PT & PQS Test

I went early to the 1530 PT today in order to finish those pre-test questions with my recruiter. We did PT... lots of stuff. Warmed up with those elephant jumping-jacks I did at my first PT, so long ago. We did lots of lunges, sprints & mountain climbers, tons of push-ups... it's my recruiter's favorite thing... and crunches, curl-ups, bear crawls, standing jumps, more push-ups... and we were tired by the end of it.

The Personal Qualification Standards test went really well. It's an advancement test to E-2... questions about rank recognition, customs & courtesies, ship & aircraft recognition and even first aid. Missed 7 out of 103... mostly aircraft stuff... two others were incorrectly marked on the answer key and I fixed them. :)

After the test I filed everyone's re-certs and I didn't get home until 1900 or so.

Final Monthly Meeting

I've come to the end of these DEP meetings, finally. And as the RCPO, I led everyone in the creed and taught a new recruit our entering and exiting procedures (designed to get us used to Naval procedure for boarding and exiting a ship).

We had a visiting chief today, as well as our district chief. The former made our ears ring after a few recruits were found to not know the General Orders. They won't let me sound off anymore, because they think I know it too well. But it's always nerve-racking to do it in front of everyone. Oh well. I suppose I'll get my share of nerve-racking in a few weeks.

The teaching focus today was on the final five weeks of boot camp...
week 1: processing, week 2: physical training, & week 3: confidence course, were covered last month, which I missed because I was fishing with my Dad in Westport.

We learned today: week 4: weapons training & initial PT test; week 5: sounded kinda vague - something about figuring out where you're going in the Navy; week 6: shipboard damage control & the gas chamber; week 7: Battle Stations & final PT test; week 8: prep for graduation.

After that we talked about the Naval Reserve and how that would be something to consider whenever our enlistments expire.

Twenty days...

Official IFA Score

For today's Initial Fitness Assessment I improved from July 14th's test although I just got back from a two-week road trip during which I did push-ups a grand total of once (and that was the extent of my workouts). This is official because it's within 45 days of shipping out. I had to initial my scores and sign & date for them.

Here's a screen shot of my scores: Sit-ups, 84; Push-ups, 23; Run, 14:17. And that's the ballpark figure for yesterday's swims.

Probationary lets you go to boot camp, but you must have at least a "Good Low" score to graduate. My goal right now is to get at least "Excellent Low" across the board.

And more good news: I've maintained my earlier weight loss and stayed at 159.

After we took the test my recruiter had us do exercises for another hour or so. Lots of shoulder stuff, including elevated push-ups which I had never tried before. I think I wasn't as strong on the flutter kicks this time because I was tired from the test.

Navy Night with the Mariners at Safeco Field

I was a little worried when they said we needed to be at the ballpark at noon for a 7pm game! Yes, there was a lot of down time, but I had a fun time hanging with the other two future sailors from the Bellevue office.

We carpooled to the Lynnwood office, only to find out the van was too full... and we ended up taking one of their people as well. But we got there really early, so we were able to hang out with our chief for a while. He made us guess what a hunk of metal on his display case was... and let us hold it. I correctly surmised that it was from a statue... and then that it was from Saddam's... wow. And then since I'm going to be missing this month's meeting, the chief conducted my 30-day (prior to shipping) interview. It a little over 30 days from now, but, gosh, it is coming up fast.

So we drove to Seattle and walked a few blocks to the stadium. Around 50 recruits showed up (from all over the Puget Sound) with around 8 recruiters and a couple chiefs and officers, including the district XO. We formed up after a while and filed in to get our tickets. We did a lot of standing around on the wide sidewalk outside (good practice for RTC...) and a recruiter asked us who we were and "who's the best?" and made us yell back "United States Navy" for the people sitting in traffic to hear. It was pretty fun!

Finally, we went inside and lined up behind home plate for a brief ceremony, repeating the oath of enlistment for a video camera to be played prior to the national anthem during pregame. We then practiced lining the grass around the infield and standing at attention, which is what we'd do while the Navy band played the anthem and a Navy color guard displayed the flag. While we were out there I saw the Blue Angels zipping around... they are practicing today & tomorrow for their Seafair performance on Sunday. So very cool! and loud!

After this, we were free (and had to leave the stadium) for at least two hours. The three of us crossed the street and spent most of it at the neighboring alehouse. I tried a hard pear cider (and liked it, although my head didn't feel completely the same after drinking it... just a little light feeling) and a salad with a bite of Thomason's seared ahi steak and Larson's garlic fries. Wow! Everything was really good!

Only another half-hour after this and they let us back into the stadium (4:10 pm) an hour earlier than everyone else so we could watch warm-ups and batting practice. Some people got autographs, but not I... no pen, and I barely know anyone on the team anymore... :)

And then we all went up to the third deck (on the end of the field by home plate - overlooking Puget Sound) where The Boeing Company provided a hot dog buffet for all Naval personnel attending, with a performance by a Navy guitar band.

Then by 6pm, we all had to go back to the basement on the third base side to line up for the anthem. It was neat to be recognized for joining... but really just awesome to be on the field with lots of future shipmates in front of so many fans before a game.

On our way to our seats after this we picked up the free t-shirts for "Navy Night". And the game itself was great! A 7 to 1 victory over the Royals! Ryan Langerhans got the game-tying homer in the third that jump-started our offense. Next guy got a triple... and he ended up scoring on a sac-fly. Two more runs the next inning... and two more in the sixth... and the last one in the eighth. And what a defense! There were at least three or four really outstanding plays... the kind where guys dive for it and come up with it! The starting pitcher went for eight innings and did beautifully. Wow! What a game to go to!

Recruit CPO

I've been officially assigned as the Recruit Chief Petty Officer for the Naval Recruiting Station Bellevue. I went in for a workout today and saw my picture up on the board. So I lead everyone in the Sailor's Creed and in stretching and the first exercises. I gave up the lead to the Starboard Section Leader to call out the cadence and lead the rest of the exercises, since that is my weak point. All those guys need someone who's going to push them... and so do I! :)

I'm excellent on my Navy Knowledge though, and on military bearing, and that's why I was given the post. Just a little more motivation to do well and keep pushing myself.

I'm back to 162, which is where I was at the end of my big east coast trip over a month ago. I had gained a couple in the weeks following, so I'm pleased it's back down. Also, I did much better on the flutter kicks and bear crawl this time, so I am encouraged. A little bit stronger... oh, and we did ten laps around the baseball field in a cadence run, and this time I was able to keep shouting it back the whole time.

First Test

On my first week of being off from work I've done both the Monday and Wednesday workouts.

Today we started with the IFA (or Initial Fitness Assessment - my first one). 82 sit-ups in 2 minutes (which is pretty good), 22 push-ups (I hadn't realized I couldn't rest up on my arms with my rear in the air), and a horrible 14:54 time on 1.5 miles. A full two minutes slower than my last clocked time. But then again (here comes my excuse), I haven't run right after being exhausted from push-ups, or in 85 degree weather in full sunshine either. At least now I know what to work on. Running after being tired (because that's how the tests go), push-ups in general, and all those other terrible things we do: bear crawls, burppies & 8-count push-ups. Do you see a pattern? Yep! all shoulder stuff.

But on the good side, all of this is passing the test. And I can do better with a little work.

9th Monthly Meeting

I'm only two days away from quitting my job now! So I got to the meeting in plenty of time. The Chief told me good job on losing the weight, but I'm afraid that'll make me not as worried as I should be about losing a few more. I want to keep going. :)

After Chief talked with us, our recruiters covered Navy educational benefits. After I filed the stack of re-certs, my recruiter told me he'd like me to become the recruit chief petty officer... or in other words, the recruit that leads everyone in the Creed and helps out in whatever way.

Working Out and Weighing In

Hooo-ya! I finally dropped my weight down below my joining weight (under pressure from the Chief) while I was on my tour of New England! I'm now two below instead of four above!

And after all this good news we had a workout with just four recruits and my recruiter. Went very well. We started with lunges and grapevines (making me feel very much like it was a softball practice) and then did a two-mile cadence run... about 8 laps around the baseball field. We did other stuff afterwords, like push-ups, sit-ups, planks and mountain climbers... it was a good one today.

And after everyone else left, Lonesome and I went over some of my PQS's (personal qualification standards - usually used for getting advancement to E-2 or E-3, but for me, it's just to do my best since I'm already set as an E-3). Good stuff.

8th Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, June 2:

Felt like this one went on forever and ever. We worked on naval jargon (apparently they test you on if you know what certain words mean, like chit or rack) and had a little competition to see if we could answer the questions my recruiter asked. The two losing teams had to do 50 push-ups! Yikes! And I helped my shipmates on my team win. :)

The Chief was there and he came down harder than usual on the weight issue. He' s threatening to cut people by mid month if they (such as me) don't get their weight down to at least where they were at when they DEP'ed in (joined the Navy). Unfortunately, I have a couple to lose.

Workin' Out

I've been pretty good at keeping up the cardio workouts. Either biking or running... and I'm more motivated to do it after barely surviving the Navy workout last Friday.

I've also joined in the Bellevue Recruiting Station's Facebook page this week and have become friends with 4 or 5 other recruits already. I posted the link to my Navy Knowledge page, and my recruiter commented on it and told me "Bravo Zulu" (which is Naval jargon for "Well Done"). He's makin' me beam with pride before I really do anything... gosh.

This is the Facebook page

DEP Workout #2

All I've been doing on my own lately is biking and push-ups... so today's workout with my recruiter and fellow recruits was hard. It was all outdoors in the brilliant sunshine.

After the Creed, we walked down the hill (behind the station in the strip mall) to the baseball field and parking lot. There we set up two stations: one with two large 5-foot high tractor tires that we had to squat down and flip over and over and over... whew! and another with soccer balls for off-balance push-ups... ugg. and then there was the 1/4 mile track around the baseball field to run around four times. After everyone was done with all three stations, we gathered and did flutter kicks, jumping and squats, bear walking, planks, throwing the legs, more bear walks, more lying down with your legs 6 inches off the ground... and some more of that, and then we went back to the station where most people did pull-ups and I simply attempted one and we all did a lot of wall sitting.

Very good indeed. I think I shall rest for the rest of today.

7th Monthly Meeting

I think I've come full circle. We talked about Navy ethics again, like we did my very first meeting. It's not normal to stay in the program this long. :) But I'm glad I've had time to adjust myself to this whole thing.

The District Chief was there again; he's becoming more of a regular. Likes to keep tabs on us, for good reason. It's hard to get into the Navy right now, so they want to make sure the people signed up so far are good to go. I'm four pounds over my limit, and he keeps talking about folks who he has to cut because of weight. It's hard to motivate myself to workout when I'm so tired all the time, but I really need to. I need to take this a little more seriously. I want to excel. I can't let such simple things like a couple pounds or a few more minutes of running or 8 push-ups keep me from joining or getting my advancement or A-school. Gosh.

I stayed later to do the filing again, and I did it much quicker this time. Got to hang out with Petty Officer Brusse this time and we talked for a minute.