The Croatian media's interest in the American aircraft carrier continues.
Nice, polite and inconspicuous – that is the best short description of behaviour of members of the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, which can these days be seen in Dalmatia, from Split to the Krka waterfalls and Dubrovnik. The new era has brought a new kind of sailors who are radically different from American sailors who visited Split during the 1970s and 1980s, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on December 8, 2015.
In those times, American sailors were louder, more vociferous, and even took part in brawls so the military police had to intervene quite often. But much has changed in the Navy since 2000, after the attack on USS Cole in Yemen. That event changed the approach to safety in the American Navy.
New rules of conduct for crew members abroad have been implemented, which means that they must wear civilian clothes in order to be less conspicuous. That is a very important element because American soldiers, wherever they go, are potential target for terrorists. Italian, Russian and French sailors can still be seen walking in foreign cities in their uniforms. In short, the need for a higher level of security has changed the image of American sailors in foreign ports.
The average minimum wage for sailors on the aircraft carrier is about 1,500 dollars, while those with more years of service and higher ranks can earn up to 2,500 dollars a month. Middle and senior naval officers, including the commander of the aircraft carrier and of the battle group, depending on years of service and rank, have salaries ranging from 6,900 to as much as 20,000 dollars a month.
The average age of the crew on this and other US aircraft carriers is under 25 years. This is not a surprise since the Navy gives them a steady job, education and the possible continuation of their careers. Education and experience acquired over the years of service are excellent references for a possible continuation of civilian career as well. In short, in the Navy everyone has a change to succeed.
On Wednesday, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman will be visited by Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanović, Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović and Chief of Croatian General Staff Drago Lovrić. Unofficial sources claim that they will actually land on the aircraft itself. The Americans have offered a landing in the naval reconnaissance aircraft E-2 Hawkeye, which can accommodate several people.
