Nineteen midshipmen joined the crew of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to gain valuable instructional fleet experience not attainable in classroom environments, May 30.

These midshipmen are assigned to George Washington for approximately two weeks to further their professional development, reinforce academic programs, instill a sense of pride, and identify with the Navy and pique their interest in fleet operations.

"The training will further the professional development of these future leaders," said Lt. Cmdr. Nick Long, George Washington's training officer. "This year's group of midshipmen will be involved in numerous evolutions, drills and training opportunities, such as general quarters, a small-arms simulator, conning alongside during an underway replenishment, watch standing, and live-fire exercises."

Each midshipman was assigned a junior officer or petty officer as a running mate to facilitate training.

Running mates show midshipmen their respective jobs and potential career steps, as well as explain shipboard environment.

"First class midshipmen will have junior officers as running mates and second and third class midshipmen will normally have E-5 or E-4 Sailors as running mates," said Long. "They are responsible for keeping the midshipmen active and engaged during each day as they integrate them into their divisions."

These potential officers are about 21 years old, and several of them have little practical shipboard experience or knowledge. according to Long, being on a ship offers them a unique insight into their professional development.

"I've been on a cruiser before, but this is my first time on a carrier," said Midshipman 1st Class Beau Langdon, a Pennsylvania State University recruit officer training command candidate, from Phoenix. "It's amazing how so many people here are from vastly different communities and all work as a team to serve a single mission."

Long added that George Washington also serves as a unique training platform.

"Spending time on a carrier is advantageous," said Long. "We have more than 160 officers from various communities and experiences that the midshipmen can speak with and really talk to about personal experiences, success factors, and lessons learned."

As a result, the diverse naval communities that are represented by George Washington's crew have successfully trained several midshipmen in the past.

"We have had a great track record of an effective Midshipman Summer Training Program over the last few years and I would expect nothing less this year," added Long. "So far, the midshipmen have been very inquisitive and the crew has embraced them."

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, are on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. George Washington will conduct a hull-swap with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) later this year after serving seven years as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan.