USS George Washington Sailors Vote While Deployed

Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington voted during a voting rodeo event held in the ship's library last month.

Navy Chaplain (Lt.) Steven Matkins, the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's voting assistance officer, organized the event for the sailors currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

"We have sailors from all backgrounds working as a team, and oftentimes, we're so far away from home, we think things don't affect us," Matkins said. "When you give people the opportunity to vote, you see how much we really care about things back home."

Navy Capt. Nicholas DeLeo, the ship's commanding officer, said casting a ballot means participating in something far greater than self.

"The opportunity to vote while deployed … is profound. It allows our sailors to directly exercise the very rights and freedoms they have sworn to defend," he said. "No matter how far from home, every sailor can still participate in our nation's elections - a powerful reminder that those who safeguard our republic are never excluded from it."

Regardless of location or mission demands, DeLeo said the sailors recognize voting as a fundamental civic duty that directly shapes our nation's future, their forward-deployed operations and their own careers.

Navy Seaman Gavin Naab, an information systems technician assigned to the George Washington, voted for the first time during the election rodeo. He said he was genuinely excited to participate in the democratic process.

"Your ballot can directly affect the policies enacted both at home and abroad, which has the power to alter the trajectory of your career, international affairs and history as a whole," Naab said.

The George Washington is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, supporting maritime security and stability in the Middle East.