VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Navy Expeditionary Combat Command hosted 87 U.S Naval Academy midshipmen during their “Surface Week” on board Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story June 6.
Surface Week is a week-long training block when midshipmen from the U. S. Naval Academy and Reserve Officer Training Corps experience a wide range of surface warfare activities, including demonstrations, ship and shore command tours, and an underway embark.
“Between their freshmen and sophomore years the midshipmen are exposed to all the major communities of the Navy,” said Capt. Eric Jabs, NECC Training and Readiness. “This helps them make the best choice of service selection, as well as grow in professional knowledge so they are aware of our [NECC] capabilities, and perhaps join expeditionary units at some point.”
NECC sailors joined the midshipman in the early morning for physical training with a circuit workout that included sled pulls, a push up ladder, box jumps and tire flips.
“The midshipmen can learn that it takes a highly motivated, physically fit sailor to be successful as an expeditionary officer and that NECC leads from the front,” said Lt. William Romps, NECC training coordinator.
Later in the day midshipmen got a firsthand look at some of the NECC capabilities through static displays from the Seabees, Riverines, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and divers. Throughout this time they were able to learn about NECC’s equipment and capabilities and were able to talk with expeditionary sailors about their jobs and missions.
“The EOD community really interested me,” said 2nd Class Midshipman Brendon Connor. “I appreciate the close knit leadership, and the opportunities to lead early on in your career.”
By hosting the midshipmen NECC can show them the expeditionary side of the fleet.
“We hope our components, capabilities and culture are understood by the future leaders in the Navy,” added Jabs. “We'd also like to attract those individuals best suited to our missions to enter EOD and other communities.”
NECC serves as the single functional command for the Navy’s expeditionary forces and as central management for the readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of those forces. NECC forces include Riverines; Naval Construction; Explosive Ordnance Disposal; Maritime Expeditionary Security; Expeditionary Intelligence; Expeditionary Logistics; Maritime Civil Affairs; Security Force Assistance; Expeditionary Combat Readiness and Expeditionary Training.