Four days aboard the USS Carl Vinson: journal of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In what was a first for both me and the Navy, I had the good fortune to spend four gray days in January aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson off the California coast while conducting the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Training Unit's Fleet Recreation Management course.

The Fleet Recreation Management (FRM) course provides training for a variety of tasks performed by recreation services officers and fund custodians throughout the Navy's fleet of 350 ships. The course is offered about 50 times each year at Navy installations such as Sasebo, Japan; Ingleside, TX; and Treasure Island, CA. Because of Vinson's extremely busy operational schedule, however, the carrier's afloat recreation specialist requested that the course be conducted aboard ship during the week-long cruise prior to its six-month deployment to Japan and Singapore.

After receiving approval from the Vinson's commanding and executive officers and MWR headquarters at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC, a modified FRM course was developed for the 12 crew members who oversee recreation programs aboard the 1,092-foot-long carrier.

Like any city, the Vinson must provide its inhabitants--in this case, a vast crew of pilots and flight officers, air traffic controllers, weapons handlers, and sailors involved with everything from maintenance to administration--with certain necessities of life, including berthing facilities, medical offices and sick bay, food service galleys and messrooms, store and supply rooms, and opportunities for exercise and recreation, all within severely confined and tightly compartmentalized spaces.

The ship serves more than 18,000 meals per day, including midnight rations for individuals who work nights; 185,310 gallons of fresh water are used daily; and the ship's mess management specialists (i.e., bakers) roll out 12,000 cookies and 50-60 cakes every night during their 12-hour shifts.

Recreation Abounds

The main source of support for recreation activities on board the Vinson is its recreation fund, which consists of profits--typically $350,000 to $400,000--generated from two small stores operated aboard ship and money collected from the carrier's soda machines. The fund is managed by the recreation fund custodian and grows significantly during long deployments. The account is used strictly for programs that improve morale and support the crew's recreational pursuits.

The recreation services officer (RSO) is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating all recreational programs, both at sea and in port. The RSO works in collaboration with a recreation committee made up of representatives from every division on the ship. The committee must approve all purchases from the recreation fund and passes suggestions, comments, and concerns from crew members to the RSO and commanding officer regarding recreation programs.

I had the opportunity to work with Toby Reed, the carrier's afloat recreation specialist, as well as visit the ship's recreation facilities and meet several crew members as they participated in various recreation and fitness activities. The Vinson's main recreation facility is the "Ratt Hole" gymnasium, so-named because the carrier's former executive officer, Captain Robert Willard, answers to the aviation call sign of "Ratt." The facility offers one of the most comprehensive weight-lifting and aerobic workout facilities found on any U.S. Navy vessel.

Until last year, crew members had only a cramped, unventilated area in the ship's stern in which to exercise. Poor ventilation and lack of equipment kept away all but the most zealous athletes. Captain William then hired Mr. Reed and charged him with the job of ensuring that the crew's recreational needs were being met.

Top Priority: Top-Notch Gym

With the creation of a gymnasium as his first priority, Mr. Reed met with the Vinson's department heads to discuss possible spaces for the gym and recreation equipment issuing facility. Space for what soon would become the Ratt Hole was created in the loft of a hanger bay used to store excess equipment. The 60-foot by 50-foot gym was completed after 26 days of work--with assistance from nearly every department on the ship as well as an array of volunteers that included the ship's welders and electricians. It features a full range of free weights, a full-circuit Nautilus system, and a variety of aerobic exercise machines--including stationary bikes, stair climbers, cross country ski simulators, and treadmills. The gym is well ventilated, easily cleaned and maintained, and is accessible at its midship location. The facility is open 24 hours daily and is busy throughout the day.

In addition to the gym, the carrier's recreation division operates a leisure outlet store. Open 24 hours a day, the store provides crew members with board games, athletic gear, game balls, musical instruments, and other recreation equipment, all free of charge. The store also sells tickets to local events and ship-sponsored activities, as well as providing information on all upcoming events and port calls, much like a travel agency.

Shipboard clubs and organizations are established by crew members and supported financially by the recreation fund. The clubs represent the variety of interests among crew members, including martial arts, rugby, football, music, and creative writing.

Another popular leisure activity aboard the Vinson--particularly prior to port call--is bingo. "Bingo Central" is the area where the crew members present or call in their winning cards; numbers are called from the ship's studio and transmitted live to all berthing and lounge areas. While only 1,000 to 1,500 crew members typically play, the entire crew shares the bounty because all profits go back into the Vinson's recreation fund.

Sailors Speak Out

I spoke with several crew members about recreation, and all of them had very different ideas about what recreates them. Here is a sampling of what I heard:

* Data Systems Technician (DSC) (SW) Aquirre, who recently formed a band aboard ship, said he feels most relaxed when playing his saxophone. The band, which practices twice a week in the ship's respirator-issue room after the 2000 (8 p.m.) change of shifts, serves dual purposes, according to Aquirre. It gives band members a way to recreate after a hectic workday, and it provides live music and entertainment for crew members while the ship is at sea. The Vinson's recreation fund supports the band with the purchase of sound equipment and instruments (which also are available to other crew members).

* Data Systems Technician Carlos Orino started the Gold Eagle Martial Arts Club aboard the Vinson in June 1993. Orino, who holds a third degree black belt in Taekwondo, said the club helps crew members recreate and stay physically fit. Volunteer instructors teach and practice with their fellow crew members.

* As the leading petty officer (LPO) for the recreation division, Operations Specialist (OS1) Robin Stiles manages crew members assigned to the division and oversees the recreation inventory. Assigned to the recreation division when he first arrived aboard the Vinson, he feels he is part of one of the finest recreation programs afloat.

* Aviation Ordnanceman (AO3) David Hamblin has several jobs aboard the Vinson and works long hours. He said he tries to work out in the Ratt Hole whenever possible. The workouts give him renewed energy and help him keep physically fit.

* Operations Specialist (OS2) Don Lewis is the enthusiastic voice of the Vinson's rugby club. The team practices every night in the hangar bay, and members are encouraged to stay fit by exercising during any leisure time they can carve out. Although the ship's non-skid deck makes practice treacherous at times, Mr. Lewis said the camaraderie and fitness benefits far outweigh the challenges.

* Machinist's Mates (MM3) James Fox and John Wheeler planned to run during the Vinson's six-month cruise. Motivated by their upcoming physical readiness test, each runs in the ship's hangar bay and on the fight deck during breaks in flight operations, weather permitting.

* Lieutenant Richard LaBranche, a pilot assigned to the Vinson's air wing, said the Ratt Hole is by far the best fitness facility he has seen aboard any of the five carriers on which he has served. He suggested that activities such as co-recreational basketball or mixed team biking be added to the ship's recreation program.

* Captain Evan M. Chanik, the Vinson's executive officer, said the ship's recreation program serves an extremely important function. Every sailor assigned to the Vinson is given a departure interview with the executive officer; without fail, some aspect of the recreation program is mentioned as one of the most positive aspects of shipboard life.

Shipboard Life

Life aboard the Vinson presents constant turmoil and crises for everyone from the commanding officer (who works nearly 20 hours per day and ultimately is responsible for everything that happens on the carrier), down to the most junior seaman, who works a 12-hour shift and has no space to call his own--save for a three-foot by five-foot bunk.

Yet, there is a feeling of esprit de corps on board and an a general sense of enthusiasm and commitment. And these feeling are supported and reinforced with the help of recreation programs that enable everyone aboard to enjoy favorite activities and find an outlet for tension and stress.

Recreation by Land ... and Also by Sea

by Jeannie Barrell

There may be some truth to the old saying, "An army marches on its stomach," especially when you consider the amounts of steel, weapons, supplies, and humanity that our armed forces can mobilize at a moment's notice.

As with most occupations, soldiers, sailors, marines, and air personnel must be physically fit, well adjusted, and refreshed to do their best work. The difference is that when the military does its best work, the result is the successful defense of our national security or relief to disaster victims at home and abroad.

To the military, morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) is serious business. After touring the facilities at Naval Base Norfolk, I saw how comprehensive military recreation programs can be. According to Dick Carlsen, the base MWR director, "The department takes its mission seriously. The MWR department is committed to providing the best quality of life programs for authorized personnel to ensure fleet readiness." In Norfolk, there are programs and facilities on base, in the local community, and aboard ship that are designed to please both "salty dogs" and "landlubbers" alike.

Holding Down the Fleet (or Base)

Naval Base Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, operates like a medium-sized city. Over 120,000 active duty personnel, retirees, and family members reside in the Norfolk/Tidewater area. More than 6,000 of these active duty personnel reside in government housing. With the flash of a military I.D., all naval personnel are entitled to an extraordinary variety of facilities and services, many of which fall under the supervision of the MWR department.

MWR has developed an extensive network of fitness and weight training facilities, all on base, for naval personnel and their family members. Seven fitness centers around the base house a combination of pools, circuit and free weight training equipment, life cycles, treadmills, aerobic facilities, and more. Some centers, such as the cardiovascular training center, have been remodeled into more upscale fitness centers and carry an additional membership fee.

In the Tidewater area's mild climate, outdoor recreation is almost a year-round endeavor. Sewells Point Golf Course, the base golf course, is open year-round for both officers and enlisted personnel. Like the rest of the nation, golf's popularity on the base has skyrocketed, and not just among high ranking officers.

Records show that out of 62,000 rounds of golf played last year, 55% were played by enlisted personnel. To meet the increased demand, the course now must reserve tee times seven days per week, instead of on weekends only. And as with any local park system, MWR operates a number of multi-use trails, parks and picnic areas, a sailing and boat launch marina, and ball fields (including a seven-diamond complex in cooperation with Little League International).

The crown jewel of Norfolk's MWR facilities is the Wind and Sea Enlisted Recreation Center, which serves 400 personnel each day. The center offers activities for virtually every interest.

The Wind and Sea runs a number of programs from movie nights to parties. The staff also works to ensure that base residents participate in recreational activities off-base as well. A small office in the center is home to the L.I.B.E.R.T.Y. (Life Is Better Everywhere Recreation Takes You) program, which plans excursions to local concerts, theme parks, ball games, and attractions.

Above and Beyond the Call

Since Naval Base Norfolk is its own self-reliant community and must provide all the comforts of home, MWR is responsible for the creation and management of many "non-traditional" recreation services. The base veterinary clinic, equipped with laboratory facilities, treats naval work dogs and pets owned by active duty personnel and retirees. A civilian veterinarian and military technicians administer vaccinations and treat minor illnesses for cats, dogs, and birds.

The CrafTech Hobby Shop, complete with wood shop, stocks an array of tools, equipment, instructional books, and supplies for virtually every craft or hobby. Auto enthusiasts and aspiring mechanics can work on their vehicles in the auto hobby shop's 16 daily bays. Civilian managers are on-hand to assist in minor repairs and maintenance. Thirty-three bays also are available for major overhauls and long-term projects. The shop also is equipped with loaner tools and a discount supply store.

Starting with the latch-key era of the 1970s, recreation professionals long have been providers of after school and summer youth programs. Now, the increased need for daytime preschool care, coupled with the growing number of Navy families, has created a large demand for quality child care professionals and facilities on base. MWR has risen to the challenge and expanded its traditional role. Not only does MWR manage the six preschool/after school facilities, it also has created a program to train naval spouses to become Navy Child Care Providers. Once they are trained and certified, naval spouses can make extra money while working at home.

And, often, they save on their child care expenses. MWR also operates a child development center with a capacity of 300 children to serve the active duty.

Perhaps the Navy MWR's biggest challenge is operating recreation programs and facilities aboard ship. Even though an aircraft carrier has a four-and-one-half-acre long flight deck, living space is limited for its more than 6,000 crew members. Under these conditions, recreation becomes a vital resource in recharging and motivating the troops.