On the flight deck of one of the Navy’s most powerful destroyers usually isn’t the place an 11-year-old would be found playing. But USS Momsen (DDG 92) was the exception to the rule last week when the newest Arleigh Burke class destroyer in the Navy invited 56 family members and friends (nicknamed ‘tigers’) to join them on the open seas during their tiger cruise from San Francisco to NAVSTA Everett.

Last Friday was USS Momsen’s first time entering her new homeport making the trip an exciting and long awaited voyage for both the crew and tigers.

USS Momsen has spent the last two months en route to Everett traveling from Bath, Maine where the destroyer was built, through the Panama Canal and eventually up the west coast to the naval station. Operations Specialist Senior Chief(SW) Anthony Majors was one of the Sailors responsible for coordinating Momsen’s tiger cruise. He said the purpose of the cruise was to give the tigers a first hand account of what life as a Sailor is like while at sea.

“It gives the families the opportunity to see and go through some of the stuff that we go through daily,” said Majors. “We’ve got them doing a mock enlisted surface warfare specialist training (ESWS) so they can see what Sailors have to do to earn their pins. A lot of the sponsors are having their tigers stand their watches with them so they can get an idea of what we do, how often we do it and why we do it.”

The destroyer left San Francisco where she was celebrating the annual Fleet Week on Tues. morning and arrived in Everett Thurs. afternoon. While underway, the Tigers were given tours of the ship and explanations as to how each part of the vessel operates while at sea. Momsen Commanding Officer Cmdr. Ed Kenyon ordered a demonstration of the five-inch guns and the ship’s guests were treated to a steak and lobster dinner along with an ice cream social in honor of the Navy’s birthday Wed. After the meal, Kenyon handed out certificates of recognition for all the tigers that completed their mock ESWS training.

For Joseph Bass, 11, the best part of the cruise didn’t involve big guns or frozen foods, but getting to see his mother, a fire controlman whom has been with the ship in Maine since April. Bass said he learned about some of the Navy’s new weapons systems while underway and of the ship’s namesake’s adventures.

Even with the civilian presence, Majors said the ship operated just as it would during a normal underway.

“The ship is operating exactly as it would without the tigers onboard,” said Majors who added that this was his seventh tiger cruise since joining the Navy and the first he’s coordinated. “We didn’t take anyone off the watchbill or get them out of work. The tigers are going to see exactly what Navy life is like.”

Life underway was a blast for Joe Kunze, whose sister serves on Momsen. He said he learned that there’s a lot more that goes into being at sea than what he expected.

“It’s been a great experience,” said Kunze. “I liked sleeping in the racks. I’ve never experienced anything like that before. I didn’t mind smashing my head a couple of times. I also liked the hospitality on board. Everyone was nice and treated you well all the way up to the captain.”

Some of the tigers were former Sailors themselves and felt right at home on a ship.

“The XO’s and supply officer’s dads are both retired master chiefs,” said Majors. “I think it’s pretty interesting that since they’ve been here they’ve spent more time in the chief’s mess with the chiefs than they have in the ward room with their sons.”

Jeff Stahl was invited on Momsen’s tiger cruise by his nephew. He said his older brother is a Navy captain and both his sons are in the military, but it took riding a ship for him to really appreciate the sacrifices servicemembers make.

“I realize after sleeping in the bunks and living in such close quarters how difficult life at sea can be,” said Stahl. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve been really amazed by the camaraderie, it’s been a real pleasure being on board. Everyone’s been wanting to show me what they’re doing. It’s been really exciting.”

After pulling into Everett, Momsen went into a two week stand down period to give the Sailors on board a chance to find homes and become reacquainted with their loved ones after the almost two years some have been away. The ship will be in and out of port the next nine months as she performs systems grooming in preparation for her first deployment.