HOMEPORT ASHORE
By MCSN Alexander Ventura
Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) moved into bachelor enlisted quarters rooms at Naval Station Everett as part of ship’s change in homeport.
Nimitz arrived to Everett following its completion of its docked planned incremental availability.
Under Homeport Ashore Program (HAP), selected junior Sailors E-4 and below with less than four years of service and not collecting Basic Allowance for Housing, get to enjoy these rooms, said Chief Engineman (SW/AW) James Wahl, barracks resident advisor.
However, due to limited availability, not every qualifying Sailor will get a room. For those able to enjoy off-ship living, Wahl stressed the need for them to maintain high standards.
“You must keep your rooms clean,” said Wahl. “If you fail two room expectations or given two unsats you are required to be removed from the barracks. My advice is to keep up general cleanliness. Vacuum every day, take out your trash and make your bed.”
In addition to cleanliness, Sailors must also maintain high standards of conduct while
in the barracks. Underage drinking will not be tolerated.
“If you have alcohol in your room and you have an underage roommate, it’s an automatic unsat and possible removal from the barracks,” he said.
Resident advisors will also be giving unsats to Sailors who do not lock their closets, said Wahl.
“The main automatic unsat is keeping your valuables not stowed away in your closet,” said Wahl. “We don’t want your valuables to be accessible to anyone but you.”
Food in barracks rooms which turn moldy or make the room smell also requires resident advisors to give Sailors an unsat.
“Don’t leave food out where it can get old and grow moldy,” said Wahl. “All food has to be stowed away. My suggestion is to sustain from keeping any food in your room while you’re underway, where it could get old and moldy.”
Sailors are expected to be outstanding Sailors in and out of the barracks, said Wahl.
“This is a privilege,” he said. “We expect you to maintain your standards, not with
just your room but your military standards such as your PFA (Physical Fitness Assessment), EVALS (Evaluations), work ethic and timeliness to work in order to sustain your room.”
The responsibilities associated with an HAP room are easy to undertake – the rewards are worth it, said Gunner’s Mate Seaman Brittany Grace.
“The barracks are awesome,” she said. “I’m very grateful for the command to allow me to live in the barracks. I’m glad I have a place away from work.”
Culinary Specialist Seaman Robert Williams said, “I feel better that I have somewhere I can go home to. I’m going to try to adhere to all room standards in order to keep my room.”
For more information on barracks rules and regulations contact a resident advisor living on each floor of all barracks buildings on base.
