Pax River Sailors Literally "Accelerate Their Lives" - reenlistment ceremonies - Brief Article

All Hands, Sept, 2001

Two Sailors "accelerated their lives" for real as they rocketed down a runway here at more than 300 mph in "ShockWave," a 36,000-horsepower jet truck. Mess Management Specialist 1st Class (SW) Francisco Buenaventura and AK2 Rodney Moats each sped down the runway a day apart after reenlisting with the Navy during the recent Naval Air Station Patuxent River's Air Expo '01.

"When it came time to plan this, we wanted to see how we could capitalize on the Navy's new recruiting slogan, 'accelerate your life,'" said CAPT Pat Hovatter, Naval Air Station Patuxent River commanding officer. "So we came up with the idea that after these Sailors reenlisted in the Navy, we would have them jump in the jet truck, and accelerate the heck out of their lives."

In front of the air show crowd, Hovatter conducted two separate reenlistment ceremonies. The two Sailors each signed on for another tour, and both got a ride in the ShockWave jet truck. The expeditious ride served as part of Air Expo's afternoon entertainment and an added incentive to help "accelerate" the two Sailors' careers.

"If I was given a chance to do it all over again, I would not hesitate for a minute to join me U.S. Navy because there is no other organization more proactive in developing its people and providing them with the tools necessary to succeed in their careers and lives," Buenaventura said, a native of Manila, Republic of the Philippines.

Moats, from Abington, Md., added, "I love being in the Navy because I feel like I am a part of something important. We help change history."