Ian Chenkin is no stranger to Fleet Week, New York City’s annual tribute to the sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who serve our country. The 30-year-old veteran petty officer of the USS Oak Hill has served in the US Navy for 12 years — so naturally, he has some valuable insight into the one Big Question that many single New Yorkers have: “How do I pick up a sailor during Fleet Week?”
His answer? “The best way to do that, especially with the younger junior sailors, is to go up to them and let them know they have your support,” he advises. “That’s the best gift you can give a sailor.”
The next Big Question then, is: Where can one find them?
Starting Wednesday through May 27, 1,500 sailors will be all over the city — an especially welcome treat, since Fleet Week was canceled in 2013 — participating in community service projects, giving tours of their ships and, yes, hitting up bars.
“I grew up here, so for me, Fleet Week is basically going to be me showing all of my friends from the ship around town,” enthuses Carley Tadlock, an engineering officer on the USS Oak Hill from Long Island. “I’m especially excited to bring them all to Harlem Tavern — it’s my favorite spot.”
The 23-year-old also recommends other pickup spots for singles looking to impress men and women in uniform: “Come out for a tour of the ship. Tours run every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Everyone on board is proud and excited to show New Yorkers what it is that we do.” The tours don’t run on a set schedule — just show up at the docks, but bear in mind the lines may be capped at 3 p.m., depending on demand.
Lt. Jack Curran, 26, also of the USS Oak Hill, says showing up for a tour is great — and suggests a more blunt approach to chatting up sailors. “After you come on board, go up to a sailor, say, ‘I love the Navy!’ and you really shouldn’t have any problems,” he says. “All of the sailors are extremely excited to meet everyone.”
Indeed, Tadlock and Curran’s “tour” approach has worked for decades. Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer recalls landing in New York in 1976: “I got off my ship, and two gorgeous women asked if I could give them a tour. Of course I said yes — they were attractive, bubbly and fun — but I said only in exchange for a tour of the city,” recalls Palm, now 57. “We went clubbing all night . . . let me just say that I found the girls in New York to be very friendly to a man in a Navy uniform!”
Another option: Head to the ballpark. The participants will be attending numerous Mets games at Citi Field. “Look, we’re all Americans — everyone loves a good baseball game!” Curran says. But he’s actually more excited for the various Fleet Week community relations projects, including Playing Hoops With Heroes, a basketball tournament in which they’ll compete against New York City police and fire departments. “To me, it’s all about being able to get off the ship and do some good things for the country we’re serving,” he explains.
“The sailors will likely be in really good spirits at the community service events,” adds Jim DeAngio, deputy public affairs officer for the Navy’s Surface Force Atlantic. “So if you go up to them after they’re finished, it’ll be easy to talk to them since they’ll be so happy.”
If all else fails? Go up to them and ask to take a selfie. “They’ll appreciate it,” says DeAngio. “After all, they’re young Americans!”