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SOUTH CHINA SEA - Becoming a commissioned officer in the United
States Navy requires intelligence, determination, and the ability to
lead. A midshipman is someone in the process of becoming and officer
by completing four years at the United States Naval Academy or a
reserve officer training core (ROTC) program at a designated
university.
Five midshipmen embarked the Arleigh-Burke-class
guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) for two weeks
during the beginning of her patrol with the George Washington
Carrier Strike Group to experience life at sea and get a glimpse of
their future as a naval officer.
Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG
56)
Of the midshipmen, two are
from the naval academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland. The others
are enrolled in universities across the nation.
Upon
embarking the forward-deployed warship, the midshipmen were assigned
running mates; mentors and guides for their time aboard. First class
midshipmen are paired with officers, where as the second class
midshipmen are paired with enlisted personnel.
The midshipmen
spent their days aboard the ship shadowing their mentor, standing
watches with them, learning about the daily procedures of each
department, and occasionally playing a part in full-scale exercises.
Midshipmen 1st class Adriana Ayala, from Inglewood, California,
kept ranges and baring for the John S. McCain during surface ship
anti-submarine warfare readiness and effectiveness measure (SHAREM),
a bi-lateral exercise with the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) that
involved multiple warships from both countries steaming in close
proximity.
“My job during the exercise was to make sure we
had eyes on all contacts so we could avoid them,” said Ayala. “It
was stressful, but also very exciting. I feel participating in an
actual Navy operation provides hands on training that cannot be
replaced. It was a great experience and I'm looking forward to this
being my career.”
Not only does the midshipmen's time aboard
help them understand the responsibilities of an officer and
acclimate to life aboard a U.S. Navy ship, but it also improves
moral amongst the crew by interjecting a spirit of curiosity and
thirst for knowledge into an otherwise routine day.
“The
midshipmen are very enthusiastic about learning,” said Lt. j.g.
Thomas May, from Las Vegas, Nevada. “It's fulfilling to teach
someone something when they're eager to learn. I feel as though I'm
lending a helping hand in these Sailors pursuit of becoming a
commissioned officer in the United States Navy, and that is a great
feeling.”
For these midshipmen, this isn't just an underway,
but an in-depth look at what they hope to achieve for themselves in
the coming years.
John S. McCain is underway with the GWCSG
in the 7th Fleet area of operations supporting security and
stability in the indo-Asia-Pacific Region.
By U.S. Navy MCS Seaman Alonzo M. Archer
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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