Sample (FF 1048) - Naval Cruise Book

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.W .g..... A--H '.:1z::'- l wa-- Commander lVllCl'Iael BlCliel, HE IS STRIKINGLY YOUNG. THAT IS THE FIRST AND IMPULSIVE IMPRESSION OF THIS COMMANDING OFFICER. AND THERE IS ALWAYS THE OMNIPRESENT SMILE. AS HE SPOKE THE PHILIPPINE SEA FORMED THE BACKDROP. AND AS HE SPOKE THOSE QUALITIES OF YOUTH, OF CONFIDENCE AND OF SEASONING INTEGRATED THEMSELVES WITH THE WORDS HE FORMED OF HIS SHIP. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE THE CAP- TAIN OF THIS INCREDIBLE VESSEL? HOW DOES IT FEEL TO COMMAND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SAMPLE AND THE LIVES OF HER MEN? COM- MANDER MICHAEL BICKEL IS ONE OF THE FEW MEN ENTRUSTED WITH A UNITED STATES SHIP AND HE HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT IT. WHAT IS IT -LIKE TO BE THE COM- MANDING OFFICER OF THIS UNITED STATES FRIGATE? I am constantly aware of, and driven by, my obligation to present a warship that is always capable, by virtue of material readiness and the crew's training, to carry out any mission assigned. Yet I also realize that in whatever we do each crew member needs to feel that what he is doing is worthwhile and important, and that he is progressing and growing with- in the organization. l've stated many times that SAMPLE is a training ground for each person on- board as he grows in a career that will one day have him running the Navy. Each officer is training for the day he becomes Admiral. Likewise, every enlisted man who does not plan to enter an officer program is in training for the day he makes Master Chief Petty Officer. I view myself as a teacher. I don't do much work but I am an overseer. I am always watching out for the safety of the ship and that of each individual. Super safety observer is one of my major tasks. I don't really enjoy the problems that arise. But I sure do get a kick out of the solutions that all levels of this exception- al crew find. It never ceases to leave me in awe. Whenever difficulties do come up, some individual or some work group figures out a way to correct the situation, THEN DOES. That's professionalism. Sure, some days I didn't think I was get- ting enough pay to bear the burdens I thought I was facing. However, the dark times pass very quickly and somehow aren't remembered. WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT THE SAMPLE'S MISSION? SAMPLE is a versatile ship, capable of providing numerous wartime and peace- time services. She is highly suited for anti-submarine warfare. Likewise her reliable five inch guns are valuable for fire missions at sea and against targets ashore. SAMPLE has exceptionally fine communications capabilities, valuable in peace as well as war. Likewise the ship is always ready to provide rescue and assistance to other mariners. WHAT MAKES THE SAMPLE SPECIAL? I felt the special qualities of SAMPLE as soon as I reported aboard, as I'm sure has every other Sampleman. There is a warmth and tightness with this crew that I have never experienced before on a ship. This atmosphere and spirit make it possible to accomplish all of the neces- sary tasks and evolutions as early and professionally as possible. I really enjoy being Commanding Of- ficer of the SAMPLE. There is no job l've enjoyed more or would rather have. The officers and crew have made it that way! ---.N-M 1-

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is oFricER iff A Lf ' I Sb X Commander BICKEL graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in the Class of 1961. After commis- sioning, he was assigned to the USS TAYLOR iDD 4681 where he served as Main Propulsion Assist- ant, Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer and Weapons Department Head. Following his tour in Tay- lor he was ordered in May of 1964 to USS PLUCK CMSO 4641 as Executive Officer and Navigator. In May 1968, he was ordered to the Bureau of Naval Personnel where he initially served as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Chief for Plans and Programs and subsequently as the Head, Washington, D.C. Departmental Activities and Public QuartersfElag Mess Steward De- tailing Section. ln july 1968, Commander BICKEL assumed command of USS HICKAM COUNTY i1ST 8251 in Vietnam. In August 1969, he reported to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy iMan- power and Reserve Affairs1 as special Assistant for Naval Personnel. He served in this capacity un- tilfSeptember 1971 when he reported to USS LLOYD THOMAS CDD 7681 for duty as Executive O ficer. Following his tour in LLOYD THOMAS he was assigned, in November 1972, to the Human Re- source Management Center, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he served as Organizational Develop- ment Consultant. He relieved as Commanding Officer of SAMPLE on 23 july 1976. Commander BICKEL was awarded the Master of Science Degree in Business Administration from the George Washington University. Corgmander BICKEL's awards include the Bronze Star with Combat V , Meritorious Service Me N C ' ' f' - - ' ' a ,. avy ommendation Medal with Combat V , Combat Action Ribbon, and the Meritori- ous Unit Commendation with Star. Commander BICKEL is married to the former Monika Schultz of Sidney, Australia, and Hamburg, German . The and th ' t h'l ' ' - Y Y el' W0 C ldfenf David and Tracy Anne, reside in Honolulu, Hawaii. M1445 . Mt 59- if COMMA DI Cr

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER 'fit LCDR Gerald R. Hess was born in Detroit, Michigan on 27 August 1941. He is the son of Luarence and Dorthy Hess of Troy, Michigan. He attended the University of Detroit in 1960 and entered Miami University, Oxford, Ohio under the NROTC fRegularl program in 1961. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree and commission as an Ensign in the Regular Navy in june of 1964. LCDR Hess attended U.S. Naval Postgraduate school, Monterey, California from 1970 to 1972 and received a Master of Science degree in the field of Communication Management. He has sub- sequently been designated a Proven Sub-Specialist fCommunicationsJ. LCDR Hess has serves as Main Propulsion Assistant, USS SAMUEL N. MOORE CDD-7479: Chief Engineer, USS HOOPER KDE-10261, Assistant Communications Officer QN-519, Staff, Commander Naval Forces Korea, Communications Officer, USS CONSTELLATION KCV-64l, and Communi- cationsfOperations Officer, U.S. Naval Communications Station, Philippines. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Destroyer School tClass 185 and a designated Surface Warfare Officer. LCDR Hess is married to th Catherine Marie, Michael, and Butch . The Hess family presently resides at 65 Lahike Circle, Aiea, Hawaii e former Karen M. Paul of Detroit Michigan They have three children: LCDR Hess is authorized to wear the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon Nation ID f ' ' 1 3 9 ense Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.