularly involving submarine communication, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), submarine combat systems, and towed array sonar applications.

The Naval Sea Systems Command Advanced Development Office for Undersea Warfare in Washington issued a broad agency announcement (BAA 10-IWS5A-01) Tuesday for basic and applied research in military signal processing and other embedded computing technologies in support of submarine combat systems; signal processing technologies in support of surface anti-submarine warfare systems; and undersea sensor handling and communication technologies.
Please used link.
http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/mae-defense-executive-article-display/1161148940/arti

=========================================================
NEWS-10: Success Of Georgia Inspired By Top “Dawg”
Submitted by: James A Fox on 6/15/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (Blue) held a change of command ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Chapel June 9.

Capt. Brian McIlvaine was relieved by Capt. J. Kelly McDowell as commanding officer of the Georgia Blue "bull dogs."

Sheila McNeil, president of Camden Partnership, and Rear Adm. Barry Bruner, commander Submarine Group 10, served as guest speakers.

Please see link.
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=53954

=========================================================
NEWS-11: Senate Panel Requests Report On Unmanned Payloads For Submarines
Submitted by: James A Fox on 6/15/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
The Senate Armed Services Committee has expressed some concern about programs designed to maximize the use of the Navy’s submarines and allocates more funding while requiring more information on the integration of unmanned systems with submarines.
The committee’s fiscal year 2011 budget report, which was released last week accompanying the FY-11 Senate defense authorization bill, boosts the Navy’s funding for submarine payload and sensor development activities from $8.3 million to $20 million, citing the potential to use unmanned vehicles in the large tubes on guided missile and Virginia-class subs. It notes that the an unmanned launch and recovery model prototype for the SSGN is currently in the works and scheduled for delivery in December.
“This is an enabler for the rapid integration of payloads into submarines at a reduced cost,” the report states. “With addition fiscal year 2011 funds, the Navy could demonstrate the use of payloads to conduct various intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions that have not been possible before.”
However, it adds, “The Navy needs a more formal program to integrate unmanned payloads into submarines and leverage these capabilities for future requirements.”
In return for the extra funds, the report requires that the Navy secretary submit a report with next year’s budget request that outlines future plans for integrating unmanned payloads into submarines.
The panel also threw its weight behind the effort to integrate common weapon launchers on SSGNs. The report says that the Navy plans to finish integrating the common launcher on Virginia-class submarines in FY-10, but the FY-11 budget request did not include money for extending the installation to the SSGN fleet.
“This means the Navy would have to forego the opportunity to achieve savings by consolidating training and logistics for the launcher system on these boats with that of the Virginia-class submarines,” the report states. “The committee believes that such an omission is short-sighted.”
The SASC decided to include an extra $5 million in the budget to put the launcher on the fleet’s SSGNs.
The report removes funding for the High-Integrity Global Positioning System, cutting all $40.9 million slated for the project, arguing that there appears to be no demonstrated use for the concept, implementing it would require expensive equipment, and it is unclear how required hardware modifications associated with the effort are being coordinated with the Joint Tactical Radio System open architecture approach.
The high-integrity GPS system is a Boeing and Iridium project that, according to a press release from July, is more resistant to jamming attempts than legacy GPS systems. Please see link
http://reed.senate.gov/legislation/funding/fy2011_SASC.htm

=========================================================
=========================================================
VET-01: VA Updates Medication Co-payments Priority Group 7 & 8
Submitted by: John P. Dudas on 6/13/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has provided updates to their existing policy for charging certain veterans co-payments for medication received on an outpatient basis for non-service connected conditions.

VA has authority in Title 38 (U.S.C.) 1722A (b) to increase the medication co-payment amount and to establish an annual cap on the amount of medication co-payments charged to certain priority groups. VA is required by law to charge certain veterans a co-payment for each 30-day or less supply of medication provided on an outpatient basis (other than medication administered during treatment) for treatment of a non-service connected condition. The medication copayment will not be charged for medication that is exempt from the co-payment under Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 17.110(c).
By regulation 38 CFR 17.110, VA established an annual cap to help eliminate financial
hardships for veterans enrolled in Priority groups (Priority Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) who may require unusually large amounts of medication. When veterans reach the annual cap, they continue to receive medications without making a co-payment. The law also provides a formula for the calculation of the necessary co-payments.
Based on this formula, the medication co-payment rate for calendar years 2006 through 2009
was $8. Additionally, the medication co-payment cap for veterans in Priority Groups 2-6 for
calendar years 2006 through 2009 was $960. Using this formula, the co-payment would have
increased to $9 effective January 1, 2010. However, in an Interim Final Rule published in the Federal Register Volume 74, page 69283, on December 31, 2009. VA temporarily froze the $8
medication co-payment and the co-payment cap for 6 months for Priority Groups 2-8.
VA responded to public comments regarding the Interim Final Rule and affirmed that rule as final in the Federal Register Volume 75, pages 32668, on June 9, 2010. On June 9, 2010, VA also published another Interim Final Rule, Volume 75, pages 32670, which continued the medication co-payment amount at the $8 rate for veterans in Priority Groups 2 through 6 from July 1, 2010, through December 31, 2011, and continued the annual cap of $960 per calendar year. Additionally, this rule allowed an increase in the medication co-payment rate for Veterans in Priority Groups 7 and 8 from $8 to $9 for this same period. There has never been a co-payment cap for this group of veterans.
The effective date of these changes is July 1, 2010, and these rates will remain in place through December 31, 2011. In the interim, VHA has stated that they will ascertain whether there might be better indicators upon which the co-payment amounts can be based in order to ensure certain veterans with greater need for medical care and lower income do not face significant financial hardships.
Ultimately the VHA policy states that (effective July 1, 2010) veterans in Priority Groups 2 through 6 must pay $8 for each 30-day supply of outpatient medication prescribed for non-service connected conditions with annual cap of $960. Veterans in Priority Group 7 and 8 must pay $9 for each 30-day supply of outpatient medication prescribed for a non-service connected condition with no annual co-payment cap. The medication co-payment is not charged for medication that is exempt from the co-payment under 38 CFR 17.110(c).
 

uSoup Down: Fri, Jun 18, 1130,   Family Pan Cake House, 1034 Bethel Avenue Port Orchard, WA
Letter for Requesting Gift Certificate from Restaurants

Check out this link for latest images of  events. http://www.ussvi.org/base/Bremerton.asp  Then Click on Meeting Photos

Don Bassler

Gertrude Check

Founder & Editor

                   More News of Interest to Submariners