What do the flying squad, the anti-terrorism training team, and the First Class Petty Officer's Association aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), all have in common? One independent duty Navy counselor.

Navy Counselor (NC) 1st Class Keri Childs supports the careers of the 420 Sailors assigned to Arlington, as well as owning several collateral duties of which she maintains an active membership.

"In addition to my duties as the independent duty NC, I also assist the chief master-at-arms, and I am part of the anti-terrorism training team and the flying squad," said Childs. "I'm also working towards my anti-terrorism watch officer (ATTWO) qualification and gunnery liaison officer (GLO) qualification in an effort to further enhance the ship's anti-terrorism and force protection watchbills."

Childs' many collateral duties allow her to work closely with the Sailors she advises, and better assist in managing their careers. Despite these extra duties, Childs never stops being an NC.

"She has injected herself into almost every aspect of the ship," said Command Master Chief Brian J. McDonough. "This allows her to interact on a more personal level with the Sailors than she otherwise would by just being the career counselor."

During Childs' time aboard Arlington, she has helped more than 40 undesignated Sailors further their careers through the Professional Apprentice Career Track (PACT) program.

"She helped me immensely," said Ship's Serviceman 3rd Class Kale E. Hart-Craddle, a former undesignated Sailor who Childs helped select a rate. "She helped me understand why picking a rate you love is so important, helped me to strike the ship's serviceman rating, and advance to third class petty officer."

Childs says she balances all of these different jobs through 'strategic prioritization'.

"I'll go to Sailors wherever I can, find them, and I'll go to their spaces to accommodate them," she said. "They don't necessarily have to come to my office to get assistance. My job is to help them manage their careers successfully, and I try to do whatever I can to help them achieve their goals."

McDonough stresses that Childs' dedication to her shipmates not only sets her apart, but also motivates those around her to succeed.

"She performs above and beyond her job title, and she has not only opened herself up for greater opportunities, but she's also shown the Sailors aboard the ship that if they do the same, they will be offered the same opportunities," said McDonough.

"The Navy gives us all opportunities," he continued. "Those that strive to do their best get keys that unlock doors of opportunity. The more keys you possess, the more doors you can unlock. Childs' performance aboard Arlington has provided her with a full key ring that will open many doors of opportunity for herself, while she continues to lead Sailors through those same doors."

Arlington is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

For more news from USS Arlington (LPD 24), visit their website.