story & photos by MC2 (SW/AW) Timothy Hazel Recently, four of Carl Vinson’s commanders were selected for promotion to the rank of captain. In this issue of the Voice, we feature our line officers, Cmdr. Hammond and Cmdr. Lannamann. In our next issue we will highlight our staff corps officers, Cmdr. Nevarez and Cmdr. Stewart.
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READY FOR WINGS
n April 17, 2013 the Navy released a fleet-wide message announcing line officers selected for promotion to the rank of captain. While conducting unit-level training off the coast of Southern California, Capt. Kent Whalen, commanding officer of Carl Vinson, came over the 1-MC to congratulate Operations Officer Cmdr. Jason Hammond and Chief Engineer Cmdr. Daniel Lannamann on their future ‘full bird’ status. The requirements to be promoted to the rank of captain are seemingly basic. Before receiving a recommendation for the promotion from commander to captain, the officer must have completed three years of service as an O-5. Additionally, one must have a minimum of 21 years of military service in order to be considered. That being said, the O-6 pay grade is the highest rank a naval officer can attain without congressional and presidential approval. Getting promoted to a rank where the next step in your career requires executive and congressional approval lends to its significance. Given that more than two decades of military service are required to be considered for captain, it is no surprise that both Hammond and Lannamann have made significant accomplishments in their careers thus far. Both will tell you the road to this point was paved with hard work, planning, and strong mentorship. Lannamann, recognizing he was not collegiate material at the time, joined the Navy in 1983 as a Gunner’s Mate, four days after his 17th birthday. He spent his senior year of high school in the delayed entry program and never looked back. “The Navy has been fantastic for me,” said Lannamann. “I was a lousy student and there was no doubt I was not going to college. I knew I did not have the maturity or the skills to be in college, and the Navy gave me those.” After completing his first tour, Lannamann earned his
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