Imagine 90-degree August heat in Norfolk as civilian employees step aboard an aircraft carrier and begin climbing from the lower decks. The air carries a metallic smell, sweat quickly soaks through clothing, knees ache from steep ladders, and low overheads require constant ducking through narrow passageways. What was a challenging tour for Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) civilians offered a brief glimpse into what Sailors experience every day—and why seeing the warfighter’s environment firsthand matters.
