Captain David Schnell retired honorably from the U.S. Navy after nearly three decades as a commander of vessels deployed around the world. Among Captain David Schnell’s accomplishments was commanding the USS Peleliu and the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). Named after the 38th U.S. President, the USS Ford maintains status as the lead vessel among its class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. It honors a president who achieved distinction as a member of the Navy during World War II and served in combat duty in the Pacific Theater on the USS Monterey (CVL 26). With construction starting in 2005 at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding’s shipyards, the USS Ford was christened in 2013 and represents a significant upgrade from the Nimitz-class carrier. In addition to a state of the art nuclear power plant, the ship has an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System that replaced steam catapults, as well as a redesigned island that is both shorter in length and taller. Other innovations included an improved flight deck layout that boosted sortie rates by 25 percent and an Advanced Aircraft Recovery System. With reduced manning requirements in place, the ship also incorporates an advanced combat system and elevated power generation capacities.
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Before retiring honorably, Captain David Schnell served in the United States Navy for 27 years, during which he commanded two warships, the USS Peleliu (LHA-5) and USS Ford (FFG-54). While serving as commanding officer on the USS Ford, Captain David Schnell oversaw every aspect of the ship's daily operations, including combat effectiveness, while serving with a carrier strike group. The USS Ford was christened June 23, 1984, and commissioned at Naval Station Long Beach, California, on June 29, 1985. The guided-missile frigate, an Oliver Hazard Perry-class vessel, takes its name from Gunner's Mate Patrick O. Ford (1942-1968). The USS Ford deployed in 1999 as part of the Middle East Force (MEF) 99-3. Shortly thereafter, it was deployed for six months in the United States 5th and 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR). In 2001, it provided support during Operation Enduring Freedom and Maritime Security Operations, which took place in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. To engage in the Global War on Terrorism, the USS Ford deployed as part of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group in 2004. For several months in early 2006, it conducted anti-drug operations in South American waters, and, from 2007 to 2011, it participated in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises in Southeast Asia, among other deployments. The ship was decommissioned in 2013 after 28 years of service. Most recently, in 2018, the United States Navy announced plans to commit the USS Ford, along with the USS Ingraham (FFG-61), to sinking exercises (SINKEX). Captain David Schnell served in the US Navy starting in 1985, including as the commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu. Since retiring from the Navy, Captain David Schnell has taken on the role of general manager of Los Angeles express lanes with the Americas Commercial and State Transportation Group as well as executive director of the non-profit organization Christ Kitchen, which serves the homeless and needy population in the greater San Diego area. San Diego County includes over 9,000 homeless people, which makes it the fourth-largest homeless population in the US, after the New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle regions. The city itself has 3,200 homeless people living in it, perhaps partly due to rising real estate costs. When it comes to the hungry, or “food-insecure,” it’s not just the homeless who are affected – even sheltered residents are involved. One source estimates that almost 400,000 people in the county, including more than 160,000 children, may fall into that category. Almost 40 percent in this population are not able to access federal assistance for nutrition programs. There are many non-profit organizations like Christ Kitchen that are working to fill the gaps for children and adults in the region who need help getting enough food to survive. A veteran of the US Navy, Captain David Schnell served 27 years before retiring. Active in several charities, Captain David Schnell is a counselor at the Royal Family Kids Camp. Royal Family Kids is an organization focused on giving children in foster care memorable moments. One of the ways it does this is through organizing week-long camps where children between the ages of 6 and 12 come together and have fun in a Christian environment. There, kids enjoy the attention and encouragement of trained adult counselors and their “buddy” campers. The children take part in fun activities to grow their social skills and improve their self-confidence. Among these are swimming, hiking, fishing, singing, woodworking, and horseback riding. Royal Family Kids Camps are organized by qualified individual church groups. Camp directors and staff first go through a screening process, after which they are trained by child-care professionals. This is done to ensure that children enjoy a safe and positive environment to have fun and create lasting memories. Captain David Schnell is a retired Navy officer who now serves as vice president of operations for the electronic tolling collection division of Xerox’s Americas Commercial and State Government Transportation Group in Los Angeles. Faithful to his military legacy, Captain David Schnell is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 15005. A number of natural disasters ravaged the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and other American territories in 2017. Through its Unmet Needs Program, however, the VFW says it was able to provide $684,000 in emergency relief funding to help more than 2,000 veterans and their families start the recovery process in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma, as well as the California wildfires. In addition, many VFW volunteers provided front-line support to these communities. In Puerto Rico alone, VFW Post 12064 handed out upwards of 1,000 meals and clean drinking water to veterans struggling in the wake of the disaster. They also helped clear away debris and assisted veterans in locating temporary lodging and finding other resources to help them get back on their feet. The former commander of U.S. Navy ships the USS Peleliu and the USS Ford, Captain David Schnell spent 27 years in military service before honorably retiring to San Diego, California, where he now heads Christ Kitchen, which provides food to those in need. Captain David Schnell also serves as a counselor for Royal Family KIDS camps. Formed to counter the negative effects of abuse, Royal Family KIDS provides foster children with opportunities for healthy relationships and personal growth. Through volunteers who serve as counselors, the organization offers camps and mentoring clubs across the nation. A church can send three to five adults to participate in a week-long intensive Director's Training Camp with Royal Family KIDS where they learn about the psychology of abuse and neglect in children. The trained adults then return to their area to produce their own camp for local foster children. The experience provides the children with a positive Christian atmosphere and the opportunity to engage in activities ranging from hiking and swimming to singing and putting on skits. A retired commander in the US Navy, Captain David Schnell now coordinates office operations and connectivity for Americas Commercial and State Transportation Group. Captain David Schnell enjoys running in his downtime, and he completed the Carlsbad Marathon in 2012.
Established in 1990, the Carlsbad Marathon and Half features a course that at times hugs the California coastline. In 2017, the race was held on January 15. Runners had access to water and support while enjoying live entertainment at every mile marker. Upon completion of the race, runners received a finisher’s medal, Mylar blanket, and refreshments. They also received a pullover and long-sleeve shirt. Around 8,500 runners from approximately 15 countries participated. The event raised around $200,000 for 15 charities, many of which have ties to the community. Christopher Zablocki won for the men, while Jill Deering won for the women. The 2018 marathon is scheduled for January 14. Despite facing a strong tropical cyclone offshore near Okinawa, Japan, with 110-knot winds and 28-foot swells, the USS Ford (FFG-54), commanded by Captain David Schnell, completed its five-month mission and returned to Naval Station Everett. Led by Captain David Schnell, who retired honorably after a nearly 30-year career in the United States Navy, and his crew used evasive maneuvers to avoid the worst of the cyclone. Friends and family members greeted the sailors who had been away for more than six months at Naval Station Everett. During its deployment, which was extended by an additional month, the crew patrolled the Western Pacific, South China Sea, and Sea of Japan. While there, it participated in various naval exercises, including Northern Edge, Joint Air-Sea Exercise (JASEX), and Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). “It was a great deployment. We did get extended for a month, but the crew took it in stride. As a consolation, we ended up getting a port visit to Australia,” said Captain Schnell. Former Navy Officer Captain David Schnell serves as the vice president of operations for the electronic tolling division of Xerox’s Americas Commercial & State Transportation Group (ACSTG). During his time in the Navy, Captain David Schnell served as commander of two ships – USS Ford and USS Peleliu. In recent years, Newport News Shipbuilding began constructing a new class of Navy supercarriers. Known as the Gerald R. Ford class of aircraft carriers or simply the Ford class, the new ships include a pair of redesigned reactors that improve onboard electrical capacity by 250 percent. In addition to improving weapons loading and aircraft launch times, the new reactors will save the Navy approximately $4 billion over the course of the ship’s 50-year lifespan. In terms of design, the Ford class represents the first class of aircraft carrier modeled entirely using advanced 3D design platforms. All components of the ship were created at full scale in a 3D model, allowing for seamless integration of design, planning, engineering, and construction. The first Ford class carrier has completed construction and is currently awaiting commissioning. To learn more, visit www.thefordclass.com. David Schnell is general manager of Los Angeles Express Lanes, a company that delivers technology solutions to the transportation industry involving electronic toll collection, commercial fleet operations, and motor vehicle services. He previously served in the Navy for 27 years and retired as a captain, having commanded two U.S. Navy warships. In addition to his current business responsibilities, David Schnell supports a number of charitable organizations, including volunteering as a counselor at Royal Family Kids Camp. Royal Family Kids Camp strives to help children in foster care ages 6-12 have life-changing experiences in a Christian environment. In the United States, there are 3.6 million reports of children being abused, neglected, or abandoned every year. Young people who are part of the foster care system and have been subjected to abuse and neglect are encouraged to visit the camp for a week of sports, fishing, games, swimming, and generally having fun - all in a safe environment under the close guidance of a counselor. Each counselor is rigorously trained to understand the effects of abuse and neglect on children - and each counselor is assigned only two campers, a mentor ratio that ensures that the counselors and campers truly get a chance to get to know each other. After the camp is over, there is a mentoring program to continue the special bonds that are created during the camp week, with the mentors and their mentees getting together for four hours each month with the goal of building a healthy and stable relationship. In the United States, 400,000 children are in the foster care system, and 74 percent of prison inmates were once in the system. Royal Family Kids Camp strives to shift this tragic pattern in a different direction, giving hope and creating connections for children that can change their lives forever. |
About Captain David SchnellA decorated officer of the United States Navy, Captain David Schnell earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Metal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal during his many years of service. Archives
February 2017
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