USS Bonhomme Richard Sailors, Marines Visit Students in Guam

Sailors and Marines from amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) visited Simon Sanchez High School in Guam Sept. 28.

Seventeen Sailors and Marines from Bonhomme Richard had the chance to talk to students about careers in the military, the importance of staying in school and of staying away from drugs.

“We came here to visit with the local high school students and to talk to them about what life in the military is like, how it’s changed our lives, the value of education and of staying in school and to help them start planning for their careers post high school,” said Religious Programs Specialist 2nd Class James Decker.

Each Sailor and Marine visited with two different classes and was treated to lunch by the school’s culinary arts class.

Cpl. Josh Cruz, a signals intelligence analyst with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, said that he volunteered to go to the high school because he enjoys doing volunteer work.

“My favorite part is being able to interact with the kids and teaching them a lot of new things,” said Cruz. “I like helping out the community and just being there and seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces.”

Community service projects like these not only give service members the opportunity to make a difference in the local community but also the chance to experience different cultures as they travel on deployment.

“It’s important because we’ve seen things that most other people don’t see, so we bring a broader perspective to the career discussion,” said Decker. “Many of these young men and women have very little career choices, so the military is one of their main employers. We give them an opportunity to really see and ask questions about what it would be like to be in the military.”

The Navy and Marine Corps are dedicated to promoting stability and prosperity by providing a maritime force that protects and defends the interests of the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

Bonhomme Richard, commanded by Capt. Daniel Dusek, is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed amphibious ready group and is currently operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

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Naval Today Staff,October 2, 2012