Chief petty officer (CPO) selectees competed in a Damage Control (DC) Challenge on the Pearl Harbor waterfront Aug. 20, sponsored by the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) Chief Petty Officers Association.

The competition gave CPO selects from local commands a chance to train and test their knowledge and practical skills in a friendly competition.

"This event was set up for the newly selected chief petty officers to inspire teamwork through casualty procedures and make sure everyone is working together properly," said Chief Machinist's Mate Corey Murphy of the Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777).

Murphy, a native of Buffalo, New York, judged the teams participating in pipe patching drills. Much of the focus was on safety procedures, proficiency with different types of pipe patching equipment and most importantly the ability to communicate as a team, according to Murphy.

"They need to be able to work as a team, Murphy said. "If they can't work as a team, there is no task they can complete effectively."

Competition involved events such as Emergency Medical Assist Teams, safety and rescue-carrying a 175-pound training mannequin, pipe-patching of ruptured pipes with pressurized water spraying out, setting up and running an electrical submersible pump for dewatering, and numerous other firefighting simulations with real equipment.

"This is about teamwork," said Chief-select Electrician's Mate Greg Rosenthal, a native of Tiverton, Rhode Island, stationed aboard the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Olympia (SSN 717). "We all have different levels of experience and different backgrounds," he said. "We all have to come together and share our experiences and come out on top."

Sailors were outfitted with firefighting gear and donned Scott air bottles in the 90-degree heat to complete more than half of the challenges.

"My favorite part is getting sprayed with the hose because it's really hot out," said Chief-select Culinary Specialist Joe Nicholson, of Palm Bay, Florida, who serves on the COMSUBPAC staff. "I would rather do chief induction season in the winter."

Despite the high temperatures, the DC Challenge provided Sailors with valuable training designed to enhance their skills and abilities in performing their missions at sea and ashore.


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