From Teacher to Shipmate

SOUTH CHINA SEA

03.06.2019

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Isabel Wences  

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

One may think that after graduating high school, you would leave most of your classmates and your teachers behind, especially if you decided to join the military. However, this is not the case for U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Seth Devine and his previous high school teacher, U.S. Navy Electronics Technician Nuclear 3rd Class Brianna Cowen, who have reunited aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).

Cowen was a math and science high school teacher for five years, and has taught over 150 students in her career. One of those students was Devine, who decided to join the U.S. Navy after finishing high school. Now, they serve together aboard the same ship.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” said Devine. “You go from a classroom setting to a ship. I knew this Navy was a small community, but for her to actually show up and be in the same command as me and see her in the passage ways, and know that she was my science teacher, it’s weird but cool at the same time.”

Cowen also thinks it’s a unique situation to be able to serve with one of her previous students.

“I think it was a weirder transition for him to see me from teacher to Sailor, than for me to see a student become a Sailor,” said Cowen. “However, from a teacher’s perspective, I could not be more proud of the person he is today. And as a Sailor, I could not be more proud to serve alongside him.”

Although they are now shipmates, Devine still sees Cowan as a mentor.

“When I initially met her, she was my teacher,” said Devine. “So whenever I see her now, I still picture my teacher, not really a Sailor in the Navy, so it’s one of those strange things. For me, it’s really cool and extraordinary to be able to have your high school teacher be in the same place as you are. Especially in the Navy where you could be anywhere in the world.”

Both Devine and Cowan said they are proud to see each other become Sailors and serve their country. Cowan feels especially proud of her previous student.

“When I first found out that he had joined the Navy, I was super proud of him,” said Cowan. “People who join the Navy come from all different walks of life, and all have different reasons for why we are here. At the end of the day, it’s a noble profession. To see one of my students doing something so honorable, when he could have done anything else, makes me extremely proud.”

Even though Cowan and Devine may have joined the Navy for different reasons, they both agree that it is amazing that they ended up being shipmates in the same command. Even though they work in different ratings, they both support a similar mission, and are proud to have the unique opportunity to serve together.

For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stennis74.

• Date Taken: 03.06.2019
• Date Posted: 03.06.2019 03:33
• Story ID: 313079
• Location: SOUTH CHINA SEA