Kettering native celebrates unique birthday aboard deployed carrier USS Harry S. Truman
Lead Summary
By
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs-
ADRIATIC SEA — A Kettering, Ohio native celebrates the 129-year anniversary of the Chief Petty Officer rank while serving aboard currently deployed Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.
Chief Petty Officer Nicholas Schaaf joined the Navy for the adventure and opportunities the Navy provides.
“I was unemployed and saw an ad in the local paper for an aviation electrician job with no experience needed,” said Schaaf. “I always liked airplanes growing up. When I called the number, it was a Navy recruiting office. At that point I figured it could be a fun adventure and I would be near a beach.”
Growing up in Kettering, Schaaf attended Kettering Fairmont High School and graduated in 1997. Today, Schaaf relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Kettering to succeed in the military.
Schaaf was promoted to chief on Sept. 16, 2015 while stationed at Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 in Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
“Being a chief gives means guiding sailors to be better at what they do and who they are, while instilling traditions and training those sailors to take your place,” said Schaaf. “I enjoy leading and molding junior sailors to become better at what they do and how they lead their sailors to complete a common goal.”
With a crew of nearly 5,000 sailors, the Chief’s Mess, as it’s called, makes up approximately eight percent of the crew and serves as the connective tissue that bridges the gap between the officer’s vision and the enlisted crews’ daily tasking. The chief understands the mission and vision of the command and has the training and experience to teach and guide junior sailors, both officer and enlisted.
Truman deployed from Norfolk, Va., Dec. 1, 2021, is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean Sea where it has been operating with NATO militaries conducting dual and tri-carrier operations, enhanced air patrols and enhanced vigilance activities; in addition to several bilateral military exercises.
“Since arriving in the Sixth Fleet area of operations a key aspect of our mission has been to build integration and interoperability with our NATO Allies and Partners,” said Rear Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight.
These efforts have focused on the Western Mediterranean, Ionian and Adriatic Sea. In early March, the carrier sailed into the North Aegean Sea, an area a U.S. carrier had never operated before.
Schaaf and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“Since joining the Navy, my proudest accomplishment was when I made chief,” said Schaaf. “However, my most rewarding deployments where the two tours to Balad, Iraq in 2008 and 2009. Keeping those helicopters functioning and flying we were able to see what they did pay off when they came back with high value targets or went out and found weapons caches.”
As Schaaf and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Becoming a chief has opened my eyes on truly how the Navy works and how much impact the Chief’s mess has on how the Navy operates,” added Schaaf. “It has made me a better person and a better leader. I believe I have learned more in my time as a chief than I did in the years leading up to it.”
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Chief Petty Officer Nicholas Schaaf joined the Navy for the adventure and opportunities the Navy provides.
“I was unemployed and saw an ad in the local paper for an aviation electrician job with no experience needed,” said Schaaf. “I always liked airplanes growing up. When I called the number, it was a Navy recruiting office. At that point I figured it could be a fun adventure and I would be near a beach.”
Growing up in Kettering, Schaaf attended Kettering Fairmont High School and graduated in 1997. Today, Schaaf relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Kettering to succeed in the military.
Schaaf was promoted to chief on Sept. 16, 2015 while stationed at Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 in Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
“Being a chief gives means guiding sailors to be better at what they do and who they are, while instilling traditions and training those sailors to take your place,” said Schaaf. “I enjoy leading and molding junior sailors to become better at what they do and how they lead their sailors to complete a common goal.”
With a crew of nearly 5,000 sailors, the Chief’s Mess, as it’s called, makes up approximately eight percent of the crew and serves as the connective tissue that bridges the gap between the officer’s vision and the enlisted crews’ daily tasking. The chief understands the mission and vision of the command and has the training and experience to teach and guide junior sailors, both officer and enlisted.
Truman deployed from Norfolk, Va., Dec. 1, 2021, is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean Sea where it has been operating with NATO militaries conducting dual and tri-carrier operations, enhanced air patrols and enhanced vigilance activities; in addition to several bilateral military exercises.
“Since arriving in the Sixth Fleet area of operations a key aspect of our mission has been to build integration and interoperability with our NATO Allies and Partners,” said Rear Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight.
These efforts have focused on the Western Mediterranean, Ionian and Adriatic Sea. In early March, the carrier sailed into the North Aegean Sea, an area a U.S. carrier had never operated before.
Schaaf and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“Since joining the Navy, my proudest accomplishment was when I made chief,” said Schaaf. “However, my most rewarding deployments where the two tours to Balad, Iraq in 2008 and 2009. Keeping those helicopters functioning and flying we were able to see what they did pay off when they came back with high value targets or went out and found weapons caches.”
As Schaaf and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Becoming a chief has opened my eyes on truly how the Navy works and how much impact the Chief’s mess has on how the Navy operates,” added Schaaf. “It has made me a better person and a better leader. I believe I have learned more in my time as a chief than I did in the years leading up to it.”
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