Through Navy Recruiting Command's Educators to Sea program, Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Hughes, commander, NRC, and 14 corporate and educational leaders were given the chance to embark on aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) off the coast of San Diego July 11-12.

Whether it is the smell of fresh air rising from the ocean, the roar of a F/A-18C Hornet as it takes off in the middle of the night, or the sight of the sun as it peeks over the bow of the ship at sunset, there are some experiences that are normally reserved for those who join the exclusive club known as the United States Navy.

While typically set aside for officers and Sailors, a few distinguished guests were given the chance to experience the sights and sounds of Navy life as part of NRC's ETS DV program.

Participants in the ETS program are selected from a group of state and local Department of Education superintendents, executive program directors, religious leaders, counselors, coaches and professors.

The overall goal of the embark is to educate the public on the Navy's global mission and serve as an important tool for Navy recruiting.

"This embark has been a fantastic opportunity to highlight what the Navy is about," said Hughes. "The leaders and educators were given a firsthand look at all the opportunities the Navy can offer for young men and women. The Educators to Sea program is a very powerful tool to show these educators what it means to be part of the world's greatest Navy. I have no doubt that they will take what they have seen here and impress it upon their colleagues, friends and students."

During the embark, the DVs met with the ship's leaders, interacted with the Sailors and Marines aboard, toured the ship, and observed a full range of naval surface and aviation operations.

"I gained tremendous admiration from the leadership and teamwork that I've observed and gratitude for the Sailors of this great Navy," said Tina Hagedorn, president of Hagedorn & Associates, and chairwoman for the National Association of Women MBAs.

The embark provided a chance for the educators to see young men and women, similar in age to their students, working as a team responsible for launching and recovering multi-million dollar aircraft and operating complex combat systems.

"This is an excellent opportunity to share what the sons and daughters of America do day-in and day-out, and a chance for distinguished visitors to see what they do," said Lt. Cmdr. David Bennett, public affairs officer for Carl Vinson.

Carl Vinson is currently conducting carrier landing qualification in preparation for an upcoming deployment. The Carl Vinson Strike Group is scheduled to deploy on a Western Pacific deployment in 2017.

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