They're also assigned a running mate before coming aboard the ship. The running mates are Sailors the midshipmen can turn to and work with to learn about the ship and air wing, and how they function as a cohesive unit.
Midshipmen work within the same division as their running mate for the four-week period.
Cory Alexander, from Cody, Wyo. It's been very interesting. With the help of their running mates, the midshipmen have been visiting different departments and watching evolutions that can only be conducted while Kitty Hawk is at sea. According to Macias, learning on the ship is very different than sitting in a classroom on campus. But this cruise gives us a real taste of Navy life.