Photo By LaShawn Sykes | LT Casey Adams is a second officer at American Maritime Officers and holds the rank of...... read more read more
A native of Chesapeake, Va., I grew up in a Navy family with a career naval aviator father. Growing up listening to my father’s experiences had a profound effect on my decision to join the Navy and serve my country. As an avid boater growing up, I strived to have a career centered on the maritime industry. Upon consideration of my options for education, I received my commission through the New York City Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program in 2016 and Third Officer Deck license. Due to my commission in the Strategic Sealift Officer community, I was able to seek out rewarding active duty chances that included job opportunities with Navy Reserve Military Sealift Command Atlantic (NR MSCLANT) in Norfolk, Va.
What is your name, title (both in the reserves and in the civilian world), and what role do you serve as a military staff officer with MSCLANT?
I am Casey Adams; I am a second officer at American Maritime Officers and hold the rank of lieutenant in the Navy reserves. During the month of Oct. 2021, I served as a watchstander, during Carrier Strike Group 8’s flag ship, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Composite Training Exercise (COMPTUEX). I was one of five NR MSCLANT reservists supporting Command Task Force 953 Watch Officer cell.
What is your reserve unit’s name and mission, and how does your role in your current job assist with MSCLANT’s mission? I am a reservist with the Strategic Sealift Officer Force located in Norfolk, Va., supporting OPNAV Instruction 1531.1, which focuses on the U.S. Navy’s need for sealift capability by utilizing maritime expertise from its professional mariner members. I play a key role in supporting NR MSCLANT by standing up the Command Task Force 953 Watch Officer cell during both underway replenishments at sea and ashore cargo operations.
When did you join the MSCLANT staff?
I joined the MSCLANT staff for the third time Oct. 10, 2021 in support of CSG 8’s COMPTUEX. The first two times were as the hurricane/heavy weather officer, Aug. 21 through Nov. 30, 2017 and as the COVID-19 support officer, Feb. 16, 2019 through Jun. 18, 2021.
What types of jobs have you held with MSCLANT in the past? I have served as one of MSCLANT’s COVID-19 support officers, providing COVID-19 risk assessment and analysis of US Naval Service Ships and their crewmembers serving in the Atlantic Fleet, as per MSC’s QMS and NAVADMINS distributed. Additionally, I’ve served in the command’s heavy weather officer role. This was my first Active Duty for Training (ADT) role, following Post Commissioning Indoctrination.
In your last reserve assignment with MSCLANT, what role did you play, and what did a typical day look like for you? As a watchstander for CSG 8’s COMPTUEX, I worked every day, 7 hours on and 7 hours off, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., for 18 consecutive days, which was the entire length of the exercise.
What is the best thing about being a reservist for MSCLANT? Being a reservist with MSCLANT allows me the ability to get a snapshot look at how decisions are made for U.S. Navy fleet ships in order to better understand the overall picture and function of the ships MSCLANT supports.
What is the most challenging part about working for MSCLANT as a reservist? The most challenging part about working for MSCLANT is there is a steep learning curve to understanding the mission, which, by the way, is happening in real time at a very rapid pace. Coming into a well-oiled command, my goal was to figure out how to quickly learn my job; so that, I could be of value to the staff.
What would you tell a reservist who is interested in joining MSCLANT? I would tell them it is worth the time and adventure, working with a great staff of individuals comprised of military individuals, prior and current service, and civilians from all types of backgrounds. I’ve enjoyed the insight and perspective gained from each individual’s career and life experience and would encourage anyone who is interested in serving at MSCLANT to make the most of his or her time. You won’t regret it.
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2021 13:13 |
| Story ID: | 409112 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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