By AO2 Jennifer Jordan, USS Constitution Public Affairs
BOSTON – Los Angeles, Calif. native, Seaman Swafdar Ssekiziyivu, earned his basic interpretive historian qualification aboard USS Constitution, March 17.
Duty aboard USS Constitution is one of the Navy’s special programs, and all prospective crewmembers must meet a high standard of sustained excellence and interview to be selected for the assignment.
The basic interpretive historian qualification means that a Sailor has studied and trained on the history of USS Constitution and has learned about the ship’s major historic battles, its unique design and the life of a Sailor during the 19th century.
The active-duty Sailors stationed aboard USS Constitution provide free tours and offer public visitation to more than 600,000 people each year as they support the ship’s mission of promoting the Navy’s history, maritime heritage, and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence.
Crew members who achieve the basic interpretive historian are authorized to wear a unique command ball cap, with the word ‘crewmember’ embroidered on the back, in place of the Navy’s standard eight-point cover or hat.
“It feels good to finally give tours. This is a milestone out of many, with plenty more to come,” said Ssekiziyivu.
Ssekiziyivu is a 2016 graduate of Valencia High School.
He has served in the Navy for six months, and USS Constitution is his first duty station.
USS Constitution, is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.
USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured 33 opponents.
The ship earned the nickname of Old Ironsides during the war of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull.
The basic interpretive historian qualification means that a Sailor has studied and trained on the history of USS Constitution and has learned about the ship’s major historic battles, its unique design and the life of a Sailor during the 19th century.
The active-duty Sailors stationed aboard USS Constitution provide free tours and offer public visitation to more than 600,000 people each year as they support the ship’s mission of promoting the Navy’s history, maritime heritage, and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence.
Crew members who achieve the basic interpretive historian are authorized to wear a unique command ball cap, with the word ‘crewmember’ embroidered on the back, in place of the Navy’s standard eight-point cover or hat.
“It feels good to finally give tours. This is a milestone out of many, with plenty more to come,” said Ssekiziyivu.
Ssekiziyivu is a 2016 graduate of Valencia High School.
He has served in the Navy for six months, and USS Constitution is his first duty station.
USS Constitution, is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.
USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured 33 opponents.
The ship earned the nickname of Old Ironsides during the war of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull.