Two people, one ship and generations between them - a grandfather and granddaughter are experiencing a once in a lifetime opportunity aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

"I've been living alone the last few years, and it's nice to be here," said John "Bobby" Jones, one of Truman's Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) instructors. "I've spent time teaching in Saudi Arabia, Laos, and other countries, which meant I was always far from my loved ones. Being here with my granddaughter is refreshing. Having her around is like being close to home."

Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Diamond Pannell said she couldn't believe it when her grandfather called her about the possibility of deploying with her.

"My grandfather has been an instructor since I was born," said Pannell. "In November he told me there was an opening for an NCPACE instructor on the Truman and asked if I would mind if he came. 'Would I mind?' I told him he had to come!"

Pannell was born in Waldorf, Maryland. She joined the Navy in 2013, and this will be her very first deployment.

"It's nice to see family, especially during my first deployment," added Pannell. "When I'm walking through the passageway, seeing him makes my whole day."

Pannell and her grandfather spend their time together playing games like Spades. When not with Jones, Pannell said people often compliment her grandfather's pleasant personality.

"My grandfather is really sweet," Pannell continued. "He cares, he's very charismatic, he's very polite, he loves helping others, and he's very interested in everything that has to do with school. He could get a ketchup bottle and tell you every little fact and figure about ketchup. He's amazing."

Jones was born in Champaign, Illinois, serving in the Air Force as an administrative clerk before becoming a teacher.

He, too, appreciates being around his granddaughter due to her comparable nature.

"She's a joy to be around," Jones said. "She's always pleasant and very, very caring. She's a part of my family and that's very important to me."

Jones became an instructor due to his love of teaching and he has been an educator for over 20 years. Having spent so much time away from home, he believes service members should take advantage of the opportunity provided by deployment to make friendships.

"Being away from home, in a weird way, makes it easier to find companionship," Jones said. "Everyone is away from their loved ones. That is what unites everyone on deployment and makes people more receptive to friendship. You can create your own family."

Jones will be on board Truman teaching math courses for the duration of deployment. When he's not in the classroom Sailors can catch him on the mess decks playing Spades with his granddaughter or making other Sailors smile.

Truman is currently deployed to U.S. 5th and 6th fleet areas of responsibility as a regular ongoing rotation of U.S. maritime forces to promote global security.

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For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/.