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Lafayette HS grad is culinary specialist in U.S. Navy

April 19, 2017 From U.S. Navy Office of Public Affairs
Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc Andre, who grew up in Brooklyn, is now serving aboard a ship in San Diego. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy
Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc Andre, who grew up in Brooklyn, is now serving aboard a ship in San Diego. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy
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A Brooklyn-born graduate of Lafayette High School is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of a crew for one of the country’s most versatile combat ships.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc Andre, who graduated from Lafayette High School in Bensonhurst in 1999, is a culinary specialist serving with Littoral Combat Ship Crew 101 based in San Diego.

The littoral combat ship (LCS) is a small surface vessel that was built to conduct military operations in the littoral zone, close to the shore.

The training pipeline for a LCS sailor involves advanced off-hull simulator training and on-hull opportunities.  Crew members say it is not uncommon that this intense and realistic training pipeline enables LCS Sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities almost immediately upon stepping onboard.

“This command allows you to excel and give you the opportunity to lead and prep me to stand out amongst my peers,” Andre said.

Capt. M. Jordan Harrison, commander of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE, is proud of the crew members.

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“Every single day our LCS surface warriors prove they are the best and the brightest. And let me tell you, they love their ships,” Harrison said. “LCS are fast, agile, maneuverable and the minimal crew manning affords leadership and qualification opportunities you won’t get anywhere else in the Navy. Visit one of our ships and you will see ensigns and chiefs at the helm because that is just how highly trained and talented and motivated our officers and sailors are in the LCS community.”

As one of 70 crew members aboard one of the Navy’s newest ships, Andre explained they are building a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. “I love to make a difference in people’s lives and sailors’ lives, and the opportunity to serve different communities,” he said.

Crew members know how important it is for the Navy to develop new war fighting capabilities.

The LCS enables the Navy to operate successfully around the globe by employing innovative, low-cost and small-footprint approaches to achieve its security objectives.  With every deployment, littoral combat ships are providing increased capabilities that sailors are utilizing to conduct successful missions.

The LCS platform allows the fleet to increase forward presence and optimize its personnel, improving the ability of the Navy to be where it matters, when it matters.

As a culinary specialist, Andre is responsible for galley operations and food preparations.

 “I like the people that I meet,” he said. “There are different ethnicities and I like getting to know them.”


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