ADRIATIC SEA - A District Heights, Maryland, native was one of forty sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) who took the next step in their Navy careers by reenlisting as a group during a mass-reenlistment ceremony in the ship’s hangar bay, Feb. 27.
Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Newman-Ross, an aviation ordnanceman, held up his right hand and reenlisted for six more years.
“I am reenlisting to continue my service to my country, to be a part of something bigger than myself, and lastly to continue to make my family and loved ones proud,” said Newman-Ross. “Thank you for all the love and support! I hope I continue to make you all proud, I miss you all and love you dearly!”
Chief Navy Career Counselor Eduardo Rivera said reenlisting is a significant event in a sailor's career where they are rewarded for their dedication and hard work. It also helps in some cases due to certain factors, such as manning and specific NEC's, a specific amount of money is awarded to them as well.
“With this being my first time on a carrier this event is unique because I have never seen anything like this,” said Rivera.
The reenlisting officer, Capt. Gavin Duff, Truman’s commanding officer, said he is grateful to have the opportunity to serve alongside them and even more fortunate they elected to stay Navy.
“Commanding officers get to do a lot of cool things but this – reenlisting eighty-seven sailors is humbling,” said Duff. “The sailors raising their right hand on the deck of a deployed CVN and swearing to continue support and defend the Constitution will remember this moment for the rest of their life and so will I.”
Truman is the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) which includes the embarked staff of Carrier Strike Group 8 and Destroyer Squadron 28; the embarked aircraft of Carrier Air Wing 1; San Jacinto (CG 56); the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), USS Gravely (DDG 107), and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109); and the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Fridtjof-Nansen class frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310).
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national interests, security, and stability in Europe and Africa.
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