Each summer, ships throughout the Navy host midshipmen from both the United States Naval Academy and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) units across the country. This critical three-month period is a win-win for both the midshipmen and the Navy -- the Navy is able to get a first look our nation's future leaders, and the midshipmen gain information and experience to assist them in making educated decisions about their service assignment preferences.

This summer, the crew of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) hosted more than 150 midshipmen. Thirty of these midshipmen spent two weeks in port and two weeks underway, living side-by-side with enlisted Sailors and junior officers aboard the San Diego-based vessel.

The Navy refers to this monthlong practicum as a "cruise", but it is far from your typical shipboard excursion. Additionally, not all midshipmen carry the same role. Third class and second class midshipmen shadow enlisted Sailors on their cruise, which gives them an idea of the daily lives of those they will soon lead. In contrast, first class midshipmen shadow junior officers. With service selection and commissioning steadily approaching, this experience provides crucial exposure for the senior midshipmen.

When not observing the regular routines of their respective running mates, midshipmen aboard Makin Island participated in several special evolutions. These events showcased the unique capabilities of an amphibious platform, exposing the young officers-to-be to the "Gator Navy."

The MV-22 Osprey, a tilt rotor aircraft with vertical launch capability, gave the midshipmen a ride off the coast of Southern California. Later in the week, the midshipmen toured the well deck and received rides on landing craft air cushion (LCAC) hovercrafts.

Midshipman 3rd Class Kevin Urness, an ocean engineering major from New Providence, New Jersey, attends the United States Naval Academy and was excited about the LCAC ride.

"We've done a lot of reading on LCACs, but I never thought I would have the opportunity to ride one," said Urness.

Between shadowing the busy lives of officers and Sailors and participating in the numerous special evolutions, how did the midshipmen think their summer cruise measured up?

Midshipman 1st Class Sarah English, from Anaheim, California, a politics major at the University of Southern California said she felt the cruise solidified her decision to select the surface warfare community.

"I already thought I wanted to service select SWO, but my first class cruise helped confirm my decision," said English.

She also discussed the most beneficial part of her cruise.

"I was able to see how my day as a junior officer will look," she said. "I was not sure what to expect when I report to my first ship next year, but shadowing a running mate who just went through the same experience helped ease my nerves, and give me accurate expectations."

Midshipman 3rd Class Merritt Moore, a mechanical engineering major from Memphis, Tennessee, attends the United States Naval Academy and shadowed an enlisted Sailor.

"It will help me become a better officer, because I get to see how their daily routine works," said Moore.

With three years of college remaining, Moore said she hopes to gain more insight from similar cruises before making her service selection decision, but that her time aboard Makin Island was "invaluable exposure to the fleet."

While these prospective officers did not have the "typical" college summer job, they definitely received a crash course in career development that any college student would envy. The Navy can't wait to see them return to the fleet as the next generation of leaders!

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For more news from USS Makin Island (LHD 8), visit www.navy.mil/.