NOVEMBER 2015
CAPTAIN’S CORNER
Pipes and Plates
Kyle P. Higgins co@lcc19.navy.mil
Executive Officer Nathan Fugate xo@lcc19.navy.mil
BLR Ombudsman
Samantha Knepper
samantha.knepper@lcc19.navy.mil
BLR Ombudman Donesha Scott
donesha.scott@gmail.com
CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE
Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin A. Flinn
Two Sailors from the self-proclaimed “A Gang,” more formally known as the Auxiliary division, spend most their off-time moving iron to mold muscle. If they weren’t doing some steam or water related maintenance somewhere throughout the ship at any given hour, Machinist’s Mates 3rd Class Dan Campbell and Justin Rendon, both attached to U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge, were sculpting their
Commanding Officer
BLUE RIDGE IN REVIEW
bodies to resemble a visage of something cut up by Michelangelo. More than three years ago, Campbell initially arrived onboard Blue Ridge, with Rendon doing the same just a handful of months prior. “We’ve been lifting together since day one,” said Campbell. Earlier this year, both Sailors decided to take their hobby to the next level. They decided to train for a National Physique Committee Japan (NPCJ) regional tournament, a bodybuilding tournament in Japan. And, like everything leading up to it, they’d do it together. For most of their lives, Campbell and Rendon claim they have been lifting, mainly because it was in tandem with a sport they were both playing. However they admit, they didn’t start getting serious about bodybuilding until last year. Like many gym rats, they share some of the same stories. Stories of what kindled their flame and passions for lifting; from countless days watching Arnold Schwarzenegger at his pinnacle onscreen in Pumping Iron and finding Arnold’s Blueprint lifting plans on Bodybuilding.com, to watching motivational weightlifting videos on YouTube. A big influence for Rendon was following Kai Greene’s journey onto the Mr. Olympia stage. Greene came from
a very poverty-stricken environment without any family growing up, and in one sense or another, is a self-made man. He had little to no support and came from the slums to becoming an Arnold Classic Champion and a multiple time Mr. Olympia runner-up. “After seeing that, I thought ‘What’s my excuse?,” said Rendon. “You only have one life to live, so I’m just going to go for it.” Campbell and Rendon started prepping for the competition as soon as they heard about it six months prior. A major challenge for both was trying to fit time to work out in the ship’s gym while Blue Ridge was underway into their already packed schedules. The duo tried to hit the gym whenever their schedule would allow, even if that meant lifting during lunch or clanging plates together while burning the midnight oil. “During the underway, I would stand watch in another division on the ship and when I would get off watch, I’d come back to our division’s work-load,” said Campbell The hardest part they claim wasn’t doing the right things in the gym, but trying to eat read more on back
Blue Ridge Family and Friends,
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I also want to say, Happy Veterans Day! This month we take time to honor the service of those who wear or have worn the uniform of our Armed Forces, selflessly giving to protect our way of life. Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines are on the front line every day, sacrificing time away from home to defend the nation. Your continued understanding and encouragement is what makes it all possoible. I cannot thank the families and friends of those who serve enough. We salute your sacrifices, your dedication and the honor with which you serve. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. As we work day in and day out to complete inspections, maintenance requirements, and qualifications, we quickly forget about the things that are most important, our Sailors, families, and friends. As we prepare to celebrate please remember I am thankful to have the family and friends of BLUE RIDGE as
part of the team! Every Sailor and their support network brings something to our crew keeping us as “The Finest in the Fleet’. We cannot do it without you! Thank you for your continued backing during this demanding maintenance period. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. Have a great month and a Happy Thanksgiving holiday. Capt. K. P. Higgins
issuu.com/ussblueridge twitter.com/ussblueridge SINGAPORE
the CAPTAIN’S CAPTAIN’S corner
Let me start this month’s note by saying thank you for your support and patience. I know how difficult it is when we are home to have your loved ones working as hard as they are. Success for this maintenance period is critical for us to get underway on time to support Seventh Fleet next year and just as important to set the ship up for the drydocking. We will be half way through our availablity this month and have made tremendous progress, but there is a lot of work left. There are a few important jobs that are challenging and keeping pressure on us, but the team is working through it to reach our goals. The ship and shipyard team celebrated a few of our hard workers with our ‘five-star workers of the month’, highlighting those who went above and beyond.
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BLUE RIDGE NEWSLETTER | “FINEST IN THE FLEET”