Savannah State University (SSU) alumna Ensign Shunsey Brooks won the Distinguished Shiphandler Competition in May 2016 at Basic Division Officer Course (BDOC) in Norfolk, Va.
Approximately 20 ensigns participated and three U.S. Navy captains judged the event. During the competition the ensigns briefed the captains on their plans then demonstrated their ship handling skills on a simulated system. The goal was to safely dock the ship, an LSD 43, on the pier in Norfolk while dealing with unfavorable environmental variables such as heavy winds and current.
“This means I have represented NROTC and Savannah State University well,” Brooks said, “which is enough to make me feel really proud. And I was the first person to win this competition with my ship platform (LSD 43).”
Brooks, a biology major from Vidalia, Ga., graduated from SSU in December 2015 and is currently stationed on the USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) in Mayport, Fla. As the Assistant Communications Officer she works in radio communications and is in charge of information technicians. Her division is responsible for ensuring all communications aboard the ship are functioning.
