Sea Cadets Experience Life at Sea Aboard Bonhomme Richard

[SlightlyCatholic]

Story Number: NNS081010-08
Release Date: 10/10/2008 6:38:00 AM


By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tiffany Sivels, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) welcomed members of Pacific Region 12 United States Sea Cadet Corps Unit, Oct. 5 and offered insight into Navy life at sea.

The cadets are aboard Bonhomme Richard for hands-on training and to experience life aboard a U.S. naval vessel.

"We want to [get exposed] to Navy life and talk to the professionals who do it every day," said Sea Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Dave Burden, Pacific Region 12 senior director. "Being aboard Bonhomme Richard gives the cadets a chance to experience life on a naval vessel and at the same time the opportunity to ask questions about the Navy.

"Our mission as volunteers with this organization is to give each cadet as much knowledge about what they can do with their lives," said Burden, "ultimately helping them in the future."

The cadets began with a meet-and-greet with Bonhomme Richard's commanding officer (CO), the command master chief, and Sailors from various departments.

"Meeting the CO was...inspirational," said Sea Cadet Petty Officer 2nd Class Adrian Diaz, a native to Sunnyvale, Calif. "He cares about his Sailors a lot."

While aboard, cadets toured engineering, operations, supply, and weapons spaces and also participated in a damage control demonstration.

"I really like the damage control equipment and knowing the importance of it," said Sea Cadet Petty Officer 1st Class Renee Jaquith, a native of Richmond, Calif. "It's interesting to know that the safety of the crew and ship highly depends on not only the Sailors but the equipment as well."

Cadets also participated in a line-handling evolution during an underway replenishment.

"I feel very fortunate to have the chance to actually perform a real-life duty of a boatswain's mate," said Diaz. "This experience gave me further insight into deck seamanship."

Bonhomme Richard Sailors met with the Sea Cadets to share their experiences.

"There is a huge difference from what you read about in the newspaper or what you see on the television about life on a Navy ship," said Ship's Serviceman 1st Class (SW/AW) Reynaldo Osteria. "You really have to experience things yourself and come to your own conclusion.

"I just wanted to express to the cadets my experiences in the Navy and to be an optimistic role model and represent each Sailor in a positive way."

"From just talking to the crew you get a different insight into the Navy than you would get from talking to a recruiter," said Jaquith. "This experience will definitely play a role in helping me to decide what field I want to get into in the future. The experience, so far, has been great."

Bonhomme Richard is en route to San Francisco to take part in the city's 27th annual Fleet Week Oct 11-14.

For more news from USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd6/.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=40238