Nineteen midshipmen joined the crew of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to gain valuable instructional fleet experience not attainable in classroom environments, May 30.
These midshipmen are assigned to George Washington for approximately two weeks to further their professional development, reinforce academic programs, instill a sense of pride, and identify with the Navy and pique their interest in fleet operations.
Each midshipman was assigned a junior officer or petty officer as a running mate to facilitate training. Running mates show midshipmen their respective jobs and potential career steps as well as teach shipboard environment.
These potential officers are about 21 years old, and several of them have little practical shipboard experience or knowledge. Being on a ship offers them a unique insight into their professional development.
George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, are on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
The vessel will conduct a hull-swap with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) later this year after serving seven years as the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan.
Image: US Navy