Sailors from Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) shared their experiences and insights about the Navy with South Kitsap High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets in Port Orchard, Wash., March 4.

Two enlisted Sailors and an officer spoke to more than 70 cadets as part of a community outreach opportunity aimed to integrate Vinson crew members into the local community. In January, Carl Vinson changed its homeport from San Diego to Bremerton to undergo scheduled maintenance.

Yeoman 3rd Class Alyssa Smith, 19, spoke to the students and offered her unique perspective. Smith, a San Diego native, was a cadet only two years ago and said she can still see herself from a cadet’s point of view.

“I find it very rewarding to talk to these students. I’ve only been out of high school for two years and I feel that I can relate to them,” said Smith. “It’s great being able to answer their questions and have correct information since I’m still a teenager myself.”  

Students asked Smith about Carl Vinson’s past deployments and exercises.

In 2018, USS Carl Vinson completed a three-month deployment to the Western Pacific that included a visit to Vietnam, the first visit by a U.S. carrier in more than 40 years. The ship also participated in Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2018 with more than 50 surface ships and submarines from 26 nations.

Smith said she enjoyed spending time with the students and showing the Navy cares about the local community.

“It’s great to be able to share positive experiences I’ve had in the Navy and give back,” said Smith. “Not everyone is in the same position as us and people do look up to us.”

Carl Vinson is America’s third Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. The ship’s namesake is one of the longest-serving U.S. congressmen in history who had a profound impact on developing America’s modern naval force centered on aircraft carriers.

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