USS Mobile Bay Auctions Sailors for NMCRS

USS MOBILE BAY, At Sea (NNS) -- Chief petty officers and junior officers aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) volunteered to be auctioned off for four hours of work, with all proceeds going to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS).

The bidding for Ensign Miguel Noyola started off at $20 with a call from Seaman Recruit Kyle Newman. Other Sailors on the forecastle of Mobile Bay shouted their bids, but when the auctioneer yelled "sold," Newman had the winning $100 bid for a four-hour block of Noyola's time.

This auction was a part of Mobile Bay's continuing effort to raise money for the NMCRS.

"It's a good feeling," said Noyola. "It's just a chance to give back and it's for a good cause."

"Our goal was to meet last years funds which was $10,000 and we're already right at $30,000," said Chief Hospital Corpsman Brian Strahl. "We've already tripled our goal."

Mobile Bay also raised money by selling head of the line passes for $40 and permission to wear non-uniform hats for $25.

Strahl said the success of the fundraising effort is attributed to this crew.

"Most of the people out here just want to give back to the Sailors in need," said Strahl.

Even with the smallest military paycheck of an E-1 Sailor, Newman did not hesitate when bidding on this auction.

"My parents raised me to be big on charity," said Newman who had done numerous volunteer activities with his family and youth group before joining the Navy.

"It shows a lot of what they think of the junior officers," said Noyola. "Sure their buying us to do labor work, but it's all fun and games."

Newman said he didn't really have anything planned for Noyola, but after some suggestions from other Sailors he came up with what he feels to be a suitable task for this junior officer.

"He's gonna be painting the side of the ship when we get to our next port," said Newman right before placing another winning bid of $100 on Ensign Alexander Roman.

"I got the set!" Newman yelled.

The auction raised a total of $4,300 for NMCRS bringing Mobile Bay's total donations to more than $34,000 for the current year.

NMCRS is a non-profit charitable organization sponsored by the Department of the Navy (DON) to provide financial, educational and other services to eligible DON service members and their family.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy .

For more news from USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn74/.