Final post of my #navyweek experience. I wish I could do more of this. I know there is a recruiting element, but there’s more to it. It’s about getting away from the coasts and letting folks see who we are. It’s about connecting as Americans. It’s about getting to know the people we serve.

CAPT Chris "Chowdah" Hill's broadcast appearance on the #Unscripted morning talk show today, discussing his Navy career and #NavyWeek activities in Springfield/ Branson, MI, is on the Ozarks First website > www.ozarksfirst.com/video/navy-w... BZ and have a gr8 #NavyWeek, @chowdahhill.bsky.social !

I found this video from my high school alma mater North Quincy HS about the remarkable life of CAPT Richard Stratton who also graduated from there. He passed away this year. Naval Aviator. Vietnam Veteran. POW. Family man. Man of faith. 🫡 Link here: youtu.be/6MNR76IEJyQ?...

Last weekend the Navy was given an official proclamation from the Mayor of Springfield, MO. Part of it recognizes the impending 250th birthday of your US Navy. We loved hanging out with the folks there — proud, patriotic, and big time supporters of veterans and those serving now. #navyweek

Ten prospective US Navy Sailors were sworn in via the Oath of Enlistment this weekend in Branson, Missouri. #NavyWeek

Day 1 for me in Missouri on the morning talk show #Unscripted @ozarksfirst talking about my career and the 80 US Navy sailors swarming the Springfield/Branson area this week for #NavyWeek to spread the good word about the planet’s most incredible navy!

On my way to Missouri to help support events for #NavyWeek Springfield/Branson. There are 80 US Navy Sailors there from various units to uncle the USS Cole, the USS Constitution, the USS Harry S. Truman, the Navy Band and more. Blue Angels perform this weekend. It’s going to be wicked awesome.

To hear my conversation with Danny Li about becoming an aircraft carrier commanding officer, here is the link: m.youtube.com/watch?v=7uTr...

Presenting Josephine the Attack Pug, age three months. I am personally training her for future reconnaissance missions.

Presenting Tailhook Association’s “Hook 2025.” This annual convention brings together thousands of US Navy pilots, naval flight officers, and supporters to network and share lessons learned. This year’s theme: Dominate Tomorrow.

The good folks at 'AirLant' celebrated 'Christmas in July' this week (a month late). It was really an excuse to socialize for a couple hours with pot luck food, and for me to meet some of them and share war stories.

I had my change of command ceremony recently and said goodbye to the courageous crew of the USS Harry S. Truman. My time there was only temporary, and now we wish CAPT Prozac Prochazka much success as the new commanding officer. Several of my IKE peeps showed up as well, which meant a lot!

My post deployment statement to the press.

Every week we honor a few Sailor and Shipyard warriors who make a difference in service to their country. Last week we honored this group. This is your Navy.

Out and about doing my weekly maintenance spot check. I asked these young Sailors how they managed the last deployment. Their responses: -“One day at a time.” -“You gotta stay motivated.” -“Turn to; get back to work!” This is your Navy.

More than 60 new Sailors per month on an aircraft carrier (see below). This requires leaders to repeat their strategic messaging constantly. If you feel like you’re beating a dead horse, you’re doing okay. Rapid, relentless, repetitive positive communications (R3P).

Captain Demo is back on duty, as I mentioned before. He saw snow for the first time — didn’t like it. Every day he’s making the rounds to check on Sailors, just like we expect ALL LEADERS TO DO. This is the way.

I find restocking to be oddly satisfying…

As we officially enter our “shipyard phase,” it’s time to bring back recognition for Sailors and Shipyard workers alike — those who keep killing it, under the radar, to prep the best damn ship in the Navy for a few more deployments. Yes I failed to secure cookies for each… next week I’ll be good!

From my brief interactions with several employees there, this seems legit.

During a tour of the Saab plant in Syracuse, NY this week, I got to meet and shake hands with Americans who are building CVN air traffic control radars. They helped us safely land aircraft more than 13,000 times on deployment. They should be damn proud of their work!

This was a fun podcast. Its best for the non-military audience who are interested in some of the weird career paths military folks get into. I also believe the Way of the Warrior Sailor (discussed herein) applies to any organization with two or more humans… linktr.eetalk4withlouisskupien

I met with a ton of Americans who do great work at the Applied Physics Laboratory. I was there to chat about the deployment but learned about all their advances in medicine, military tech, and outer space. The space part blew me away (<— SciFi nerd). They are a proud group there!

Demo is back on board after his training. I included a painting he apparently did — looks like a depiction of his brain waves on deployment… or mine? Insta: @chowdah_hill

@moderation.bsky.app @chowdahhill.bsky.social is NOT an impersonation account! I know this because I'm the person that invited him to join BlueSky! How can we fix this and remove the "Impersonation" label?

Click on the link below. I think his account is shadow banned as well. Doesn't show up in search. Click > @chowdahhill.bsky.social As you'll see in the screenshot, it's labeled as "Impersonation."

Giant warship mysteriously appears on the Elizabeth River…

A trip down the Elizabeth River on the Best Damn Ship in the Navy…

A 2024 video of the Mighty IKE experience in 2024, produced by junior IKE Sailors.

Micheal and Nash work for Norfolk Naval Shipyard and they’re super proud to be refurbishing the IKE’s Jet Blast Deflectors (which got massive use during deployment). They also said they love their work, the benefits, and pay, and are proud to serve their country this way! 🇺🇸

IKE Heads of Department enjoy gift exchange for donation to kids. Every gift has a story, some of which can’t be shared!

Introducing Mighty Ike’s Sailors of the Quarter!

For decades, this ship’s bell has been inscribed with the names of several who were baptized on it. It’s hard to get a good pic like this one.

Captain Demo visits the crew of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower over Thanksgiving. He brought his little friend Willow who is in training to be a ship’s facility dog.

So I did a talk at the Naval Academy yesterday about leadership and some Red Sea tales. My daughter’s friend’s older sister is a midshipman there, and she said that even “the ppl forced to go “liked it. I’ll consider that a win! Plus everyone got a cookie…

A glimpse of a shipboard major fire drill working with local fire departments.

Awesome to be able to follow the adventures of the #MightyIKE and her skipper, @chowdahhill.bsky.social, here! 🦋⚓️🇺🇸 #CVN69 #USSDwightDEisenhower #BestDamnShiplnTheNavy #WarriorLeadership

@AlArabiya_Eng: The US has already escalated preemptive strikes, including targeting #Houthi weapons facilities, in response to missile and drone attacks on US Navy ships.

My goals: - Highlight life on an aircraft carrier. - Avoid the constant social media outrage. - Honor young warriors who do all the hard work. - Share leadership lessons based on “The Way of the Warrior Sailor”

CAPT Demo update. His training is going well and he’s planning to return to IKE in a couple months. We also have a new crop of Handlers trained up to take care of his mission and needs.