George Washington Welcomes Midshipmen For Their Summer Cruise

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) welcomed 16 midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy and various Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) units as part of their summer cruise program, June 1.

According to the Midshipmen Summer Training Handbook, the objective of summer training is to further the professional development of midshipmen by introducing them to the operational Navy and Marine Corps, reinforcing their academic year programs, instilling a sense of pride in their identification with the Navy and Marine Corps, and inclining them toward careers in the naval service.

"The significance of summer training for midshipmen is to be immersed in, and to experience different aspects of the Navy and Marine Corps via ships, submarines, aircraft squadrons or Marine Corps programs," said Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Callan, George Washington's training officer. "In this case, midshipmen get the opportunity to see how an aircraft carrier, air wing, and embarked staffs operate together. Midshipmen will also experience flight operations, General Quarters drills, small boat operations, and live and participate in the daily life of Sailors aboard a carrier."

Each Midshipman is assigned a junior officer or an experienced second or third-class petty officer as a running mate to provide guidance and hands-on training during their three-week cruise.

"All of the midshipmen will use this experience to make their final decisions about their ultimate designators in the Navy," said Lt. j.g. Thereasa Black, George Washington's assistant midshipmen training officer. "Our responsibility is to make sure that they gain the greatest amount of exposure to everything that the Navy has to offer. It's like a Navy Draft and every designator has an opportunity to recruit the best and brightest midshipman."

First Class Midshipmen embark fleet units to gain functional training in the duties and responsibilities of a junior officer.

"During the school year, my [NROTC] unit meets three days a week for physical training and Drill," said Midshipman First Class Alex Kennedy, from San Diego State University NROTC. "Drill covers various military topics, but being aboard George Washington provides me the opportunity to attain hands-on skills by closely observing and participating in day-to-day operations."

Second Class Midshipmen embark fleet units to experience life aboard a Navy ship, as it is often their first exposure to the operational Navy.

"I've always wanted to see an aircraft carrier, and being able to walk the decks and meet Sailors has truly been an awesome experience," said Midshipman Second Class Richard Summer, from University of Wisconsin NROTC. "I went to [Combat Directions Center] today and spoke with some operations specialists and learned about their workstations."

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/.