Graduated!

So it is officially at an end! I am a certified A(v)15 operator, and I've been awarded the corresponding NEC (Naval Education Code, maybe? They didn't teach us that acronym.).

The ceremony was simple: we met up outside the schoolhouse in the side parking lot where we usually hold Quarters on Tuesdays. Three classes graduated together, and they got it all done pretty quickly. Had us in single lines by class, and our instructor would announce our names as he gave the certificate to the chief who in turn gave it to us and shook our hand and said "good job" or "congratulations". The honormen from each class got another certificate for that achievement, and then we were let go for the day.

We were supposed to check in to Hold's, but Hold's said come back "later" since there wasn't anyone to take care of us. We need to be there for tomorrow's Hold's muster at 0730 though... but that's fine by me... it's only one more day after that and we'll be on our separate ways. :)

Yesterday's class time didn't deserve its own post... it only took 3 hours, but it felt like twice that, at least. We dismantled our notebooks, then while everyone else cleaned the room, Nordgren and I (who volunteered) spent a good while shredding them in the office. Sorta sad... it's secret information, but I'd sure like to keep them so I can study easier later. Oh, well. And then we waited for a good two hours before they let us go. But that is all over now... we are done!

Duty, and the Last Test for Ops

After 0630 Duty Section muster (inside on the basketball court because it was raining), I changed and did a solid half-hour of cardio on the elliptical trainer and the rowing machine... I've gained a few pounds since the PRT, so I'm going to work on losing them again. It made it worth it to come in this morning too. Because class did not start til noon... and I was in the second group for the final practical, taking it between 1400 and 1545. We haven't found out our grades yet, but they assured us we did very well. I did it with Hibbard, Trimpe, Nordgren, Ciccone, & Baldwin... and we helped each other out, tracking and destroying two subs.

Tonight my watch consists of being a backup duty driver between 2130 and 0130 (22-02, bravo driver). I am grateful I don't have to stand up for all that time. Duty driving is the best!

That About Does It!

We took the final exam this afternoon... 100 questions... (twice as long as normal)... and the result of going in for extra study, paying attention, and asking a lot of questions was... a 94%. The top guy got 96%, and if I pay attention during the final practical on Monday, I will keep my 2nd place ranking.

Yesterday was mostly taken up with practice labs again; and again, they were very helpful. I did the buoy one... that with paying attention to the active one, and the passive one from Wednesday's lab... I'm feeling pretty covered.

Almost an official operator of our newest system!

Just Another Day in the Navy

But I'm very grateful I didn't have to go through something like my fellow Sailors did 70 years ago today; the flag was at half-mast today for them.

I went through the lab right away with Trimpe, Nordgren and Faulkner. It was our first time working the segments simultaneously. And we had fleet-returnees there, practicing to be Sonar Supervisors. I found them very helpful... the people who went through labs yesterday were thoroughly freaked out. STG2 Akins talked with us at the end of the day and told us to relax and just ask a lot of questions if we didn't understand something. It's when we get to the fleet that we're supposed to catch on quick. So I ran the passive one, and got to do a lot... and learned a lot! I loved it. Took an hour and a half, and that was good, because the rest of the day up in the classroom was more terrible boredom.

Yesterday after Quarters I went to Open Study with Hibbard, and we put in a good hour and a half. During class there was a little studying, so I'm beginning to feel less freaked out about the final exam this Friday.

More, Again

Class was extremely slow today... besides a final review for the cumulative 100-question test next week, we sat and talked like usual. People were mostly talking about going on leave for stand-down.

I got there early to workout today, and didn't get out of bed until just before I wanted to leave. Arrived at 1030, worked on my arms with benching and several other machines before muster at 1100. Broke from that, picked up my mail, got some cash out, then returned to the gym for a quick run before my shower and a burger at the galley for lunch. I have them every Monday... along with a salad, a bowl of chili, some cottage cheese and milk. Not bad for $4.25.

Duty, Class and Boredom

Monday we went through the remaining four lectures, for a total of over 200 slides. Yikes! But we had a special muster at 0730, since it was the first day back from a 4-day weekend. Strikes me as incredibly unnecessary, but they want to know immediately if somebody didn't make it back. I'd think they could wait for everyone's regular muster. It's about the same time for most people... just not me. LOL. So it was a long day. Even with finishing the lectures, there was a lot of down time.

PT was free all week; I worked on benching, cardio and core.

Tuesday I went in early for extra study with Hibbard... put in two extra hours, finished taking notes for the 100+ slide lecture, then finished taking the other notes in class while they were setting up the lab downstairs and taking us by groups.

Wednesday, I had to leave the class a couple times because they were talking about nasty stuff while the instructor wasn't there. Learned a vulgar word I'd never heard of before (and still don't know what it means), and sat through one explicit conversation and left when they started another. Got snacks at the student lounge (missed lunch because of a late breakfast) for the first time, mostly because I was bored. Starting to understand the overweight issue in the Navy.

Thursday we studied for a good half-hour to hour in the morning, then did nothing for the rest of the day (while one or two groups did labs) until 1600 or so, except I doodled Navy logos on a little white board. STG2 Lombardo even thought it was pretty good; but then he gave us our review, waited for Trimpe to come back, then gave us our test... lasting til 1730ish. I did really well... found out this morning... 100% with one give-back. Most people forgot the name of the "Equipment Set-Up Sheet".

Today was duty day. Woke up at 0545 to get to base in uniform for the 0630 duty section muster. That went quickly as always, and I returned home, changed, volunteered at the library again for another hour, had snacks for lunch, then got in uniform again, got to class, found out our grades, took the lab, (feel stupid for forgetting so much! but as STG2 said, I'm a better book-learner) got a 90%, then cleaned up the room with Clem early (as others were in the lab) so we could break for the day as fast as possible. Last week I was in 3rd with a 95.23%, and now I'm 2nd with a 95.38%.

Got let go right at 1500! Yay! Had more fun on my own before returning to the Quarterdeck in my NSU's for my 23-01 duty driver watch. Just checked in, then waited in my car (talking with my Darling) for a possible phone call. On my way back to turnover, noticed a bunch of broken glass in the path of exiting cars from the overflow lot, so I got a broom & dustpan from the smoke deck, cleaned it up while returning students marveled at a Third Class sweeping glass at 0030. Got back to bed around 0100. Whew. One more before stand-down! :)