The Navy's most senior limited duty officer (LDO) visited aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) Jan. 18 to speak with Sailors and receive a tour of the ship.

Capt. Daniel Henderson holds the title 'Silver Eagle' as the most senior LDO in the fleet. He assumed the role in 2013 after Capt. Richard Verbeke retired. Henderson enlisted in the Navy in 1979 and later commissioned as an ensign under the LDO program.

"It was really great having him with us," said Cmdr. Don Wilson, the ship's combat systems officer. "Not many of us can say we met the Silver Eagle, let alone have him share some of his experiences."

After lunch with officers in the wardroom, Henderson gave a brief talk on topics such as evolution of a LDO officer, and education and planning for the future.

"Sailors are taught to collaborate as a team," said Wilson. "If you have a small command, it's easy for all ranks to collaborate together and find their resources. However, as you move up and become part of a larger team it can be hard to find the right resources. We are really lucky that Captain Henderson came to share some of his knowledge with us."

LDOs are technical managers commissioned as line or staff corps officers who have technical proficiency in a certain skill or expertise. Sailors are not required to obtain a bachelor's degree and can earn a commission through the LDO program.

"We usually identify ourselves based on how we came up the ranks and how we have worked hard to accomplish the challenges we face," said Henderson. "We act as if this is never going to end. When I talk to Sailors, I always ask them what their endgame is. Who will they be when they put down the uniform? They need to constantly be focusing on not only their careers, but also their health, state of mind, and taking care of their loved ones."

Henderson also reminded Sailors of some of the more important things which are often neglected.

"One of the biggest things I got from him was that we should not put our family on the sidelines as much as we tend to do," said Ensign Paul Thompson III, a divisional officer in combat systems department. "It's a sacrifice on both ends, but we should to be there for each other whenever we can."

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