Cnic // Naval Base Ventura County

SUGGESTION: Captain, I have a concern pertaining to working out in the gymnasium while in uniform. Every now and then I will witness a military service member lifting weights in their working uniform occasionally during their lunch break. Service member will usually remove their top blouse and lift weights with the rest of their uniform on. Now I know a working uniform is not also considered a PT uniform. I have corrected a few members on this including an officer. I think this is totally unsat, a poor practice of personal hygiene, and just a bad example to our junior service members. Can this issue be made aware to all gym staff members? What's your take on this sir?

RESPONSE: We’ve made the call at Naval Base Ventura County to allow service members to work out in a relaxed uniform as long as it doesn’t cause damage to the equipment or facility. For example, we wouldn’t allow Sailors in work boots to play on the basketball court, but getting in a quick set of bicep curls at lunch is perfectly acceptable. I’ve spoken with NBVC Command Master Chief Thomas Cyr, and he agrees. There’s no regulation requiring PTs to be worn when exercising alone or restricting the wear of the uniform of the day at the gym. MWR staff is on board with this guidance. We will continue to monitor the situation, and if personnel abuse this policy, I will revisit. Thank you for your concern.
 

SUGGESTION: Can you tell me the reason behind the closure of the paintball/archery field at Point Mugu. Is there a plan for the field to reopen?

RESPONSE: Thank you for your interest in outdoor sports at NBVC. Point Mugu established a paintball field in 2005, but it quickly fell into disuse. Interest just wasn’t that high. The same goes for archery. The fields became dumping grounds, and for safety reasons were closed.  Recently, we’ve seen an increase in questions about these kinds of activities and plan to hold focus groups to gauge the level of interest. We are open to any activities we can safely support, and must make the best decisions for the service members and families we serve. We’ll be forming focus groups about these kinds of activities soon and will be asking for the community to step up and help. Keep an eye on the Lighthouse and Facebook for more information.
 

SUGGESTION: Build an off road or paintball battle field. NBVC would make a great profit. We could even do small bootcamp excercises for paintball battles.

RESPONSE:  Thank you for your interest in outdoor sports at NBVC. Point Mugu established a paintball field in 2005, but it quickly fell into disuse. Interest just wasn’t that high. The field became a dumping ground, and for safety reasons was closed. Final clean-up at the site was completed in February 2012. Recently, we’ve seen an increase in questions about these kinds of activities and plan to hold focus groups to gauge the level of interest. We are open to any activities we can safely support, and will make the best decisions for the service members and families we serve. We’ll be forming focus groups about these kinds of activities soon and will be asking for the community to step up and help. Keep an eye on the Lighthouse and Facebook for more information.
 

SUGGESTION:  I have noticed more each day on Point Mugu that people are not keeping their pets on a leash when outdoors. I have encountered 1 too many times of a dog rushing at me and my small dogs. This is a safety issue that concerns me deeply for pet and people. I have mentioned a few times to the people involved that there is a "leash law" & was returned by some nasty looks or comments. Sad thing is I almost hit a neighbors dog that was in my drive way under my tires just because it was not controlled while owner was doing something else in the front yard. Is there a way that we could get the message out stronger? It will not be tolerated and have base officers could start issuing warnings or enforce the "leash law" when they are casually driving around patrolling the area? Reason I ask is because I have seen officers just drive by when dogs have been loose. It would be a start. Thank you.

RESPONSE:  Military Family Housing requires all residents to sign a pet agreement acknowledging the resident is responsible for their pet, that pets must be supervised at all times when outside of the Housing Unit, and that pets must not be allowed to run free in the Community.  Unfortunately there are a few residents who simply do not follow the rules and allow their pets to run free, causing problems for many others.  Although NBVC does not have an animal control officer to catch stray animals our Base Police are charged with enforcing the rules and regulations onboard NBVC and enforce the leash requirements throughout the installation.  If an unattended/unleashed animal is spotted please call the Regional Dispatcher at 805-982-4591 to report the animal's location and an officer will be dispatched to deal with the issue as quickly as possible.

SUGGESTION: There is a Navy Blue Dodge Magnum vehicle that has been basically abandoned in front of the "White House" on Port Hueneme. It has a temporary DMV registration in the window from purchase last Aug.(2010) and temporary Base pass that was good from last Aug(2010) and expired last Sept.(2010). This vehicle has not moved from its parking place since that time. It has a ticket on the windshield that is no longer readable, due to being there for so long. It was reported to the Security dispatch desk several weeks ago. Yet the car still remains in the same place. This vehicle even made it through the security exercise earlier this year, obviously it was overlooked. It does make one question security procedures when vehicles that have no current registration, or base pass are obviously not taken seriously.

RESPONSE:

Thank you for taking the time to express your concern. Our Force Protection team addresses each vehicle that appears to be abandoned. Once a vehicle has been identified as being possibly abandoned the owner is identified and a reason for the vehicle to be left is determined. With many of our service members deployed, it is a tough decision to simply have the vehicle towed, knowing the service member will be faced with significant storage fees from the towing company upon return from deployment. Therefore each of these vehicles is prioritized for towing as to their location and potential danger to the base. Taking care of our service members is also a top priority and therefore Force Protection may not always immediately tow someone's vehicle while we work with the member's chain of command to resolve the issue without towing the vehicle.

The specific vehicle you refer to is registered to a deployed sailor and we are working with his chain of command to get it removed as quickly as possible without having to tow it and prevent the sailor from suffering exorbitant storage fees.

V/r
CSO
 

SUGGESTION = Sir, At Mugu on 13th Street between EOD and Transportation, bushes have completely taken over the shoulder and are growing into traffic lane. This forces pedestrians and bicyclists to compete with automobiles for the use of the traffic lane. Very few cars change lanes for me when I walk through there. Any chance someone can take some shears to the bushes? Thanks, Mike

RESPONSE: Re: your suggestion of June 15, 2011 

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.  The NBVC Grounds Maintenance Contractors were deployed and cut back the encroaching Mallaluca trees to provide a clear path for both pedestrians and cyclists.

SUGGESTION: My wife and I are currently visiting the area to attend our grandson's Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Junior Baseball playoff games. We have enjoyed his games at the on base ball fields frequently this year. However, I have noticed a consistent problem at this ballpark. The men's and women's heads are consistently dirty and are out of toilet paper, paper towels and/or hand soap or sanitizer. One commode in the men's head is wrapped in plastic and obviously broken. I believe it has been that way for sometime now. Women attendees tell me that the womens head is just as bad and that they always go to the snack bar to get napkins to take with them as toilet tissue is seldom available. I am a retired MCPO and my other family members attending these games are either active or retired military. My concern is that this baseball league is comprised of members of the local community whose only exposure to the NBVC may be via these games. I certainly don't think we are putting a good face on this exposure and I know that with a little attention to detail we can get it right. I am told by game attendees that this is a constant problem.. I assume that the janitorial services for these heads is contracted out. If it is, the statement of work needs to be looked at in terms of frequency of service. To believe that cleaning and stocking of supplies can be done on Friday and not repeated over the weekend is shortsighted at best. Additionally, these events are not a "pop quiz" as they are scheduled well in advance. Thanks for your attention to this matter. Roger A Ramsey MCPO, USN, Retired

Response:  

Mr. Ramsey, 

Thank you for your comments regarding the restroom facilities at the ball field at Port Hueneme.  The Department of Navy issued a license for use of the ball field and restroom facilities to the NBVC Junior Baseball League (League).  The League is responsible for all grounds keeping, maintenance, and janitorial activities on the field, and restroom facilities.  We appreciate having received your suggestions and comments; your input assists us in addressing the sanitation and maintenance concerns. 

We have requested that the League address the restroom sanitation needs and will monitor the state of the facilities to ensure that these deficiencies are remedied.  Thank you.