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Getting Comfortable on Comfort

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030319-01
Release Date: 3/19/2003 8:22:00 AM

By Journalist Seaman Erica Mater, USNS Comfort Public Affairs

ABOARD USNS COMFORT, At sea (NNS) -- Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) has added approximately 800 Sailors to the crew who have been on the ship since its departure from Baltimore in January, bringing Comfort to its full operating status. The ship is now able to care for 1,000 patients at a time.

The process spanned three days with a total of six groups making the trip from the states to Bahrain. The first of six groups made it to the ship March 7. The last group came aboard March 10.

Although each trip took about 24 hours and spanned eight time zones, most of the Sailors had already adjusted to the time change. However, newer Sailors also have to adjust to shipboard life.

"This is my first time to ever be on a ship, but so far, I like being out here and being able to get to do my job," said Hospital Corpsmen (HN) Sarah Wilson who is working in the medical ward.

Hospital Corpsman Shawn Pattisonball has been in the Navy for eight months and agrees with Wilson. "I am working nights, so the time change actually helped me. I have also adjusted quickly to the different living conditions, and I don't mind being out here."

The new crew included several rates from hospital corpsman to mess specialist to ship serviceman. For some of these rates, being out on the ship is sometimes the only way they can get proper job training. "As a ship serviceman, being on a ship is where we do our job most effectively," said Ship Serviceman Shakieta Wadsworth, who works in ship's laundry. "On the ship, I can train in my job to help me advance, and I am really excited about that."

Exciting or not, finding your way around the ship can be a frustrating experience. "There are a lot of spaces, and it is easy to get lost, but I just walk around, and eventually, I will get to where I need to be," said Wadsworth. "But don't worry! I am slowly getting the hang of it."

Even though most of Comfort's crew comes from the National Naval Medical Center, there is still a wide range of diversity among the crew. Wadsworth says she enjoys the fact there is a lot of diversity. She says it helps build teamwork and helps her learn about fellow shipmates.

Although a good portion of the augment crew is new to Comfort and the Navy, there are still some crew members who have been on the ship a number of times.

Hospital Corpsman Heather Normand has been on Comfort many times, including dock trials and last summer's Baltic Challenge. She says you can definitely tell there are new people aboard. "They just have that deer in the headlights look."

Normand offered some advice for the new Sailors onboard. "Make the best of the time you have out here. There are a lot of opportunities for people to volunteer and become a better Sailor. I believe some Sailors will go back to Bethesda a better Sailor than they were before they came to the ship."