Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher R Jahnke | SILVERDALE, Wash. (April 9, 2018) Machinist Mate 1st Class Nick Peterson, from Tacoma,...... read more read more
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For one Nimitz Sailor volunteering with Boy Scout Troop 1539 gives him a chance to spend time with his two sons.
Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Nick Peterson from Tacoma, Washington, has been a scout leader since 2014, when he arrived in Bremerton. Working with the scouts has given him a valuable opportunity to spend time with his boys.
“Having my two sons in the troop means more to me because here on the Nimitz, it’s hard to find that family time due to workups and deployment,” said Peterson. “Finding this time to spend with my sons is hard to come by.”
Time spent with his kids means more to Peterson as he didn’t have that in his childhood.
“Growing up I had a father who worked two jobs, a mother who worked full time, an older sister and brother who were never around and a little brother with learning disabilities,” said Peterson. “My parents were nonexistent in my household. I didn’t have any direction or knowledge on where to go in life when I hit 18. I didn’t want that for my kids. I want them to have a direction and the life skills I wasn’t afforded.”
Peterson spends his Mondays and weekends with the scouts of Troop 1539.
“When I spend time going to the meetings, campouts and events I get that time back with my children,” said Peterson. “I get every penny out of life. There’s not a minute wasted and that’s what it’s all about.”
At Boy Scout events you can find Peterson teaching the troop. With his sons, he’s spending time giving them important lessons.
“I wouldn’t be as close with my kids if it wasn’t for Boy Scouts,” said Peterson. “I’ve noticed my sons are taking up more responsibility, ownership and their grades are excellent. They have something to do after school and if they are doing something productive they have less opportunity to get into trouble.”
Peterson says staying out of trouble is a sign of maturity, especially at a young age. It’s something he’s very happy about with his sons maturing while in scouts.
“My oldest son Hayden was voted patrol leader for troop 1539,” said Peterson. “He leads a group of six junior scouts, which includes his little brother, Taylor. Taylor was advanced to tenderfoot and at an earlier age he struggled with learning disabilities, so watching him succeed when the odds are against him is a sign of his maturity. Seeing my sons mature and leading other scouts makes me really proud as a father.”
Peterson says he isn’t just proud of his sons and their success in Scouts.
“Hayden was doing the dishes, laundry and cleaning the house when I was deployed,” said Peterson. “I had asked him to take on a larger role in the house and he did. As a father I can’t tell you what it means to see that type of effort put in. When I came back it was like we didn’t skip a beat as a family.”
Boy Scouts is a key to connecting the Peterson family. Giving them back precious time and teaching important skills that will last a lifetime. For one father it means the world to see his sons grow up to become positive leaders. He has the chance to make up lost time.
Nimitz is conducting a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades.
-USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)-
| Date Taken: | 03.29.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.13.2018 11:25 |
| Story ID: | 272977 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 178 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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