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GW Augmented by Reservists

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060316-12
Release Date: 3/16/2006 5:10:00 PM

By Chief Journalist (SW/AW/IUSS) Henry W. Rice, USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) was augmented with 35 drilling Reservists from an aircraft carrier augment unit during the ship’s underway period Feb. 28 – March 17.

During their time aboard, the Reservists received shipboard experience and in-rate training to help prepare them should they ever be called upon in a real-world situation.

According to Lt. Cmdr. William Reilly, the officer in charge of the augment unit, the mission of the Navy Reserve is to be mobilization-ready and fully integrated with their active-duty gaining command.

“Ideally, if there would be a need for an East Coast carrier to be augmented with personnel, our Reserve units would be able to fill that need on very short notice, and the personnel would need very little training in order to become a fully functioning asset to the department they are assigned,” he said. “Coming out to GW helps us demonstrate and achieve that capability.”

The 35 Reservists aboard GW come from Navy Reserve Centers (NRC) Memphis and Columbus, and they spend their drill weekends training and preparing for augmentation. Training courses online, lectures from experienced Sailors in the unit, and practical knowledge gained using shipboard damage control equipment all help, but Reilly said coming to the carrier is invaluable.

“Back at the Reserve center, we have in-rate manuals and other resources to study,” he said, “but being able to work in the shipboard environment will help with readiness and will help the Sailors when they take their advancement exams.”

Before leaving the reserve center, the Sailors received training in general military topics like anti-terrorism and human rights. They also learned about Navy protocol and traditions, like crossing the quarterdeck.

To help prepare them for the transition from land to shipboard living, the Reservists were given a handout with “dos and don’ts” and items to bring aboard the ship. Air Traffic Controller Airman Britney Peck, who had never been underway before, said she received a lot of knowledge from her shipmates.

“We did receive a lot of training using Navy Knowledge Online,” said Peck, a former airman in the Air Force. “Also, experienced Sailors at the Reserve center talked with us and shared their wisdom about life at sea.”

Once the Reservists were aboard GW, the ship put them through their paces and incorporated them with the ship’s crew. GW is underway conducting carrier qualifications and shipboard training to prepare for an upcoming Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA), an assessment of the ship’s training by the Afloat Training Group (ATG).

“We only get a chance to come out to sea once a year, and there are challenges with integrating with the crew,” said Reilly. “During this trip, we were actively engaged from the very beginning, and that has made us feel welcome.”

Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jonathan Haycraft, a Reservist from NRC Memphis, said he hit the deck running in his division. Since reporting to Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) Shop 9, he has been working on a variety of projects.

“I have been very busy during this underway,” said Haycraft. “From helping with streamlining processes to troubleshooting aircraft radio equipment and helping with the tool control program, I have been working very hard.”

The GW AIMD personnel didn’t treat him any differently because he was a Reservist, he said.

“There has been no segregation between Reservists and active-duty," he said. "It has been a very good and educational experience.”

Working underway also allows the Reservists to earn qualifications they can’t earn at the reserve centers. Peck has been working in the Carrier Air Traffic Control Center and has earned four qualifications in her rate.

“The training has been great,” Peck said. “All of the qualifications I receive will help me get FAA certified.”

Peck also has ambitions to get some more underway time on GW so she can gain more qualifications and more experience as a Sailor. She has applied to serve on active duty for six months through an Active Duty for Special Work request. She is also considering becoming active-duty full time through an enlistment. According to Reilly, she is not alone.

“This experience aboard GW has these guys fired up about the Navy,” he said. “A few of them are expressing an interested in active duty.”

“Coming underway allowed us to experience the Navy firsthand,” Peck agreed. “We saw what the operations are like and we are more prepared in case we are ever called up for active duty.”

The experiences and knowledge gained will be brought back to the reserve centers to be shared with the Reservists who have not had the opportunity to get underway on a carrier. But the Reservists’ trip will have a much farther reaching effect than just the reserve centers, according to Reilly.

“The Sailors in this group are active in their communities as youth league coaches and in civic organizations,” Reilly said. “When we get back to Midwest America, we will be able to tell the GW and Navy story to people who have very little, if any, exposure to the Navy, and that can be good for recruiting.”