Lost at Sea: An Enlisted Woman's Journey

by J.F. Leahy, Rebecca Anne Freeman

Written at sea during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Rebecca Ann Freeman's frank, hard-hitting personal story takes us below decks on the world's largest warship to experience the terrors, frustrations, and ultimate satisfaction experienced by a junior enlisted woman in today's Navy

172 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 2005

About the author

After retiring as a director of international operations for a major telecommunications company in 2000, Jack Leahy joined the Naval Institute Press at Annapolis to write a series of non-fictional books about the modern U.S. Navy. A Navy veteran, he had previously served with USN Mobile Construction Battalion One at Phu Bai and Danang Vietnam in 1969-70. After completing his graduate education as a civilian, he spent nearly thirty years in the intelligence community and telecommunications industry. Upon retiring in 2000, he returned to professional communications at the Naval Institute, and also became an adjunct professor of Humanities, retiring as Vice President for Strategic Planning and Extension Services of the Pontifical College Josephinum, a Roman Catholic seminary in Columbus, Ohio, where he resides with his wife, Margaret. They have three sons, and three grandsons, and enjoy rail travel throughout North America.

About The Naval Writers Group

Established by a cadre of writers who first met through the Naval Institute at the Naval Academy, Annapolis in 2002, the Naval Writers Group is a specialized publishing imprint which provides a voice to “the sailor on the deck plates.” No distinction is ever made based upon the author’s rating or rank – be it seaman or admiral – for we strongly believe that each story deserves to be evaluated on its merit alone. You may learn more about the Naval Writers Group at www.navalwritersgroup.us .

Reviews

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Freeman recounts many experiences she encounters during her almost 4 years serving aboard the USS George Washington.

Freeman starts out as a Gear Dog, moves next to working in the mess hall, then to Damange Control where she changes batteries in lanterns. She learns that even the most menial job aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier has its importance and perhaps, may one day even save the life of another sailor.

Freeman soon makes it to the Landing Officer's Platform, launching and recoverying Navy aircraft during the night shift. It is here she begins to truly find herself and her place in the US Navy. Finally, she moves to Strike Operations which plans and executes the air plan for the carrier air wing. A wonderful coming-of-age story of a Navy recruit. Truly motivational. Thank you Ms Freeman for sharing your memoirs. Thank you too for your service to our country.

I also would like to thank the Beaverton City Library in Beaverton, OR for sending the book 3,003 miles to the Homosassa Public Library in Florida. Interlibrary loan is awesome.