Washington, DC - U. S. Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James sent some of her crew to set sail with the crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (USS TR) on a one-day family and friends cruise.

"Nearly two years after the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) adopted the family and crew of the USS TR, OPM employees were given the unique opportunity to see what it's really like to spend a day on a Navy ship," stated Director James. "It's always an enlightening experience to walk in someone else's shoes, and the OPM staff was grateful to the Captain and crew of the USS TR for their warm welcome and hospitality."

The USS TR Family and Friends cruise got underway at 8 a.m. Saturday, August 23 from the ship's home port in Norfolk, Virginia. The twenty eight OPM participants spent the day experiencing life on an aircraft carrier, including eating in the galley to feeling the power of a carrier jet launch.

"Spending a day in the life of American Marines and sailors aboard a U.S. Navy ship may also help those who participate more clearly understand why veterans' preference is so important," stated James. "The veterans' preference laws have long been a cornerstone of the civil service, and OPM has placed a high priority on efforts to protect and preserve the preference accorded veterans in Federal hiring."

USS TR Capt. John Green extended this opportunity to Director James and OPM staff to express the crew's gratitude for OPM's support over the past 2 years. OPM adopted the USS TR shortly after September 11, 2001, when it was deployed in support of operation Enduring Freedom for ten months.

Over the past two years, OPM employees have donated 10,000 Valentines, 1,600 toys for the annual holiday parties, two USO-style talent shows, more than 1,300 music CDs, 1,200 videos and hundreds of books, candy, popcorn, cards and toiletries to the 5,500 men and women on the ship. OPM is headquartered in the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.