Sunday, August 26, 2012
Two Weeks That Seemed Like Four
This weekend has been my first days off in the last two weeks... that have been especially busy. We were underway to get de-magnetized for a few days, and then a few days more to come down to Florida, and we just moved into dry dock the day before yesterday.
More pertinent for me, we had to move all our belongings onto a barge. That included four separate trips for my personal stuff, and then later on for all of the mess equipment (dishes, utensils, pots, pans, etc.). The first trip for me was moving my mattress, sheets, pad and pillows up the three, narrow, 12 ft. ladders on the ship, across the brow, down the steep stairs to the brow, down the pier a few hundred feet, up the gangway, down a ladder, through the barge, up a ladder and finally into the tiny, 30-man female berthing. My arms felt like jelly after this first trip. Thankfully, the other trips were only carrying my sea bag and backpack with uniforms and books and things.
My job during the great mess move over was to stay in the galley on the barge and clean the big equipment... a steamer and a couple huge, steel cauldrons (that were still hot from boiling the grime off of other equipment). Had to be careful not to burn my fingers and arms as I rubbed them down with a steel wool pad and soapy rag. CS2 (in charge of the cleaning) told me I was very good at it, and at one point he even told me to take a break, I was working so hard. Just listened to music the whole time, and that made it much easier.
This is what it looked like after I was done.
Working in the Wardroom and the Mess Decks for the last two weeks has been an adventure of sorts. My first regular day... Monday morning the 13th (after getting underway) I showed up for breakfast in the Wardroom galley, opened the door to the sight of the other attendant throwing up into our big trashcan. I thought, "Oh, boy, this is going to be a fun day." Later on I took that trash down, and got some of that throw-up on my coveralls. Fabulous.
Here's the Wardroom and galley in Officer Country:
So I worked my tail off for the next two weeks, really without a break. There were a few perks though... I made my own breakfast most of the time... had eggs and oatmeal a lot. Also, GM3 put me in charge of doing the laundry (table cloths and napkins) every other day, so I've been able to do all my laundry as well. Every moment I wasn't setting up or serving a meal I was getting the linens done.
Our other responsibilities include washing the officer's laundry and sweeping the P-way by the Wardroom, and the two back aft by the other officer's staterooms, and keeping their heads stocked and clean (that always sounds funny to me... the officer's heads :) (for you landlubbers... their bathrooms). One night when we were conducting an in-depth field day, I was in charge of scrubbing out the CO's shower... a meeting got out while I was doing it, so I had to come to the door of the cabin and ask permission to continue when he came in. Recently I had to wash at least 7 or 8 pairs of coveralls. GM3 took care of the P-ways while I did the laundry, and I liked that very much. A chance to work alone and not have to sweep minuscule amounts of dust and change the toilet paper rolls. :)
It was last Saturday that was terrible. First full day underway, and I never had a chance to go topside... never saw the sun all day long. It was all day before I remembered what day of the week it was... but really just another work day. It was the day GM3 decided on the switch-off schedule between Gili and I... meaning I'd work on the Mess Decks. I had been under the impression I always worked upstairs, so it was a little jarring, and she wanted the laundry key back the next day because she didn't trust me to not forget to take care of it one day. The work was long and hot in the scullery when you clean up after 150+ people. The Mess Decks MA had yelled at me for eating before dinner out of turn... the CSs were a little late cooking the pizza, so the FSAs were sort of at a loss for when we were going to get to eat. And that evening at 8pm, when the division officers served up ice cream, I was turned away because I was in my Navy sweats and sweatshirt and not in coveralls (which I learned we're supposed to be in "all the time underway", which wasn't explained to me before). Couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks as I walked back forward to Sonar. I had changed out of my uniform and boots just an hour or so earlier to nap in my rack before it started. I was exhausted and sore all over. But in Sonar I was able to chat on Facebook with my husband, and one of the Sonar guys was up there and brought me back a scoop of cookies & cream. I was much calmer by the time I went to sleep, but still kept a Kleenex nearby for any stray tears. :)
The next day was so much better. I made a point to go outside at least twice... once in the morning (the deep, bright blue of the ocean took my breath away at the first glimpse), and again in the evening around 1900... the sun was just going behind some big clouds in the distance and all of a sudden a couple dolphins popped up right alongside, below me, swimming with the ship.
I've already described the Mayport barge ordeal at the top of the post. The day before getting underway for dry dock I was helping move some final things over to the barge in the dark hours of the early morning and once I didn't pay attention to where my feet were going as I stepped onto the brow of the ship. I fell down hard on the unforgiving metal on my right knee and left shin, and nearly burst into tears right there, it hurt so bad. I said something to medical after breakfast was over and was able to sit down for a while and ice them on the Mess Decks. That afternoon I and a couple others were let off early, and as I took my socks off, I opened up the wound on my shin. Had no idea I broke the skin, and medical soon patched it up. Unfortunately, it still makes it difficult getting into my top rack... I have to kneel on the mattress for a second at least when I get up there, and even that hurts.
The day we got underway for dry dock was a crazy long one. Breakfast was normal, along with Quarters on the Mess Decks right after it, although that was hurried, since the barge was getting underway before the ship. I spent roughly the entire day on the near-empty ship. Everything useful for living (food, bed, computers) had been moved over to the barge and was gone. A few of us walked over to the McDonald's nearby long before we had to leave, in order to have something different for lunch that we'd have for dinner (boxed dinner was the same as the one for lunch... sandwich, pear, water, chips). I had to be at Sea & Anchor (line-handler detail) from just after 1300, and wasn't let go until just after 1900. That was a lot of time... read a little in "Clear the Decks" ... a Navy captain's hilarious experiences from WWII and beyond. After waiting around for those 6 hours, I was able to wait the next 4 and-a-half where ever. The dry dock was rising out of the water and there was no way to get ashore for all that time. I will say this though, they had mid-rats (late dinner) and ice cream waiting for us on the barge when we all got back.
It has been a crazy couple weeks. I'm pretty confident that things will calm down now that we're all set up for where we're going to be for a while. At least I hope. :)
More pertinent for me, we had to move all our belongings onto a barge. That included four separate trips for my personal stuff, and then later on for all of the mess equipment (dishes, utensils, pots, pans, etc.). The first trip for me was moving my mattress, sheets, pad and pillows up the three, narrow, 12 ft. ladders on the ship, across the brow, down the steep stairs to the brow, down the pier a few hundred feet, up the gangway, down a ladder, through the barge, up a ladder and finally into the tiny, 30-man female berthing. My arms felt like jelly after this first trip. Thankfully, the other trips were only carrying my sea bag and backpack with uniforms and books and things.
My job during the great mess move over was to stay in the galley on the barge and clean the big equipment... a steamer and a couple huge, steel cauldrons (that were still hot from boiling the grime off of other equipment). Had to be careful not to burn my fingers and arms as I rubbed them down with a steel wool pad and soapy rag. CS2 (in charge of the cleaning) told me I was very good at it, and at one point he even told me to take a break, I was working so hard. Just listened to music the whole time, and that made it much easier.
Working in the Wardroom and the Mess Decks for the last two weeks has been an adventure of sorts. My first regular day... Monday morning the 13th (after getting underway) I showed up for breakfast in the Wardroom galley, opened the door to the sight of the other attendant throwing up into our big trashcan. I thought, "Oh, boy, this is going to be a fun day." Later on I took that trash down, and got some of that throw-up on my coveralls. Fabulous.
Here's the Wardroom and galley in Officer Country:
So I worked my tail off for the next two weeks, really without a break. There were a few perks though... I made my own breakfast most of the time... had eggs and oatmeal a lot. Also, GM3 put me in charge of doing the laundry (table cloths and napkins) every other day, so I've been able to do all my laundry as well. Every moment I wasn't setting up or serving a meal I was getting the linens done.
Our other responsibilities include washing the officer's laundry and sweeping the P-way by the Wardroom, and the two back aft by the other officer's staterooms, and keeping their heads stocked and clean (that always sounds funny to me... the officer's heads :) (for you landlubbers... their bathrooms). One night when we were conducting an in-depth field day, I was in charge of scrubbing out the CO's shower... a meeting got out while I was doing it, so I had to come to the door of the cabin and ask permission to continue when he came in. Recently I had to wash at least 7 or 8 pairs of coveralls. GM3 took care of the P-ways while I did the laundry, and I liked that very much. A chance to work alone and not have to sweep minuscule amounts of dust and change the toilet paper rolls. :)
It was last Saturday that was terrible. First full day underway, and I never had a chance to go topside... never saw the sun all day long. It was all day before I remembered what day of the week it was... but really just another work day. It was the day GM3 decided on the switch-off schedule between Gili and I... meaning I'd work on the Mess Decks. I had been under the impression I always worked upstairs, so it was a little jarring, and she wanted the laundry key back the next day because she didn't trust me to not forget to take care of it one day. The work was long and hot in the scullery when you clean up after 150+ people. The Mess Decks MA had yelled at me for eating before dinner out of turn... the CSs were a little late cooking the pizza, so the FSAs were sort of at a loss for when we were going to get to eat. And that evening at 8pm, when the division officers served up ice cream, I was turned away because I was in my Navy sweats and sweatshirt and not in coveralls (which I learned we're supposed to be in "all the time underway", which wasn't explained to me before). Couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks as I walked back forward to Sonar. I had changed out of my uniform and boots just an hour or so earlier to nap in my rack before it started. I was exhausted and sore all over. But in Sonar I was able to chat on Facebook with my husband, and one of the Sonar guys was up there and brought me back a scoop of cookies & cream. I was much calmer by the time I went to sleep, but still kept a Kleenex nearby for any stray tears. :)
The next day was so much better. I made a point to go outside at least twice... once in the morning (the deep, bright blue of the ocean took my breath away at the first glimpse), and again in the evening around 1900... the sun was just going behind some big clouds in the distance and all of a sudden a couple dolphins popped up right alongside, below me, swimming with the ship.
I've already described the Mayport barge ordeal at the top of the post. The day before getting underway for dry dock I was helping move some final things over to the barge in the dark hours of the early morning and once I didn't pay attention to where my feet were going as I stepped onto the brow of the ship. I fell down hard on the unforgiving metal on my right knee and left shin, and nearly burst into tears right there, it hurt so bad. I said something to medical after breakfast was over and was able to sit down for a while and ice them on the Mess Decks. That afternoon I and a couple others were let off early, and as I took my socks off, I opened up the wound on my shin. Had no idea I broke the skin, and medical soon patched it up. Unfortunately, it still makes it difficult getting into my top rack... I have to kneel on the mattress for a second at least when I get up there, and even that hurts.
The day we got underway for dry dock was a crazy long one. Breakfast was normal, along with Quarters on the Mess Decks right after it, although that was hurried, since the barge was getting underway before the ship. I spent roughly the entire day on the near-empty ship. Everything useful for living (food, bed, computers) had been moved over to the barge and was gone. A few of us walked over to the McDonald's nearby long before we had to leave, in order to have something different for lunch that we'd have for dinner (boxed dinner was the same as the one for lunch... sandwich, pear, water, chips). I had to be at Sea & Anchor (line-handler detail) from just after 1300, and wasn't let go until just after 1900. That was a lot of time... read a little in "Clear the Decks" ... a Navy captain's hilarious experiences from WWII and beyond. After waiting around for those 6 hours, I was able to wait the next 4 and-a-half where ever. The dry dock was rising out of the water and there was no way to get ashore for all that time. I will say this though, they had mid-rats (late dinner) and ice cream waiting for us on the barge when we all got back.
It has been a crazy couple weeks. I'm pretty confident that things will calm down now that we're all set up for where we're going to be for a while. At least I hope. :)
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Cooking and Cleaning
Well, I've had my first regular day(s) as a FSA (food service attendant). Between starting after 0900 and getting posted at 1800 on Thursday, to starting at 0500 and getting posted at 1300 on Friday (as a half day), I'm beginning to understand why people complain about "cranking". The hours are very long; thirteen-hour days are nothing to sneeze at!
Thursday started off normal enough... came in at normal time, had quarters with the CA (combat acoustics) division like usual, had sweepers as always, got on the Internet, then was reminded of the change-of-command rehearsal at 0900 on the flight deck. I had no role in the event... we were practicing where to stand on the port side of the canopy (where all those inviting chairs were set up). It was very warm out with the sun blazing down on everyone. Suddenly an announcement came over the 1MC... "S2 muster on the Quarterdeck with the Officer of the Deck". I noticed the guy I was replacing (for cranking) head out and STG3 confirmed that the S2 (service 2?) division was indeed mine now. I decided after a few minutes that carrying boxes of food below decks would be more fun than standing outside in the heat... so I chose that moment to check in with the guy I was replacing (another STG3). Senior had told me at quarters that he would come find me when it was time. :)
So we carried boxes of milk, yogurt and sour cream below decks to the storage refrigerators. After that, I was given a tour of the mess decks, scullery and wardroom galley. After a half-hour or so, it was time to start setting up for lunch. GM3 had started cranking a few weeks ago, and she was designated the lead wardroom crank. She already had the tables set when we got back. CS2 arrived and started preparing the fresh fruit, and finished baking some of the meal items.
Working in the wardroom isn't bad. It's small, much cooler than the big galley below (I think it only got up to about 78 during the middle of everything) and a lot more intimate. We personally take the officer's menu selections, and come back to serve them their plates. We wash the china and silverware in a little sink and dishwasher just inside the galley door and put them back in a stack next to the grill when they're mostly dry.
There was an all-hands call on the forecastle right after lunch, so we had to leave a few things undone while we went to that. They handed out awards for Sailor and Junior-Sailor of the quarter, and the CO gave a few brief comments to us about how this had been the best two-and-a-half years of his life. This was his last day as our CO.
So we finished cleaning up the wardroom and galley, then had a while before we had to help set up for dinner below for the crew. My job was to run the scullery... lots of dish washing! There's a little window that people come by, dump most of their leftovers into the big trashcan, then pile their utensils into a pan with soap-water, and leave their tray, tan plastic plate and bowl and red or white plastic cup(s) on the stainless steel counter. I loaded these items onto big trays, hosed them off in the sink (with scalding water), then sent the tray through the washer and rinser where it was so hot that most everything air-dried in just a few moments. Cups and utensils would go separately, but trays, plates and bowls would stand up in one tray together.
I wiped down all the tables in the mess just before the line was secured at 1730. I was glad of the Olympics being shown on TV... I watched a lot of water polo to pass the time. The US won gold! :)
Friday I was out my door so early! Checked into where I thought I had to be, but no one was there. FC1 (the mess decks MA) came by and said we don't muster in the morning... just go straight to your station. I was the first in the wardroom too. :) Remembered I had to put new ice water in the COs stateroom and empty his trash, but I didn't remember the code to get in. GM3 (lead wardroom crank) soon came and helped me out. Then we set the wardroom table with a new linen, glasses, silverware wrapped in cloth napkins (I wrapped a lot more of them while we were waiting), and menus for breakfast.
The officers came in by ones and twos... we'd bring CS2 (culinary specialist) their marked menus, then serve them their plates, and take them away when they were done. One of the hotcakes broke when being flipped... so I offered to eat it... seconds off the grill! And CS2 allowed me to make my own eggs as well. I think I will especially enjoy breakfast around here.
After breakfast there was a muster on the mess decks with the entire food service division, cooks and FSAs. I didn't have to change into anything for the ceremony because I was selected to help get lunch ready while it was going on. I was told I wasn't allowed to go topside until after our out-going CO had left the ship (everyone topside was in service or full dress whites, and I was in my working uniform).
Lunch was fantastic though... fried shrimp and cocktail sauce, and lots of deliciously ripe, cut-up strawberries. Enjoyed it heartily! There were plates of fruit and pastries left out in the wardroom, so GM3 and I had to clean everything up before we were done. They let me go at 1300 because it was inexplicably my "half-day". Okay, then. See you later.
Thursday started off normal enough... came in at normal time, had quarters with the CA (combat acoustics) division like usual, had sweepers as always, got on the Internet, then was reminded of the change-of-command rehearsal at 0900 on the flight deck. I had no role in the event... we were practicing where to stand on the port side of the canopy (where all those inviting chairs were set up). It was very warm out with the sun blazing down on everyone. Suddenly an announcement came over the 1MC... "S2 muster on the Quarterdeck with the Officer of the Deck". I noticed the guy I was replacing (for cranking) head out and STG3 confirmed that the S2 (service 2?) division was indeed mine now. I decided after a few minutes that carrying boxes of food below decks would be more fun than standing outside in the heat... so I chose that moment to check in with the guy I was replacing (another STG3). Senior had told me at quarters that he would come find me when it was time. :)
So we carried boxes of milk, yogurt and sour cream below decks to the storage refrigerators. After that, I was given a tour of the mess decks, scullery and wardroom galley. After a half-hour or so, it was time to start setting up for lunch. GM3 had started cranking a few weeks ago, and she was designated the lead wardroom crank. She already had the tables set when we got back. CS2 arrived and started preparing the fresh fruit, and finished baking some of the meal items.
Working in the wardroom isn't bad. It's small, much cooler than the big galley below (I think it only got up to about 78 during the middle of everything) and a lot more intimate. We personally take the officer's menu selections, and come back to serve them their plates. We wash the china and silverware in a little sink and dishwasher just inside the galley door and put them back in a stack next to the grill when they're mostly dry.
There was an all-hands call on the forecastle right after lunch, so we had to leave a few things undone while we went to that. They handed out awards for Sailor and Junior-Sailor of the quarter, and the CO gave a few brief comments to us about how this had been the best two-and-a-half years of his life. This was his last day as our CO.
So we finished cleaning up the wardroom and galley, then had a while before we had to help set up for dinner below for the crew. My job was to run the scullery... lots of dish washing! There's a little window that people come by, dump most of their leftovers into the big trashcan, then pile their utensils into a pan with soap-water, and leave their tray, tan plastic plate and bowl and red or white plastic cup(s) on the stainless steel counter. I loaded these items onto big trays, hosed them off in the sink (with scalding water), then sent the tray through the washer and rinser where it was so hot that most everything air-dried in just a few moments. Cups and utensils would go separately, but trays, plates and bowls would stand up in one tray together.
I wiped down all the tables in the mess just before the line was secured at 1730. I was glad of the Olympics being shown on TV... I watched a lot of water polo to pass the time. The US won gold! :)
Friday I was out my door so early! Checked into where I thought I had to be, but no one was there. FC1 (the mess decks MA) came by and said we don't muster in the morning... just go straight to your station. I was the first in the wardroom too. :) Remembered I had to put new ice water in the COs stateroom and empty his trash, but I didn't remember the code to get in. GM3 (lead wardroom crank) soon came and helped me out. Then we set the wardroom table with a new linen, glasses, silverware wrapped in cloth napkins (I wrapped a lot more of them while we were waiting), and menus for breakfast.
The officers came in by ones and twos... we'd bring CS2 (culinary specialist) their marked menus, then serve them their plates, and take them away when they were done. One of the hotcakes broke when being flipped... so I offered to eat it... seconds off the grill! And CS2 allowed me to make my own eggs as well. I think I will especially enjoy breakfast around here.
After breakfast there was a muster on the mess decks with the entire food service division, cooks and FSAs. I didn't have to change into anything for the ceremony because I was selected to help get lunch ready while it was going on. I was told I wasn't allowed to go topside until after our out-going CO had left the ship (everyone topside was in service or full dress whites, and I was in my working uniform).
Lunch was fantastic though... fried shrimp and cocktail sauce, and lots of deliciously ripe, cut-up strawberries. Enjoyed it heartily! There were plates of fruit and pastries left out in the wardroom, so GM3 and I had to clean everything up before we were done. They let me go at 1300 because it was inexplicably my "half-day". Okay, then. See you later.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Moving Off Ship, First Watch and The End of the Beginning
Goodness, this is the ninth workday since I've last posted (as I check my little day log).
Friday, July 27th was a big day... and also a short one... I finished the test for "Between the Life-Lines" around noon, and we were let go after that. After a month of living on the ship (since 28 June) I was able to move in to my permanent housing! That was a great feeling! And also much of the reason I am behind on here: been very busy getting set up at home.
Monday, the 30th, we had our first uniform inspection, and I had remembered, and worn my new boots for the first time. I was given special liberty to come in late Thursday because my boots looked the best. :) Sure glad I learned how to shine them between boot camp and now. :) It was also my first time going to command PT... Ensign Leonard and I ran for 10 min. on the treadmill and did an upper body workout together while everyone else from the department ran outside in the heat (they're nuts!). The rest of the day was filled with trying to track stuff down, more training and yet another NKO course.
The 31st, I conquered a fear. The duty section (E-5 and below) was called away in the afternoon to carry small, but super-heavy boxes below decks. I had to go down a couple different ladders to drop it off... and when I came across the first one I thought, "Oh, no way." Ladderwells are roughly 12 feet deep, and very steep. With a 40-50 lb box in your hands, you can't hold on to the rails when you go down. Usually I grab on with both hands when I go up or down... I'm terrified of falling... and my knees are kinda weak. But I had to do it anyway. So I slowly moved down and learned after the 2nd or 3rd time that if you keep the center of weight back (with the box resting on the hips) that it's rather easy to do. Yay.
I also took the MOOW (messenger) written exam in CSMC (combat central) and passed easily. And I also did some training on another PQS while I was there. During training that evening, we had a drill in a super-secret space that hardly anyone ever goes in... so that was interesting. To relax, I read a comic book I bought at Fort Story a week or so ago... a collection of all of Pvt. Murphy's Law... sort of a modern-day Willie and Joe strip that used to run in Army Times. It was pretty darn funny. And another neat thing about the day... while I talked with Mike and Meggan on the phone from the fantail, I saw lots of sea creatures swimming in the water... crabs, jellyfish, and lots of fishes, the latter jumping out of the water every so often. :)
August 1st was odd. I watched the forecastle all morning while they tested missile launchers (for safety). I even saw the CO and XO making rounds and remembered to pop up and salute when they came by. More training in Sonar after lunch... and even helped out with firing the torpedo tube! :)
Coming in late on Thursday the 2nd was amazing! I was so tired from my duty day (I didn't sleep enough the day before it). Worked mostly on the next required NKO course. This one was super hard though. I didn't finish it until the 6th! Printed out the cert for it and found it awarded 16 hours of class time for it! Yikes! So long! It was about the U.S. Military Code of Conduct.
I never learn... didn't sleep enough before my last duty day on Monday, the 6th. And again, I had trouble remembering to go to duty section turnover... thank goodness for the announcements! The watchbill coordinator asked me about my MOOW progress, and when he found out the PQS was routed for approval, he told me to take the 5-hr afternoon one that my friend was just mentioning she was on. :) I was also on the ship's lighting detail for the first time, although I had done it before while doing PQS stuff.
After regular sweepers we were called out again to help carry drinks aboard and forward. The dozen or so of us made a chain-gang and passed the cases from one person to the next. Had to go to early chow to eat before watch... then changed into my whites and took over for the first time. And of course that day they were late with the 12 o'clock reports, so my first two minutes on watch and suddenly I'm reporting to the CO's stateroom and delivering a prescribed, formal speech to him... with Senior Chief looking on. Goodness. But, whew, I remembered what to say and got it out fast (and got out of there fast!).
The OOD had me refill the water cooler for our drinking water (it was pretty hot outside in the bright sunshine). I even was able to call "attention on deck" when the CO came by the quarterdeck... but the most fun was the big thunderstorm that hit us around 1515... first a strong, cold breeze, then a little rain, then a sheet of pounding rain, and we all huddled under the quarterdeck canopy. At one point, the canopy blew a few feet to the stern... lol. The lighting and crashes of thunder was within a mile of us. I got pretty wet before I was relieved a little early.
That evening I was blinking out as I sat on the mess decks after dinner... and later on at our training. Chief yelled at me to stand up... I felt bad about that... I've never been one of "those" people before. Sort of put me in the mood to be grumpy about our casualty training. Again it was over before I had all my gear on. Can't wait until I know what I'm doing during these things! I enjoyed Lighting Detail though... beautiful sunset over the bay from us. I went to bed after finally finishing the really long NKO.
Yesterday the 7th was sort of a rushed morning. Lighting Detail happened just after I got ready to go, then I had to scarf breakfast before quarters (I was in charge of getting the muster report done for Sonar). Sweepers was short because it started raining heavily after we began to wipe the water from yesterday overboard. This made us have quarters inside the skin of the ship for the first time since I've been here. Later that morning I was called topside with a few others to sweep water over the side. When we got there it started to rain again, but the Chief on watch didn't care. He asked us if we were afraid of melting before sending us up top to get the big puddles swept along. What fun! And that was after I was starting to dry off from carrying the Berthing 2 trash down the pier. :) Oh, I also received my first pieces of mail on the ship today... CD from eBay, and a bill from the government. :)
Today is my last day with the division for the next four months... sort of an end of the beginning. Everyone is assigned work with the cooks for 4 months early on... and tomorrow is my first day of that. We'll see how that is.
Friday, July 27th was a big day... and also a short one... I finished the test for "Between the Life-Lines" around noon, and we were let go after that. After a month of living on the ship (since 28 June) I was able to move in to my permanent housing! That was a great feeling! And also much of the reason I am behind on here: been very busy getting set up at home.
Monday, the 30th, we had our first uniform inspection, and I had remembered, and worn my new boots for the first time. I was given special liberty to come in late Thursday because my boots looked the best. :) Sure glad I learned how to shine them between boot camp and now. :) It was also my first time going to command PT... Ensign Leonard and I ran for 10 min. on the treadmill and did an upper body workout together while everyone else from the department ran outside in the heat (they're nuts!). The rest of the day was filled with trying to track stuff down, more training and yet another NKO course.
The 31st, I conquered a fear. The duty section (E-5 and below) was called away in the afternoon to carry small, but super-heavy boxes below decks. I had to go down a couple different ladders to drop it off... and when I came across the first one I thought, "Oh, no way." Ladderwells are roughly 12 feet deep, and very steep. With a 40-50 lb box in your hands, you can't hold on to the rails when you go down. Usually I grab on with both hands when I go up or down... I'm terrified of falling... and my knees are kinda weak. But I had to do it anyway. So I slowly moved down and learned after the 2nd or 3rd time that if you keep the center of weight back (with the box resting on the hips) that it's rather easy to do. Yay.
I also took the MOOW (messenger) written exam in CSMC (combat central) and passed easily. And I also did some training on another PQS while I was there. During training that evening, we had a drill in a super-secret space that hardly anyone ever goes in... so that was interesting. To relax, I read a comic book I bought at Fort Story a week or so ago... a collection of all of Pvt. Murphy's Law... sort of a modern-day Willie and Joe strip that used to run in Army Times. It was pretty darn funny. And another neat thing about the day... while I talked with Mike and Meggan on the phone from the fantail, I saw lots of sea creatures swimming in the water... crabs, jellyfish, and lots of fishes, the latter jumping out of the water every so often. :)
August 1st was odd. I watched the forecastle all morning while they tested missile launchers (for safety). I even saw the CO and XO making rounds and remembered to pop up and salute when they came by. More training in Sonar after lunch... and even helped out with firing the torpedo tube! :)
Coming in late on Thursday the 2nd was amazing! I was so tired from my duty day (I didn't sleep enough the day before it). Worked mostly on the next required NKO course. This one was super hard though. I didn't finish it until the 6th! Printed out the cert for it and found it awarded 16 hours of class time for it! Yikes! So long! It was about the U.S. Military Code of Conduct.
I never learn... didn't sleep enough before my last duty day on Monday, the 6th. And again, I had trouble remembering to go to duty section turnover... thank goodness for the announcements! The watchbill coordinator asked me about my MOOW progress, and when he found out the PQS was routed for approval, he told me to take the 5-hr afternoon one that my friend was just mentioning she was on. :) I was also on the ship's lighting detail for the first time, although I had done it before while doing PQS stuff.
After regular sweepers we were called out again to help carry drinks aboard and forward. The dozen or so of us made a chain-gang and passed the cases from one person to the next. Had to go to early chow to eat before watch... then changed into my whites and took over for the first time. And of course that day they were late with the 12 o'clock reports, so my first two minutes on watch and suddenly I'm reporting to the CO's stateroom and delivering a prescribed, formal speech to him... with Senior Chief looking on. Goodness. But, whew, I remembered what to say and got it out fast (and got out of there fast!).
The OOD had me refill the water cooler for our drinking water (it was pretty hot outside in the bright sunshine). I even was able to call "attention on deck" when the CO came by the quarterdeck... but the most fun was the big thunderstorm that hit us around 1515... first a strong, cold breeze, then a little rain, then a sheet of pounding rain, and we all huddled under the quarterdeck canopy. At one point, the canopy blew a few feet to the stern... lol. The lighting and crashes of thunder was within a mile of us. I got pretty wet before I was relieved a little early.
That evening I was blinking out as I sat on the mess decks after dinner... and later on at our training. Chief yelled at me to stand up... I felt bad about that... I've never been one of "those" people before. Sort of put me in the mood to be grumpy about our casualty training. Again it was over before I had all my gear on. Can't wait until I know what I'm doing during these things! I enjoyed Lighting Detail though... beautiful sunset over the bay from us. I went to bed after finally finishing the really long NKO.
Yesterday the 7th was sort of a rushed morning. Lighting Detail happened just after I got ready to go, then I had to scarf breakfast before quarters (I was in charge of getting the muster report done for Sonar). Sweepers was short because it started raining heavily after we began to wipe the water from yesterday overboard. This made us have quarters inside the skin of the ship for the first time since I've been here. Later that morning I was called topside with a few others to sweep water over the side. When we got there it started to rain again, but the Chief on watch didn't care. He asked us if we were afraid of melting before sending us up top to get the big puddles swept along. What fun! And that was after I was starting to dry off from carrying the Berthing 2 trash down the pier. :) Oh, I also received my first pieces of mail on the ship today... CD from eBay, and a bill from the government. :)
Today is my last day with the division for the next four months... sort of an end of the beginning. Everyone is assigned work with the cooks for 4 months early on... and tomorrow is my first day of that. We'll see how that is.
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