USS Roosevelt Holds Damage Control Olympics

The events included P-100 operation, FFE donning, pipe patching, basic firefighting, and a written exam. The participating teams consisted of Repair Locker 2, Repair Locker 3, Repair Locker 5, the Wardroom, and the Chief's Mess.

All teams gathered on the flight deck as the Damage Control Assistant, Lt.j.g. Brian Demell, explained the rules for each event. The teams were to move from station to station displaying their DC abilities, all the while being graded by the Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) members. The team with the highest score at the end of all five events would then face DCTT in a challenging DC obstacle course. The winner of the obstacle course would become the 2008 USS Roosevelt DC Olympics Champion.

After the explanation of the rules, all teams went to their assigned stations and began their events. Water was spraying, equipment was flying, and a good time was being had by all. After the first couple of rounds the score was very close, with Repair 5 and the Wardroom tied for first place. Repair 2, Repair 3 and the Chief's Mess were not too far behind.

In the last round Repair 5 clocked the fastest time for donning their FFE's, giving them enough points to take the overall lead and the right to face DCTT in the DC obstacle course. Repair 5 locker leader, Damage Controlman 2nd Class Joseph "Gonzo" Gonzales, gathered up his team before the final challenge.

He victoriously shouted, "This is where we hold them! This is where we fight! This is where the fire dies!"

Although Gonzales's speech had his team jumping up and down with excitement before the final challenge, it was not enough to overcome the experienced DCTT team. Repair 5 ended with a DC obstacle course time of 5:02, whereas DCTT ended with a time of 5:00.

Even though none of the participating teams were good enough to beat DCTT this year, they all had a great time and improved their DC skills in the process.

"I liked the written exam in particular; it allowed me to really show off my DC knowledge to the crew!" said Lt. Brandon Cornes, Roosevelt's Chief Engineer.

Roosevelt Sailors will continue to train throughout the year in Damage Control and maybe, just maybe, next year one team will be good enough to take down DCTT in the 2009 USS Roosevelt DC Olympics.