A Long, Short Underway

This eight-day underway (11 MAR to 22 MAR) felt much longer from the very beginning; I'm pretty sure the few days we spent at Yorktown beforehand contributed to the feeling a great deal, but in general, everything felt like it took forever. The weekend we were out felt doubly-long too. I suppose it was because we were so busy, and anticipating it to be quick... and it wasn't quick enough!

I had duty the Sunday liberty expired on-board for all hands (at 2000). Our command treats us like children this way, not trusting us to make it here early in the morning. So people griped... but it wasn't so bad for me. I had to be there all day. I felt bad for the folks who had duty on Saturday though... hard times.

Although the pre-underway check worked just fine on our depth-reader, it didn't work on the way up the bay and the York river. So besides my getting our contractors on my cell phone to come fix it as soon as they could, I was pretty useless during the transit. They did come early the next day and bring it back to life... so it worked out okay.

In Yorktown, the first day, I worked with some civilian contractors on both missile decks, lowering gas-containment chambers down into the launchers. It took a while because they were very heavy (a crane lowered them in) and they had to seat just right in the bottom (they sit below the missiles in the tubes). I got to help with a couple missiles later on. Man! That was pretty neat to watch in operation!

The next day I kept busy below decks... working on some preventive maintenance checks that were required that week. They were all "clean and inspect" checks, meaning all I really had to do was look inside some equipment, brush off the dust and make sure there were no signs of damage. Quick, right? No. In order to look inside (or in one case, pop a filter off the outside of the Sonar equipment rack) I had to tag out the system... hang DANGER tags on all the applicable circuit breakers; and that process makes it take hours. Had to check out detergent from HazMat for the equipment rack too... just in case I needed to dunk the filter in soapy water (never do). Oh, and that specific check is done every month.

Tag outs are what makes it take forever. One check needed eleven tags hung! It's the running back and forth that eats up time. Write the tag in the computer system, go up to CSMC (combat systems maintenance central) with a second person, get the tag after explaining it to the CSOOW (officer of the watch), go hang it, sign it, then come back and wait for the second to check and sign it. After doing the maintenance, go back to CSMC, tell them it's done, get permission to take the tag off and turn the breaker back on, come back with the tag in hand. This I did several times, even after we started the underway.

Also had my second Spot Check, this time with the Operations Officer (3rd in command). These are random, pre-assigned checks on the checks. I sat down with her in Sonar 1 after the Ops brief one night (she was busy all day) and I showed her how I did the check with 11 tag-outs. Our Work Center Supervisor (also my Sonar Supervisor for my watch section this time) threw me into a different spot check with Senior Chief earlier that day, so after receiving a little training from him, I was well ready for my check with Ops.

I was in Section 2 (of 3) this time, and I was the senior junior person (or operator) for the first time (if that makes any sense). Our new girl was also with us, so besides doing some training with her, I was the person that had to do everything. Not that I mind either... I remember a couple underways ago where I had to depend on everyone else because I wasn't qualified yet. It's a continuous circle. And I felt useful in more ways than one... got to do my first corrective maintenance on a repeater we have on the bridge. I had to hang a DANGER tag, as before, but this time all I did was change a light bulb inside the equipment.

That day was the most fun, actually. That morning I was on the muster for shooting the .50 cal machine gun mounted on the side of the ship. Since it was during my watch, I was the first in line to suit up with a helmet and jacket and get to bang away a whole case of ammo into the sea. Had to help carry a couple boxes up to the deck we shot them from... and that weighed 77 pounds... up three ladders! I was out of breath by the time I put it down. But shooting bullets the size of my hand made up for it in a big way!

We had trouble with female berthing once. Somehow the pipes backed up and we had water all over our deck, about a quarter-inch deep. Made it interesting for trying to get into my rack without getting my socks or shoes wet. I think I climbed up in my bare feet and put my socks on after I was up there. Thankfully, it got fixed that night (thanks to those guys who do that nasty job!) and was ready for use in the morning.

We had another Abandon Ship drill as we trained with other ships. When I mustered with my lifeboat on the forecastle for a little training, I felt some tiny snow flakes falling on my face. It was bitterly cold out there, but thankfully not too windy. Not long after that they had to secure the weather decks due to high winds. Whew!

For accomplishments, I got RPPO and CSMC watch qualifications turned in... and made good progress on the 106 lesson of my ESWS book. Also, I enjoyed reading my second-to-last Lord Peter book... "Have His Carcase"... which was very fun, especially since there is a lot of Harriet Vane in it. :)

I had duty the day we pulled in (what nice bookends...) and so I wasn't troubled when it took them a good couple hours to call liberty (to make sure the ship was clean and set up on shore power). We had a fire drill up forward, and because so, I was one of the first to suit up in coveralls, flash hood, mask, air tank, helmet and gloves. I carried the nozzle of the hose to the scene of training (flag with a picture of smoke) and for the first time, actually got training on what's supposed to happen on these drills. Before I've always been left out somehow, because someone else got there first. Got a couple hours of sleep, and then stood the last Petty Officer of the Watch (POOW) watch for the day with the other Lay Leader once again. Once I got the daily checks done and went to turnover, it was freedom!

On the Pier

(WWI poster recently acquired from allposters.com)

Short Day - Long Day

All in the same weekend! Friday morning went pretty quickly, actually. Even though the last 40 minutes felt like a few hours (we were itching for freedom!). I made sure the empty XBT canisters got staged in Sonar 1 so they could easily be taken out when we were let go. Other than that, I had my pre-underway check on the fatho, and that went perfectly this time, as I knew what was what, and what to do.

Sunday, however, was Duty Day. I arrived at the last safe minute I could (a few before turnover), and occupied myself rather well until my afternoon Petty Officer of the Watch assignment: I'm nearly finished now with my Safety P.O. PQS. I enjoyed watch pretty well... the weather was calm, and the sunshine and water were pleasant to look at. My legs and feet didn't hurt much at all... probably because it was part of the normal working hours instead of an extra four or five hours standing up after the working day, during the mid and night watches. Not only was it nice out, but I had good company on watch with me. The other Lay Leader was the OOD, and the messenger was interested in talking about the Lord.

Besides all this, the half-hours passed by pretty quickly as I had to make an announcement over the loudspeaker for the people on the ship next to us who had folks working aloft (there are special precautions to take if there are). There was also word to be passed for Eight O'Clock Reports, the striking of 8 bells at noon (signalling all is well), and mustering the duty section for pier sweepers. I didn't find the right entry in the book for eight o'clocks, so every khaki (chief or officer) who came to the Quarterdeck asked about it. :) Thankfully, my OOD was confident and took responsibility for telling me what to say. My opinion of her as an officer was raised.

And GM1 gave me the full quiz for the Force Protection audit: I was caught a little off guard when it came to the six levels of force, but I managed to remember even the maximum range of my pistol! I was pleased with myself for that! And after a brief refresher, I nailed the Navy's definition of "Deadly Force". Verbatim:

"Force that a person uses, causing, or that a person knows or should know would create a substantial risk of causing, death or serious bodily harm." 

I moved the commas around for it to make more sense... First time I read it, I had to read it a couple times to get it straight. Whoever wrote it must have loved the word "causing". :)

Anyway, it was a good duty day overall.

Blown Cover... Again

I lost my backup cover while working topside with the freshwater hoses for the dome, so I resorted to using my cold-weather knit watch cap for the rest of the day. Now there's no question about it: I need to go to the NEX soon. Other than work on the dome, I also finished straightening up the XBT room and separating all the left over copper wire. STG2 and I were let go just before the others this afternoon so we could carry the 40 lb used console batteries to our cars and then drop them off at the recycling place on base.

What a day. Not only was there an accident on I-564 again this morning (that made it difficult for everyone to arrive), but while I was driving out to Virginia Beach tonight, there was yet another on I-264. Never seen such bad drivers as I have here... not even in Miami. I was the first STG to arrive this morning, so I filled in for someone on doing the daily checks and generating the muster report.

Fitting End to the Day

So I fell asleep again after my alarm and woke quite rested, of my own accord, a half-hour before liberty expired on-board for all hands. It's never good to wake rested... on a working day, that means being late. So I flew into my uniform and out the door as Papa did to the window in the Night Before Christmas. I managed to get to Sonar 1 before quarters, and that's what really counts. Today was a story of little issues that caused big headaches. After sweepers, the other STG2 and I tried to write a Danger tag to hang on the circuit breaker in order to tag-out the console for replacing its battery. Except the electronic system wouldn't let us write the correct ID number... even CSOOW had trouble with it when we showed him... Chief had to work on it to get it resolved. And while we were about it, Chief gave me sign-off ability in the system. Finally! Now I'm really worth something to my division!

Once we got the red tag hung, the other STG2 started working on removing the old batteries while one of our assessors had me go over our safe inventories with him. By the time I was done with that, I got the new batteries out of the packaging and watched them be installed, especially since I may be called on to do it myself in the future. And we still had time to go to lunch! (hotdogs and fries today.)

The worst part was after lunch. We had a brief battery test that was easy to do, but then it was put out that we had a big operation involving something else... that ended up not being possible today for several reasons. But as they were deciding how we weren't going to be able to, we hung out waiting for it for three hours. I don't really mind staying late in the day if there's something that needs to be done, but what kills us is when it's a big open-ended question that means we have to sit around waiting past working hours... that is hard to take. I used some of the time to do four or five more pages of my Safety Petty Officer PQS.

Due to the strong winds and rain (mixed with snow), they secured the brow for a while this afternoon. But when they finally let us off, the wind caught my cover and blew it over the side into the water. Another $10 into the drink. Oh, well. At least I could go home.

Sunrise, Sunset

It's a story of running a little behind, both days... Monday morning I decided I'd rather eat a quick breakfast at home than on the ship. I needed to get out a little earlier since I didn't know what watch I had (and if one has the first, it makes it necessary to be there an hour earlier than usual. But the Quarterdeck didn't have my section's watchbill when I called as I went to bed... so I had to go early. I was just getting on I-564 to the base when I should have been arriving, so I called again to put my troubled mind at ease. They still didn't have the watchbill, but they did know I wasn't on the first watch. So I worried no longer.

Duty section training that evening seemed to take forever. Force Protection was just a quick discussion on the mess decks about proper watch-standing ("standards of conduct"), but damage control training afterwards took at least a good hour. We had a flooding drill back aft, and we had to do it twice, since it went way to slowly at first, people being unsure of what to do and no one taking charge. That means changing into firefighting boots, putting on flash-gear and helmet, re-stowing them, getting them out again the second time, etc. My job was "boundaryman", making sure primary and secondary watertight doors were dogged down and that nobody broke the boundary. I had to stop a couple people not in the duty section who wanted to go back aft to the gym.

After the drills, I only had around an hour before I had to be on watch as Petty Officer of the Watch again (for the mid-watch). So I made myself a couple PB & honey sandwiches in Sonar 1 (as I was very hungry) and sat down at the computer for a few pages of my Safety Petty Officer PQS (personal qualification). Watch took forever, as always, but I got to know the OOD and the duty armorer a lot better.

This morning, although I slept on the ship, I didn't roll out of my rack for a good 15 minutes after my alarm, so I didn't have enough time to do the daily checks before lighting detail and sweepers went down. Not even enough time for breakfast, actually. So I went straight topside, reporting to the Quarterdeck just a couple minutes before sunrise. Assigned to the bridge to turn off the top mast light (for aircraft warning).

[This was the second time I went up there too... I was assigned to handle the prep flag for colors the previous evening. It's a green and yellow pennant used for signalling five minutes before colors or sunrise.]

I managed to have enough time for a quick breakfast after sweepers, although I was a minute or two late to quarters as I was printing up the muster report and it took a good extra five minutes to turn on the computer. It seems like I've been just a couple minutes behind everything these two days. After quarters, I signed for all the security checklists on all our doors then went to duty section turnover, where they assigned me as a duty line-handler for the frigate across from us that was getting underway soon. Even though others had been assigned at training the night before, of course, not all showed up in the morning, so I said I could spare a few minutes away from my division. A few minutes ended up being an hour and a half, as the other ship wasn't quite ready to go. The brow was still attached, the pilot was just arriving, and after that, they were delayed with an engineering issue. It was neat to watch the huge crane behind me pick up the brow as if it was nothing... and then fold itself up again after it was done.

As for work with my division these last two days, it was more interesting than normal. We had some STG and OS inspectors doing spot checks on our maintenance, and I was able to pass one that I had only first done last week. It went smoothly, and I was able to point out everything without getting nervous. Also, we set up some heavy metal for handling torpedoes on the aft missile deck and I learned yet more about our systems. Day-to-day life in the Navy seems like a never-ending class. :)

In & Out

Last week we came back in from our month-long underway, but I only had a few days before I took a 4-day leave to spend with my parents and husband; and what a wonderful break it was! But when I came back, I had to stay on the ship for three straight days, although we were only getting underway for one.

TUESDAY 19:

Liberty expired on-board early all week... and Sonar got two new people! I was assigned to help STG3 and STG1 check in, and that constituted my entire workday. Even though we were let go in the early afternoon, we managed to get half the sheet signed off. Checked them in with Senior Chief, our Division Officer and Department Head, our Master-At-Arms for berthing, the Naval Counselor for career stuff, got the ball rolling on their Navy Cash Cards (for use at the ship's store), set up their ship's mail, signed sheets with the Force Protection Officer, and met a few others. 

WEDNESDAY 20:

Was my DUTY DAY. More check-in work (including with the CO). Had to pack up all our personal gear from the underway and cleaned up Sonar 2 & 3. Went through the desk in Sonar 2 and found a sea bag in the back corner that belonged to a Sonar Tech that was long gone from the ship. Polished brass in the dome cage with the rest of the division before they were let go in the afternoon. On my own in Sonar 1, I studied my Safety PO qualification on the computer at the desk; we had no duty section training due to the busy ship's schedule so it was a quiet evening. For watch, I stood my very first Petty Officer of the Watch watch on the last rotation and I got to know the OOD (officer of the deck - in port) pretty well. As interesting sides, we had a skewed brow from the movement of the ship and had to get ahold of the Port Engineer to fix it. Just as we were almost done, there was another toxic gas alarm on the refer deck and we had to advise everyone coming aboard. I was excited to be the one to "bong on" the CO when he arrived (4 bells, "TRUXTUN, arriving" over the 1MC) but he came after I was relieved.

THURSDAY 21:

After checking my weapon back in with the gunner's mates and grabbing breakfast, I signed for yoke (material condition of doors and hatches) and did the muster report (STG3 did the daily maintenance). Although the ship was very busy in general with inspectors, our division didn't have much going on. Our check-ins got set up with Medical and a few others though. Conducted sweepers back aft and let go by our Division Officer (DIVO) in the afternoon. Checked out on leave with STG1 as the OOD, and I drove STG3 home as we left together.

FRIDAY – MONDAY OFF! And it was very fun indeed! We saw Jamestown, the naval base, Les Miserables (the new film), then drove over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, walked the beach at the state park, and the last day, drove down to North Carolina to see Kitty Hawk and Roanoke Island.

TUESDAY 26:

Another DUTY DAY; I made myself ready for a 3-day underway as we had to stay on board the night before Thursday's early morning underway. Arrived very early after dropping off my husband and went to Sonar first to drop off breakfast before officially checking back in from leave on the Quarterdeck. Went to duty section turn-over as usual, and before lunch managed to eat all the leftovers from the Macaroni Grill. Had an MWR meeting after lunch, then started work on the Fatho pre-underway check which lasted through Sonar's drill. Worked on ESWS after everyone left, and tried to complete another check. Training on mess decks was short and sweet; we talked about what to do if there was a swimmer near the ship and how we would attack an Alpha fire in a forward space. Was POOW again for the mid-watch, and the OOD (former Sonar Tech, now officer) and I talked about the schedule, the command and what it was like for him to become an officer. Was able to talk with my husband briefly before and after watch.

WEDNESDAY 27:

Woke up by CSOOW 15 minutes before my alarm to check all the Sonar spaces for flooding. Ended up being a false alarm and I did the dailies after changing into my uniform. Had a quick breakfast because of duty sweepers on the Quarterdeck and Aft Missile Deck. Finished up muster report as Quarters started, and called away for the duty section setting up blocks on the flight deck because of the base drills. Finished the Fatho check with my LPO, signed for that and the other in CSMC as well as train on another for our antenna. Did some training with FC1 for the CSMC watch station, then attended a Sonar drill in the afternoon. Called Dad at dinnertime, went to the Navigation brief after than, then waited for Chief for a half-hour for my CSMC oral board, passed it, and called my husband.

THURSDAY 28:

And finally, the underway! Early breakfast, set Sea & Anchor soon after. Little trouble with the Fatho because of what we had to do for the check the day before, but had it working in no time. Ended up being a two-hour watch including the SOA inspection we had. The most fun I had this underway was helping the Gunners load our 5-inch gun before lunch. I helped pass the ammunition, praise the Lord, which was canisters of gunpowder three-and-a-half feet long! My only Sonar watch was after dinner (section 3 of 4) in which I went to another Navigation brief and did some training on our job-writing system. Can't wait for the day when I don't need training every time I turn around.

FRIDAY MARCH 1:

Before we returned to port, we had an early CONREP (connected replenishment) RAS (replenishment at sea). This was the first I participated in, as I replaced an STG3 who was on emergency leave. It was so bitterly cold in the wind that within minutes my face, hands and legs were getting numb. In fact, the moment I stepped out the port break onto the forecastle ("foc'sle"), the wind was coming by so fast I could not breathe for a moment (until I turned my head away). When the line and cable were finally across, (we'd rotate as we walked the line across the deck... too difficult just to pull) I was the first in line as we sent it back over to the USNS vessel. Then we were rotated in to help with the distance line (line up forward with little distance-marking flags to show the OOD exactly how far we were from the other ship). About a half-hour after we finished (just time to eat my bagel from breakfast), we were called away for FWWD (fresh water wash down), my station being on the aft missile deck with weapons department. Thankfully, it wasn't quite as cold (we weren't in the direct path of the wind there), but still enough to the point where I was glad of my earmuffs. While this was still in progress, Sea & Anchor was called away for getting ready to enter port. And we were pier-side on schedule! Had to wait for shore power to get connected before we were allowed to take out the trash and leave for the weekend. What a day!

Every Day a Monday

It wasn't long into the underway when I thought of the title for this post. :)

Although difficult, and a lot like boot camp (in the way boot camp severs normal relationships for months at a time and makes one feel isolated among strange people, while all the while requiring a sharp learning curve), it was also unlike anything I've done before. Seeing pods of dolphins up close (in and out of the water) is a normal occurrence. Training with live weapons with the deck rocking beneath your legs... pinging SONAR into the water... and learning how to operate the controlling systems... preparing briefs for the Captain and wardroom using a strange and complex software system... and then giving them... practicing casualty drills (and thinking about if they really happened)... studying, taking tests and answering questions in an oral board in order to be qualified to stand a particular watch or do a certain type of job... getting up every morning... working out, reading books to stay sane... going to a divisional meeting at the same time every morning then cleaning your spaces... rushing through meals sometimes in order to stand five hours of watch at a time and remember assigned tasks (depending on the rotation)... keeping always on the alert for whatever happens.



















learning, learning, always learning... for thirty-six days straight... with not much change between them.

I read six books in the duration! I qualified Maintenance Person, CSOSS Technician, POOW, & RPPO. I continued work or started work on four or five more: ESWS (enlisted surface warfare specialist), Safety PO, CSMC Watch, Advanced DC and Sonar watches.

 Watching and recording the depth readings closely during special evolutions.

 And how could I have done it without the constant support of my husband, writing me long emails every day and talking on the phone when we could? And what a blessing to be able to pray for the ship nearly every night! Kept me focused on saving grace at least for a few moments every day. And the opportunity it affords! Nearly every night I can step out onto the bridge wings and be enveloped in stars without number, or bathed in the moonlight, or whipped in the face by fierce wind, or simply refreshed, hearing the rhythmic crashing of the waves against the hull. And I get to see a totally different world of the ship in operation and be reminded that a great many different people that live on board, besides what I see in the chow line. How the Lord has given me grace!

Happy Truxtun Day!

Historical notes from our last three PODs (plan of the day), culminating today, the anniversary of Truxtun’s last battle:

The kingdom of France had been a crucial ally during the American Revolutionary War and had signed a Treaty of Alliance in 1778 with the United States of America. In the wake of the 1789 French Revolution, however, relations between the new French Republic and the United States became strained. In 1792, France and the rest of Europe went to war and both France and Great Britain seized ships of neutral powers (including those of the United States) that traded with their enemies.

In 1796, the United States reached an agreement on the matter with Britain (The Jay Treaty) credited with averting war, resolving issues remaining since the Treaty of Paris of 1783 ended the American Revolution, and facilitating ten years of peaceful trade. This agreement angered France and the French Navy consequently stepped up its efforts to interdict American trade with Britain.

An American diplomatic commission was sent to France in July 1797 to avert war; however, the French Foreign Minister demanded bribes and a loan before formal negotiations could begin. Although such demands were not uncommon in European diplomacy of the time, the Americans were offended by them, and eventually left France without ever engaging in formal negotiations. News of this mistreatment (known as the "XYZ Affair") prompted Congress to annul the 1778 Treaty of Alliance on July 7, 1798. Congress also authorized the acquisition of twelve frigates and two days later authorized attacks on French warships. The "Quasi-War" with France had begun.

CONSTELLATION vs. L'INSURGENTE

The Quasi-War with France began in earnest with the United States sending four naval squadrons to the Caribbean in late 1798. One of the squadrons under the command of Commodore Thomas Truxtun in USS Constellation (38 guns) was tasked to patrol for French vessels between Puerto Rico and Saint Kitts. On 9 Feb 1799, Truxtun sighted the French frigate L'Insurgente (40 guns) off the coast of Nevis. L'Insurgente attempted to flee, however, the two vessels ran into a gale and L'Insurgente lost her main topmast.

With Constellation approaching fast, the commander of L'Insurgente tried to hail Truxtun in order to avoid a fight. Truxtun answered with a broadside loaded with double shot into L'Insurgente's hull. L'Insurgente's answering broadside only damaged Constellation's fore topmast. Truxtun maneuvered across L'Insurgente's bow to rake her with a broadside then to the L'Insurgente's starboard side to fire further broadsides into the French frigate. Three times Truxtun raked the bows of L'Insurgente before the French captain was forced to strike his colors and surrender the vessel. L'Insurgente had suffered 29 killed and 41 wounded to Constellation's five wounded.

Afterwards, the French insisted that the action was illegal since the two countries were not technically at war. Truxtun responded, "The French Captain tells me I have caused a war with France. If so, I am glad of it, for I detest things done by halves!" President Adams had been considering sending another diplomatic commission to negotiate with France, however, his Secretary of State noted that, "The only negotiation compatible with our honor or safety is that begun by Truxtun in the capture of L'Insurgente!" And in reference to the bribes requested by the French to recognize the last diplomatic commission, a popular toast sprung up to "Captain Truxtun: our popular Envoy to the French, who was accredited at the first interview!"

CONSTELLATION vs. LA VENGENCE

On 1 February 1800, back on patrol in the Caribbean shipping lanes a year after his capture of the French frigate L'Insurgente, Commodore Truxtun in USS Constellation (38 guns) again sighted a sail south of the island of Guadeloupe standing to westward. The unknown ship attempted to flee and Truxtun took up the pursuit and steadily gained ground over the next twelve hours. Truxtun passed the order to his gun captains to "not throw away a single charge of powder and shot, but to take good aim, and fire directly into the Hull of the enemy... to Encourage the Men, at their Quarters, to cause or suffer no noise or confusion whatever, but to load and fire as fast as possible, when it could be done with certain effect."

At sunset, the unknown ship fired upon Constellation with stern chasers and Constellation began to bring her batteries to bear, one-by-one, with some of the shots going clear through the enemy's hull and out the other side. An hour after midnight, the enemy's fire was completely silenced. Before Truxtun could come alongside to claim his prize, Constellation's main mast broke off and it was another hour before the wreckage was cleared, however, there was no longer any sign of the enemy ship. Constellation had suffered 18 killed and 21 wounded.

Truxtun assumed that his enemy had sunk. It was nearly two months later that Truxtun learned his opponent, the French frigate La Vengence (54 guns), had limped to the Dutch island of Cruacao with nearly 100 casualties out of a crew of 400. La Vengence had to be grounded to keep from sinking and was out of action for six months.

For his actions, Truxtun was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal on March 29, 1800. The medal depicted Constellation's battle with La Vengence and was inscribed with the caption: "United States Frigate Constellation of 38 Guns pursues attacks and Vanquishes the French ship La Vengence of 54 Guns 1 Feb 1800."

I'm Sweeping in the Rain

(on the way home after dinner and some errands)

 Friday morning was all that stood between most of the ship's company and a much-needed weekend.

Thursday had been very busy with certain checks on the equipment that needed to get done, and the guys that came in to fix some of the lagging on some of our piping. I helped STG2 with unscrewing the cases of some CPUs to check the status (it seems that much of a tech's job is unscrewing little screws).

So during our "fast cruise" practice on Friday (I wasn't on the watch bill), I did a thorough sweepers in Sonar 2 & 3, cleaning up after the lagging guys and the inspectors we had down there. I buffed my boots a little while we were waiting for the freshwater wash-down, then joined the other E-5 and below Sonar Techs on the boat deck and starboard and port breaks for sweeping water after lunch. We were just finishing when a light rain began. :)

Three Duty Days and Some Work Too

 (navy.mil photo, shared from a friend... thanks, James!)

You can only see the top of our mast, poking out from behind the USS WASP (LHD1).

Well, our holiday stand-down is now a thing of the past. We're back to regular, 6-section duty, after eight days of 3-section duty. I had the pier sentry watch at one time or another every duty day. I got to meet different people from the WASP each time, which also provided pier sentries. My favorite pair was from my last watch... an AC (air-traffic controller) and an AT (aviation electronics tech), both females, both fun to talk to. Our worlds are very different, so it was interesting comparing notes. I was very grateful to the WASP for providing a heater for the last two watches... and AC3 thought of bringing it up to the door of the tent so we could comfortably keep a good watch on the entry point.

We tipped each other off as to which persons in civilian clothes were officers from our boats or not. And AT2 successfully kept me from checking my watch every ten minutes during the last two hours or so... made it go faster. :) But I was relieved about 20 minutes late from the on-coming duty section... just barely had enough time to get breakfast before Quarters (it was a miracle, actually). And on the watch before this one, on Sunday, I was surprised how many people were sightseeing. I stopped two different people from taking pictures out their car windows!

Yesterday's duty day was even exciting at times... we ran two drills that evening... one for leaking refrigerant (toxic gas) on the refer deck below the galley (I got suited up all the way... coveralls, boots, hood, mask, helmet, SCBA - air-, gloves) and I watched the team leader respond on his radio. GM1 selected me to be one of the actors in the ATFP (anti-terrorism force protection) drill after that. I was a disgruntled Sailor who started shooting computers and a shipmate in CSMC... I ended up shot and in handcuffs... the reaction force didn't slip up at all.

What was singular was the real alarm we had after I had gone to bed with my alarm set for 4 precious hours later. Only after a half-hour's rest, I jolted awake and ran up to the repair locker to find the Chiefs in charge and people hustling. I started getting dressed out, even though I was in my undershirt, sweatpants and tennies. I helped someone else get a mask, but that was pretty much it. It was a real refrigerant alarm, which turned out to be false (thankfully).

As for the working days, there were a few jobs on our queue. Finished sanding and painting the dome p-way on the 3rd and the 4th. I was also able to fix a dilemma and get the part number from our tech rep on Friday, for the thing we replaced the day before. Monday, I updated all the security check-lists. On Tuesday (first day with everyone back) I worked topside (pretty much all day), helping the GMs sand and paint rust spots. But before we started that, I took the initiative to mop up the old water up there from the stopped up drains. It had frozen a little, so I was very pleased with myself for getting that bone-dry and ready for the preservation work. We dumped two-and-a-half mop buckets full of rain water over the side!

Wednesday was interesting... I had a couple trainings, one for sponsoring (mentoring) new Sailors, then another quick one for our upcoming schedule. Right after that, there was an all-hands working party for two hours... a mammoth stores on-load of soda and chips and various things for the ship's store. It was kinda neat knowing that everyone was lending a hand. Made passing all those boxes a little bit easier.

What a Way to Bring in the New Year

We turned over leave periods on Sunday the 30th... muster was at noon, and we were let go at 14. It felt like deja vu as we lined up in Sonar 1 for quarters. Strange to be back in uniform, but I didn't mind at all since my Christmas leave was so wonderful and relaxing. While we waited for the muster report to be registered in admin (so we could leave - it makes sense, I promise!), I organized my drawer and shined my boots. I didn't mind leaving when they let us go, either. :)

Had to be there at normal time on New Year's Eve for my duty day... my first one since August (before I was a FSA)! I had the last watch, so it wasn't a problem that I had inadvertently arranged for a dentist appointment that morning. Went to turnover in the morning, then left a bit later for Dental. The folks there are very accommodating, and the doctor was even friendlier than my civilian one back home (retired Navy). I first had an exam with the doctor, then a walk-in cleaning at the clinic upstairs. Went straight back to the ship (felt bad for leaving it while on duty) and had lunch. In the afternoon I stenciled all the pipes in the dome room. It was the only job for the day, and I was glad of it! It ate up two hours! :)

Other than that, I watched some football on the mess decks during dinner and afterwords, and only got about an hour-and-a-half sleep before I got up to usher in the new year with my husband on the phone. It always surprises me how fast an hour will go when I talk with him. Right after his new year, we hung up because I needed to arm-up for my contact sentry watch. I was pretty excited, actually, as I walked down the pier with my weapon belt strapped on. Although it was my first armed watch, I was the senior petty officer present, and made all the log entries. The cold wasn't too bad with all the layers I had on... it was my poor feet that hurt after standing so long. Very glad to do my duty though. Finally, I am a help to my section.

The next morning I was wiped out after turn-over. I was falling asleep as I sat down in Sonar, waiting for the CDO (command duty officer) to announce the official turnover. I went straight home and took a three-hour nap. What a blessing that it was a holiday and I could do that!

Today I had another dentist appointment early, so I went straight there. They were fixing a cracked sealant, and they did more than expected because there was a bit of decay underneath. So my lower left jaw had to be numbed... but I was so glad! I think this was the problem I had right before I joined the Navy... but I (or anyone else) couldn't figure out. It was terribly sensitive in boot camp, but had since mellowed out. How wonderful! Anyway, I returned to the ship as soon as I could, checked in with my acting LPO, and went right to work with our STG3s on sanding our cooling skid. Made a make-shift needle gun out of a screwdriver and hammer for some rust in tight places... and then we painted. Gave one of the 3rds a ride back to their housing on the way home. I'm feeling pretty up-beat about the Navy at the moment. Our new 1st class complimented me on my shiny boots today. Funny how little things like that mean so much.