US Navy Regains Control of Ship From Teenagers During Christmas Cruise
A US Navy Tiger cruise went awry over the Christmas holiday when a fifteen-year temporarily took command of the USS Gerald R. Ford, a $13B aircraft carrier, as it made its way from Norfolk, Virginia. The Tiger cruise is a tradition in the US Navy that allows civilians to join service members on a sea-going voyage. Johnny Volkmeer, son of Petty Officer Second Class Brian Volkmeer, upset by being denied tater tots for dinner on Friday, led a revolt with other teenagers aboard the cruise early in the morning on Saturday. The group of kids surprised and overwhelmed the watch officers taking control of the navigation, engineering, and the combat stations. Volkmeer met with Captain Jerald Smith and listed his demands for tater tots at every meal for the rest of the cruise. The captain agreed to those terms with the safe release of the officers and sailors captured and held. The cruise will continue as scheduled. Captain Smith has stepped up security for the remainder of the cruise and is re-evaluating security procedures. Admiral Chester, Commander in Chief of the Atlantic Fleet is considering a recommendation to the US Naval Academy for Johnny Volkmeer based on early reports of his small-group leadership and tactical brilliance shown during the mutiny. The Naval Criminal Investigation Service has launched an investigation.