Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Riley McDowell | Richard Haninger, USS Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) deployed resilience educator, teaches...... read more read more
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NORFOLK, VIRGINIA — The deployed resilience educator (DRE) program helps service members adjust to life in the Navy. DREs spend time before, during and after deployments teaching Sailors important life skills such as time management and car-buying strategies, helping them become more resilient for deployment and their day-to-day lives. The DRE is a unique job that requires experience and a drive to help others. Here onboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), we have one such individual.
Richard Haninger, Ford’s deployed resilience educator, a Chicago native, spent thirty years on active duty prior to becoming a DRE. He spent twenty of those years as an aviation electronics technician and ten as a command master chief (CMC). He decided to return to the fleet to share his experience and improve the quality of life for new Sailors.
“After I retired from the Navy, I worked for Fleet & Family Support for four years. I briefed commands as well as family members on how to prepare for deployment,” said Haninger. “Even after they deployed, I would fly out to the ship’s last port call and prepare Sailors for the return home.”
Haninger’s experience as a CMC gives him a unique perspective when teaching classes that will be beneficial to the crew.
“When I was a CMC, these are the types of programs we were pushing to get started,” said Haninger. “I can see the difference in people after taking the classes. The skills they pick up and develop help them out in the long run with their careers and home lives.”
Part of what Haninger has learned over time is that the learning process doesn’t stop. Education is one of the ways he improves himself and those around him.
“I learn new things every day. I learn from everyone, from chiefs, officers and junior sailors alike,” said Haninger. “It’s one of the things I enjoy about the job, I can continue to learn new skills to better myself and others.”
Talking and interacting with Sailors was Haninger’s favorite part of being a CMC. As Ford’s DRE, it’s one of his primary duties onboard.
“I get to help people every day and that brings me a lot of enjoyment,” said Haninger. “I don’t even mind the hours, it’s all worth it when you see the positive impact you’re making on their lives.”
In the deployment resilience education program, Haninger teaches Fleet & Family classes. The classes range from deployment briefs to financial classes, car buying, consumer awareness, credit building, dealing with stress, anger management and communication.
“The heaviest turnout in classes I’ve seen have been the pre-deployment briefs,” said Haninger. “We have a lot of first term Sailors and I always tell people, no matter how many deployments you’ve been on it’s good to go. You can always learn something new.”
Some of the new classes Haninger started teaching include love languages, leadership development and common courtesies. He also held a few classes on resume writing, interview techniques and job searching post-military.
“DRE is a job that is beneficial to the entire crew,” said Haninger. “I have years of military experience, but now I’m a civilian, which allows me both perspectives, to talk to people and share my experience. I’ve probably already dealt with most of the issues that come up in a Sailor’s life and I can help them through those trials.”
DRE is a program designed to bring experienced instructors onboard Navy warships and use them to teach Sailors life skills and develop a more well-rounded fleet. Haninger said attending classes provided by the DRE is a great way for Sailors to better themselves and increase their resilience before, during and after deployments.
For more news from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit www.dvidshub.net/CVN78 or www.facebook.com/USSGeraldRFord.
| Date Taken: | 08.28.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 08.30.2022 20:03 |
| Story ID: | 428218 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 108 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Retired Master Chief Still has Love for the Fleet, by PO2 Riley McDowell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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