Four full-time support Sailors (FTS) embarked aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) for a 10-day underway, Aug. 20-31, to assist with the ship's Supply Management Assessment (SMA).

Logistics Specialist 2nd Class M. Santiago Vargas Jimenez and Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Will Walsh, assigned to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas, worked with Truman's S-8 (Material) division. Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Stephen St. Luce and Logistics Specialist Seaman Apprentice Zach Boseker, assigned to Aviation Support Detachment, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey worked with Truman's S-6 (Aviation Supply) division.

"We got four full-time support Sailors who were activated from the Reserves to join us for this underway," said Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Frank Cepeda. "These Sailors are helping Truman with SMA to ensure the ship runs according to instructions. This opportunity is a new initiative geared to provide FTS Sailors a chance to experience life in the fleet out at sea for the first time."

Bosecker explained how he typically worked logistics alongside civilian employees. Being underway with Truman was an opportunity for him to receive hands-on training while also allowing him to use his skills with other Sailors.

"Sea duty isn't common for us," said Bosecker. "Working with S-6, which deals with repairables, we issued parts, verified returns, inventoried and helped organized certain spaces."

Cepeda explained how FTS Sailors work for the U.S. Navy Reserves on a full-time basis, working 40-hour work weeks opposed to other reservist who report for weekend drills twice a month. As Sailors assigned to shore duty, it is rare for them to experience life aboard a ship, especially an aircraft carrier.

"Seeing all the different Sailors, rates and trainings on the ship has proven to be a huge learning experience for me," said St. Luce. "The lifestyle of the ship is an eye-opening experience. Being in S-8, I observed other responsibilities of culinary specialists that I didn't know. For example, some folks think that [culinary specialists] just cook. However, they don't see how after they cook, they clean thoroughly, and how they go to great lengths to transport huge boxes of food up and down seven decks."

Vargas Jimenez mentioned how a full-time support Sailor does not receive as much in-rate training as their active-duty counterparts. Although the advancement rate for an FTS Sailor is higher than that of active-duty Sailor, the advancement test is based on the daily tasks and responsibilities of an active-duty Sailor.

"My [Assistant Supply Officer] informed me that leadership was some sending junior enlisted Sailors to serve on ships to gain in-rate training and experience being at sea," said Vargas Jimenez. "The opportunity came and I took it."

Vargas Jimenez said the experiment was definitely a success, encouraging other FTS Sailors not to miss an opportunity to go underway.

"Definitely come out and get this experience," said Vargas Jimenez. "I'm going to try and get a deployment so I can get my pins. But more importantly, come out and get out of your comfort zone, you can learn a lot."

Truman has successfully completed Flight Deck Certifications and is underway preparing for Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP).

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