Oct. 26, 2013
Vol. 2 Issue 131
CARPENTER SHOP:
A JOB, A HOBBY Story and photos by MCSN Eric M. Butler
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or craftsmen like hull maintenance technicians (HTs), woodworking in the carpenter shop is basically a paid full-time hobby. Only a few HT’s work in the shop at a time on board Nimitz. Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Chase T. Prosser, from Apache Junction, Ariz., currently acts as head of the shop and said it’s a nice change of pace. “You get to the carpenter shop by working hard in the weld shop or pipe shop,” said Prosser. “There are only two of us that work up there at one time, so when one of us leaves, chief asks people if they have had prior experience in carpentry and if they would like to work up there.” Most of the time, the work can be routine, but enjoyable. “We make all of the departmental picture boards, door plaques, Nim-
itz carrier skateboards, display cases and any other things like going away gifts,” said Prosser. “I enjoy my work very much. The only thing that separates this from being my hobby is the
fact we are on a ship and I have deadlines for my projects.” One of those projects included a large file shelf that Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Justin C. Taylor, from Springerville, Ariz., helped create from scratch. Wood gift boxes to hold salmon jerky and carriershaped cribbage boards have also been made in the shop. “It’s an awesome work environment, just me and one other guy and all the things that we make,” said Taylor. “I thought I was going to stay in the [welding] workshop the whole time, but I ended up coming over here. It’s pretty nice, getting this experience.” Taylor chose his rate as a step into underwater welding. While that career path did not manifest, his previous schooling at a tech school and his time and experience in the Navy has helped him line up welding Continued on page 3