Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Victoria Granado | Damage Controlman 2nd Class Kevin Jones, left, and Damage Controlman 2nd Class Ricardo...... read more read more
Subscribe
NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN – From the first moment a Sailor sets foot on a new ship to the last salute off the brow, damage control is a critical responsibility. Every Sailor is taught entry-level damage control at basic training, because on every U.S. Navy ship the crew makes up the local fire department. Among traditional Sailors, however, is a specialized, elite group known as Damage Controlmen, and these Sailors have one mission - save the ship.
Aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), every nautical mile sailed is done safely due to the efforts of these seafaring, red-clad patriots.
“We are trained to be the best at what we do on the boat,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Kevin Jones. “We fight the ship and we make sure everyone else is capable of fighting the ship. Everyone on the Truman should know they are in good hands.”
Being a Damage Controlman – better known as “DC-men” throughout the ship - is a boundless source of pride for those who boast the patch of the crossed axe and hammer.
“There’s so much pressure in the rate, but it’s really worth it,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class Kamiya Owens. “I always remember that there is no room for error in my job. If we take too long or mess up, it could cost a life.”
As the resident experts, DC-men must be an authority in many skills and have a high level of knowledge.
“I love my rate and what it means for the mission,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Ricardo Broughton, with satisfaction in his voice. “Many Sailors think that we just fight fires, but it’s more than that. We do a crazy amount of maintenance and we do even more training to get Sailors where they need to be.”
It is a career of risks and hazards, but being an emergency responder is what Damage Controlmen do best.
“When I hear the bells and start running towards the locker I get an adrenaline rush,” expressed Broughton. “It’s actually exciting for me.”
Though there is pride and exhilaration that comes with the job, there is also a heavy responsibility.
“A big part of being a Damage Controlman is taking the burden off of others,” said Broughton in a more serious tone. “Most Sailors don’t have to worry about being the first to a casualty. It makes me feel good to know that I’m trusted with everyone’s safety.”
Although their job is strictly Damage Control, DC-men heavily depend on the support from the crew to take down any casualty that will affect the ship.
“It’s one of those jobs, I guess, where you have to put your heart into it,” said Jones. “You can prepare someone to be an emergency responder, but until something actually happens and they feel that rush they aren’t going to understand how truly important damage control is.”
Harry S. Truman is currently conducting operations in the Atlantic Ocean.
For more information about Truman, visit www.facebook.com/USSTruman or www.navy.mil/local/cvn75/
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 09.21.2018 12:36 |
| Story ID: | 293943 |
| Location: | U.S. 6TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY |
| Hometown: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 816 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fighting the Ship, by PO2 Victoria Granado, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT