Sailor of the Week, Feb 18 - 25, 2011

AO2 David R. Schooley is a Crew Chief with the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.  David joined “the Blues” November of 2010 in Pensacola, FL, to begin a three-year tour of duty.  On January 20, 2011, at the squadron’s winter training base in El Centro, CA, he passed his Crew Chief Review Board and he received his Blue Angels crest at a January 26th ceremony.  For the 2011 air show season, David will be one of two crew chiefs for the #1 jet flown by Cdr. Dave Koss, aka “Boss Koss”.

David graduated from Wilson Area High School (Easton, PA) and joined the Navy in August 2006.  In Great Lakes, he was assigned to Ship 07, Division 350, and had his PIR on October 13, 2006.  He attended AO “A” School in Pensacola, FL, graduating at the top of his class, and was assigned to duty at FRC, AIMD Washington (MD), where he eventually became his shop’s supervisor.  David re-enlisted on July 28, 2010, at the WWII Memorial in Annapolis, MD.  During his time at AIMD Washington, he was a member of the Joint Base Andrews’ Auxiliary Security Force, receiving several marksmanship awards.  He was also named Sailor of the Quarter; was presented with the NAM award; attended “C” School in Norfolk, VA; and, traveled to NAS Whidbey Island, WA, to assist in revising an Aviation Ordnance manual.

David is a life-long resident of Williams Township, PA, where his parents, Michael (a Navy veteran) and Inez Schooley, reside.  He has an older sister, Melissa, and an older brother, Michael Paul, both of PA.  His grandfather, George A. Schooley, JR., was a Navy Gunner’s Mate during WWII.  His hobbies are WWII re-enacting; paint ball and air soft competition; and various role-playing games.  He is interested in WWII movies and books and military history.  David is of the Orthodox Presbyterian faith and maintains strong ties to his family and friends.  His pet Rat Terrier, Tucker, enjoys seeing him whenever his duty allows him to visit home.

NavyDads.com is honored to feature AO2 Schooley as our Sailor of the Week! Bravo Zulu!