USS Nimitz is the name ship of its class, the first nuclear carrier to join the US fleet (1975) since USS Enterprise (1964). Aside from Enterprise and USS Kitty Hawk, our last operational oil-fueled carrier, every fleet carrier in the US Navy arsenal is of the Nimitz class.

The fundamental difference between Enterprise, a one-off, and the Nimitz class, is the number of nuclear reactors. Enterprise was designed and built with eight, which is the number it continues to operate. In the intervening decade between it and Nimitz, naval reactor design advanced to the point where only two reactors were required. in the over three decades since, two reactors have been the norm for every subsequent vessel in the Nimitz class, which now stands at nine units with a tenth under construction. This is, in practical terms, an insufficient number of units to fulfill their mission of mobile global power projection, but there's no question that no other nation in the world could hope to build an equivalent carrier force before the middle of the 21st century.

The USS Nimitz is not the most capable carrier in the fleet, and has used up 32 of its anticipated 50 years of operational life. Even so, it's altogether appropriate that she represents her sisters in this series. Considering how often the reality of life aboard these massive vessels is overlooked, or more likely ignored, I have high hopes that this one will deliver the goods.

As a veteran of the carrier USS Coral Sea CVA-43 I applaud PBS for bringing to light the living conditions and other aspects of life on-board a carrier. I was 19 years old when I reported aboard and had absolutely no idea of what awaited this small town greenhorn. My hometown was as white bread Middle America as one could imagine. Especially since in this town someone of Eastern European ancestry was considered to be a minority.

I lived and learned from people from across the US, Mexico, and Asia. My perceptions were changed for the better and I consider my time in the Navy equal to my BS degree with regard to my understanding of people.

I do take issue with the title “City of Lost Children”. They are young adults. One may enter boot camp as a kid, but I will guarantee you, one does not stay a child for long. We put our lives on the line and to refer to those who are serving on active duty as “children” is an insult. I would also like to note during Vietnam those who served on the flight deck (the roof rats) had a higher casualty rate than those in the infantry.

I urge you to change the title of the article.

I must agree with Dr Stan, the title of the article is inappropriate and demeaning. I can't imagine that a single person who serves aboard a US Navy carrier would appreciate the designation one bit.

I could counterpoint everything you mention, based on (3) tours in the South China Sea, CVA, during Vietnam. Let me just ask one question, what is the most number of sorties these people fly in one day?

That's what this TV show is.

The dumb thing is that aircraft carriers have been obsolete since 1945. My family that served on them in the 1970's called them "Targets" as they would have lasted about ten minutes in a war with the Soviet Union. Their alleged purpose was to launch as many planes before the got hit. Their real purpose was to funnel money to defense contractors.

Now that the US spends a lot of time bombing non-nuclear nations, the aircraft carriers have a purpose again. Aircraft carriers are extremely expensive floating renaissance festivals pretending that nuclear bombs don't exist and praying that they are never called on to bomb a non third-world nation.

I look forward to watching this doc. I spent four years in the Navy, and, like Dr. Stan, I consider it as perhaps the most enlightening and rewarding experiences of my life. I did not serve on a carrier however. I served on a fast frigate (FFG 50 USS Taylor- Oliver Hazard Perry Class). You want conflict and camaraderie? How about 170 guys on a 400ft ship without any of the amenities or comforts afforded to the carrier navy.

Here's a link to a picture of the ship I served on--you can see how small it really is:

http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/images/50/075003.jpg

A funny sea story here: The Time I Flew A Communist Flag on a U.S. Navy Warship:

So in 1997 we were in the Black Sea and we were heading for a port of call in Constanta, Romania. Well, it is customary for U.S. warships to fly the ensign (flag) of the host country when pulling into port. The cold war had only been over for a few years, and the Romanian flag that we had on board had not been updated to the post-communist version. So I hoisted the old communist flag up the pole, not really having any alternative. There, fluttering in the breeze, right below the stars and stripes, was the Romanian flag with a big ass red star and the word SOCIALISTA emblazoned in the middle. Well I'm standing there taking in the sights, waiting for the harbor pilot to arrive, looking forward to the big MWR trip to Dracula's castle and Bucharest, and I notice that the Captain and a cadre of other officers are on the bridge-wing and they are pointing at me. And they are pointing at the flag. I look at the flag. I look toward the bridge. They look angry. Well, needless to say, I got a but chewing over that (apparently there were some dignitaries that came out with the harbor pilot to welcome us--the whole trip was something of a good will mission). My shipmates all called me "Commie" or "Pinko" for the rest of my time on board. So the most subversive thing I ever did, I did unintentionally.

Where do I enlist?

/PBS - Propaganda Broadcasting Service