USS CARNEY, At sea — As Sailors aboard guided missile destroyer USS Carney line up for chow, March 27, the ship's first class petty officers lined up to serve. Each month, Carney's first class petty officers come together to not only serve the crew, but also prepare one of the crews favorite meals, pizza and wings, in an effort to show their appreciation for their fellow Sailors.
"I like to think that we are influencing the junior Sailors," said Petty Officer 1st Class Debbie Fiaschetti, Navy counselor. "We hope by them seeing us help out they will know we remember where we came from, and we were once in their shoes."
Fiaschetti added that she thinks it helps younger Sailors see the First Classes as more approachable and more willing to come to them with questions or concerns.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Crugnale, engineman, who is currently serving in the mess decks on temporary assigned duty, said he enjoys the first classes' efforts.
"They take drink orders as people walk in the door and even bring the drinks to Sailors at their tables," said Crugnale. "They also wipe down tables, and basically make sure the mess stays clean in general. They even take over the scullery duty, which is great for me because that is where I work, and it gives me a break."
Petty Officer 2nd Class Carla Walk, culinary specialist, said she is also grateful for the break when the first classes take over the galley.
"It's really nice because when they come in, it gives all those who work in the galley and the mess decks a chance to get out," she said. "We stay busy in the galley making sure everyone gets what they need and there are a lot of things we would like to do but never seem to have the time. When the first classes take over, it gives us a chance to go work out, work on our qualifications or just take some time for ourselves."
Many of the junior Sailors aboard Carney said their ship has some of the best first classes in the fleet, and their efforts to help do not go unnoticed.
"No matter what, I know I can always go to them for advice," said Crugnale. "They are always very supportive of [junior Sailors], and we know from things like this that they will always be here to encourage us."
In addition to weekly pizza and wings night, Carney's first classes also take pride in the many other things they do around the ship to encourage Sailors.
"We also let the crew know we are here for them in other ways," said Fiaschetti. "We provide advancement trivia to help them prepare for their exams, plan a steel beach picnic once a month and we also provide Enlisted Warfare Specialist training for the crew to prepare them for their walkthroughs."
With all the things Carney's first class petty officers offer their junior Sailors, it is no wonder that they are held in such high regards.
"Just watching how they involve themselves shows us that they know what they are doing around here," said Crugnale. "They truly are the best."
Carney is currently attached to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group deployed in support of maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility.