by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jose Holguin

Chief and first class petty officers assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) participated in a base clean-up on Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, March 14.
The event, organized by Stennis’ chief’s mess, focused on removing debris and maintaining exceptional base cleanliness.
According to Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Joseph Barnes, from Los Angeles, keeping the base clean is the responsibility of everyone on the base.
“We set the example,” Barnes said. “When junior Sailors see us out here picking up trash around the base, they know we’re not asking them to do something we wouldn’t do.”
Many of the volunteers, such as Machinist’s Mate 1st Lebanon, Ill., felt that the event helped build camaraderie.
“We had fun today,” Cardwell said. “It was great to come out here on a nice sunny day and have a chance to help the community and have a few laughs.”
Barnes stated that he hopes the base clean-up will be a stepping stone for similar events in the future.
“My goal, and what I try to teach junior Sailors, is to leave the Navy in a better shape than it was when I entered,” Barnes said.
Class Robert Cardwell, from USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) USN Public Affairs Office March 14, 2014 Release 294-14 Stennis is currently undergoing a Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) maintenance period at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.
For more news from USS John C. Stennis visit www.stennis.navy.mil or www.facebook.com/stennis74