Sample (FF 1048) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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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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, LCDR Gerald R. Hess, USN BEING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER IS NO EASY TASK. SOME CALL IT THE PUNISHMENT TOUR OF DUTY IN THE NAVY, AND SOME CALL IT THAT FOR GOOD REA- SON. BUT WHAT MAKES AN XO TICK? HOW DOES HE HANDLE THE MULTI- FACETED PRESSURES OF ONE OF THE MOST DEMAND- ING IOBS ANYWHERE. LCDR HESS TALKED ABOUT IT. WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE THE XO OF A UNITED STATES FRIGATE? There is no argument that the bil- let is extremely demanding, how- ever, I assure you it is a thrill. I have never considered being Executive Officer as a punishment tour . It is a position that every line officer should strive for. There is, with certainty, only one assignment better Command at Sea. HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE SAMPLE? I think this is an unfair question since no one would believe I'd say anything adverse about my ship. In truth, I liken the officers to those of my first Wardroom fourteen years ago and I honestly believe this Wardroom is better. I have re- peatedly observed the crew rise to the challenges both at sea, on the playing field and shore. In each case they have excelled and estab- lished an enviable reputation for professionalism and smartness. HOW DOES THE SAMPLE IT INTO TODAY'S NAVY? The SAMPLE plays a vital role in today's Navy. Considering that the peacetime mission of the Navy is to project power at sea, to train men, and to be ready for war, you can see that SAMPLE fits well into the general goals of today's Navy. We are mobile, we are a platform on which to place experimental sys- tems, and we are a small ship, of- fering virtually unlimited chal- lenge and opportunities for train- ing young men. When I began in the Navy there were 143 destroyers in the Pacific fleet alone. Now there are less that 150 in BOTH fleets. Escort!ASW platforms are necessary to fleet de- fense and so, again, the SAMPLE plays a vital role. WHERE DOES THE SAMPLE GO FROM ITS MISSION TODAY? That is very difficult to answer in terms of specifics. But you can be sure that Navy planners are count- ing on a minimum of 10 more years service from SAMPLE. Therefore I'm sure that a rich and challeng- ing future for SAMPLE still lies ahead. The general mission won't change, though, I believe SAMPLE will continue as an experimental ASW platform while fulfilling the need for fleet escorts and training the sailors of the future.