When the Norfolk-based USS Gerald R. Ford embarked on its second Full Ship Shock Trial on June 18, a mother-daughter duo was aboard the ship after they both were assigned to the first-in-class aircraft carrier to conduct shock trials on the East Coast.
Master Chief Logistics Specialist Tanya McCray and her 25-year-old daughter, logistics specialist seaman Racquel McCray, saw each other in action aboard the ship. The second explosive event of Ford’s Full Ship Shock Trials occurred on July 16.
Racquel was born to two Navy parents and decided to follow in their footsteps when she turned 18. Tanya has 30 years of experience in the Navy and had Racquel while touring in Virginia. Racquel had pursued the same logistics specialty as her mother and reached out through her chain of command to see if she could be assigned to her mother’s ship.
Racquel was able to watch her mother work when she was temporarily assigned to Ford for an at-sea training opportunity where her mother was stationed.
“She said she wished she could get underway, she talked to her DLCPO and they made it happen. Next thing we know she had [temporary] orders and was walking aboard with me Monday morning,” Tanya told the Navy in an interview.
The two worked on the ship alongside each other for four weeks. Racquel said the experience helped her know she had chosen the right specialty.
“I chose to join because I watched my parents for my entire life,” Racquel told “GMA.” “They both served, so watching them every day go to work made me actually want to follow in their footsteps, with how successful they were and what they were able to provide for my sister and I.”
Racquel’s father, who rotated sea and shore duties while he and Tanya raised their two daughters, also has risen to the rank of master chief.
“I like challenges, I thrive off them actually. It was hard being dual military. I had two daughters, so I was juggling a career with the family life, and it was hard missing holidays, birthdays and all those celebrations,” Tanya told the Navy in an interview.
“When I was away from them, away from home, I just put all my time and energy into my career. I was taking care of Sailors as well. There were places I was known as the ‘Sea Mama’. I took those opportunities, since I was away from my kids, to be able to provide that mentorship tutoring to other Sailors as well.”
Racquel noted that the experience could be a once-in-a-lifetime one.
“It’s great, this could be her last underway and it’s my first. For us to be able to spend it together, it’s awesome,” she said. “She’s kind of bringing me in and I appreciate that a lot. I hope I can fill her shoes, as I hope to make it a 20 year career.”
