Carrier on PBS
April 30th, 2008 Justin Posted in Opinion | 
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Life in the military is not an easy path. Imagine working on an Air Craft Carrier, with 5,000 other people. The Carrier is essentially a floating city, complete with everything one could need — even a legal department. PBS’s new series documents what life is like on board a U.S. Naval Air Craft Carrier.
Instead, the series’ mission was “to find a way to understand, and to connect the viewer with, the people who are out there for us: who the Navy is, and what they’re doing at this moment in history.”
With “Carrier,” a number of men and women of the Nimitz are granted a showcase to tell their own stories, even as they live them. (Mercury News)
The documentary outlines what it is like to carry out daily life while on board. It shows that the normal 18 hour day, is everything but fun and games. The people on board work long hours for little pay. However, they do it all so we can rest comfortably at home.
Justin
Tags: air craft carrier, documentary, History, Life, Military, Navy, pbs
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May 5th, 2008 at 9:18 am
I spent four years aboard a US Navy destroyer through 1977. I am a bit dismayed over the lack of maturity I am seeing from the sailors, both enlisted and junior officers alike. The only sailor who has made me proud thus far is the black gentleman who attempted to reason with the self-proclaimed racist. Admittedly, I have only watched the series in bits and pieces. Also, I’d like to add a side note. I am getting a kick over the display of how “rough” they have it. Our racks consisted of a piece of canvas strung to an aluminum frame. We also had a nice variety of cockroaches that infested our lockers and food. Must be a Generation ‘Y’ thing.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Let me recant. This fellow is not the “only” sailor who has made me proud, but is one of those who has shown a great deal of maturity.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Thank you for your comments, Ken. More importantly, thank you for your service in the Navy. I too, was struck by the amount of immaturity aboard the carrier. A lot of teenagers are going right into the military after high school (I am sure a lot did in the past as well). However, it seems that todays teenage youth is maturing at a much slower rate. Perhaps they are just acting immature on camera — I am sure that they are quiet serious when they need to be.
May 8th, 2008 at 4:51 am
Judith, your point is well taken. I was speaking with my wife about my Navy experience the evening after I wrote my first entry. We were a bunch of crazy kids when we hit the beach, but while at sea and at our respective stations, we were the best ASW ship and crew in the 6th Fleet.
May 8th, 2008 at 4:53 am
Beg your pardon, Justin. I had Judith on my mind. Apologies.