By
Kayla Good, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
SAN DIEGO – A 1992 Deep Creek High School
graduate and Chesapeake, Virginia native is serving
in the U.S. Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most
versatile combat ships.
Cmdr. Jeremy Gray is the
chief staff officer and a member of Commander, LCS Squadron One which
supports
both variants of littoral combat ships
based in San Diego.
A Navy chief staff officer is responsible for operations of
the staff of the squadron and support for the crews.
“I like interacting with sailors and getting the
opportunity to lead people,” said Gray. “It’s a very busy job but I go home at
the end of the day knowing I made a difference.”
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.
“This is a big command with a diverse range of talent,”
said Gray. “I have the pleasure of working with really skilled sailors. I have
the opportunity to give them the knowledge they need to succeed in the fleet.”
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, Gray 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.
“The Navy has been a
tremendous opportunity,” added Gray. “I joined for the desire to serve my
country because of a family history. As I’ve continued the experience, I’ve
gained even more appreciation for it. I am able to lead people in challenging situations
which has been very rewarding in more ways than I ever expected.”
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.