By
Kayla Good, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
SAN DIEGO – A 2010 Johnston County Middle College High
School, North Carolina graduate and Parkesburg, Pennsylvania
native
is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of a crew working aboard one of the
country’s newest and most versatile combat ships.
Ensign Alexander Schiller is a first lieutenant and a member of Crew 204, also known as the Royal
Punch,” who serve aboard
littoral combat ships based in San Diego.
A Navy first lieutenant is
responsible for the
deck division aboard the littoral combat ships.
“There is a lot I like about my
job,” said Schiller. “The people are interesting and diverse. Everyone comes from
a different background so there is a lot to learn.”
Schiller is part of a 53-person
crew, one of several crews that rotate between USS Independence and
USS Coronado, as part of a unique crewing 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, the
Independence variant of littoral combat ships are 419 feet long and weigh
nearly 3,100 tons fully loaded. Twin gas turbine engines push the ships through
the water at more than 40 mph.
“I like the command culture here,” said Schiller. “Everyone
has a square head on their shoulders. Everyone has a job to do and they get it
done. You can trust that everyone is going to do their job, which is important
because you already have a lot to handle.”
According the
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 crewmember
aboard one of the Navy’s newest ships, Schiller explained they are
building a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. Crewmembers know how
important it is for the Navy to develop new war fighting capabilities to
continue their success on the world’s oceans.
“Joining the Navy was a dream of mine in high school,”
added Schiller. “Now, at the end of the day I know I am accomplishing
something. No matter how long I serve, I know I got myself here and was able to
succeed.”
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.