By
Kayla Good, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
SAN DIEGO – A 1994 Clara Barton High School
graduate and Brooklyn, New York native is serving
in the U.S. Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most
versatile combat ships.
Chief Dwayne James is a personnel specialist and a member of Commander, LCS Squadron One which
supports
both variants of littoral combat ships
based in San Diego.
A Navy personnel specialist is responsible for the pay, travel and
manning of the command.
“I like taking care of my sailors,” said James. “I like
to see them succeed as they come through the ranks. It’s rewarding knowing you
had a little bit of involvement in molding their futures.”
The LCS platform has a unique manning concept called
“3-2-1,” where three crews serve aboard two different littoral combat ships,
one of which is deployed. This
innovative manning concept allows the LCS to spend
more time forward deployed without overtaxing the crew, according to Navy
officials.
Designed to
defeat threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft, littoral combat ships are a bold departure from
traditional Navy shipbuilding programs. The LCS sustainment strategy was developed
to take into account the unique design and manning of LCS and its associated
mission modules.
“Since this command is in its 'toddler' stage, we can
make a difference in the way the vision comes through with what the ship can do,”
said James.
According to
Navy officials, the path to becoming an LCS sailor is a long one. Following an 18-month training pipeline,
sailors have to qualify on a simulator that is nearly identical to the ship. This intense and realistic training pipeline
allows sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities immediately upon
stepping onboard.
"Sailors that work aboard this platform are expected to
be capable of performing a variety of tasks to assist in the completion of the
LCS mission," said Capt. Warren R Buller, Commander, LCS Squadron One.
"The training that is required of our sailors is
rigorous and difficult. This ensures that they are mission ready to defend and
protect America at all times."
As a service
member supporting the LCS mission, James explained they are building a legacy that
will last beyond their lifetimes. Sailors know how important it is for the Navy
to develop new war fighting capabilities to continue their success on the
world’s oceans.
“Being in the Navy means
serving my country first and foremost,” added James. “I also get to make my
family proud and provide for them.”
Through
innovative planning, the design of systems, and crew requirements, the LCS
platform allows the fleet to increase forward presence and optimize its
personnel, improving the ability of the Navy to be where it matters, when it
matters.