Danielle Lynn Lichtenwalter

Hello, my name is Danielle, but I also go by Danie. I was born in Bitburg, Germany in 1988. My father was stationed there while in the Air Force, where he was in Operation Desert Storm. In 1991, my mother, older brother and I moved to Lubbock, Texas for a short time, where one of my three younger sisters was born. Later that year we moved to Newport News, Virginia. When he retired in 1995, we moved from Hot Springs, Arkansas; several towns of Texas; Tularosa, New Mexico; Oceanside, California and back to New Mexico. We finally settled in one of the places that my mother enjoyed coming to when she was a child, that being Ruidoso, New Mexico in 1999. My younger sisters, older brother, and I soon enjoyed this beautiful place just as she did. I graduated in 2007 from Ruidoso High School.

I spent the summer preparing for my new life in the United States Navy. I enlisted on September 19, 2007, graduating from boot camp in Chicago, Illinois on November 22, 2007. I graduated from Operations Specialist ‘A’ School on February 17, 2008.

As an Operation Specialist (OS) we work in Combat Information Center (CIC) AKA; Combat. Using a wide variety of equipment available to us, we are responsible for organized collection, processing, displaying, eliminate, and disseminate rapid information to command and control stations, which allowed for tactical decisions to be made.  We maintain CIC in displaying of strategic and tactical information, including equipment such as; plotting boards, tables depicting movements of vessels and aircraft that were with in a certain amount of nautical miles of our ship. I learned to operate surveillance, tracking and height-finding radars, and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment. This information as well as much more was used in messages, slide shows presentations, or over encrypted and non-encrypted long and short range radiotelephone equipment that we monitored for situational awareness. With this information we made recommendations to the Commanding Officer (CO), Tactical Action Officer (TAO), CIC Watch Officer, Officer Of the Deck, and any other officers of the proper chain of command.

I was stationed at Amphibious Squadron 2 on March 27^th, 2008, out of Little Creek, Virginia. I completed many underways on the USS Mesa Verde, USS Whidbey Island, and USS Bataan. I also completed many schools that helped my knowledge grow as an Operation Specialist. During my first tour with Amphibious Squadron 2, we were embarked on the USS Bataan for a seven month deployment in 2009/2010. I was rewarded Blue Jacket of the Quarter during the first quarter of 2009. It was a great honor. On this deployment I studied hard in completing many qualifications and bettering my knowledge in my rate. My studies were greatly rewarded when I picked up Operation Specialist Third Class as well as both the pins that were offered on the USS Bataan; Surface Warfare Specialist and Air Warfare Specialist. When Amphibious Squadron 2 was decommissioned on March 3^rd of 2010, I chose for my second tour, the USS Carter Hall.

The USS Carter Hall commenced its nine month deployment in late August 2010. Our return was greatly welcomed on May 16^th, 2011. While I was on deployment I completed more qualifications in my rate as well as outside of it. I learned from my peers as well as taught other sailors in Operations Intelligence (OI) division. I was rewarded the Good Conduct metal in 2010 for three years of good behavior. Sadly I was unable to re-enlist due to the greater needs of the Navy.

                I chose to move back to the great mountains of Ruidoso , New Mexico for my love of the wide open space, and beautiful view in every direction. Soon after my return I began to work at Prudential Lynch Realty, where I was immediately welcomed into the Prudential Lynch Realty family.

                As for my life outside of the United States Navy, I am still transitioning into my new civilian life, however keeping the useful traits that I learned in the Military. I do enjoy reading, writing poetry and books, also including the occasional hike in these inspirational mountains that I have always considered home.

                If you have any questions or just want to swap military stories, please fill free to come on by the office and or email me at pmasst@prudentiallynchrealy.com where I will do my utmost best to answer your questions or get you to the appropriate person to do so.