By
Petty Officer 3rd Class Abigail Rader, Navy
Public Affairs Support Element
SAN DIEGO – A 1987 Newport Harbor High School
graduate and San Clemente, California, native is serving
in the U.S. Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most
versatile combat ships.
Command
Master Chief Thomas Metcalf is a
member of Commander, LCS Squadron One
which supports
both variants of littoral combat ships
based in San Diego.
As a Navy command master
chief he is responsible for leading 3,500 sailors who serve aboard six operational
warships and eight ships in construction. These sailors make up 25 different
LCS crews. He is also responsible for the sailors care, development, and
training, as well as mentoring and developing the senior enlisted leaders.
“I get the opportunity to help human beings develop
their life skills,” said Metcalf. “I am able to have a part in making them into
better human beings.”
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.
“I enjoy developing the most professional, genuine chief
petty officers in the fleet,” said Metcalf. “The sailors in this command are
the most positive and enjoyable to work with.”
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, Metcalf 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 saved my life,”
added Metcalf. “It means everything to me. It means defending my country,
serving and being in servitude to America and the American public. The Navy
gave me all the tools to grow up to be a good citizen and man.”
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.