36 Hours Aboard the USS Ronald Reagan

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PART III

Like many Americans, I never fully realized, or appreciated, the level of professionalism and commitment of our Navy service men and women.  The Navy is an all volunteer organization.  Position is determined by one's achievements.  To be career Navy, one must continually advance in rank and in skills.  Tours of duty end and cannot be continued unless one does advance, else you retire.  Contrast this with some in our government whom often stay at a single level, surrounding themselves with incompetence to protect their "careers".  

There is no resting on one's laurels onboard ship.  Training, advancement and achievement is an ongoing process.  I never knew this and I can tell you that I am in awe of these fine people who serve our country, most dedicating themselves to levels of work and study that, frankly, many people could not endure.  Contrast this to the hollywood celebrity worship and a pejoritive media and one can only conclude that many of us are not worthy of the sacrifices these young men and women are making on our behalf.  Yet that is the America these Americans are defending.  My voyage may have ended, but my support of their service has found new strength.

--k6sgh

A few faces of the crew:

Lookout on the starboard side at dusk.

Navigator on the bridge.

Photographers documenting the ordinance transfer.

Safety lookout at her post observing one set of cables used in the ordinance transfer.

A second lookout on the starboard weather bridge.

Calm seas at sunset.