From: NAVNEWS@nctamslant.navy.mil (Navy News Service)
Newsgroups: soc.veterans
Subject: Navy News Service - 16 Dec 92
Date: 17 Dec 1992 18:35:21 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

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Navy News Service - NAVNEWS BY EMAIL - navnews@nctamslant.navy.mil
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NAVY NEWS SERVICE - 16 DEC 92 - NAVNEWS 065/92
     Navy News Service (NAVNEWS) contains official news and
information and is intended for distribution to all Navy people.
Please help pass the word.  NAVNEWS is available:
     -- by message to the NAVNEWS collective address 
     -- on the CNO bulletin board, 1-800-582-2355/6940 or (703)
695-6198/6388 
     -- by electronic mail from NAVNEWS(at)NCTAMSLANT.NAVY.MIL 
     -- and on the BUPERS ACCESS bulletin board, 1-800-346-
0217/18/27, 1-800-762-8567 or (703) 614-8070/6059/8076, (DSN) 224-
8070.                                                              
                               -USN-
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 065/92
   Top News and Policy Stories
NNS334.  Operation Restore Hope Continues in Somalia
NNS335.  Airline Ticket Waivers Available to Restore Hope Personnel
NNS336.  Navy Approves Imminent Danger Pay for Somalia Duty
NNS337.  Support Services in Place for Operation Restore Hope
NNS338.  Skies Become Friendlier for Military Personnel on Leave
NNS339.  Sexual Harassment Advice Line Receives Calls
   Around the Fleet
NNS340.  Notable Quotable:  Jacqueline E. Schafer                   
NNS341.  Salute to Excellence:  NCTC Wins Federal Leadership Award
NNS342.  Sailors Bring Holiday Cheer to CANDII House Children 
NNS343.  Gettysburg Sailors Assist Italian Boy Scouts
NNS344.  Kennedy Crew Members Extend Helping Hand to Refugee Camp
NNS345.  Navy-Marine Corps Team Adds Star Power to War on Drugs
NNS346.  USS Okinawa (LPH 3) Ends 30 Years of Naval Service
NNS347.  Navy Commissions USS Barry (DDG 52)
NNS348.  Navy Christens USS Santa Fe (SSN 763)
NNS349.  This Week in the Navy:  December 16, 1907   
   Personnel Notes
NNS350.  SECDEF Sends Holiday Greetings                             
NNS351.  Personnel Receiving BAQ, VHA Must Recertify Eligibility   
NNS352.  Navy League Award Deadline Draws Near
NNS353.  Navy Changes Tuition Assistance Policy for Officers  
NNS354.  Selection Board Scheduled for Desert Storm Joint Credit
   Short Splices
NNS355.  ABC Sports Airs "Go Navy" Spots During Army-Navy Game      
NNS356.  Navy News This Week                                   
                               -USN-
         Top News and Policy Stories
NNS334.  Operation Restore Hope Continues in Somalia  
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- During the first week of ground operations in
Somalia, Navy and Marine Corps personnel continued to make the case
for the Navy Department's new strategy outlined in "...From the
Sea."
     A small Marine expeditionary force from the USS Tripoli
Amphibious Task Unit (ATU) led the way into the capital city of
Mogadishu.  Supported by aircover from the USS Ranger (CV 61)
carrier battle group, a coordinated amphibious force landed on
foreign soil from the sea, without a hitch.  Within hours the
city's sea and air ports were secured along with the former U.S.
Embassy.
     "The precision with which this plan was executed was almost
mind-boggling," said CAPT John Peterson, commander of the ATU. 
"Everybody was where they needed to be, right on time.  The plan,
although I'm sure there were small flaws, was the right plan to
secure this place rapidly, and it was executed smoothly."
     On Dec. 10 Lt. Gen. Robert Johnston, the Joint Task Force
(JTF) Commander in charge of Operation Restore Hope, arrived in
Mogadishu and set up headquarters in the embassy compound. 
Johnston was followed the next day by the first combat and combat
service support elements of the First Marine Expeditionary Force.
     As operations expanded into Somalia's interior, the Marines
continued to lead the way.  By Dec. 14 the airport at the town of
Bale Dogle, which is located 60 miles from Mogadishu, was secured. 
With its 11,000 foot runway, this airport is capable of handling C-
141 and C-130 cargo planes.
     At first light on Dec. 16, a convoy of Marines arrived in
Baidoa under air cover provided by Marine helicopters and Navy jets
and secured the airport with no organized resistance.  Instead, as
the Marines rode into town they were greeted by crowds of cheering
Somalis and relief workers.
     There had been concern about the security of the move to
Baidoa, as it had been the sight of a number of skirmishes and
looting involving the armed gangs that have been terrorizing the
countryside.  But as was the case in both Mogadishu and Bale Dogle,
the gangs either fled or went into hiding as the Marines
approached.
     As of Dec. 15 there were more than 11,500 U.S. troops in
Somalia.  Of that number, 4,533 are ashore.  DoD officials project
that by Dec. 19 the total number of personnel will reach 17,260.
     Operation Provide Relief, the humanitarian relief effort that
was being run out of Mombasa, Kenya, has been absorbed into
Operation Restore Hope and now falls under the Task Force
commander, now called a Unified Task Force (UTF).  Since Aug. 17
that operation has flown 1500 missions and delivered a total of
18,000 metric tons of relief supplies to Somalia.
     As the Operation Restore Hope forces settle into Somalia, more
attention is being paid to getting the everyday logistics underway. 
Maritime Pre-positioning Ships (MPS) Lummus and Anderson have begun
off-loading supplies in Mogadishu. 
     "We currently have 16 naval ships or maritime pre-positioned
ships or commercial ships that are currently contracted and moving
in support of the operation," said Lt. Gen. Martin Brandtner, USMC,
a Pentagon spokesman for Operation Restore Hope.  "They are in a
variety of locations in places in the United States, Diego Garcia
and others.  They will be arriving in theater between now and the
first of January."
     Another aspect of day-to-day logistics that is of major
importance to troops in Somalia and to their families at home is
the flow of mail.  Personnel aboard ships off the coast of Somalia
will continue to receive mail through the Fleet Post Office (FPO)
assigned to their ship.  That is also true for the personnel who
have gone ashore -- their mail will simply follow them ashore.
     For personnel attached to deploying commands, special FPO and
Army Post Office (APO) numbers have been set up and have been given
to the troops to give to their families.  However, because the
operation is still in its early stages, the capability to handle
mail is still limited.  Therefore, DoD is asking the public to hold
off sending mail to Somalia addressed to "any service member."  
     As the deploying commands arrive on station, they will be
bringing military postal workers with them as part of their
logistics personnel, and will be able to handle increased amounts
of mail.
Story compiled from official releases
                               -USN-
NNS335.  Airline Ticket Waivers Available to Restore Hope Personnel
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Several major U.S. airlines, including
American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, TWA, United and USAIR,
have agreed to waive restrictions on nonrefundable tickets for
holiday travel purchased by personnel involved in Operation Restore
Hope before they knew they had to deploy.
     Some airlines are also providing full refunds or reticketing
for a later date upon presentation of travel orders or official
documentation from a commander indicating the change of travel
plans is due to the action in Somalia.
     Terms and conditions of refund/itinerary change policies vary
from airline to airline.  Personnel should check with their leisure
travel office or the airline involved to confirm eligibility
requirements and applicability of the airline's waiver policy.
Released by Military Traffic Management Command
                               -USN-
NNS336.  Navy Approves Imminent Danger Pay for Somalia Duty
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Imminent danger pay has been authorized for
U.S. service members who set foot in Somalia or fly over Somalia,
with no minimum time in zone, retroactive to Sept. 28, 1992.
     This authorization, announced in NAVADMIN 203/92 (CNO
WASHINGTON DC DTG 112119Z Dec 92), does not extend to crews of the
ships off the coast of Somalia.  However, Navy personnel attached
to Fleet Marine Force units operating ashore in Somalia, Seabee
construction battalions, SEALs and others who actually set foot in
Somalia are eligible for the pay.  Crew members of planes and
helicopters flying over Somalia are also eligible for imminent
danger pay.
     Imminent danger pay is not automatically paid to eligible
personnel -- commands must submit the appropriate paperwork before
it will be paid.  Imminent danger pay will be paid at the monthly
rate of $150, regardless of the amount of time spent in or flying
over Somalia as long as eligible personnel continue to do so.
Story by BUPERS Public Affairs
                              -USN-  
NNS337.  Support Services in Place for Operation Restore Hope
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Operation Restore Hope will separate many
families for an uncertain period of time, "so it's important to
remind families to maintain an open line of communication with the
command Ombudsman," said Dorothy Benford, the Navy's coordinator
for the Ombudsman program. 
     The Ombudsman is the official direct link between families,
the commanding officer (CO) and a deployed unit.  "This means that
he or she receives news and schedules directly from the CO, so
information is often more timely and accurate than that being
broadcasted on the local news or heard via the grapevine," said
Benford.  "Ombudsmen work directly for the CO, but they also work
hand in hand with the Family Service Center (FSC)."
     FSC's are a good source for information and can provide
referrals to local resources as well.  "This is a new mission for
the Navy in a new environment -- so we expect a lot of questions
and concerns about medical risks and the impact of witnessing mass
starvation," said Marylouise Kelley, Director of Family Service
Center Programs at the Bureau of Naval Personnel.
     "Trained individuals and counselors can help single members
and the entire family in areas such as stress reduction, individual
or family counseling, financial management, spouse support groups
and more," said Kelley.  She said that FSC's can also help single
parents fill out current dependent care plans and help to explain
the effects that a deployment can have on children.
      "We hope that commands and families will take advantage of
pre-deployment briefings conducted by FSC staffs so that many
concerns and questions can be addressed before the actual
deployment," added Kelley.  "We also want to remind them that
return and reunion seminars can be conducted on ships and at FSCs,
and can help make coming home a lot easier."
     Kelley and Benford encouraged family members to visit their
base FSC for assistance and to contact the CO's office or Command
Master Chief for the appropriate Ombudsman if necessary.
Story by BUPERS Public Affairs
                               -USN-
NNS338.  Skies Become Friendlier for Military Personnel on Leave
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Northwest, Continental, Delta, Southwest,
United and USAIR airlines recently announced the reintroduction of
Military Leave (Furlough) Fares.  These fares are in addition to
the military leave fares already in place through TWA and Southwest
airlines.   
     Some discounts may be as high as 60 percent off full coach
fares.  Military rates are available to all active-duty military
personnel on leave, as well as round-trip travel.  Terms and
conditions of the furlough fare programs vary from airline to
airline.  Personnel should contact their leisure travel office or
the airline they plan to use in order to confirm availability and
requirements for travel.
Released by Military Traffic Management Command
                               -USN-
NNS339.  Sexual Harassment Advice Line Receives Calls
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy's new toll-free sexual harassment
advice and counseling line received 103 calls in its first two
weeks of operation.
     Most of the line's callers requested amplification of the
service the advice line offers, or wanted clarification of the
Department of Navy's policy regarding sexual harassment.
     The advice line, which began operation Dec. 1, gives Navy men
and women a source for information and counseling if they are
involved in, or concerned about an incident of sexual harassment. 
The line is available to all Navy and Marine Corps personnel,
including civilian employees.
     According to LT Elizabeth Felix, advice line manager, callers
have shown a strong interest in the line and have many concerns
relating to sexual harassment policy or incidents.  There have been
calls from civilians, Marine Corps personnel and Coast Guard
members, as well as Navy personnel.
     The line's 1000-1800 (EST) hours of operation have enabled
callers to use the line from across the country, including calls
from Hawaii, California, Florida and Panama.
     Some examples of calls include a male who felt that a picture
in his office spaces was not appropriate.  The advice line
counselor encouraged him to speak with his supervisor to identify
and resolve the problem.  
     A Marine caller wanted to know reporting requirements after
preliminary investigations of sexual harassment were completed. 
These requirements, found in Marine Corps Order P5354.1B, require
complaints to be reported to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.  
     Another caller from the Navy asked about the difference
between formal and informal complaints of sexual harassment. 
Informal complaints are usually delivered verbally but can be
submitted in writing, and are usually to the immediate supervisor. 
Formal complaints are submitted to the commanding officer under the
appropriate section in Navy Regulations or the Uniform Code of
Military Justice.
     A male caller asked if it was appropriate to tell a female co-
worker that she looked nice.  The counselor stressed that if the
female found the comments or situation uncomfortable, then the
caller should not make such comments.
     A few calls from Coast Guard personnel were redirected to the
Coast Guard toll-free counseling line at 1-800-242-9513.
     The Navy's advice line (1-800-253-0931) has a recorded message
for after hours, on weekends and holidays.  The line is also
available by calling (DSN) 224-2735 or will accept collect calls at
(703) 614-2735.
Story by BUPERS Public Affairs
                               -USN-
         Around the Fleet
NNS340.  Notable Quotable:  "...Your Navy career will involve
choices.  You will be faced with situations where the choice is
clear-cut, but the choice will be difficult.  You all know the
right thing to do -- right in terms of honesty, morals, values and
concern for your shipmates.  But you must have the moral character
and strength to make the right decision.  Your core values as a
person must be the same as the core values of the Navy.  In all
that you do, you must act with honor, commitment and courage."  --
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment)
Jacqueline E. Schafer, in graduation address at Recruit Training
Command, Orlando, Fla., Dec. 11. 
                               -USN-
         Salute to Excellence 
NNS341.  NCTC Software Sharing Program Wins Federal Award
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Washington, D.C.-based Naval Computer and
Telecommunications Command (NCTC) has been selected for the 1992
Federal Leadership Award for its innovative Software Sharing
Program.
     The award recognizes federal information systems projects that
help improve the government in the areas of mission effectiveness,
quality of service and decreased cost of operation.
     The project at NCTC examines the application software already
in use throughout DoD, then promotes its reuse by commands not
currently using the application.  The program allows commands to
meet their operational requirements quickly while avoiding costs
attributable to the development and maintenance of redundant
software.
     In the first year alone, 600 software systems have been reused
for savings of more than $41 million.  The Navy continues to
capitalize on its application software investment by promoting the
reuse of that software through the Software Sharing Program.
     The program has not only benefitted the Navy, but has also
provided software to other branches of the service.  For additional
information contact Ms. Beth Kellam, NCTC program manager, at (DSN)
292-0221 or (202) 282-0221.
Released by COMNAVTELCOM
                               -USN-
NNS342.  Sailors Bring Holiday Cheer to CANDII House Children
NORFOLK (NNS) -- As men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces extend a
helping hand to the people of Somalia, sailors in the Norfolk area
are getting into the spirit of the season by lending a hand to a
charity a little closer to home.
     Norfolk sailors from the Precommissioning Unit of amphibious
assault ship Kearsarge (LHD 3) raised more than $720 to purchase a
wooden play gym and Christmas decorations for the children of
CANDII (Children's AIDS Network Designed for Interfaith
Involvement) House.  The crew put the gym together and hung the
decorations Dec. 8.
     CANDII House is the only program in Virginia specifically
serving the needs of families affected by pediatric AIDS/HIV.  Its
main mission is offering play and preschool education for children
affected by AIDS/HIV in a loving and safe environment.
     Kearsarge will be commissioned in August 1993.
Story by SURFLANT Public Affairs.
                               -USN-
NNS343.  Gettysburg Sailors Assist Italian Boy Scouts
TRIESTE, Italy (NNS) -- During a recent visit to Trieste, Italy, 35
crew members from Aegis guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG
64) helped local Italian scouts refurbish a boy scout camp located
in the town of Prosecco.
     The sailors worked shoulder-to-shoulder with more than 20
Italian volunteers to paint and repair the camp, which stands on
the spot of a World War II allied command center.  
     "It's great to see friends -- Americans and Italians --
working together to help scouting," said Lucio Vilevich, director
for scouting in the area.
     Gettysburg is currently conducting its maiden deployment as a
leading surface combatant with the John F. Kennedy battle group.
Story by USS Gettysburg Public Affairs
                               -USN-
NNS344.  Kennedy Crew Members Extend Helping Hand to Refugee Camp
TRIESTE, Italy (NNS) -- Crew members from aircraft carrier USS John
F. Kennedy (CV 67) recently came to the aid of refugees from war-
torn Yugoslavia.  
     While in port at Trieste, Italy, Kennedy's senior Chaplain,
CDR Fred Archer, learned of the plight of more than 300 Bosnian
refugees near the Italian border in Slovenia.  Most of the refugees
were women and children, and they had been living in a camp made up
of old military quarters that were originally intended to house 90
soldiers.  
     Archer offered the assistance of Kennedy crew members, but 
they could not get permission to cross the border.  Not giving up,
the sailors donated mops, brooms, disinfectant, cleaning gear and
aspirin, as well as $400 contributed from the Chaplain fund.    
Story by NAVEUR News Service
                               -USN-
NNS345.  Navy-Marine Corps Team Adds Star Power to War On Drugs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- While protocol allows LT David Robinson to be
called Mr. Robinson, he is already known by that name to the
millions who have seen him play pro basketball.  And as Washington,
D.C., and Newark, N.J., area school kids found out, Mr. Robinson
doesn't like drugs in his, or any, neighborhood.
     The seven-foot four-inch reserve naval officer recently traded
in his black and silver San Antonio Spurs basketball uniform for
the blue and gold U.S. Navy uniform during two weeks of annual
active duty training.  During the training Robinson served as a
project officer with the Navy's newly formed Drug Demand Reduction
Task Force (DDRTF), where he helped develop strategies and youth
programs to neutralize the threat posed to kids by drugs.
     Formed by the Secretary of the Navy in January 1992, DDRTF
highlights the benefits of a drug-free military lifestyle by using
positive role models such as Robinson.  This positive approach is
aimed at keeping kids aware of the fact that success in life is
only possible by staying off drugs.
     Robinson personally took his message to the streets with
visits to several schools in the Washington and Newark areas. 
During these visits he related his positive Navy experiences and a
long string of personal successes.  
     Robinson also starred in two anti-drug television spots on
behalf of the Navy-Marine Corps team.  The spots will serve as the
inaugural media effort in the Navy and Marine Corps' "war" on drugs
and are scheduled to begin airing in December.
     A 1987 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Robinson served on
active duty as a civil engineer before pursuing a career in pro
basketball and the Naval Reserve.
Released by DDRTF Public Affairs
                               -USN-
NNS346.  USS Okinawa (LPH 3) Ends 30 Years of Naval Service
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Okinawa (LPH 3) will be decommissioned Dec.
17 at Naval Station San Diego, Calif., after more than 30 years of
naval service.
     Commissioned in 1962, Okinawa was originally designed to
airlift combat-ready Marines and equipment behind enemy lines.  The
ship's mission was later expanded to include Marine expeditionary
forces with operations capability.
     From the late 60's to 1975, Okinawa crew members participated  
19 major operations in support of the Vietnam Conflict, served as
recovery ship for Apollo VI and XV, provided relief to the
Philippine victims of Typhoon Joan and became the first amphibious
assault ship to fire a missile as part of the newly incorporated
Basic Point Defense Missile System.
     Okinawa and its escorts were the first amphibious ships on
station in support of Operation Desert Shield.  During the ensuing
month of open warfare in support of Operation Desert Storm, Okinawa
sailors and embarked Marines participated in the liberation of Umm
Al Maradim Island, the amphibious feint off the Kuwaiti coast and
the repatriation of Faylaka Island, which resulted in the capture
of more than 1400 Iraqi prisoners of war.
Story by SURFPAC Public Affairs
                               -USN-
NNS347.  Navy Commissions USS Barry (DDG 52)
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of the Navy commissioned guided
missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) in a ceremony held Dec. 12 at
Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss.
     Barry is the second of 26 Arleigh Burke class ships authorized
to be built.  Barry's mission is to operate in support of
amphibious groups, surface action groups, logistics groups and
carrier battle groups.  State-of-the-art technologies employed on
board the ship make it a premier anti-air, anti-surface, anti-
submarine and strike platform.
     Barry is equipped to carry Standard surface-to-air missiles
and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from forward and aft vertical
launching systems; two fully automated, radar controlled Phalanx
close-in weapons systems; Harpoon anti-ship missiles; one five-inch
gun and electronic warfare systems.  Arleigh Burke class ships will
replace the Adams and Farragut classes of guided missile
destroyers.
     Barry is 506 feet in length, has a beam of 59 feet and
displaces approximately 8,300 tons fully loaded.  The ship will
sail with a crew of 26 officers and 314 enlisted personnel.
                               -USN-
NNS348.  Navy Christens USS Santa Fe (SSN 763)
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of the Navy christened nuclear
powered attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) Dec. 12 in a
ceremony held at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics
Corporation, Groton, Conn.
     Santa Fe is the 53rd of 62 Los Angeles class nuclear-powered
submarines authorized to be built.  The submarine is equipped with
the Tomahawk cruise missile system and has a hardened sail for
surfacing during Arctic missions as well as retractable bow planes. 
Santa Fe's mission is to track and destroy enemy ships, primarily
submarines, to prohibit the employment of such forces against U.S.
or allied ships.
     Santa Fe is 360 feet in length, has a beam of 33 feet and
displaces approximately 6,900 tons submerged.
                               -USN-
NNS349.  This Week in the Navy:  
December 16, 1907 -- It was on this day that the Great White Fleet
began an around the world cruise, demonstrating U.S. seapower and
national resolve.  
                               -USN-
         Personnel Notes
NNS350.  SECDEF Sends Holiday Greetings
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of Defense Richard B. Cheney recently
sent holiday greetings to the men and women of the U.S. Armed
Forces.  The text of SECDEF's message follows:
     QUOTE:  At this holiday season, it's a great pleasure for me
to send best wishes to you -- our nation's soldiers, sailors,
airmen and Marines.  This is the time of the year when we express
hope for lasting peace.  Your willingness to put on the uniform of
our country's armed forces has brought that hope closer to reality. 
     The prospect of global war has receded with the disappearance
of the Soviet empire and millions of people can now wish for peace
free from oppression.  This victory is a direct result of your
service and the service of those who preceded you during the long
years of the Cold War.
     You have helped lay the foundation for a more hopeful future. 
But while we have made great progress, vigilance is still necessary
as long as there are those who would deny others their human
dignity and freedom.  That is why your work is so important and why
the nation still looks to you to serve as a vivid symbol of our
willingness to defend the values that we hold dear.  Those values
and your vigilance are the best hope for peace in the future.
     Your sacrifices and the sacrifices of the veterans who have
gone before you are deeply appreciated by all Americans.  Whether
you are spending this holiday at home with family or at our many
watchposts around the world, you can take pride in your role of
advancing peace and freedom.
     May God grant you and your families every blessing in the
coming year.  Happy holidays to all of you. -- Secretary of Defense
Richard B. Cheney
                               -USN-
NNS351.  Personnel Receiving BAQ, VHA Must Recertify Eligibility
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- All Navy personnel who are receiving Basic
Allowance for Quarters (BAQ) and Variable Housing Allowance (VHA)
are reminded to recertify their eligibility by Jan. 1, 1993. 
Failure to do so will result in the member's loss of BAQ/VHA
entitlements.  See NAVADMIN 042/92 (DTG 021431Z Apr 92) for more
details.
Story by BUPERS Public Affairs
                               -USN-
NNS352.  Navy League Award Deadline Draws Near
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The deadline for the 1992 Navy League Awards,
as announced in CHINFO message DTG 241700Z Sep 92, is Jan. 15,
1993.
     Commands are encouraged to submit nominations directly to:
Navy League of the United States, (ATTN:  Linda Trump), 2300 Wilson
Blvd., Arlington, VA  22201-3308, or call (703) 528-1775, ext. 351.
     Refer to SECNAVINST 1650.34C for complete application details. 
                              -USN- 
NNS353.  Navy Changes Tuition Assistance Policy for Officers
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy has changed the tuition assistance
policy for officers separating under the Voluntary Separation
Incentive (VSI) or Special Separation Benefit (SSB) programs.  
     Officers separating voluntarily or involuntarily who have
received tuition assistance will be released from the two-year
service requirement of the tuition assistance policy.
     The previous policy required officers who received tuition
assistance to serve two years after course completion or repay the
funds received for the course.  The new policy will not require any
additional service or repayment.
     The policy change expires in September 1995, along with the
expiration of the VSI/SSB programs as authorized by Congress.  For
more information, see NAVADMIN 202/92.
Story by BUPERS Public Affairs
                               -USN-
NNS354.  Selection Board Scheduled for Desert Storm Joint Credit 
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Jan. 4 deadline is approaching for eligible
Navy officers to apply for joint duty credit based on service in
the combat zone during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 
     The FY-93 Authorization Act gives the Secretary of Defense
authority to award credit for service in the previously defined
Persian Gulf "combat zone."  Congress directed DoD to establish
criteria "to be used in determining whether to give an officer
credit for completion of a full tour of duty, or credit countable
for determining cumulative service in a joint duty assignment." 
Officers in the combat zone between Aug. 2, 1990 through April 11,
1991 are eligible for the credit.
     A selection board will convene Feb. 8, 1993 at the Bureau of
Naval Personnel (BUPERS) to consider the qualifications of
applicants and to choose those to be nominated by the Navy for full
or partial joint duty credit.  The Secretary of Defense will make
the final decision based on input from the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff.  
     Forty Navy officers already have submitted applications to
BUPERS (PERS-455) as outlined in NAVADMIN 188/92.  Other officers
should submit their requests if they had involvement with planning
of joint operations, development of policy affecting the use of
joint military forces, or the coordination, implementation and
execution of joint military plans.
     Officers attached to another armed force or who interacted
closely with units and members of another armed forces on a day-to-
day basis should also submit requests.  Officers from the medical,
dental, nurse, JAG or chaplain corps are not eligible.
     With the integration of U.S. and allied forces in many
military operations and exercises, joint duty experience is
becoming increasingly important for Navy officers.  It's also
important for career advancement -- line officers must complete a
joint duty assignment prior to promotion to flag rank, with only a
limited number of waivers available.  
     The Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act established
requirements for joint specialists and joint duty assignments for
officers.  Many of the transition provisions of this legislation
expire in January 1994, making the opportunity even more important
for some officers to get joint credit from the Gulf War.
More details are available in the November-December edition of
Perspective magazine, published by BUPERS.
Story by BUPERS Public Affairs
                               -USN-
         "Short Splices"
NNS355.  ABC Sports Airs "Go Navy" Spots During Army-Navy Game
NEW YORK, N.Y. (NNS) -- Approximately 50 Navy and Marine Corps
commands responded to ABC Sports' request for "Go Navy" spots for
broadcast during the Army-Navy game.
     Navy Office of Information (NAVINFO) East would like to thank
all Navy and Marine Corps commands who participated, as well as
Navy Broadcasting and Naval Imaging for their support.
     While a limited number of spots were chosen by ABC Sports for
airing during the game, NAVINFO East regrets it cannot return the
tapes to commands.
Story by NAVINFO East
                             -USN-   
NNS356.  Navy News This Week
     The Dec. 16, 1992 edition of Navy News This Week -- a
videotaped newscast generated for broadcast to Navy/Marine Corps
fleet and shore units -- includes the following stories: 
HEADLINES:  VP-9's Golden Eagles Depart Moffet Field, Retain
Mission; Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps Marks 25th
Anniversary; New Medical/Dental Branch Clinic Opens in Ingleside,
Texas; LCDR Drew Brown Spreads Anti-drug Message; Deadline
Approaches for VHA/BAQ Recertification; Per Diem Stopped for
Students in "A" Schools Under 20 Weeks; Counseling Phoneline Offers
Help for Sexual Harassment; Operation Restore Hope Continues in
Somalia; Fast Sealift Ships Prepare for Deployment to Somalia;
Families of Sailors and Marines in Somalia Receive Support; Future
Role of the Military Highlighted by NBC News; Chief of Naval
Operations Discusses Navy of '92 and '93; U.S. Senator Malcolm
Wallop Visits USS Abraham Lincoln; USS John F. Kennedy Deploys to
the Adriatic Sea; First Lady Barbara Bush Joins Marine's Toys for
Tots Party; Crew of the Kearsarge Helps Children at the Norfolk
CANDII House; Norfolk's Waterfront Lights Attract Thousands of
Visitors.
     QUESTIONS?  Contact Navy Broadcasting Service, Navy News This
Week, Bldg. 168, NAVSTA Anacostia, Washington, D.C. 20374-1682 or
call (202) 433-5844, (AV) 288-5844.
     Input from fleet units ensures our most complete coverage of
global events affecting the Navy and Marine Corps.  Your video
contributions, on 3/4-inch, 1/2-inch or Hi-8 videotape, are needed. 
                               -USN-
     Feedback on this issue, inputs for the next issue, questions
about distribution, and suggestions for improving NAVNEWS are
invited.  Help us make NAVNEWS better.  Contact NAVNEWS
     -- by message to NAVINRELACT WASHINGTON DC//NNS//
     -- by electronic mail to NAVNEWS(at)NCTAMSLANT.NAVY.MIL
     -- by U.S. mail to Editor, Navy News Service, Pentagon 2D340,
Washington, D.C. 20350-1200
     -- by fax to (703) 695-6180 or DSN 225-6180
     -- or by calling us at (703) 695-1888; (DSN) 225-1888.
                               -USN-