Charlottesville native recognized as Warfighter of the Week aboard USS George Washington

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Justin Lawson, USS George Washington (CVN 73)

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Drumheller, a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, was recognized as Warfighter of the Week aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS George Washington (CVN 73), March 29.

Warfighter of the Week is a command program where the ship’s captain personally recognizes an exemplary sailor for their accomplishments. Drumheller was selected by his leadership for this honor. His relentless determination is always inspiring to his peers and represents the “Spirit of Freedom," the ship’s nickname.

“The satisfaction I get from helping people in my work gives me the motivation to keep going,” said Drumheller.

Drumheller, a 2019 graduate of Charlottesville High School, joined the Navy over three years ago. Today, Drumheller serves as religious program specialist responsible for supporting naval chaplains in developing programs to meet the needs of U.S. Navy sailors, U.S. Marines, and their families.

Aircraft carriers, such as USS George Washington, project power and presence worldwide by serving as the cornerstone of a Carrier Strike Group and launching and landing various types of aircraft.  

George Washington is undergoing refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipyard. RCOH is a multi-year project performed only during a carrier’s 50-year service life that includes refueling the ship’s two nuclear reactors, as well as significant repairs, upgrades and modernization. 

USS George Washington is named after the first President of the United States. 

The ship’s motto is “First in War, First in Peace."