Guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) welcomed aboard 13 midshipmen, including three Canadian naval cadets, as part of the Midshipman Summer Program, while underway for Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) as part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG).

The program is an opportunity for ROTC college students to experience the operational Navy and Marine Corps while training to become commissioned officers after graduation.

"It really great to see how the United States Navy operates," said Severn R.S. Mozer, a Canadian midshipman aboard Sampson. "With this being my first underway, I now have a better understanding about what it takes to make a ship function."

During a midshipman summer cruise, each cadet receives knowledge of life at sea aboard a U.S. Navy vessel, and hands-on training in the areas of ship handling, watchstanding, navigation, leadership and basic seamanship in both classroom and operational environments.

"My favorite part was conning the ship during a replenishment-at-sea," said Nicolas J.L.P. Decshenes, another Canadian midshipman aboard Sampson. "Being able to help direct ship's movement was pretty cool."

The midshipmen also seemed intrigued by both the similarities and how strategically different the Canadian and United States navies are.

"It's great to see how each country's navy operates differently," said Decshenes. "Being that we work with the United States and often have U.S. ships in our ports, we now have a better understanding of their perspective when it comes to their operations."

Sampson also gave the midshipmen a few lessons in leadership which they plan to utilize in their future officer roles.

"In Canada, there's a big professional gap between the enlisted and the officer where each group has their own tasks when completing the mission," said Decshenes. "[Whereas] on USS Sampson, it was fun to see all ranks that still have their own roles, but the officers here still find time to help their Sailors with their tasks if needed. The openness is something that we're taking back with us to our fleet."

"Something that stuck out to me is that the United States is more about leading by example," said Mozer. "Not only have I seen officers in cleaning stations with their enlisted Sailors, but I've witnessed them helping move ammo while also observing, directing, [and] being there throughout the whole process. Here, the officers are leading in the front, not the back. I really admire that in a leader."

Sampson is currently underway off the coast of southern California. The midshipmen will depart the ship next week and graduate next year.

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is conducting its final pre-deployment evaluation to ensure safe and effective coordination within the strike group to achieve mission readiness and the ability to effectively execute the Navy's maritime strategy. Following the successful completion of COMPTUEX, the TRCSG will conduct worldwide operations in its upcoming deployment.

TRCSG is comprised of Carrier Strike Group 9 staff, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23 staff, aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, and the DESRON 23 ships USS Halsey (DDG 97), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Preble (DDG 88) and Sampson, as well as guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52).

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For more news from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), visit http://www.navy.mil/.