Subscribe
U.S. FIFTH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS – Country music fills the room, a computer screen flashes with text as bells chime over the 1MC, letting Sailors know its chow time, but all of that is just background noise as Mass Communication Specialist (MC) 2nd Class Mutis Capizzi types a story about a recent operation onboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5).
Writing for the U.S. Navy is just one of the many tasks she has been assigned to do while aboard the ship and marks just a small part of her life as a Sailor.
Capizzi is from the New York City borough of the Bronx, or as she likes to call it “the boogie down Bronx.” Already working and leading a life in corporate America, she had her mind set on accomplishing new goals that would take her into a myriad of new places and experiences. So in September 2014, she decided to join the Navy.
“I wanted to transition to a new career field while avoiding going into debt,” said Capizzi. “I always wanted to be a journalist and the Navy provided the opportunity to turn my goal into reality”
Capizzi’s job as a MC is a multi-faceted public affairs role, charged with telling the Navy’s story through visual and written documentation that includes; writing articles, producing videos and photographing operations, training events and people.
“The best part of my career is getting paid to do what I love,” said Capizzi. “I enjoy writing and even more so, sitting down and interviewing people, which is where I get to know them on a level most people don’t get to; like I’m a friend who’s here to listen.”
When not doing her primary job, she is still doing her part for her fellow shipmates in regards to their health. She is involved in the ship’s Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) fitness program, which helps motivate sailors to do alternative workout activities.
“MWR fitness is an important program to me and I’m certified to teach cardio kick boxing, step aerobics and numerous other exercises,” said Capizzi. “This is important to me because when you feel good and have confidence in yourself, your work will reflect that. Being in the Navy, we are expected to maintain a certain level of fitness so I think; what’s more rewarding then helping your colleagues maintain their fitness standards.”
Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Evan Thompson, an augmented team member from Navy Public Affairs Support Element East, embarked to support Bataan public affairs office during the ship’s 2017 deployment, commented on Capizzi’s effect.
“In my Naval career so far, I have had a few different kinds of leaders,” said Thompson. “Capizzi is among the best of them, simply because she has the life experience that is truly necessary to lead people in a high stress environment, such as a deployed naval warship.”
Thompson went on to describe his favorite aspects of Capizzi’s leadership style.
“She is caring when she needs to be and tough when it’s necessary,” said Thompson. “Capizzi exemplifies what a good leader should be because she knows how to get the job done effectively while maintaining good working relationships with her Sailors.”
Capizzi is not only leading and teaching others on Bataan, she is also learning valuable lessons herself.
“Being on Bataan I’ve learned a lot,” said Capizzi. “This experience has taught me a personal lesson of who I want to be and who I don’t want to be in the Navy when it comes to leadership. I am fortunate enough to get to work closely with senior leadership who everyday personify the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment.”
Capizzi says she always gets asked by junior Sailors about her job and what it’s like to be an MC on a day-to-day basis. She has some advice for those who are interested in the rate.
“Don’t expect a cake walk,” said Capizzi. “My job requires me to work with high profile and highly visible people in the chain of command where excellence is the standard expected for all of the products I produce. I don’t just take pictures all day. A typical day for me involves anything from interviewing people, working a tour of the ship with the CO, to video production and of course [ship] maintenance. Sailors who are thinking about cross rating or picking up this rate as an undesignated seaman/airman/fireman need to keep an open mind; you’ll be asked to do things out of your comfort zone, but if you remain flexible you will have much success in this field.
Capizzi is currently on her first deployment with the Bataan which is at the tail end of its 2017 deployment and says she looks forward to returning pier side to see her husband, their cat, new car and the rest of her family.
The Bataan and Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, deployed as part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability, and increase theater security cooperation while providing a forward naval presence in the U.S. 5th and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation.
| Date Taken: | 08.27.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.31.2017 04:46 |
| Story ID: | 246179 |
| Location: | NEW YORK, U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY |
| Hometown: | NEW YORK, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, A Journalistic Endeavor, by PO1 Raymond Minami, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT