Article Contributed on: 5/19/2009 2:27:53 PM
Millions know
John W. Scherer, CEO and Founder of Lakewood-based
Video Professor, Inc.
His commercials and infomercials have made him a recognizable face around the world, with 10 million customers and 230 employees working for the company Scherer founded in 1987.
What you may not know is John Scherer is a dedicated patriot and supporter of our military. Scherer had the opportunity to see how the Navy operates first-hand when he took part in the Navy's Leaders to Sea program and a two day embark aboard the Aircraft Carrier
USS Nimitz (CNS68) May 12-13. Scherer by the way, paid for all his own expenses for the trip.
"I previously did a similar trip to the Guided Missile Cruiser USS Lake Champlain," Scherer said "Although for that trip we took a helicopter to the ship. This time we flew out aboard a
C2A Greyhound and that meant a tail hook landing."
Scherer's trip started with an extensive briefing at NAS San Diego by senior Navy staff about the Nimitz and its role in the nation's defense and of course preparing to fly out and land on an aircraft carrier.
"Landing on an aircraft carrier is much different than whatyou're used to on an airliner," Scherer said. "As you make the final approach before landing you're flying just fast enough to stay in the air and once you touch the deck, bam, you stop. At the same time howver, the flight crew goes to full power in case they miss one of the arrestor wires and have to take off to try again. We got it the first time."
Once safely aboard, Scherer was escorted inside to meet Captain Michael Manazir who commands the Nimitz. At 1100 feet long with a flight deck of almost five acres the Nimitz is not only one of the biggest ships in the world but a floating city that is home to almost 6000 crewmembers.
"Fight operations were underway just about around the clock and to see jet fighters landing within a few feet of where you're standing is to say the least, exciting," Scherer said. "Setting down a fighter plane on what amounts to a postage stamp is testament to the skills of these naval aviators."
It's more than just pilots and jets. It takes thousands of people to crew the Nimitz, maintain the ship and weapons systems, mangaging an "airport" with takeoffs and landings every few seconds, manageing the nuclear propulsion system, the care and feeding of the crewand most importantly, being ready for war at any time. 24/7
"Aircraft carriers take the war to the enemy," Scherer says. "Think of them as a moving island with its own air force, an air force that packs an enormous punch."
Above all, John Scherer says it was the crew members he met that impressed him most. On a typical 6 month deployment crewmembers work 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week with no days off. Many are in their late teens and early 20's with huge responsibilities.
"These young men and women, without a doubt, represent the very best America has to offer," said Scherer. "Their morale, teamwork and focus on the job at hand is an example for any corporate staff to model itself on."
There's plenty of things to do for crewmembers during their "off" time. Most are working on advancing their career skills in the military, working on college degrees and with the help of a complete Video Professor Learning Library donated by John to the ship, brushing up on their computer skills. All this plus keep quarters ship shape, doing laundry, eating and even getting a few hours of sleep.
John Scherer discovered aircraft carriers are very noisy places. "I just spent one night aboard but it was impossible to sleep," said Scherer. "I guess you get used to it but warships are noisy, period. Imagine trying to sleep underneath a runway at DIA!"
After about 30 hours on board it was time for the flight back to San Diego. Steam driven catapults launch planes from zero to flying speed within a few seconds.
"As exciting as the landing was, the take-off was something else. Going from a dead stop to being airborne in seconds is a thrill I'll never forget."
The Leaders to Sea program is a way for the Navy to show corporate and civic leaders how it keeps the nation safe, and at the same time these leaders learn much about motivating huge teams of people under the most demanding of circumstances.
"It's win-win," says Scherer. "Especially for America."
Watch the video!