During her four-year career, Sarah Hansen '17 excelled on the course for the Gettysburg College women's golf team as well as in the classroom as a physics major. The perseverance and discipline that she learned from both areas at Gettysburg allowed her to blossom into her current role in the United States Navy.
 
Upon graduation from Gettysburg in 2017, Hansen reported to the U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School (OCC) where she spent a strenuous 12 weeks in Newport, R.I. She graduated in October 2017 and was commissioned as an Officer. 
 
After she graduated from OCC, Hansen's first command was to serve as a Gunnery Officer on the USS MOMSEN (DDG 92), a destroyer homeported in Everett, Wash. Her duties included being responsible for the maintenance and operation of MOMSEN's gunnery systems, leading a division of 19 sailors in correcting material damages and tactical training and directing 125 gunnery exercises.
 
While she was on MOMSEN, she also qualified to be an Officer of the Deck (OOD) where she was in charge of driving the ship. She posted over 298 hours of watch during her 7th fleet deployment in 2019. Hansen was responsible for safe navigation and directing shipboard evolutions that included launches and recoveries of small boats, helicopters, and refueling at sea.
 
"It was a tremendous responsibility as it meant the Captain trusted me to safely drive the ship and oversee her various operations," stated Hansen.
 
After her duties were completed on the MOMSEN in October 2019, she went on to attend the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) and Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) both of which were located in Charleston, S.C. The NNPTC was six months of classroom training where she learned nuclear theory and reactor operations. Then for the NPTU, it was a rigorous six months of hands-on experience of shipboard nuclear reactors. She learned how to properly operate a nuclear reactor plant, the machinery that powers and drives the aircraft carrier as well as how to correct various engineering casualties. Hansen graduated NPTU after successfully passing a Watch Board in which board members grade your ability to respond to engineering casualties.
 
"By attending a liberal arts college like Gettysburg, I was well-practiced in critical thinking and problem solving," said Hansen. "I was able to connect concepts more readily than my peers as well as approach problems from multiple angles. The work ethic I developed as well as my capacity to learn at such a high level were extremely advantageous."
 
In March 2021, she reported to the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) in Norfolk, Va. where she will be stationed for the next two years. Right now, she is in qualifications to stand watch as a Propulsion Plant Watch Officer (PPWO) that leads the operations of a singular plant on an aircraft carrier. The PPWO's are responsible for supporting shipboard evolutions, coordinating maintenance, and combating equipment casualties.
 
"The Navy has offered unique mental and physical challenges and tremendous leadership experiences that I never would have received in civilian employment," said Hansen. "The responsibility of navigating a warship through the world's most highly trafficked waters or training to operate a shipboard nuclear reactor has been arduous yet rewarding."
 
As a student-athlete at Gettysburg, Hansen earned numerous honors for her work in the classroom and on the course. The former team captain was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District, four-time All-American Scholar by the Women's Collegiate Golf Association, two-time Centennial Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year, two-time CC Player of the Year, and a three-time all-conference selection. Hansen was also a member of the physics honor society and served as a Peer Science Mentor in Physics. 
 
"The work ethic I gained as a student-athlete at Gettysburg has been instrumental to my success in the Navy," noted Hansen. "On the golf course, I learned perseverance – each hole meant a new challenge. In the classroom, I learned discipline – every course deserved my best work and demanded considerable studying."
 
The Navy has provided endless opportunities and experiences that will continue to enhance Hansen's skills. She is focused on her current role on the Eisenhower and when her commitment is over, she's excited about future possibilities.
 
"I had a phenomenal four years at Gettysburg," noted Hansen. "I would not be successful today without the solid foundation Gettysburg built for me."