DV tours give outsiders a look at day-to-day operations on board Nimitz. It grants civilians and other dignitaries the opportunity to experience a Sailor’s life, and show them what the U.S. Navy is capable of. Story by SN Cole Schroeder
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“Several emotions hit me at the same time, but one was certainly pride when I embraced the ship,” said Louisiana congressman Ralph L. Abraham, when asked about his initial interactions with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a distinguished visitor (DV) tour. “Once on board, I felt immense pride when I saw our young Sailors and everybody that is part of the crew. You guys believe in better communities, better schools and a better country.” DV tours give outsiders a look at day-to-day operations on board Nimitz. It grants influential civilians and other dignitaries the opportunity to experience a Sailor’s life and show them what the U.S. Navy is capable of. During a normal tour, visitors are flown on board and are almost immediately greeted by the commanding officer, executive officer and command master chief. After the initial greet and a couple safety briefs, half the group heads to the flight deck, and the other half heads to the island, specifically the bridge, to watch flight operations. Visitors are also shown medical and dental and given a tour of the foc’sle, ordnance control, and the jet shop. This well rounded schedule guarantees that the DVs interact with all functions of the ship and how everything works together. Visitors can expect to eat in the wardroom with the officers the first night, eat breakfast the next morning in the chiefs mess, and lunch on the enlisted mess decks before they leave. This ensures they gain perspective from every rank, which helps them get a full understanding of life on board. “A lot of times the military is so far removed from the civilian community in America,” said Lt. Christopher Moore, the V-2 Division Officer. “They see it on TV but they don’t get to experience it; they don’t get to see what we do and honestly, we can’t do what we do without the support of the people back home.” Moore acts as a flight deck escort for the DVs that
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