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Enterprise Gears up to Return to Sea

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050713-04
Release Date: 7/13/2005 10:05:00 AM

By Seaman Jill Broecher, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- The crew of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) (Big E) is making the necessary preparations to ensure they and their families are ready for the separation that accompanies getting underway.

Because there are so many things to consider, Enterprise offers its crew several convenient ways to take care of business before getting underway, with the ship's personnel office, disbursing office and legal office only a few minutes away from any workcenter aboard.

“The car breaks down and the wife, who does all the maintenance, is at sea. What will the husband do now?” asked Lt. Cmdr. Ronald Cooley, principle assistant chaplain aboard Enterprise. “Planning ahead is the key factor to avoiding larger problems in the future.”

Making arrangements for the future will make deployment less stressful. There are a number of things a deploying Sailor needs to plan for.

Sailors leaving family members behind will want to make sure they know how to access TRICARE for medical care and Concordia for dental care. Sailors should check the expiration date on their tags and family members' identification cards. Since seasons will pass while a ship is deployed, Sailors will need to make any necessary household preparations.

Single Sailors without dependents may face the problem of leaving behind a vehicle. In this case, a local Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) may store Sailor’s vehicles for them while they are on deployment. They offer low rates, and MWR personnel will even start up the Sailor's vehicle once a month if needed.

Sailors may want to think about preparing a monthly spending plan for deployment, said Cooley. Banking can get somewhat difficult when one member of the family is out to sea. Make sure both partners understand how the finances are being handled, who is paying which bills, if someone needs to bring blank checks on deployment, and who will handle taxes. Also, it is a good idea to set aside a month’s pay for emergencies.

Despite all the preparing a Sailor can do, sometimes unexpected things do come up. In this case, The American Red Cross will help. Sailors need to make sure at least two family members know how to contact them through their local Red Cross, because when email is down, emergency information will still get through.

An additional consideration when preparing to go out to sea is completing a power of attorney and will. Several types of powers of attorney include authorizations for financial transactions, childcare, tax preparation, sale/purchase of a home, PSD transactions, auto registration/inspection/repair, and an all-encompassing “General” power of attorney.

A power of attorney authorizes someone to act in a Sailor’s place while he or she is deployed. Through the power of attorney, the Sailor can handle his or her affairs as if he or she were still on shore. Sailors usually provide this power to close loved ones, including spouses and blood relatives.

“Who you trust with a power of attorney is very important,” said Legalman 1st Class (AW/SW) Juan Marval, ship’s legalman. “You are trusting your life with them. A power of attorney gives this person the right to be you when you are not there. You will give them the original copy of your power of attorney and the only sure way to relieve them of this is to get that copy back.”

Completing a power of attorney is simple, according to Marval. Anyone needing a power of attorney can visit their Navy Legal Services Office (NLSA) to obtain the proper forms, fill them out, and leave them for pick up the following day.

NLSOs can also assist Sailors in drafting a will. A will is a way to formally specify who is to receive your assets, money and personal property upon death. Drafting a will is simple, and will ease the transfer of property to loved ones. Wills are especially important for Sailors with dependants but are useful to all military personnel. Dying without a will can create considerable delay and could result in transfer of assets to the state.

Sailors should advise NLSO if they would like a will prior to deployment. Marval said Enterprise plans to hold a “will workshop” aboard this fall, during which any single Sailor who filled out a will form will meet with NLSO attorneys to get his or her will completed. It is suggested that all married Sailors or Sailors with dependants schedule a will appointment/execution with NLSO prior to deployment.

With all these preparations Sailors are making they may feel overwhelmed. However, before Enterprise or any other Navy ship goes out to sea, there will typically be a pre-deployment brief in which many details are explained. The pre-deployment brief is open to all Sailors and their respective family’s needs.