Life as a Carrier Engineer
People have asked me why I consider my tour as Cheng onboard the TR the best and most fulfilling assignment during my 27 year Navy career. When I first received orders to the TR,
I was extremely apprehensive. My last afloat assignment had been 12 years earlier onboard the USS STUMP (DD978). As an engineering duty officer, most of my assignments were maintenance tours in Naval Shipyards. It is easy to see how overwhelming it was to be assigned to a ship that displaces over 100,000 tons, is 1,092 feet in length and when deployed carries almost 6,000 personnel. It may seem a little vain but I believe the Chief Engineer is one of the most important positions on an aircraft carrier because of the equipment he is responsible for maintaining and repairs and the critical services the equipment provides. A Jack of all Trades, in the true sense of the meaning, it would take more than a full page to provide a complete listing of Chief Engineer responsible equipment of services so for illustration purposes, I am going to provide a partial listing:

• Potable water
•  Hot water
•  Air Conditioning
•  Steam Heating systems
•  Galley equipment
•  Laundry Equipment
•  Electrical Service
•  Lighting
•  Sewage
•  Firemain
•  Aircraft Elevators
•  Steam System to Catapults
•  Potable water distribution system
•  Navigation Lights
•  Firefighting and Damage control
•  Steering System
•  Anchor Windlass
•  Electronic System Cooling water
•  Refrigeration systems

As Chief Engineer, you are the primary service provider for the entire crew. If there’s no hot water or the toilet doesn’t flush, it’s the Cheng’s problem. If the Supply Officer cannot feed the crew because the galley equipment isn’t operational or can’t wash or dry clothes, it’s not the Supply Officer’s problem; it’s the Cheng’s. My objective as Chief Engineer was simple; provide service to the crew unparalleled to none. My department was not extremely large, consisting of approximately 300 men and women who were by far the most professional and talented individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of serving with. A tour as CVN Chief Engineer is not easy. The hours are long, when import and when underway Cheng is on call 24/7 but my passion for providing quality service made the job exciting, rewarding and yes, even fun. I now plan on focusing my passion for quality service in a slightly different manner, that is, making a dining experience at Passion Restaurant the best of the best.