If human nature wasn’t so flawed we wouldn’t need a military. But it is. And we do. I feel fortunate that I happen to be a citizen of a country protected by the most awe inspiring military machine of all...
Recently I was invited to spend a full day out to sea on the USS Theodore Roosevelt as it engaged in military exercises. This NIMITZ-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier has been running on one tank of nuclear fuel for over 25 years without a pit-stop, logging thousands of miles on the worlds oceans. The USS TR has engaged in and has supported efforts in Operation Desert Shield and has enforced no-fly zones over Iraq among hundreds, maybe thousands of other missions. Experiencing the speed at which this massive piece of machinery travelled about 80 miles out to sea will make even the most ardent anti-nuclear power advocate think twice. One of the most striking things about the experience was realizing that most of people who make the ship roar are in their late teens and low 20’s. They’re responsible for jobs that are a thousand times more dangerous than yours or mine and they carry everything out to perfection. They’re from all over the country and come in every color and from every background. From those in charge of gaging wind and ship speed while firing the steam catapults that throw the jets off the carrier at a buck-60 to those responsible for reeling in and setting the huge anchor chains whose links weigh over 300 pounds apiece, the crew’s skills, efficiency and focus were inspiring.
Special thanks to the Theodore Roosevelt Association for setting up virtually unlimited access, Captain Ladd Wheeler for having us aboard, Lt Stanton Smeagol for the F16 fly bys and a pilot from nearby norfolk air-base who provided the most bone rattling (in a good way) experience of the trip when he soared by at about Mach 2 for a Sonic Boom in an F18 Hornet. For the record, MACH 2 is about 1500 mph…
These are the people that protect our interests abroad and domestically at huge risk to their life and limb. We are the people that rely on their skills and bravery to carve out our own soft-shelled pursuits in relative safety and peace. We as tax payers can determine the shape of their ultimate purpose, but we can never take them for granted regardless of whether we voted for their commander in chief.
Jeff