By
Kayla Good, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
SAN DIEGO – A 2002 Random Lake High School
graduate and Oostburg, Wisconsin native is serving
in the U.S. Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most
versatile combat ships.
Chief David Struve is a quartermaster and a member of Commander, LCS Squadron One which
supports
both variants of littoral combat ships
based in San Diego.
As a Navy quartermaster he is part of the navigation training team
responsible for the certification of crews aboard the ships.
“Every day is a little different at this job,” said
Struve. “You get to go on several different ships and helping out the crew is
really fun.”
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 but also it is different from
what I have done in the past,” said Struve. “There is always a new challenge
here.”
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, Struve 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.
“Serving in the Navy is not just about helping out my
country, but also being able to help my family and my shipmates, which is one
of the main reasons I joined,” added Struve.
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.