I just returned from 2 days and a night on the US Navy Aircraft Carrier Nimitz (CVN-68) as part of the Distinguished Visitor program. This is one of the highest honors I have ever received.

Our group of 14 was shown so much of the ship and operations during our time on-board, that I can't list them all in one post. The Captain and entire crew could not have been more hospitable and available to answer every question in the best way possible. The conversations we were able to have with crew members, all over the ship, gave me great insight to the values that our Navy holds and executes all day, everyday. To say that I was impressed is an understatement.

I titled this article Vol. 0 because you will see a series of posts on what I took away from this trip. Special thanks to all the crew of CVN-68, VRC-30 (that flew us to the ship and back) and Steve Broback from Dent The Future for connecting me to this once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you look at the second yellow-jersey from the left in the photo, you can see my left elbow in a green shirt. Front and center! #FlyNavy

How I got to participate in this amazing experience: Steve Broback brought me to the attention of Dennis Hall, an entrepreneur in California who has given back to the US military’s public affairs organizations for almost 40 years. He is neither a contractor for nor employee of the US military. He made my embarking possible via his nomination of me to the US Navy. Dennis Hall initially submitted my nomination to the Deputy Public Affairs Officer for the Commander, Naval Air Forces – Pacific, US Pacific Fleet for the Navy’s Distinguished Visitors Program. The selection process can take from three months to three years starting from the time of nomination to vetting by the Navy and finally selection and embarkation to a ship underway at sea. Based on his nomination and vetting the Navy selected me. Further, Robert Coombs based in New York City collaborated with Dennis Hall in making this group embark of fourteen happen by advancing nominations of East Coast nominees. The Navy selected them as well and they joined me in the adventure.