Robert Hungate (left), Petty Officer First Class
“He’s a fire controlman FCA1, and I’m just a fire controlman, so FC1. We both deal with weapons systems and radars for weapons. I think it’s pretty impressive, but I’m really easy to impress.”

Also pictured: Tulloch McKinley, Petty Officer First Class

Cody Trybus (right), Rising Officer Third Class
“We’re doing summer training at the Naval Academy, so we took four yard patrol boats up from Annapolis. Now we’re on liberty for Fleet Week. I want to see the World Trade Center.”
Kyle Trybus, Rising Officer Third Class 
 “I want to go to a Yankees baseball game.”

Ahmed Sean Alford, Midshipman Second Class 
“I like seeing all the different Navy personnel out in town and getting to do things with people that I’ve never met within the Navy. Because even if you’ve never met before you still have a common bond.”

Daniel Wheeler, Undesignated Airman
“I’m an undesignated airman, so I don't have a rank but I'm part of a helicopter squad. We do maintenance on helicopters. We’re stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.”

Maria Otero, Aviation Structural Mechanic Third Class
“I’ve gotten a reaction a lot from kids, that’s for sure. We saw some kids that were on a field trip to see us. The kids were like, Oh my god, and in awe. I’m just like, Oh wow, I guess I’m cool to look at!”

Connor Prince (far left), Midshipman Second Class
“You just met the Navy wrestling team. Well, some of it.”

Also pictured, from left to right: midshipmen Noah Sirianni, Alex Benoit, Ahmed Alford and Spencer Carey

Michael Nowak, Undesignated Airman
“It’s my first time in the City. I arrived Sunday. I felt like I was at home again, honestly, being from Chicago. I find it very similar being here, just being in the groove of a city. Everyone’s been very friendly. New Yorkers are great; great people. I mean, Chicagoans are better, but it’s all right.”

Faph Bonhomme (right), Fire Controlman
“We just got here today. We’re all on the same ship from Norfolk, Virginia, the USS Mitcher. It took us 24 hours to get here.”

Also pictured, from left: fire controlmen Colton Allen and Nathan Adams 
 

Jeremy Kristi Santos, Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman
“I’ve been to New York before when I was young. My parents took me to see the last performance of Rent, and that experience really gave me a love for musicals.”

Gene Douglas, Senior Chief Petty Officer
“I was here in 2000 for Fleet Week, but it’s been 17 years. I’m in awe of this city. I’m from a small town and I’m in awe of how big it is here, how big up it is and how big down below, for crying out loud. I was in the subway this morning and it’s just amazing.”

For more NYC summer events, see our guide.