Checking in with Chief for the Last Two Weeks of School

On Monday the 24th, I had to check in with my PLR (transfer people) to set which day I'd leave for San Diego. Based on my new-found quick progress (in a class without mandatory breaks) we set my graduation date for Monday the 7th of February, and transfer for the next day, the 8th. I had a few errands to run though, checking out with the Post Office to make sure I didn't have any PO box keys, and with Medical and Dental to get my records for transfer, and make sure I was healthy enough to go. All I had to do was fill out a form, but even that took more than an hour and had to be picked up on Friday, even though I did it on Wednesday.

Along with all this, I needed the schoolhouse Chief's signature on the contract saying I would graduate by the 7th. I was only a little nervous going there. He was the guy who yelled at folks who got out of line... and while I waited outside the office at attention on the little green line to the left of the double doors, ...with a painting of this on one of them:


...he was reaming a kid for lying to him about Mandatory Study times missed. Chief came out and told me to come back later... he didn't want to make me wait. :)

When I did, the kid was still there... but they were almost done; he had me come in and sit down until they were. There's a mat in the middle of the room with one set of footprints facing Chief's desk. When you go in (after knocking twice and waiting to be called in) you march right to those feet, come to attention and report. So he was treating me really nice.

Once I actually got to talk to him, I got on those feet and we talked about my status. He was impressed with my Open Learning hours when he found out I've never been on Mando. And I had just aced a BT test (something I've done only 3 times out of 24 possible tests), so it looked extra good. He said I needed to do more open learning though, because this expected graduation meant I didn't have any wiggle room. Between all this we chatted about regular stuff too. He wanted to know where I was from and what I had done before... and was excited when I told him I was a history major. Chatted about how everyone has a slant on it... mentioning how the Japanese teach their children today about WWII, and what the British say about the American Revolution. He had a lot of fun, and said if we were in the fleet he wouldn't mind having a beer with me and talking history. :) But that's a huge no-no here, since I'm a student. The other PLR guy was in the office at the end while we were talking, and back in the PLR office when I picked up my stuff (classrooms were closed because the school day was over), he told me the Chief doesn't get impressed with too many people... so I should be very flattered.

Well, so that went way better than expected! I was super motivated to get ahead (like Chief wanted), so I did Open Learning every minute of afternoon liberty I could... all week. :) He requires all his near-grad students to check in with him every day. I asked if I could do that before school, and he said it was fine (usually, it would have to interrupt the school day). So I've been leaving right after muster at 6 to go get breakfast and then check in early... and I like it better than just resting in my room and waiting to go at the last minute.

The next couple mornings he introduced me to the other chiefs in the office, and told them about how I like history. :) I love it when my bosses think I'm awesome! :)

And then that Thursday, our instructors were taken away from us to do other things. And they were replaced with two petty officers... one a red rope (an RDC waiting to push more boots at RTC) and the other a Gunner's Mate 2nd class. Breaks are now mandatory again, so that means a little less time for school. And today the GM2 was replaced by a more rigid GM1... I've learned to have peace about all this craziness though. The Lord is in control, and I will be fine in his hands. I've spent lots of time in open learning today too, and I think I might be able to finish this Friday, Lord willing.