Educators Get Up Close Look at U.S. Navy

Published July 24, 2015

A group of educators from Middle Tennessee witnessed first-hand the power and might of the United State Navy.

In June, a group of 15 people including WCS School Board member Mark Gregory traveled to the world’s largest naval station in Norfolk, Virginia. From there, they boarded a Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) plane which flew them to the USS Harry S. Truman Aircraft Carrier off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida.

It was all part of the Navy’s Distinguished Visitors program which gives citizens a rare glimpse at life aboard an aircraft carrier. Over the course of a day or two, the guests get to interact with sailors, tour the ship and observe a full spectrum of operations.

“When we got to the aircraft carrier we executed a ‘tailhook’ landing,” said Gregory. “That means we went from 130 miles per hour to zero in less than three seconds.”

Rear Admiral Bret Batchelder, Commander of Carrier Strike Group Eight, welcomed the group to the aircraft carrier, which can house approximately 5,000 sailors and 90 aircraft.

Commissioned in 1998, the USS Truman is one of 10 nuclear powered carrier groups active in the Navy. The average age of the sailors aboard is 26.

Gregory and his group were given a tour of the aircraft carrier which included everything from the aircraft garage to the flight deck. They also visited a room dedicated to the ship’s namesake which included the original note President Truman wrote giving the order to drop the first atomic bomb.

More than anything, Gregory says the opportunity to witness the pride and professionalism of the young men and women who serve our country at sea is an experience he will never forget.

“The two things I’ll take away from this are the absolute awesomeness of a Carrier Strike Force and the amazing representation of American goodness from the sailors on board.”