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“On my way I was very nervous, worried I might not be
ready,” said Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Peter Oculien, a
Navy Reservist originally from Saint Lucia.
Oculien,
an overnight sales associate for a large retailer and
full-time college student in Central Florida, had flown over
8,000 miles from Florida to land in Guam to start an active
duty training (ADT) period aboard the forward-deployed
landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48).
Ashland had requested reserve support in critical areas to
enhance material readiness and training readiness. Oculien was one
of 18 Reserve Sailors who would embark during Ashland’s
mid-deployment maintenance availability in Guam in early September
for a 25-day stretch.
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September 18, 2017 - Electrician’s Mates 3rd Class Peter Oculien,
right, a Navy reservist from Ocala, Fla., and Michael Mansfield from
Apopka, Fla., install a gyro repeater in the main control room
aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48).
Ashland is operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to enhance
interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force
for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan R. Clay)
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Oculien had joined the Navy Reserves in 2015 to assist in
college tuition and to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. He
had mostly served his two-weeks a year on active duty in
out-of-rate jobs that were shore based. This year, the
opportunity to join a ship was advertised and he jumped for
it.
Being his first time on a ship and lacking some
of the basic qualifications of shipboard life that most
active Sailors have, Oculien naturally had some initial
jitters. But those jitters quickly faded as stepped from
pier onto Ashland. Excitement ran through his veins.
“I was going to be accomplishing a life-long goal,” said
Oculien. “This would be my first time on a ship, and I was
very excited about the opportunity.”
His active duty
counterparts welcomed him with open arms, showing him around
the ship and easing fears about qualifications.
“Once I met my division, my worries were gone,” said Oculien.
In no time, Oculien was working side-by-side with
his active duty counterparts, contributing to the daily
tasks of the EM shop. They not only made him feel part of
the family but dedicated time to train him in the EM rate.
“They care about you,” Oculien said about working
with his new shipmates.
Members Oculien’s shop felt
he has been a great addition to the team.
“He’s
always ready,” said Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Michael
Mansfield, an Ashland Sailor who works with Oculien. “He
picks up knowledge really easily and always asks how he can
help. He’s a great example of how motivated Reservists are.”
Oculien was just one of the many other Reservists to be
on a ship for the first time in their Navy careers.
“I wanted the shipboard experience to prepare me for the future,”
said Gunner’s Mate Seaman Kasey Britt, a Navy Reservist from Mount
Gilead, N.C. who also works at a large retailer while attending
community college. Britt aspires to go active-duty after finishing
school.
Britt acknowledged that life on a ship can be challenging but has
enjoyed the experience.
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September 11, 2017 - Fire Controlman 2nd Class Willie Hidalgorojas,
assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48),
instructs Gunner’s Mate Seaman Kasey Britt, a Navy reservist from
Mount Gilead, N.C., on how to count score for a 9mm service pistol
qualification course at U.S. Naval Base Guam. Ashland is in Guam for
a scheduled voyage repair availability and is operating in the
Indo-Asia-Pacific region to enhance partnerships and be a
ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan R. Clay)
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“At first, it was hard to adjust to the berthing,” said
Britt about her living quarters. “Not a lot of space and
racks are small but the sleep I’ve had underway is great. I
think it’s the waves rocking me at night.”
Britt said
her division, weapons division, has also been very helpful.
“They have taught me a lot,” said Britt. “I’ve
learned about the weapons systems, shooting and taking apart guns,
how to be a firing line coach and help other Sailors in weapons
qualifications.”
Britt said her time on Ashland has been
special because of her shipmates.
“When I leave I’m going to
miss all the Sailors I was able to meet,” said Britt. “They’ve kept
me entertained, laughing, moving and motivated.”
After 25
days of ADT, the Reservists who spent almost a month on Ashland have
now flown home, reporting to their Navy Operational Support Center
and then returning to their lives in the civilian world. The
Reservists departed with experience in hand and made an impact while
on board.
“Reservists were here to learn while assisting in
all that we do,” said Cmdr. Patrick German, Ashland’s executive
officer. “This was an opportunity for them to brush up their skills
and get some qualifications covered. They were able to do that and
they were a wonderful addition to the ship.”
German said he
wanted the reservists to know that this would always be their ship
and it’s important for other Reservists to be aware of these ADT
opportunities.
“Reservists have a choice of where they can
go,” said German. “We encourage them to come out more, see what we
are doing, be a part of what we are doing and support the fleet.”
As Oculien rendered that final, “Permission to go ashore”
request to the Officer of the Deck, he knew he was leaving with
special memories.
“It has been phenomenal,” said Oculien
about his time on the ship. “Meeting the Sailors, being a part the
team and experiencing a sunset at sea has all been special. I can
understand why people extend in the Navy and why they miss certain
ships when they leave. It’s like a family.”
By U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan R. Clay
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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