Lights, projector, action

Photo By Spc. Cody Black | Navy Chief Petty Officer Jim Davis, a mass communication specialist assigned to Joint Task Force Guantanamo, sets up his laptop and projector to start a movie at Cuzco Barracks, June 1, 2010. Davis invites his fellow service members to enjoy his impromptu movie screenings during their down-time. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released by a court. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

06.04.2010

Story by Spc. Cody Black 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba -- From the sands of Iraq to the Pearl of the Antilles here at Joint Task Force Guantanamo; Navy Chief Petty Officer Jim Davis has more than seven deployments under his belt and knows how to unwind after a stressful day.

His dedication to maintaining the morale of service members around him and helping facilitate opportunities to relax earns Davis his 15 Minutes of Fame.

"I got the idea [for a movie night] when I was in Iraq," Davis said. "It gave us all the opportunity to enjoy fellow camaraderie and to hang out with friends."

While deployed to Iraq, Jim and his fellow teammates needed a way to relax. His weekly "movie night" became a local highlight after long hours on missions, but no ordinary television set would suffice. One of his teammates had the idea of setting up a consumer-grade movie projector to give the deployed movie-goers a little piece of home theater away from home theater.

Davis joined the Navy in 1998. While he has been stationed with many units in his own branch of service, working in a joint environment is nothing new to this salty Sailor, either.

"Here at JTF it gives us a chance to learn more about each other," Davis said. "It also lets you see how each branch is its own, yet still a part of 'one team.'"

Davis realizes that having movie nights in his section of the Cuzco Barracks allows anybody to stop by and gives him and his friends an opportunity to meet different people. Having an opportunity to relax and forget the worries of deployment can make a big difference to service members' morale.

"It's a great opportunity to be able to make an enjoyable night for people," Davis said. "If [service members] can forget the stresses of work or home for a few minutes, then I've done my job."

What started out as an occasional event now happens at least once a week, depending on what new movies are released at the Navy Exchange and interest in playing video games.

"It's just not the same playing Cabela's Monster Buck Hunter on a 21-inch TV screen," Davis said.

Davis' movie nights have been the source of some great moments and memories. Having the chance to relax and be comfortable is key. The laughter never seems to cease when Davis and his ever-expanding circle of friends get together.

"If you see us sitting around in front of the big screen, come and pull up a chair," he said.

• Date Taken: 06.04.2010
• Date Posted: 06.09.2010 10:24
• Story ID: 51121
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU