USO lounge needs funds, volunteers

By MICHAEL NEWSOM
mmnewsom@sunherald.com

USO Gulf Coast is seeking financial contributions and volunteers to work in its lounges on the Naval Construction Battalion Center and also the one set to open at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport next month.

The group needs many volunteers to fill a variety of roles, as well as financial contributions. The group is also seeking a vehicle they could use to transport soldiers from the bases to the airport, said Felice Kelly, USO Gulf Coast programs manager.

"We just have a lot going on," Kelly said. "We need help."

The nearly 100 military service members who use the airport each day will soon have a place all their own to await their flights, with comfortable chairs and flat-screen televisions, when the new USO lounge opens in late October. It will also have a snack bar, library and free wireless Internet access, computers and a person on staff at all times to answer questions. The USO, which depends heavily on volunteers, needs help to fill slots there.

Some personnel will shift from the USO center on NCBC Gulfport to work at the airport lounge, and Kelly said much help would be needed in both places once that happens.

The USO, which stands for the United Service Organization, is a nonprofit group formed during World War II that aims to help with troops' morale and welfare, and serve as a link between them and civilian Americans through a variety of programs, according to their Web site. Each year, the USO serves about 1.4 million active-duty and 1.2 million National Guard and Reserve military and their families by providing them with Internet and e-mail access, support groups and housing and emergency assistance, among other help.

Those interested in helping USO Gulf Coast can call the group's office at 228-575-5224 or e-mail Kelly at fkelly @uso

 

EMAIL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Subject: TO: Capt. Van Dobson Date: 6/28/2007 11:43:52 A.M. Central Daylight Time From: Mccaleb4thdist Reply To:   To: charlotte.m.williams@navy.mil

TO: CAPTAIN VAN DOBSON

Captain, I would like to know the procedure of ensuring your recruits getting from the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport to the Seabee base.

 

On June 8th, 2007, I was at the airport picking up my wife's brother at 20:50, there were two seaman recruits sitting on a bench just outside the entrance of the airport.

 

My wife started to talk with them and they explained that they were going to the Seabee Base to begin A school for Builders.

 

I asked who was picking them up and they did not know, they said they had a phone number for the (I believe) the personnel office, but no one was answering the phone.

 

I gave them the number to the QD (871-2555), and when they called that number and spoke with whoever was on duty at that time told them to stand-by and they would call them back.

 

Later, as I was getting the luggage for my wife's brother, I noticed that the two seaman were still there, I went over and asked who was picking them up, and the stated no one.

 

I asked it they had enough money to get a taxi to the base and both stated no, I gave them a twenty dollar bill, and told them to take a cab back to the base, and they did.

 

My question too you is why was there not someone from the base there to pick these two seamen up?

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Steven A. McCaleb

USN SEABEE RETIRED

 

www.mississippiwebsite.com

    

 

 

June 28, 2007

 

SEABEE BASE COMMAND STRUCTURE

 

 

Captain Van Dobson	Commander  William E. Finn	CMDCM Joseph A. Perrone

Subject: Fwd: Not a good answer Date: 7/18/2007 5:35:17 P.M. Central Daylight Time From: Mccaleb4thdist Reply To:   To: bill.finn@navy.mil, ricky.mcglade@navy.mil

I did not receive an email from either of you.

 

Please reply,

 

Steven A. McCaleb

 

Subject: RE: Still waiting Date: 7/16/2007 11:19:28 A.M. Central Daylight Time From: charlotte.m.williams@navy.mil Reply To:   To: Mccaleb4thdist@aol.com CC:   BCC:   Sent on:     Sent from the Internet (Details

Mr. McCaleb,
As we told you before, for the "A" school students, NCTC has contact
info for them to call to get the duty driver to pick them up...the
problem is that during the construction of the Airport terminal, the
signs keep getting moved/removed.  For the others that come in, the base
also has info at the airport and they should be in touch with their
sponsor to ensure they have a ride to pick them up.

I would ask that you direct any further inquiries to LCDR McGlade since
NCTC is coordinating this with the airport so that their signs are not
removed.
R/ XO

CAPT Bill Finn
XO, NCBC Gulfport
(228) 871-3321  DSN 868


Charlotte Williams
Secretary to Commanding Officer
Naval Construction Battalion Center
and Commander, TWENTIETH Seabee Readiness Group
4902 Marvin Shields Blvd
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 871-3320 or DSN:  868-3320
FAX:  (228) 871-2879
"For Official use Only-Privacy Sensitive-Any misuse or unauthorized
disclosure may result in both civil and criminal penalties."

This document may contain information covered under the Privacy Act, 5
USC 552(a), and must be protected in accordance with those provisions.
If you have received this correspondence in error, please notify the
sender and destroy any copies you have made.
 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Subject: RE: Still no Response Date: 7/10/2007 1:14:21 P.M. Central Daylight Time From: charlotte.m.williams@navy.mil Reply To:   To: Mccaleb4thdist@aol.com CC:   BCC:   Sent on:     Sent from the Internet (Details)

 

Mr. McCaleb
Please give me a call.


Charlotte Williams
Secretary to Commanding Officer
Naval Construction Battalion Center
and Commander, TWENTIETH Seabee Readiness Group
4902 Marvin Shields Blvd
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 871-3320 or DSN:  868-3320
FAX:  (228) 871-2879
"For Official use Only-Privacy Sensitive-Any misuse or unauthorized
disclosure may result in both civil and criminal penalties."

This document may contain information covered under the Privacy Act, 5
USC 552(a), and must be protected in accordance with those provisions.
If you have received this correspondence in error, please notify the
sender and destroy any copies you have made.



-----Original Message-----
From: Mccaleb4thdist@aol.com [mailto:Mccaleb4thdist@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 10:50
To: Williams, Charlotte M CIV NCBC Gulfport, N00C
Subject: Still no Response

Charlotte, I am still waiting for a response to my email sent to you
several weeks ago.

It should not be a problem telling me what the procedure is in picking
up our military when flying into the Gulfport/Biloxi International
Airport.

I saw first hand that there seemed not to an instruction in place, I was
upset to see two seaman arriving at the airport and no way of getting to
the Seabee Base.

I am sure our military leaders at the Seabee Base have taken a good hard
look at there procedures and I would like to know what the procedure is
so I may pass it on too the public.

Sincerely,

Steven a. McCaleb
USN         RETIRED SEABEE

www.mississippiwebsite.com
 

Mr. McCaleb
I received your email and will forward to the CO.
v/r


Charlotte Williams
Secretary to Commanding Officer
Naval Construction Battalion Center
and Commander, TWENTIETH Seabee Readiness Group
4902 Marvin Shields Blvd
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 871-3320 or DSN:  868-3320
FAX:  (228) 871-2879
"For Official use Only-Privacy Sensitive-Any misuse or unauthorized
disclosure may result in both civil and criminal penalties."

This document may contain information covered under the Privacy Act, 5
USC 552(a), and must be protected in accordance with those provisions.
If you have received this correspondence in error, please notify the
sender and destroy any copies you have made.



-----Original Message-----
From: Mccaleb4thdist@aol.com [mailto:Mccaleb4thdist@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 11:30
To: Williams, Charlotte M CIV, GLFPNCBC, 010
Subject: Test

Charlotte, please email back so I will know I have a good email address.

Steven A. McCaleb
USN (SEABEE RETIRED)

www.mississippiwebsite.com

Subject: RE: No response Date: 7/3/2007 7:36:18 A.M. Central Daylight Time From: charlotte.m.williams@navy.mil Reply To:   To: Mccaleb4thdist@aol.com CC:   BCC:   Sent on:     Sent from the Internet (Details)

 

Mr. McCaleb
XO forwarded your email to NCTC, who is in charge of students. The XO
asked NCTC to respond to your email.
v/r


Charlotte Williams
Secretary to Commanding Officer
Naval Construction Battalion Center
and Commander, TWENTIETH Seabee Readiness Group
4902 Marvin Shields Blvd
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 871-3320 or DSN:  868-3320
FAX:  (228) 871-2879
"For Official use Only-Privacy Sensitive-Any misuse or unauthorized
disclosure may result in both civil and criminal penalties."

This document may contain information covered under the Privacy Act, 5
USC 552(a), and must be protected in accordance with those provisions.
If you have received this correspondence in error, please notify the
sender and destroy any copies you have made.

Subject: FW: NCTC STUDENTS Date: 7/5/2007 9:59:03 A.M. Central Daylight Time From: charlotte.m.williams@navy.mil Reply To:   To: mccaleb4thdist@aol.com CC:   BCC:   Sent on:     Sent from the Internet (Details)

 

Mr. McCaleb
LCDR McGlade, XO NCTC, responded to your request for info.  Please see
below.  Please acknowledge receipt of this email.
v/r


Charlotte Williams
Secretary to Commanding Officer
Naval Construction Battalion Center
and Commander, TWENTIETH Seabee Readiness Group
4902 Marvin Shields Blvd
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 871-3320 or DSN:  868-3320
FAX:  (228) 871-2879
"For Official use Only-Privacy Sensitive-Any misuse or unauthorized
disclosure may result in both civil and criminal penalties."

This document may contain information covered under the Privacy Act, 5
USC 552(a), and must be protected in accordance with those provisions.
If you have received this correspondence in error, please notify the
sender and destroy any copies you have made.



-----Original Message-----
From: McGlade, Ricky A LCDR NAVCONSTRACEN GULFPORT, XO
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 9:16
To: Williams, Charlotte M CIV NCBC Gulfport, N00C
Subject: FW: NCTC STUDENTS

FYI!

V/R,
LCDR Mc

-----Original Message-----
From: McGlade, Ricky A LCDR NAVCONSTRACEN GULFPORT, XO
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 9:02
To: 'Mccaleb4thdist@aol.com'
Subject: NCTC STUDENTS

Mr McCaleb,
In reference to the e-mail that you sent to the base CO dtd 28 Jun 07,
please give me a land line number where I can reach you and I will
contact you to address some of the concerns stated in your e-mail.
Thanks.

V/R,

LCDR Ricky A. McGlade
XO, NCTC Gulfport
5510 CBC 8th Street
Gulfport, MS 39501
"For Official Use Only - Privacy Sensitive: Any misuse or unauthorized
access may result in civil and criminal penalties."





 

Captain Van Dobson Civil Engineer Corps United States Navy        Captain Van Dobson was commissioned an Ensign in the Civil Engineer Corps, and completed Officer Indoctrination School in Newport, Rhode Island. Initial tours of duty included AROICC at Naval Training Center, Orlando (1985-1987), Planning Division Director and Staff Civil Engineer at Public Works Center, Guam (1987-1989), and Real Property Maintenance Program Manager for Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Washington, DC (1990-1993). Captain Dobson served at Amphibious Construction Battalion Two (1993-1995) as Charlie Company Commander where he led the Elevated Causeway and causeway repair platoons and as Training Officer where he led the training department and managed the battalion's 700-member reserve program. Captain Dobson led several training deployments as Detail Officer in Charge and made one operational deployment to Haiti as Naval Beach Group Detail Assistant Officer in Charge. He then transferred to be Deputy Head of the Contracts Department at Atlantic Division (1995-1997) where he managed execution of construction, service, and design contracts. While at Atlantic Division, Captain Dobson served as ROICC Haiti from June - September 1995, supporting the Joint Task Force with construction and real estate planning and contracting. From 1997-1999, he was assigned to Naval Construction Training Center, Gulfport, as Executive Officer responsible for training Navy, Army, and Air Force engineer forces. From 1999-2001, Captain Dobson was assigned as the Deputy AC/S for Installation Management at Marine Forces Pacific supporting Marine Corps Bases and Stations on the West Coast and Pacific. Following that, he served from 2001-2003 at Navy Region Hawaii as the Deputy Regional Engineer and Program Manager for Facilities, Environmental, and Safety. From 2003-2006, he served as the Executive Officer for Public Works Center Jacksonville providing services in Jacksonville, Charleston, Pensacola, and Panama City and Executive Officer of Engineering Field Activity Southeast providing services in Jacksonville and Kings Bay. On May 23, 2006, Captain Dobson assumed Commanding Officer, Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, MS/Commander, Twentieth Seabee Readiness Group. Captain Dobson's qualifications include designation as a Seabee Combat Warfare Officer, membership in the Acquisition Professional Community, registration as a Professional Engineer, and a graduate degree in Civil Engineering. He is also a graduate of the Naval War College.   Commander William E. Finn Civil Engineer Corps United States Navy       CDR Finn was commissioned an Ensign from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.  In 1993, he completed his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Florida.  After his first assignment at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, as an AROICC, he reported to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 and served as Bravo and Charlie Company Commanders/Air Detachment OIC.  He deployed to Guam and Rota, Spain; participated with Hurricane Hugo relief operations in Charleston, South Carolina; and led the Air Detachment into Northern Iraq for Operation Provide Comfort.        After graduate school, CDR Finn was stationed as the Housing Contracting Officer at the Navy Public Works Center, Pearl Harbor, and Staff Civil Engineer at NAS Barbers Point.  He subsequently served as the Aide/Deputy Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Logistics) in the Pentagon followed by a tour at Quantico Marine Corps Base as the Resident Officer in Charge of Construction, an Engineering Field Activity Chesapeake field office.  CDR Finn and his family moved to Guam, and he became the Deputy Officer in Charge of Construction, Marianas, overseeing military construction on the island, the Navy’s largest A-76 Base Operating Support conversion contract, and recovering from three typhoons!  In June 2004, he graduated from the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, with a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.      CDR Bill Finn reported as Executive Officer of the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi on 7 July 2006 after turning over command of Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC), Gulfport, Mississippi.  During his tour at NCTC, the command responded to Hurricane Katrina including temporarily relocating the BU/SW “A” schools to Port Hueneme, California, for three months as well as responding to a training surge in Army Soldiers and Navy Seabees in support of the Global War on Terrorism.        CDR Finn is qualified as a Seabee Combat Warfare Officer, registered Professional Engineer in Florida, and a member of the Acquisition Professional Community.  His personal decorations include five Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, an Army Commendation Medal, and two Navy Achievement Medals.   CMDCM Joseph A. Perrone United States Navy         Command Master Chief Joe Perrone is from Syracuse, New York, where he entered the Navy in January 1981.  After graduating from Basic Training in Orlando Florida, he attended Builder “A” school in Gulfport, Mississippi.      Master Chief Perrone reported to Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Miss., in November 2006. Prior to this tour, he was the Command Master Chief at the Naval Construction Training Center, Gulfport, Miss.      Master Chief Perrone’s first assignment was at CBU 411 in Norfolk, Virginia, where he worked as an apprentice on several construction projects.  He then reported to NMCB ONE, Gulfport, Mississippi, as project supervisor, during his three deployments overseas.  After a two and a half year break in service he reported to NMCB SEVENTY-FOUR in July of 1989, where his unit earned the Battle Efficiency award while deployed to Southwest Asia for Operation Dessert Shield and Dessert Storm.  He then transferred to the TWENTIETH Naval Construction Training Regiment where he trained deploying battalion in basic combat skills.  Following his tour at the Regiment, he transferred to NMCB SEVEN, Gulfport, Mississippi, where he made three overseas deployments as the Charlie Company Chief and Battalion Operation Chief.  Upon completion of his tour in SEVEN, he transferred back to the TWENTIETH Naval Construction Regiment as the Operations Chief in charge of homeport projects and Regimental Operations.  He then transferred to NMCB SEVENTY-FOUR as the Command Master Chief where his unit earned the Battle Efficiency award and Pelletier award while deployed to Iraq for both OIF I and OIF II.    After his tour at NMCB-74, he served a short tour at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, Gulfport, Miss., which was cut short due to Hurricane Katrina.      Master Chief Perrone’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation (2 awards), Meritorious Unit Citation (2 awards), and various other unit and campaign medals.  He is designated a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist, and Master Training Specialist.