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Curtis Wilbur Sailors Homeport Ashore

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060605-13
Release Date: 6/5/2006 4:54:00 PM

By Ensign Stephanie Krueger, USS Curtis Wilbur Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Twenty-four Sailors from USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) were able to move off the ship in May and into quarters ashore as part of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan’s Homeport Ashore Initiative.

The rooms at the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) facilities became available to ships’ crews May 15 and contain everything Sailors need to call it home, including a television, a small kitchenette with refrigerator and microwave, and a bath area with a large shower. The bedrooms have two or three beds, which gives Sailors a degree of privacy not normally available to junior enlisted aboard ships.

Fire Controlman 3rd Class Gabrielle Denson said the rooms give Sailors a place to relax and let off steam after a busy day. “When I get off work I now have someplace to go and relax, watch TV and eat. We can relax here with friends rather than searching for alternatives in other places.”

Additionally, common areas have larger community kitchens with cooking utensils and a lounge area for the Sailors’ use. A free laundry facility with commercial washers and dryers rounds out features of the Homeport Ashore Initiative.

Electronics Technician 3rd Class Aaron Oglenski enjoys being able to make his own meals. “The benefit of the BEQ room is that we can make our own food with things we bought at the commissary or [Navy Exchange], which are right around the corner.”

The quietness of the BEQ rooms drew Electronics Technician 3rd Class Stephen McCormick’s praise. “When I go to sleep I don’t have to worry about 100 other people waking me up,” said McCormick.

Curtis Wilbur Sailors all agreed that the free laundry and a place to relax were the greatest benefits of the new rooms.

The Curtis Wilbur Sailors are E-4 or below, with fewer than four years of service and were selected for the available rooms based on favorable endorsements from their departments' leading chief petty officers.

Many of the Sailors stated that the anticipation of more rooms becoming available is an incentive to maintain excellent conduct ashore.

To maximize the utility of the rooms and accommodate other Sailors, the current occupants will vacate their rooms before the ship gets underway for an extended period of time. However, Command Master Chief (SW/SS) Buck Bailey commented that eventually the ship hopes to have these rooms permanently assigned.

Curtis Wilbur is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan.

To learn more visit www.ccsg5.navy.mil.