Model of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier - GIF

[Duke_of_URL]

When I was in the U.S. Army, we were once training at the Marine Amphibious Warfare School in Little Creek, Va., when one of my mates and I happened to be in a bar near the base one night when we struck up a conversation with two sailors next to us, who were stationed on the USS Nimitz. The Nimitz was almost brand new at that time, and the sailors asked if we'd ever been on an aircraft carrier, and of course, we had not. The next day was Sunday and they said fortunately it was the Nimitz's family & visitor day, and asked us if we'd like to tour the ship. We gave them an emphatic, "Hell YES!", and the next day, we sent a message that we were waiting for them beside the ship's gangway. Since we had never requested permission to come aboard a ship, our beer buddies gave us quick instructions, to fill us in on what we need to ask, what we must say, what to reply, when to salute, etc., and abracadabra, we were welcomed aboard. (Sheesh, so much formality for a couple of ground-pounders!) My first impression of this majestic vessel was just how incredibly massive the Flight Deck was! It's absolutely HUGE! As we toured the ship, it just seemed to go on, and on, and on, as we descended level after level, after level, I think 4 or 5 levels until we came to where these sailors slept. Their bunks were packed together so tight with only a small personal locker for clothing, etc., at which point I became totally convinced that I'd made the right choice in choosing the Army over the Navy!