Not Too Bad

Woke up at 0330 this morning, without setting my alarm... was I quick to thank the Lord that I did! Not that I really needed the extra time... but I soon found out that I had just started my monthly cycle, and needed medicine right quick. I bemoaned the fact that this morning we'd probably have our "special" personal PT with the instructor at 0500. I felt like calling in LLD (light, limited duty), but because I had extra time, the pills had time to kick in, even before I got in the car. I changed into PT gear right away, but was able to lie down a little more (randomly reading the later part of Isaiah as I did) and even used my new single-egg frying pan to make myself a quick snack before going. And I was surprised how not-exhausted I felt.

Indeed, it was our first special PT with STG1 Fletcher. It was a series of exercises on the volleyball court: 30-sec. plank on the elbows, 2 sets of grapevines (shuffling/running to the side while switching which leg goes first), more planks, more grapevines, supermans, 4 sets of sprints (I suppose we all could have gone a little faster), and then more, and more, and more. It went pretty well, actually. Felt pretty easy, and I had no problems.

Had Raisin Bran in the galley... for a $2.45 cost, it doesn't really matter what you get; it's worth it. So along with that, yogurt, grapes, juice & hot chocolate. And because we're given a lot of time (back to class at 0715), I even watched some random shows on the Military channel in the student lounge about a British raid on German radar, and then the start of a strange one about Hitler's artistic preferences.

Class itself was blowing through a 40-slide power-point about line commands (for operating systems without GUIs) and then a practice on our computers. Out at 1115! Yay!

Ending With a Beginning

Started at 0500 in class; lasted 45 minutes, then we were let go for an hour and a half for breakfast. I was quick this morning though, and scrambled two eggs, drank OJ and ate toast before arriving. So I mimicked last Friday... went to my car, leaned the driver's seat back, listened to my audio book, then turned it off and slept for 20 minutes or so. The sun came up while I was sleeping. :)

We started and steamed through a 161-slide power-point on computer Operating Systems. With a couple breaks thrown in, we all made it to 1030 and the end! Actually, our instructor is great, and explains the slides in an easy to understand way. Labs will start next week, so that's when we'll really begin to understand what we're doing.

Here's a web cam shot of the newly authorized way to wear the parka liner alone. It helped me keep comfortably warm this morning, in and out of class:

First Test

Tuesday was a review day... we had a quiz and went over some things, but besides that, we were out at 1100. Four hours of class time.

Yesterday (Wednesday) we had our test after PT at 0500 (and my duty section muster at 0630), but it didn't start til 0830 because of issues with the computers being too slow. He had us bring up all our power-points in order, so everyone was on the same page. The test was two hours... and most people took that long trying to find the answers to four bad connectivity symptoms questions in the references. No one found them, because they weren't there. So although a bunch of us got 2 of those wrong, he gave them back since it was impossible to find. So for me: 100%. Went home for a couple hours, then returned for the 1530 muster on the Red Deck. More training... STG2 Roop talked about emergency procedures for a few minutes, and then we were let go. And as I was on "Supers", I had no watch to stand. Done for the day.

Today we had the next half of the test after 0500 PT (yesterday I rowed 5,000 meters, today I did push-ups & sit-ups). He made random groups and Witte and I were put into "group 3". Each set took about a half-hour, so most of the time it was sitting and chatting. The lab was taking a unit out of one of the big cages, then changing a battery, then doing some software work on the BIOS chip. I don't know if it was only because of my nervousness of labs, or because of my not eating much this morning, or because of the push-ups... but my arms and fingers shook as I realized I forgot a simple function. We forgot a little step and ended up with 96%s, each. Oh well. Maybe once I'm used to all this I'll survive when I'm in the fleet. I hope so. Out just a little after 1100.

Getting Used to It

On this dreary and wet Monday morning, I showed up five minutes late to PT. But that was only because I had forgotten I needed extra time to get in the gate because of my new ID I got on Friday to reflect my new name! I decided to stop by admin on my way out to check on it, and AZ2 greeted me with congratulations when I got up to the counter. Took about a half-hour at MCRD, and I walked out with it right then and there. I tried to get the card encoded for the turnstile back at the ASW Pass & ID station, but they were inexplicably closed and didn't open till 0630 this morning. So anyway, I had to walk the long way around from the overflow lot.

PT was good... 15 minutes on the rowing machine and another 15 doing push-ups, planks & sit-ups. Nice long shower, then I ate my packed breakfast of an egg & cheese toasted sandwich, a banana and OJ, then headed back to the front gate and got my card encoded before class started at 0730.

In class itself, we went over the Tech Doc and how to find what we need to find in it. It's enormous. Then we did a little playing with the network commands on our computers... very cool. An early out today (at 1100) and tomorrow is supposed to be a review, and Wednesday the test.

Whew.

Today was nice. Regular schedule... and STG1 Fletcher was back and went over the slides we did yesterday, except now we understand them much better, because he's the authority on the topic. I was pretty tired when it started at 0500. Had been planning on getting up early to eat breakfast, but that didn't happen. Reluctantly got up at 0420, and still managed to have time to fry a couple eggs and drink some juice before running over to class (and was still ten minutes early).

Thank the Lord he let us go at 0545 and didn't want us back til 0715. I just stayed in my car, turned on the heat, laid my seat back and listened to my current audiobook... and fell asleep for a half-hour -ish. Re-listened to the part I missed, finished the CD, and got back on time. We did one more lecture, and then we were let go for the day at 1100. Chief Cruz was giving her Friday speech to Holds when I walked out... and I felt free as a bird as I kept walking. Beautiful feeling.

Beginning Networking

And Wednesday was another early morning. We would have gone for a run if it hadn't have been so cold; it gets pretty darn chilly these mornings. So there was free PT in the gym (when they finally opened it - Hibbard and I got there very early) and I contented myself with 15 minutes on the rowing machine (for 3,000 meters), then worked on some push-ups and sit-ups. Had to stop by duty section 7's muster to turn in the copies I made of the duty-swap chit to my Chief who was there for turnover.

Class at 0715... and we did a bit of labs dealing with how to navigate the BIOS screens (after the memory got fixed by a contractor). I pretty much caught up my notes... and then we launched into "Networking". Very basic stuff, then we were let go about 1130. Stopped by the NEX for a green pepper to use my garlic humus, and also picked up the new insignia tab (and insignia) for the black parka liner, which is now authorized to wear with our digital camo NWUs.

Came back for mando, and this time I didn't need to appear awkward knocking and sounding off in the office... the door was already open. I caught up the remainder of my notes while most people gossiped. I signed everyone in and out, and let people go five-till 1400.

Today, it was again free PT per our regular schedule. STG2 Root was in charge of us, since STG1 Fletcher and Gonzales were taking their Chief exams. He let us go at 0530, and I raced back home since he didn't want us back until 0730. Pot of oatmeal! Very good. I feel (and am indeed) a bit overweight... so I need to watch it. We had urinalysis at 0745 and that went pretty smoothly. I was first since I turned in everyone's CAC cards. It was more note-taking (catching up the previous day's slides) until everyone was back. Then we finished the lecture and were let go at 1030ish so we'd have plenty of time before the GMT at 1230. Another re-hashing of the SAPR program on sexual assault & harassment... the very same one as the last few times, actually. Then we were let go for the day just before 1400.

Running Around

Tuesday was painful. Only had about 3+ hours sleep after getting back from the airport. And it happened to be my Duty Day. I arrived in plenty of time to check the watch-bill (that I forgot to sign on Friday), initial for my 21-23 bldg 51 access watch, and then realize they weren't going to open up the gym on time for me to stow my bag in my locker. Back across the bridge to my car in overflow and back, and up the 3 flights of stairs to the classroom on time. Whew.

Except the guy with the key to the classroom wasn't there... so STG1 had us wait in the student lounge for 15 minutes, and if he hadn't come for us, to post until the 0730 all-hands muster out front of bldg. 11, instead of behind it for Quarters (as usual, when coming back from a 3-day weekend). In all the excitement of the weekend, I had forgotten there was an NSU (service uniform) inspection directly after that. So this extra time allowed me to go back home, make breakfast, and grab my uniform and a Navy book. So then it was time for the 0630 duty section muster, and that was quick. But when I got to the gym, I realized I had forgotten a white t-shirt! Gahh! Checked the little NEX, but they only had packs of five. So I walked over to the bigger NEX on Rosecrans (across the bridge, past overflow parking). Thankfully, the lady let me in ten minutes before they opened (0700), but I was only to find out that they had the same thing. I bought the five, returned, changed, and showed up for the all-hands muster at the right time in the right uniform.

As class leader, I was inspected first and alone, standing in front of the two ranks of five. STG1 wanted a proper inspection and taught me to salute and say "Good morning, Petty Officer. Maintenance Class 12010 standing by, ready for inspection." I then walked beside him and called out the commands for "one pace, forward march" and "uncover...two", when he inspected everyone's backsides and haircuts. He gave us all "Excellents", but there were a few hits. One guy's belt was way out of place and another had spots from mud splashes on the backs of his trousers. Later, in class, STG1 gave us a few pointers... he didn't want to see any more lint or hairs, and he let us know it's better not to have a watch on during inspections in the fleet... regs say they can only be silver or black and not "faddish"... which can be in the eye of the beholder, and especially so if it is a Chief or Officer conducting it.

For class (the only calm, normal part of the day), we finished up the hardware section by doing a little lab focusing on changing out the CMOS battery. Easy day. I caught up a bunch on taking notes. Since we had no lecture, STG1 gave us the day off from mando. I returned home to unpack myself and eat a little bit of snacks for lunch. Stayed in uniform though, because I had to return for the 1530 duty section muster where I was reminded by Chief that he wanted copies of my duty-swap chits for next month the next morning. And then there was an incredibly random and boring "training" on FPCONs (force protection conditions). We were let go around 1600.

I brought a Chipotle burrito home for dinner, then crashed on my bed for a couple hours. Woke up just in time to get ready to relieve Baldwin as the access watch for 51... it's been months since I've stood it. I took along "Brave Ship, Brave Men" (which I started before joining the Navy) to keep me company. And between putting it down every few seconds for all the people going in and out (especially for the phase I & II muster), I finished a long chapter or two. My rover watch seemed to be very dejected about his job (walking the hallways), but he reported just often enough. Poor guy... I was relieved five minutes early by Patterson... hope his relief was on the way. So it was back to bed for another 3 hours or so before PT at 0500 the next day.

Off and Running

Yesterday, Thursday, we started with free PT. They opened up the gym doors just as we arrived on the far side of the gym facing the overflow parking lot, where Witte, Hibbard, Trimpe & I come from every morning, early. I used the rowing machine for a good while and ate some leftover pizza for breakfast.

In class we started the lectures covering the general description of computer hardware, and since the first one was 130ish slides long, it took a bit of time to get through. This time I came home for lunch; I think I'll probably make it a habit if they keep letting us go before noon. Mando (1300-1400) was much improved, however, because STG1 Fletcher (who has taken over lectures for the hardware side of things) made sure we had access. And we were finally in our assigned room, 368B. Regular class is in 367... my boot camp division number.

Today I was ready to go when I got there. There's no PT on Fridays, so we started class at 0500. Hardware functionality and safety, and we started into doing labs... going into the adjoining room and taking the backing off the case, learning what names were associated with what pieces. The two, huge CPUs in the drawer configuration even baffled Fierro and Baldwin, who make up my group, and the last one to go (5 of 5). We also practiced taking out and replacing the memory cards... but I was the only one who needed to do that. :)

STG1 was very nice and let us do our "mando" (catching up on notes) during regular class time. We were let out at 1140, and I headed straight to TSC to pick up my out-of-bounds chit (approved yesterday) as I headed out, bound for the airport and my dear, sweet, Darling in OKC for our long weekend (in observance of MLK Jr. Day on Monday the 16th). See you Tuesday!

Quick Day, Relatively

Didn't have to be anywhere until 0700 today... there was a special command workout! For the first time, I participated in a command-led workout, with a few of the senior chiefs leading us. It was called "Sweat-X", which was really just a series of circuits. There were stations set up around the indoor basketball and volleyball courts. We first did some new kinds of stretch/exercises, then did a formation run for a 3/4 mile lap around the base "to warm up". A few people dropped out, which was pretty sad, but I kept up with the group the whole time, only replying the cadence for the first half. ;)

Then we did the circuits in the gym for about a minute and a half at each station. I started with the barbells, kneeling on a mat, then rolling the barbell out in front for a tough abdominal workout; then "superman's": lying on a mat on my tummy with my arms and legs off the ground; then modified planks: raising an arm while on the feet and hands; then pushups; then lunges; then hopscotch with a rope ladder; then jump rope; then flipping large tires half-way down the court; then sprints across the whole court. And then formation stretching, and we were out the door a bit after 0800. To break, Senior Chief Milam called everyone in for a brief talk, then had me! lead everyone in a cry of "Honor, Courage, Commitment!"

Class was from 0900-1115 or so... we finished up the 3M lecture (material maintenance management), and I did a few more slides of notes from yesterday when we were on break, along with turning in the out-of-bounds chit to TSC for final approval.

Had lunch break before we had to be back at 1300 for our required extra study this week. Walked my stuff back to my car so I could simply split after mando, then kept walking to Liberty Station for food. Ended up getting a $5 chicken soup at the little Mexican restaurant out front. It was a special advertised on the front door on a piece of paper. Had chips & salsa while waiting, then was dumbfounded when it arrived... with a leg and another piece cooked whole (skinless) in it. But it was so good! Hope I can get it there again sometime.

I got back before I needed to be, so I picked up some of the long-lying trash in the overflow parking lot before returning to get the books and the instructor to open the door for us (as I'm class leader). I found 3 dimes and a quarter while doing it! Hey, it pays! :) Mando, itself, was pretty much a waste, as we don't have access to the lectures. A lot more conversation that I wish I didn't hear, but at least it was only an hour. Got home about 1430, and then finally shined my boots again... they look great now! Then I laid down on my bed with my newly arrived Husky blanket from a package from Mom & Dad and didn't get up for another 3 hours.

Crazy Chits

The crazy things we have to do sometimes to get the simplest chits approved. Had to run down to TSC this morning for a routing sheet, then had to drive myself up the hill to Third Fleet to catch my new Duty Section Leader, Chief Decker, for a signature, then up to the fourth deck of the schoolhouse for NMT's signature. Thankfully, everyone was very nice about it.

And I went to Hibbard's duty section muster to make sure the duty swap for next month went okay... and it did... and we went up to NMT on a later break to get that one finished. Gosh! So I'm good to go for this weekend, and for the next 3-day in February. Whew!

It was a very clear and cold morning at 0430, as I drove to base. I was greeted my moonbeams when I walked out the door. I suppose I'll be seeing some sunrises by the time it turns spring though. :)

Besides getting through three lectures today, we also had Quarters at 0730. I got to lead everyone in the Sailor's Creed. I was a little nervous, but it went just fine.

First Day of Maintenance Class

I woke up one minute before 0600 this morning with my reminder from my calendar on my phone telling me that duty section muster was in a half hour. Yikes! I flew out of bed with the same speed as Pa-Pa in the Night Before Christmas. Made it to the Red Deck in 16 minutes flat... and before anyone else. Whew.

For the first time in months, I ate breakfast at the galley, having my old regular two eggs over hard on toast, along with milk and hot chocolate. By 0715, there were at least fifty students outside the quarterdeck with notebooks in hand. Twenty-four were for the two sections of A(v)15 maintenance. An STG1 Fletcher came out to grab us right away. We've got a small, brand new classroom on the third deck. He and an STG1 Gonzales are to be our instructors. They seemed very competent and professional, and I'm excited for the next four months. We're going to learn a lot about computers and programming... exactly one of the reasons why I joined. Not only that, but they say they're going to do regular PT with us, three times a week! And STG1 Fletcher told me he was going to make me class leader (for my first time in four classes).

We were let go at 1100, even though our regular schedule is 0500-1200. That will make for lots of early mornings, but at least we'll be done before lunch every day. Since today is my duty day, I have to hang out until the 1530 muster. So I worked out for a half-hour on the rowing machine, rowing 6,100 meters. Then it was a burger with a salad and a bowl of chili... and then trying to figure out flights and chits for this weekend. And now there's only 15 minutes until muster.

Tracked 'Em Down

Well, tracking is part of my job description... and I just happen to be a patch collector. I saw the sign advertising the sale of command ball caps and patches while on the Bldg 52 working party the first day this week. I asked around, ended up talking to my mentor, then she gave me the correct PO's name, but the wrong location. So STG1 Bouchet helped me find her today. Whew!

I did all this trackin' trackin' after a brief stint at my working party, vacuuming the lobby of 52. I had a while until the noon Hold's muster, so I worked out hard on the elliptical for 15 min, took a quick shower and ate lunch at the galley again. Asian yesterday, burgers today. It was good with all those mushrooms & fixin's on it. The Hold's muster was another one of Chief Cruz's 20 minute lectures about alcohol, drugs, coming back alive on Monday, and "the world's finest navy", God bless her. :)

Holds, Before & After the Holidays

The first day, Thurs. December 15th, all was confusion. At least a dozen of us were slapped onto the Liberty Hall working party... which usually only has 3 or 4 people at most. So they had a bunch of us head over to the basketball court to help find and load gift bags into people's cars, who came to pick them up. This was also over-manned, except for when the folks from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan came to pick up hundreds of theirs. While we were helping load folding tables onto a truck (don't ask) I knocked my shin on the trailer hitch... that left a nasty six-inch bruise that stayed with me through stand-down.

Friday, I was assigned to OS1 Bragg's working party in Bldg. 52. All we had to do was clean the lobby, and escort the construction workers who were sanding the stairways. I only did the latter, and we were let off at 1040 by Master Chief. But not before Senior Chief came by and gave us, who were escorts, a blue Christmas ball ornament with the command's logo printed on it. I was all smiles on my way to admin to check out!

Tuesday, January 3... back to work. I was able to turn in my name change chit again, while I returned my leave authorization before 0730 muster. And I did the very same thing as on Dec. 16th in Bldg. 52... we cleaned the lobby, then I escorted the construction guys, now working on a different staircase... for a couple hours. Went home at lunch, tried to change my name at Navy Fed, and had a quick lunch at Panera. Got back a little bit late, but did more escorting. Then after PT muster at 1430, I did some running across the street at Liberty Station as well as 30 pushups.

Wednesday, I wised up! Stopped by McDonald's for a cup of fast oatmeal to start. I arranged with the POIC's of the working party to get a rotation going for escorting. I conveniently did the first two hours, then posted for the day (returning for the 1230 muster). I went home and put my room back together and had a snack. After muster, I went and saw my mentor about the command patches I heard were for sale. She didn't have them, but we had a long talk about everything: my class coming up, the likelihood and timing of orders, the possibility of becoming an officer. Found out she's been trying herself for some time... and that she's going to Afghanistan on her next orders. She told me about the new Oceanography officer field, and there might be someone on base who could answer questions about it! How neat would that be?!

And more good news: they finally retired the Bldg 52 watch! Yay! Duty sections have moved down to 8 sections today, instead of 10, but that makes it easier to keep track of. If you have duty on Monday, you know your next Duty is on the next Tuesday.

I took off after the PT muster, because I wasn't feeling like working out with just getting my period that day. And there was a new girl named Liz at the muster who talked about how she wished she could go shopping, since she just arrived from boot camp last weekend and how she just got Phase III (for being old, like me). So I took her out to Target and Payless Shoes to outfit herself and for a burger, fries and a shake at In & Out as a welcome. Had a great little time together.

So I loved Wednesday... it was almost like a miracle... I did whatever I wanted, practically! :)

Today, just had an oatmeal bar from Christmas for breakfast. Did more of the same, except it was more just hanging out and being bored. Helped clean the lobby, but then the CO came in so we were told to get out of the way. Went to the galley for lunch with Hibbard, Trimpe & Addesso... and set up a duty-swap with Hibbard for next month. Big plans afoot! We've got MLK Day off on the 16th, as well as President's Day on February 20th. Did a little bit of a workout before the PT muster, then took off right afterwords, giving a friend a ride home.

Just one more day of Holds, then it's off to class for 5 months, starting Monday! Gosh.