Whew! It was nice after a long one yesterday. Checked in at 0630, like normal. Had breakfast... including cream-of-wheat today... and then went to my barracks room to sew on my patches on the second pair of coveralls. Got it all done too! But it took pretty much all day. Had lunch right at 1100, did my chow relief hour (and only drove senior across the street for the only drive). I had to finish the the crows when I got back, and it didn't take long. Then I did a workout! Did arms with free weights, then did the bike for 10 minutes. Turned out being a useful day.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
New Duties, and I was Nervous
Today I was the duty driver assigned to the Quarterdeck to do whatever needed. I checked out the CO's sedan and the pickup truck, both their property. The sedan was a-ok, but the truck was very low on gas. We're not supposed to let them get below 1/2 tank, and it was under 1/4. The OOD gave me a funny looking key to use to pay for the gas... and after trying the NEX on the sub base, losing the key, asking the guys in the fire station where I'd go to find the special pump that would accommodate the key, and finally finding the key after looking and praying for a while (and talking to the Quarterdeck, because I had a special assignment and I was taking a long time...), I finally found it, got it to work, and got back to base by 0830.
And when I took the truck to go do all this, it was just before quarters, when all the various classes on base line up and report to the LCPO... so I backed up the pickup and drove it for the first time in front of half the base. :)
Special assignment was to drive the ASW Training Center Commanding Officer and Command Master Chief up the hill on Point Loma to a re-enlistment ceremony at Third Fleet HQ. I had exactly an hour to change into my whites so Chief could inspect me and make sure I knew what to do (and what not to do). I went fast. Shined my shoes, blazed through a shower, finished pressing my newly dry-cleaned whites and neckerchief, and got back to the quarterdeck just in time. I was to park the sedan just outside the door, have it running with the door open, stand at parade rest until he came out, come to attention, salute, give "Good morning, Sir", and close the door for him. It's regular chauffeuring... I was a little nervous, but it worked out just fine.
Rest of the day I drove someone to and from a dentist appointment, and then picked someone up from Fleet & Family Housing Services on 32nd. So I didn't get done until 1700... a 10+ hour day. Whew!
And when I took the truck to go do all this, it was just before quarters, when all the various classes on base line up and report to the LCPO... so I backed up the pickup and drove it for the first time in front of half the base. :)
Special assignment was to drive the ASW Training Center Commanding Officer and Command Master Chief up the hill on Point Loma to a re-enlistment ceremony at Third Fleet HQ. I had exactly an hour to change into my whites so Chief could inspect me and make sure I knew what to do (and what not to do). I went fast. Shined my shoes, blazed through a shower, finished pressing my newly dry-cleaned whites and neckerchief, and got back to the quarterdeck just in time. I was to park the sedan just outside the door, have it running with the door open, stand at parade rest until he came out, come to attention, salute, give "Good morning, Sir", and close the door for him. It's regular chauffeuring... I was a little nervous, but it worked out just fine.
Rest of the day I drove someone to and from a dentist appointment, and then picked someone up from Fleet & Family Housing Services on 32nd. So I didn't get done until 1700... a 10+ hour day. Whew!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Off, But On a Little
I volunteered to be the chow relief driver for the shuttle today, when I mustered at 0630. It was supposed to be for one hour, but the other driver was running late, so I ended up doing two... it started with a mineman who thought he was transferring to the sub base, but it ended up being 32nd street, so he went right back to the ASW base with me. There was a guy to pick up at PSD (personnel support detachment), and on the next run, a guy to drop off at PSD, EN's waiting at the sub base, and finally, the same guy to pick up at PSD. It was crazy; I had to do the run backwards two of the three times I drove the circuit.
But the morning was wonderful! I spent it finishing sewing on the patches for the first of my two replacement coveralls I got on Friday. I did a small load of whites, and was interrupted by a lieutenant doing a room inspection, while finishing the coveralls. She gave us an outstanding! :)
When I finished around 1000, I walked my PQS for duty section duty driver watch-standing to my watch-bill coordinator, STG1 Upchurch in room 202... I always have to walk the entire floor to find the room he's in, so maybe I'll remember now. :) He was making up the watch-bill at the time I came in, and said he was almost going to give me double watches for not having it done yet! Whew! Dodged that one! Thank the Lord!
But the morning was wonderful! I spent it finishing sewing on the patches for the first of my two replacement coveralls I got on Friday. I did a small load of whites, and was interrupted by a lieutenant doing a room inspection, while finishing the coveralls. She gave us an outstanding! :)
When I finished around 1000, I walked my PQS for duty section duty driver watch-standing to my watch-bill coordinator, STG1 Upchurch in room 202... I always have to walk the entire floor to find the room he's in, so maybe I'll remember now. :) He was making up the watch-bill at the time I came in, and said he was almost going to give me double watches for not having it done yet! Whew! Dodged that one! Thank the Lord!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Side Notes
Yesterday, right after I finished the last post, the MA came in and told us to evacuate the building... I found out from folks talking as we stood around on the baseball outfield that all they found was a hollowed-out grenade... a paperweight. They sealed off the building and we couldn't get back into our rooms until 1530. Thankfully, a lot of that time they let us sit in the cool of the galley instead of letting us sweat in the hot sun of the ball field. Longest Friday ever.
Today I had to get up early because DC1 wanted all the volunteers for the "Clean Sweep" of San Diego bay to meet and leave at 0600 this morning. We did, and we got there very early. They had water and Krispy Kreme donuts for us... and after we met the CO of 32nd St. Naval Station, who was heading this particular project, we got wet and dirty removing trash from the creek that flows into the bay near that base. I pulled out a shopping cart, dug out a mostly-buried bucket, and found lots and lots of little bits of trash (mostly bottle caps and Styrofoam). We worked until 1000, then went to the BBQ at the Marina Bay View Park a few miles south with the same 11 people in the van from my base. Fun morning, but I was so tired when we returned... I slept for 4 hours straight when I crashed on my bed.
And because of the inspection yesterday, and especially the chief telling us we wouldn't have half as much room on a ship, I decided to go through everything and straighten it up, even getting rid of some stuff.
Today I had to get up early because DC1 wanted all the volunteers for the "Clean Sweep" of San Diego bay to meet and leave at 0600 this morning. We did, and we got there very early. They had water and Krispy Kreme donuts for us... and after we met the CO of 32nd St. Naval Station, who was heading this particular project, we got wet and dirty removing trash from the creek that flows into the bay near that base. I pulled out a shopping cart, dug out a mostly-buried bucket, and found lots and lots of little bits of trash (mostly bottle caps and Styrofoam). We worked until 1000, then went to the BBQ at the Marina Bay View Park a few miles south with the same 11 people in the van from my base. Fun morning, but I was so tired when we returned... I slept for 4 hours straight when I crashed on my bed.
And because of the inspection yesterday, and especially the chief telling us we wouldn't have half as much room on a ship, I decided to go through everything and straighten it up, even getting rid of some stuff.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Duty Driver, Day One
Checked in for muster at 0630 (I had got up in time for breakfast first!) and as soon as they wrote down my name, somebody needed to go to Dental on 32nd street, dry side. By the time I got back a couple people from the warehouse needed to check out the van that broke down at a cafe on Shelter Island... and when I got back from that, one needed to go across the street to medical, and one was late for class up the hill at Third Fleet HQ. Exciting, if nothing else.
After a fabulous lunch (egg-drop soup!), and a bit of waiting around, I took another guy to the Family Housing office near the commissary on 28th.
My phone gives me trouble though. I have extremely spotty reception around base, so there have been times when they want to get ahold of me, but can't. Good thing I check in often!
When I pulled up from the last drop, STG1 Harvell told me he met my recruiter in the gym today! because he had been asking about me. I had no idea STG1 Lonesome was here! Hopefully we'll meet up sometime and go out to eat or something!
Just another hour and a half to go, waiting for someone to drive. I'm gonna go sit somewhere where my phone works. :)
After a fabulous lunch (egg-drop soup!), and a bit of waiting around, I took another guy to the Family Housing office near the commissary on 28th.
My phone gives me trouble though. I have extremely spotty reception around base, so there have been times when they want to get ahold of me, but can't. Good thing I check in often!
When I pulled up from the last drop, STG1 Harvell told me he met my recruiter in the gym today! because he had been asking about me. I had no idea STG1 Lonesome was here! Hopefully we'll meet up sometime and go out to eat or something!
Just another hour and a half to go, waiting for someone to drive. I'm gonna go sit somewhere where my phone works. :)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
52 Access Watch, Again
It was exactly what I did the day before I left for home. 5 and a half straight hours of watch, from 0600 to 1130. This time my relief was 10 minutes late, again because they didn't realize what watch they had.
The watch itself went pretty quickly... I called "attention on deck" for the 2-star Rear Admiral when he came in and again when he left an hour later. There wasn't any pen at the podium, so it was a good thing I put one in my pocket this morning. Also there were a few people who needed my badge to open the door... a class of petty officers, and a couple chiefs for the Selectee meeting.
But I have to say the most unique thing that happened was the softball that rolled through the open front door from across the street and over the very tall netted fence. I tossed it to someone outside the door to launch back onto the field. :)
I think I'm going to PT today before my duty section muster at 1500.
The watch itself went pretty quickly... I called "attention on deck" for the 2-star Rear Admiral when he came in and again when he left an hour later. There wasn't any pen at the podium, so it was a good thing I put one in my pocket this morning. Also there were a few people who needed my badge to open the door... a class of petty officers, and a couple chiefs for the Selectee meeting.
But I have to say the most unique thing that happened was the softball that rolled through the open front door from across the street and over the very tall netted fence. I tossed it to someone outside the door to launch back onto the field. :)
I think I'm going to PT today before my duty section muster at 1500.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Duty Driver
So I checked in to the holds office first yesterday, around 0700. Swiatek asked me if I'd like to be UI (under instruction) for being a Hold's Duty Driver... and I asked STG2, and he said yep, as he put me back on the working party list. I turned in my signed HARP orders to admin, went to muster, then rode along with the van in the morning, took a break for lunch, rode along with Hibbard in the shuttle for 3 hours (3 circuits) in the afternoon, and learned everything I needed to know. Because Moyers showed me my assignment this week, which was UI for that day and today, and then my first job all day Thursday. They do one day on, one day on call around here... and I never have to muster with holds again! :)
I learned several places on 32nd street (wet side) during the two times we went there in the morning... and Hibbard showed me the shuttle route and times, which were always a mystery to me. We got gas on our second run, since we had obnoxious guys on the first (mostly, we didn't want to make them wait). It was good to visit with Hibbard... I haven't seen her for weeks.
This morning I rode the shuttle again, since it's slightly different. By the third run, I got to drive. Ready for Thursday...
I learned several places on 32nd street (wet side) during the two times we went there in the morning... and Hibbard showed me the shuttle route and times, which were always a mystery to me. We got gas on our second run, since we had obnoxious guys on the first (mostly, we didn't want to make them wait). It was good to visit with Hibbard... I haven't seen her for weeks.
This morning I rode the shuttle again, since it's slightly different. By the third run, I got to drive. Ready for Thursday...
HARP Duty, NRS Bellevue
Don't ask me what HARP stands for... I have no clue. It is free leave for two weeks to your hometown (or wherever the recruiting station you came from is). I had to provide my own transportation, and I could not charge the Navy for food, or any other expense. But two weeks and three weekends of leave without it counting against my accrued leave was priceless.
I called Naval Recruiting Station Bellevue on Friday, August 5th, after I worked for the BPO that morning and went to the afternoon muster. They had no idea that I was coming, but LS1 Brusse was more than glad to have me to help out when I told him the news. The duty driver was willing to drop me off at the airport too, so it was no hassle.
Didn't have to report until 0900, Monday morning, the 8th. I was instructed to wear NWU's, so that's what I had on. My first task was filling out new folders with contact info for the 11 high schools and 2 junior colleges the station is responsible for. This took up the first 4 days, 0900 to 1200, when they let me off. But after the first day I decided I'd wear my service uniform like the recruiters were. Decided to leave it there and change into and out of it in the closet, making it easier for me.
For at least two of the days we had Men of Honor playing on the TV in the background... so I got very familiar with US Navy Diver Carl Brashear's story... even though I had seen it several times a long time ago. It did make filling out telephone numbers a little more exciting. Although on Tuesday there was some excitement... someone had written graffiti all over the recruiter's part of the back of the strip mall, and the owner, a painter and a policeman came by to fix it.
I was done on Thursday... and Friday I did all the shredding NC1 Valdez had for me to do, and then vacuuming. I get mixed up about which days I drove myself, and which I didn't, because they all sort of ran together. I think I got off kinda early that day.
Having a weekend off at home was fantastic! And on Monday I had to make work for myself, going through all the brochures and trinkets in the drawers and straightening and organizing. Tuesday and Wednesday I came in with Dad, but they either didn't need me (on Tue.) or were gone at a meeting and told me to come back the next day when I called (on Wed.). Thursday they told me to stay because there would be an inspector coming in at 1000, so I spent the morning wiping down the microwave and desk (and reading All Hands, the Navy magazine) before 1000 came and the inspector never did. LS1 gave me a ride home.
Friday, the 19th, was fun! Got there early at 0730 in PT gear (after dropping my brother off at the airport very early that morning) and rode with them to the YMCA in Newcastle. A bunch of the recruiters, including the division chief who had come by the office on Monday, worked out in a strength and conditioning class for a little over an hour. It hurt to sit down after that... lots of squats, and modified bear-crawls, pushups and jumps.
In hopes of seeing STG1 (my recruiter), I went with them to their meeting in south Seattle. Chief talked a lot about strategies and goals, a couple recruiters talked about assigned topics, and then there was a video conference with the district CO. They dropped me off at home by 1300 and they signed my orders, verifying I was where I needed to be.
I loved it so much! Just to have a break from everything, do something different and see my family for so long. Exactly what I needed! Checked back in here on the ASW Naval Base Point Loma on Sunday afternoon, ready to get back to work the next morning.
On Sunday the 14th, my dad's family had a little reunion in our neighborhood park and my Grandma wanted to see me in uniform... so I obliged her. :) When I got back home from that, my family obliged me by taking an unofficial "official" picture in the kitchen. I wanted one with my new rating badge on... so...
Nathan and Christina held the flags, Andie took the photos, and also took one while I was moving a bit to the middle of the flags for the second set of pics (that turned out best) and adjusting my necktie.
I called Naval Recruiting Station Bellevue on Friday, August 5th, after I worked for the BPO that morning and went to the afternoon muster. They had no idea that I was coming, but LS1 Brusse was more than glad to have me to help out when I told him the news. The duty driver was willing to drop me off at the airport too, so it was no hassle.
Didn't have to report until 0900, Monday morning, the 8th. I was instructed to wear NWU's, so that's what I had on. My first task was filling out new folders with contact info for the 11 high schools and 2 junior colleges the station is responsible for. This took up the first 4 days, 0900 to 1200, when they let me off. But after the first day I decided I'd wear my service uniform like the recruiters were. Decided to leave it there and change into and out of it in the closet, making it easier for me.
For at least two of the days we had Men of Honor playing on the TV in the background... so I got very familiar with US Navy Diver Carl Brashear's story... even though I had seen it several times a long time ago. It did make filling out telephone numbers a little more exciting. Although on Tuesday there was some excitement... someone had written graffiti all over the recruiter's part of the back of the strip mall, and the owner, a painter and a policeman came by to fix it.
I was done on Thursday... and Friday I did all the shredding NC1 Valdez had for me to do, and then vacuuming. I get mixed up about which days I drove myself, and which I didn't, because they all sort of ran together. I think I got off kinda early that day.
Having a weekend off at home was fantastic! And on Monday I had to make work for myself, going through all the brochures and trinkets in the drawers and straightening and organizing. Tuesday and Wednesday I came in with Dad, but they either didn't need me (on Tue.) or were gone at a meeting and told me to come back the next day when I called (on Wed.). Thursday they told me to stay because there would be an inspector coming in at 1000, so I spent the morning wiping down the microwave and desk (and reading All Hands, the Navy magazine) before 1000 came and the inspector never did. LS1 gave me a ride home.
Friday, the 19th, was fun! Got there early at 0730 in PT gear (after dropping my brother off at the airport very early that morning) and rode with them to the YMCA in Newcastle. A bunch of the recruiters, including the division chief who had come by the office on Monday, worked out in a strength and conditioning class for a little over an hour. It hurt to sit down after that... lots of squats, and modified bear-crawls, pushups and jumps.
In hopes of seeing STG1 (my recruiter), I went with them to their meeting in south Seattle. Chief talked a lot about strategies and goals, a couple recruiters talked about assigned topics, and then there was a video conference with the district CO. They dropped me off at home by 1300 and they signed my orders, verifying I was where I needed to be.
I loved it so much! Just to have a break from everything, do something different and see my family for so long. Exactly what I needed! Checked back in here on the ASW Naval Base Point Loma on Sunday afternoon, ready to get back to work the next morning.
On Sunday the 14th, my dad's family had a little reunion in our neighborhood park and my Grandma wanted to see me in uniform... so I obliged her. :) When I got back home from that, my family obliged me by taking an unofficial "official" picture in the kitchen. I wanted one with my new rating badge on... so...
Nathan and Christina held the flags, Andie took the photos, and also took one while I was moving a bit to the middle of the flags for the second set of pics (that turned out best) and adjusting my necktie.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Watch and the CNO
Watch went well... pretty fast too. After a first class told me to put my book away (just before 0800), a couple of the people from a conference being held in the building were chatting about deployments they had back in the day... and interestingly about communications while on them. They talked about people getting in trouble for saying too much in emails to family about where they were or what they were doing... and about filters they use to catch stuff like that. Talked about 1 and a half month comms blackouts... with no warning or notion of their duration. !!! And about Facebook, and how there's no way to filter what's said there. It was one of the most interesting things I've heard ever while being on watch.
About fifty chiefs came through the lobby as there was some sort of meeting with a few Chief Selects. It's nice to see chiefs in good spirits. And I got relieved early... so I could go to the galley before getting a duty driver to the Hotel. And they had my favorite egg drop (or egg flower) soup.
Ravo drove me, and I got there just after everyone began eating. A waiter urged me to go ahead and have a meal! A wonderful salad with cranberries, a tasty bun, chicken breast, veggies & rice, and then cheesecake with berries. And then Admiral Roughead spoke. Didn't have much else to do, as the rest of the day was to be spent in the ballroom. We did listen to the Navy-only session with the admiral, and even one of our guys got up and asked him a question during Q&A. The admiral was impressed at his courage and as he walked back to his seat he got another round of applause. :)
We got back to base shortly afterwords... they didn't need us anymore. I had time to check mail (there wasn't any), get some cash out for my trip, and stop by TSC admin in response to the phone call I got yesterday about filling out a dream-sheet (don't know if it means anything... just to improve morale, or really influencing what happens?), but they said "come back tomorrow" in a rather unfriendly manner, without explanation. Why do they have to stomp all over you when you go in with a question? Wasn't even busy. And when I asked about uniforms to take home on HARP (tomorrow), they told me "take them all" as if I was an idiot to not think that already. Maybe I've been too long with professional and courteous officers. Maybe I'm tired, and need to go home.
About fifty chiefs came through the lobby as there was some sort of meeting with a few Chief Selects. It's nice to see chiefs in good spirits. And I got relieved early... so I could go to the galley before getting a duty driver to the Hotel. And they had my favorite egg drop (or egg flower) soup.
Ravo drove me, and I got there just after everyone began eating. A waiter urged me to go ahead and have a meal! A wonderful salad with cranberries, a tasty bun, chicken breast, veggies & rice, and then cheesecake with berries. And then Admiral Roughead spoke. Didn't have much else to do, as the rest of the day was to be spent in the ballroom. We did listen to the Navy-only session with the admiral, and even one of our guys got up and asked him a question during Q&A. The admiral was impressed at his courage and as he walked back to his seat he got another round of applause. :)
We got back to base shortly afterwords... they didn't need us anymore. I had time to check mail (there wasn't any), get some cash out for my trip, and stop by TSC admin in response to the phone call I got yesterday about filling out a dream-sheet (don't know if it means anything... just to improve morale, or really influencing what happens?), but they said "come back tomorrow" in a rather unfriendly manner, without explanation. Why do they have to stomp all over you when you go in with a question? Wasn't even busy. And when I asked about uniforms to take home on HARP (tomorrow), they told me "take them all" as if I was an idiot to not think that already. Maybe I've been too long with professional and courteous officers. Maybe I'm tired, and need to go home.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Overwhelmed & Acclimated
I've seen so much brass in the last two days... at first it was nerve-wracking to have that many officers of all ranks, of all the sea services (USN, USMC, USCG) in the same hallway. And I was supposed to direct traffic! :) Well, me and nine other seaman and third classes.
We get to the Sheraton on Harbor Island before 0730, and a retired Commander is in charge of us... we're helping him move the conference along smoothly; making sure the officers get to the next session on time. My first few minutes was a little crazy. The commander wanted everyone in the grand ballroom ten minutes before it started. So at around 0735 I open the doors, so folks get a chance. And one minute later a Marine lieutenant colonel is in my face asking me who gave the order... "I assumed I should, Sir." And it was okay, I guess. Not two minutes later, and a Marine major is asking what my rate is... "Sonar Technician, Sir." Response: "Yeah, that has to do with computers. I need you to help me as soon as you're done." That sounded vague, but I said "Yes, Sir." (On reflection, it should have been "Aye, aye, Sir."... oh, well... next time). Turned out it was only loading presentations on hotel computers and setting the NNOA logo as the background, but it was nice to help out the very busy major.
Tuesday was "Marine Corps Day" and the 35th Commandant, General James Amos gave an address at the luncheon about diversifying the Corps. He started off with a history about the first black Marines who had to train at a separate boot camp in North Carolina during the 40's, and how they are planning to honor them this year and capture their stories on video.
Today was "Coast Guard Day" and their Commandant spoke... Admiral Robert Papp. He talked about the Coast Guard's history, which I didn't know much about (In 1787, Hamilton advocated a small cutter fleet to protect the nation's ports when we could not afford a big Navy... and also the dates their responsibilities got piled on... lighthouses, rescues, maritime safety, etc.).
This morning I sat in on the first panel about women in leadership. And I stayed later to hear a presentation on Naval courtesies. The question & answers afterwords was the best part... rules about saluting, colors, the mess decks, etc. And captains were getting animated about it! :)
I hope I can make it back tomorrow after my watch since it is Navy Day, and the CNO will be speaking!
We get to the Sheraton on Harbor Island before 0730, and a retired Commander is in charge of us... we're helping him move the conference along smoothly; making sure the officers get to the next session on time. My first few minutes was a little crazy. The commander wanted everyone in the grand ballroom ten minutes before it started. So at around 0735 I open the doors, so folks get a chance. And one minute later a Marine lieutenant colonel is in my face asking me who gave the order... "I assumed I should, Sir." And it was okay, I guess. Not two minutes later, and a Marine major is asking what my rate is... "Sonar Technician, Sir." Response: "Yeah, that has to do with computers. I need you to help me as soon as you're done." That sounded vague, but I said "Yes, Sir." (On reflection, it should have been "Aye, aye, Sir."... oh, well... next time). Turned out it was only loading presentations on hotel computers and setting the NNOA logo as the background, but it was nice to help out the very busy major.
Tuesday was "Marine Corps Day" and the 35th Commandant, General James Amos gave an address at the luncheon about diversifying the Corps. He started off with a history about the first black Marines who had to train at a separate boot camp in North Carolina during the 40's, and how they are planning to honor them this year and capture their stories on video.
Today was "Coast Guard Day" and their Commandant spoke... Admiral Robert Papp. He talked about the Coast Guard's history, which I didn't know much about (In 1787, Hamilton advocated a small cutter fleet to protect the nation's ports when we could not afford a big Navy... and also the dates their responsibilities got piled on... lighthouses, rescues, maritime safety, etc.).
This morning I sat in on the first panel about women in leadership. And I stayed later to hear a presentation on Naval courtesies. The question & answers afterwords was the best part... rules about saluting, colors, the mess decks, etc. And captains were getting animated about it! :)
I hope I can make it back tomorrow after my watch since it is Navy Day, and the CNO will be speaking!
Monday, August 1, 2011
One-Week Job
The Chaplain's working party that I signed up for last Tuesday started today. We are helping out at the annual NNOA conference (National Naval Officer's Association) held at the Sheraton Hotel on Harbor Island this year. Today I did an odd assortment of jobs, getting ready for things to start tomorrow. I helped unfurl and set up the 50 state flags in the grand auditorium, helped fold polo shirts they have for sale, and helped show people where to check in for registration. There were 11 of us from the ASW base... and 15 on the official list. Apparently, the CNO himself and the commandants of the Marines and the Coast Guard are going to be there. They told us over 600 officers in total... wow.
We didn't have to be there until noon today, so Chief Cruz told us to have our khaki & black's in perfect condition for the next 4 days... and to be back for the duty van at 1130. I shined my dress shoes several times, and can say they're in good condition. Also switched my insignia to my clean khaki shirt and measured the position of my crows with a tape measure. :) The back had a single wrinkle in it from being stored so long in my closet; one quick press and it is now at inspection quality.
This will be perfect, as I leave for HARP duty Friday evening.
We didn't have to be there until noon today, so Chief Cruz told us to have our khaki & black's in perfect condition for the next 4 days... and to be back for the duty van at 1130. I shined my dress shoes several times, and can say they're in good condition. Also switched my insignia to my clean khaki shirt and measured the position of my crows with a tape measure. :) The back had a single wrinkle in it from being stored so long in my closet; one quick press and it is now at inspection quality.
This will be perfect, as I leave for HARP duty Friday evening.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
