Published: August 31, 2008 10:37 pm            

AT SEA: Mass Communications Specialist Joe Painter serves about the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan.

When he graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in photojournalism, North Tonawanda native Joe Painter said he was looking for a traditional photographer’s job.

But when all of the positions he saw required two years of experience in the field, Painter found an interesting way to get the on-the-job training he required and pay off his student loans at the same time.

“I found out the Navy had photojournalism jobs, so I went to the recruiting office to find out about the details,” Painter said.

Shortly after he signed on the dotted line and landed aboard the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, using his skills to document the daily lives of sailors and the places they go. Not being a boat guy before joining up, Painter said it took the better part of a year to get his sea legs.

“Being out to sea was tough, especially at first,” Painter said. “But I knew that when I was going into it and it’s what I signed up for.”

After two years, Painter said he has adjusted to the routine of life at sea. He’s so adjusted, in fact, that putting into port and being back in civilization, away from his ship’s regimented structure, is sometimes a little disconcerting. But he’s developing both as a photographer and as a writer and graphic designer in a role where he’s asked to do a little of everything.

His adaptability has made Painter a valuable asset to the crew, said Lt. Ron Flanders, who oversees the 24-member press contingent on the ship.

“He is without question one of the best photojournalists in the entire military,” Flanders said.

In addition to upping his journalism credibility, Painter has also become a seasoned world traveler after seeing places like Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Guam and Malaysia. But even though traveling the world has been a rewarding experience, it doesn’t come without its share of difficulty. Painter’s wife and two children in Rochester are always on his mind.

“The hardest part about doing a deployment is being away from my family,” Painter said.

Now that he’s halfway through his five-year contract, Painter is starting to look at the future. He’s applied to become an public relations officer and might consider the Navy long-term instead of coming back to civilian life like he originally planned.

“It all depends on what happens in the next six months,” Painter said.

        

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