The group of first and third class Midshipmen arrived June 19 and spent their tour on Normandy observing and participating in a number of shipboard activities, including bridge watch standing, navigation, gunnery exercises and even some painting.

In opportunities off the Normandy, the Midshipmen visited Seal Team 2, watched maneuvers from a tug, toured USS Mesa Verde (LPD 18) and saw flight operations at Naval Station Oceana.

The Midshipmen had the opportunity to meet the Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) Company stationed at Weapons Station Yorktown. They participated in a combat fitness test, ran the endurance course, toured an armored humvee and had numerous classroom lectures. The lectures included intro to ground fighting martial arts, designated marksman, small arms⁄crew served weapons, and what a FAST company is and what it can provide as an asset to other forces.

“The summer cruise overall was a great opportunity to once again see how the Fleet at large runs. The Sailors definitely work pretty hard,“ said Midn. 1⁄C Mariel Pletcher, who had spent time on the USS Benfold (DDG 65) out of San Diego during her third class cruise. “It was good to see the life that may be ahead for me,“ she added, noting that her path as a nuclear surface warfare officer will take her on at least one traditional surface warfare officer tour.

In addition to the events being unique and interesting, most Midshipmen felt that the time with the enlisted and officers made the experience memorable.

“The crew was really cool,“ said Midn. 3⁄C Logan C. Dodds. “Kind of like a big family here. I think the relationships you build here are what make the demands of the job worth it.“

Sonar Technician 1st Class (SW) Timothy Sayles, who was Dodds' running mate, enjoyed showing Dodds and others the insights of enlisted life.

“I just tried to capture for them a day in the life, to give them a better understanding of what we go through,“ said Sayles. “They were really open to learning and seeing what we do.“

While a lot of training went on, the Midshipmen also had time for some play. They attended an official wardroom Hail and Farewell while also getting a chance to go to a Norfolk Tides game and Busch Gardens.

Normandy's Midshipman training officer, Lt. j.g. Steve Rockwell, said he sought to make the experience not only one that they could learn from but also enjoy.

“As the Midshipman training officer, my primary goal was to provide the most realistic surface warfare training experience possible. The Midshipmen had a great attitude and really took advantage of every opportunity that Normandy provided.“

Normandy will host another group of Midshipmen for the duration of July and into August, while also preparing for the material and readiness in-spection to be held in the middle of August.