For many Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), being sent to a temporary assigned duty (TAD) is just part of the cycle of life in the Navy. Regardless if a Sailor has a rate or not, almost every person will, at some point in their career, experience a TAD of some sort.

For Air Traffic Controller Airman Brian Springer, this transition in his career began several months ago, and he has since adjusted to the new lifestyle.

Springer joined the Navy on April 1, 2015, not really knowing what he wanted to do after graduating high school. The Navy offered him the chance to have a guaranteed job right out of school and ensured even if he didn't stay in the Navy, that he would have his college paid for after his contract was finished.

"I didn't want to go to college right away because I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do," said Springer. "I figured the Navy would be a safe bet. While I am in the Navy I can figure out what I want to do with my life, rather than wasting money in college. And once I figure out what I want I can go to college after this."

His whole life, Springer always held a fond appreciation for aviation. Going into the military, he knew he wanted to work with aircraft in some way or another, and jumped at the opportunity to pick the air traffic controller (AC) rate when it was offered to him.

"I love my rate," said Springer. "It's easily the best rate in the Navy, in my opinion. I enjoy doing my job. I think it is really cool being able to talk to pilots and control when and where they need to go. There is something really special about being able to guide a pilot down on their final approach and watching them catch the trap safely."

A few months after reporting to George Washington, Springer was sent TAD to security to fulfill his department's requirements.

"Being sent to security isn't that bad," said Springer. "My favorite thing about this division is the 3-2-2-3 schedule."

The schedule for security has their division working three days on-shift, two days off work, two days on-shift and the following three days off. This allows Sailors in security to have 15 days out of every month off of work.

"While some days it's a bummer because we work three really long days in a row, we also get three day breaks pretty often, which is awesome. The hours are long, but we have a set schedule which makes the whole situation worth it."

Every naval base has security check points at the entrance(s) of the command, but that doesn't mean that every ship docked at the piers won't have their own security forces as well.

"When people come on base, they can bring civilians, friends and family with them," said Master-At-Arms 2nd Class Joshua Colbert. "While these people get on base, if the person they came with becomes busy, they can separate. We have security at the pier to ensure that the right people are allowed access to the pier and the ship."

Manning the pier and command with security requires a manpower that the fleet cannot provide to every ship, so the security division pulls from other departments to meet their requirements.

"People sent TAD to security are 100 percent the backbone of the security force," said Colbert. "If it wasn't for the people sent TAD to our department, and if they weren't doing their jobs correctly, our department would fall apart."

While transitioning from their parent division to security, Sailors go through Security Reaction Force Basic to learn the fundamentals of security, from tactical operations and applying handcuffs to dispatch and radio operations. After completing their training, Sailors then return to the command to receive hands-on training.

"We are the last line of defense," said Springer. "Even though the base has a security check point, there is always the possibility that someone who shouldn't [get through], can get through. That is why we have security on the pier and at the entrance of the ship. Making sure that everyone is safe is our primary concern."

While TAD to security, Springer has been ahead of his qualifications, setting an example of how Sailors should approach a TAD situation.

"My biggest piece of advice for someone coming TAD to security is to make sure you get your qualifications done early; mainly your patrolman qualification. That is the big one that security wants you to have. If you can get that qualification relatively fast, you'll be setting yourself up for success."

There are multiple departments a Sailor may get sent to for TAD. Every department offers a multitude of opportunities for Sailors to grow professionally while away from their parent division, while giving a new perspective on how other divisions operate day-to-day.

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