By
Mass Communication Specialist Antonio Turretto Ramos, Navy Public Affairs
Support Element
SAN DIEGO – A 2000 Herrin High School
graduate and Herrin, Illinois native is serving
in the U.S. Navy with Afloat Training Group San Diego.
A Navy master at arms is responsible for training small
tactical teams called visit, board, search, and seizure teams that do counter drug, counter piracy, and maritime security operations to support the anti-terrorism
efforts.
“I enjoy getting to go on different ships and
interacting with lots of different people in high speed training evolutions,”
said Wharton.
The training
group provides dynamic training to Navy and Coast Guard sailors to ensure a
combat ready force capable of performing a broad spectrum of missions,
according to Navy officials. Special emphasis is placed on preparing ships'
training teams, special evolution teams and watch teams to institutionalize the
onboard capability to sustain and improve combat readiness throughout an
employment cycle.
“I enjoy training the fleet to carry their missions
world wide,” said Wharton.
Afloat Training
Group San Diego strives to keep sailors’ warfare expertise sharp by maintaining
professional knowledge and skills through a robust training program of
installations and factory training, technical symposiums, informal training and
self-study. By maintaining a group of subject matters experts in different
warfare areas, they prepare ships to be missions ready.
"It’s amazing to hear our sailors’ stories,” said Capt. James Storm, commander of Afloat Training Group San Diego.
“Some of them are working on their PhDs and others are working on their first
degree. I’ve met sailors who grew up in extreme poverty, and now they own their
own home here in Southern California. Serving here at Afloat Training Group is
considered a career enhancing tour because these sailors are recognized
experts. They lay the foundation for successful deployments.”
According to Navy officials, approximately 355 sailors
make up the training group making their jobs highly specialized in
order to
keep each part of the command running smoothly.
As a member of
the Afloat Training Group San Diego, sailors prepare ships to deploy. Wharton explained
they are building a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. The trainers
know how important it is for the Navy to maintain and uphold war-fighting
capabilities to continue their success on the world’s oceans.
“I joined the Navy because
I like ships and in return I get a sense of accomplishment in doing something
worthwhile,” added Wharton. “Serving and defending my country from all enemies
foreign and domestic is a great thing to be a part of.”