Official U.S. Navy website - Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

USS PEARL HARBOR, At sea - Two Sailors deployed aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) were selected for the limited duty officer (LDO) program, March 9.

Yeoman 1st Class Jason McClinton, a native of Chicago, and Yeoman 1st Class Eugenia Rhone, from Los Angeles, found out about their appointment while underway with Pearl Harbor.

"I was shocked," said McClinton. "I had an optimistic outlook, but I really wasn't expecting to get selected my first time submitting a package."

It was also the first time Rhone submitted a package for the LDO program.

"I was on cloud nine," said Rhone. "I felt like it was a dream come true. I almost didn't apply, but I had a good mentor who pushed me and I'm glad he did."

Rhone and McClinton were two of 17 Sailors selected in the Navy for their particular designator.

Rhone submitted her LDO package at her last command, prior to reporting aboard Pearl Harbor.

"It seemed like destiny to come here to work with and share this with YN1 McClinton," said Rhone. "We connected right away, like brother and sister, so it's amazing to share this with him."

LDOs are former enlisted personnel selected for commissioning based on their expertise in their fields and are not required to have a bachelor's degree.

Rhone and McClinton will go to officer training command in Newport, R.I. sometime next year prior to their commissioning.

Pearl Harbor and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Enlisted commissioning programs are an important part of the continuum of service area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative. 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Department of the Navy.