News Article Release

USS Fort McHenry Embarks Naval Academy Midshipmen

June 4, 2012

Ensign Laura Price, USS Fort McHenry

A group of 55 midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy and various NROTC programs got underway with the crew of USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) May 30-June 1 as part of a summer training program.

While some members of the group were participating in Atlantic Training for Midshipmen (LANTRAMID), others embarked in support of the Professional Training of Midshipmen (PROTRAMID) program, training all midshipmen go through with the primary goal being to get a taste of various naval communities prior to selecting their designator. The midshipmen spend a week each with surface, aviation, submarine and Marine units.

Every midshipman was assigned a member of the ship’s crew as a “running mate,” for the duration of their stay onboard. While the third class midshipmen were assigned to enlisted sailors, the first class midshipmen spent their time with junior officers. The midshipmen were expected to do everything their running mate did, whether it was stand watch, sweep passageways or route paperwork.

“It gives you a perspective from the enlisted sailors about what leadership styles they respond to best,” said Naval Academy 3rd Class Midshipman Evan Nicholl stated. “It really helps you figure out what kind of leader you want to be and what kind of leader you don’t want to be.” While underway, midshipmen observed the firing of the close-in weapons system, shot .50-caliber machine guns, rode in a rigid hull inflatable boat, and watched a towing exercise conducted with USS San Antonio (LPD 17).

“I think they were definitely exposed more than what a typical midshipman cruise has the opportunity to see. They got more in those three to four days than many of the midshipmen get in three to four weeks. There was never a dull moment,” said the ship’s training officer Lt. j.g. Toshi Williams.

In addition, the midshipmen got the chance to participate in “Damage Control Olympics,” where they learned how to put on fire-fighting equipment, repair pipes, and use CO2 extinguishers. The event allowed students to not only learn about the gear but also understand proper damage control actions which they may need in the future as naval officers.

“My favorite part was the Damage Control Olympics,” said Nicholl. “It was really eye opening. That job is not easy.”

The few days of underway time gave theses aspiring naval officers a chance to better understand the surface warfare community and see some of the activities they regularly engage in at sea.

“I really like the community. It’s very diverse and there are a lot of opportunities available. In surface warfare, it seems that you get more chances to be a leader,” said Midshipman 3rd Class Andrea Thorne-Thomsen.

USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) is making preparations to take part in OPSAIL 2012 in downtown Norfolk, Va., and also Sailabration 2012 in Baltimore, Md., as a part of the War of 1812 Commemoration.

Photos by MC3 Wesley Dannelley