Prior to this job, I had command of a ship. I had a crew of 285 sailors and when we deployed we had 350 Marines on board. It was challenging and exciting. The wonderful opportunities. Commanding a ship is the best job in the world.
Sailors are the best people to work with.
They are so smart and motivated. Deployments are six months long. I've deployed four times in 19 years, and served overseas two of those 19 years. Initial training for officers is usually as midshipmen in their college's R.O.T.C. program or the Academy. It is the first challenge for the new midshipmen and is quite a period of transformation.