Preparing the Crew for RCOH

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

01.15.2020

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jarrod Schad 

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) held all-hands training on Naval Station Norfolk at building C-9 to discuss the ship’s upcoming Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) maintenance period, Jan. 13-15.
Capt. Randy Peck, the commanding officer of the John C. Stennis, spearheaded the brief by emphasizing three main points: ownership, cleanliness and timeliness.
“This is a mission unlike any other that the Navy has assigned to us,” said Peck. “It is up to us to make sure we are taking the right actions today, tomorrow and every day after that to make sure we are succeeding four years in the future.”
Peck explained our partnership with Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) and how it is up to the crew of the John C. Stennis to take ownership in setting the standards of cleanliness and timeliness among the whole crew, both John C. Stennis Sailors and civilian contractors.
“There is going to be a learning curve when they walk on this ship,” said Peck, regarding the extra personnel that the John C. Stennis will partner with to modernize and recapitalize the ship. “If you’re in it to win it every day because you know you’re on a mission, then they’re going to be on that mission.”
Our goal is to deliver the ship on schedule and on budget, according to Peck, referring to the four-year, four-billion-dollar overhaul. He expressed the importance of getting ahead of schedule and staying ahead.
“If we are late in delivering the ship, we undermine years of planning, and that is non-negotiable,” said Peck.
A number of John C. Stennis subject matter experts in charge of different aspects of RCOH spoke at the brief, informing Sailors about the months and years that lie ahead.
Cmdr. Bobby Williams, the chief engineer aboard the John C. Stennis, delved into what RCOH really consists of.
“RCOH will basically be a hard reset of the ship,” said Williams. “We will get new systems and equipment, while many things will be restored to full capability.”
Williams also emphasized the consequences of delivering the John C. Stennis out of the shipyards delayed.
“This is absolutely critical to the foundations of the Navy,” said Williams. “Coming out of the yards delayed dips into our availability as the most modernized ship in the fleet. We are asking [John C.] Stennis Sailors to do what you have always done, and that is doing your jobs and doing them well. The recipe for success lies in staying positive, engaged and professional, while motivating others to do the same.”
Lt. Cmdr. Brent Deering, the maintenance manager aboard the John C. Stennis, laid out a basic timeline for RCOH, stating that the official start date of RCOH is Jan. 15, 2021.
“We’re using the 12 months between now and then to set the stage for getting ahead when we can,” said Deering.
Deering praised Sailors for their proficiency in reporting deficiencies that will be addressed throughout the RCOH process and emphasized how important it is to continue to report them, or they will not be addressed.
January to August of 2020 is slated as the pre-arrival period, according to Deering, where Sailors can expect to see the ship undergoing major component overhauls.
Deering called September to December of 2020 “smart start.” This will be the final big jump to get the John C. Stennis ready to arrive in NNS. Many things will be removed from the ship through the ship’s coordinated offload and outfitting plan (SCOOP) process, while other parts of the ship, like sponsons and antennas, will be cut off in order to fit the ship into the shipyard.
Lt. Cmdr. Brent Errol Niven, the principal assistant for logistics and the SCOOP coordinator aboard the John C. Stennis, from Newbury, California, explained what SCOOP was and how it will affect John C. Stennis Sailors.
“Stuff in all of your spaces that doesn’t need to be there will be taken off the ship and placed into a warehouse until we need it again after RCOH,” said Niven. “Our job is to put stuff into storage the right way, so that the future crew can put it all back onto the ship at the tail end of RCOH.”
Niven briefly described the basic process, telling Sailors that this is not simply pulling out drawers and dumping everything into a box. It is our responsibility to conduct this process carefully and methodically.
“Accuracy and accountability now, saves us time and money later,” said Niven.
Chief Personnel Specialist Dean Hughes, from Ethelsville, Alabama, spoke on how pay would be affected throughout the process, noting that sea pay will continue for all Sailors assigned to the John C. Stennis, and Sailors E-5 to E-9 who have served 36 months of consecutive sea duty will receive an extra 200 dollars to their career sea pay. Basic allowance for subsistence (BAS) will begin as soon as the shipboard galley is no longer operational, but no earlier than September 2020. There will be no change in basic allowance for housing (BAH).
Sailors interested in personal private venture housing (PPV) are encouraged to reach out to Chief Legalman Crystal Price, the John C. Stennis PPV coordinator. Information regarding geographic bachelor housing will be disseminated to the crew in the near future.
Cmdr. Eric Lowry, the safety officer aboard the John C. Stennis, touched on a number of different safety topics regarding RCOH, to include personal protective equipment (PPE), transiting the ship and situational awareness.
“Transiting the ship is going to become a lot more intrusive as we move on,” said Lowry. “PPE, route selection and being observant will become even more important. Don’t think of the most expeditious route, think of the safest route.”
Lowry reminded Sailors that it is a requirement that every crew member must have hearing protection on their person at all times while aboard the John C. Stennis, with hard hats and safety goggles becoming a requirement in the future.
“You cannot run through the ship on autopilot,” said Lowry, stressing the importance of maintaining situational awareness. “Watch out for yourself and your shipmates, and we’ll be able to maintain minimal probability of injury.”
Peck concluded the brief by reminding his Sailors that the team needs to be ready and trained to get back to sea at the conclusion of RCOH.
“We will be back to sea as the most modernized ship in the fleet because we made it happen,” said Peck. “Use the information given to you today to look ahead and plan effectively. Now that we know the right process and method, we will be able to complete the job and complete it on time.”
For more information regarding RCOH, Sailors are encouraged to refer to the RCOH handbook on the John C. Stennis share point.
The John C. Stennis is conducting routine operations in support of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.
For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stennis74.

• Date Taken: 01.15.2020
• Date Posted: 01.15.2020 16:20
• Story ID: 359300
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US