CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — In the early morning hours of D-Day, long before battleships, destroyers and amphibious crafts laden with troops arrived at the beaches of Normandy, mine countermeasures ships hurried to clear the way.
Today, the scene is no different, as sailors on board the small vessels make it possible for aircraft carriers, submarines and other naval vessels to encroach upon an enemy.
Seaman David Harvey, son of Carrie Heidrich of Minot, is training to become a member of this group of sailors as a student at the Mine Warfare Training Center. The center trains sailors to identify and neutralize mines, clearing the way for larger ships to carry on their missions.
Harvey believes the mineman rate has a lot to offer. “This job is anything but a desk job, and that’s what I like about it. We’re the first into a war zone and that’s exciting.”
The hours at school are long, and the training is intense. Harvey said it’s hard at times, but instructors make the courses engaging and remind students why they need to learn everything they can. “Being organized is definitely important here. A lot of information is given to us in a short amount of time.”
After graduation, many of the sailors will head immediately to mine countermeasures ships. The crews work within yards of mines capable of tearing through the hull of a ship.
Why would Harvey want to work in this dangerous field? According to him, it’s one of the reasons why he joined the Navy. “The Navy was a way for me to earn money for college and figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I’m looking forward to seeing other countries and serving my country.”
Send questions/comments to the editors.
