Five midshipmen embarked the Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) for two weeks during the beginning of her patrol with the George Washington Carrier Strike Group to experience life at sea and get a glimpse of their future as a naval officer.
Of the midshipmen, two are from the naval academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland. The others are enrolled in universities across the nation.
Upon embarking the forward-deployed warship, the midshipmen were assigned running mates; mentors and guides for their time aboard. First class midshipmen are paired with officers, where as the second class midshipmen are paired with enlisted personnel.
John S. McCain is underway with the GWCSG in the 7th Fleet area of operations supporting security and stability in the indo-Asia-Pacific Region.
[mappress] Press Release, July 03, 2014; Image: Wikimedia