My RDCs (recruit division commanders) from boot camp told us that our proudest day would be graduation from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. We'll just chalk that one up to another boot camp-ism.
It was very easy to check out from TPU (transient personnel unit) this morning. Although there were a couple other people going to the Truxtun, I was the only one in Whites. Lined up in the front again for muster, as on Friday, was dressed off boot-camp style (dress right, dress!), and responded to my name with my ship's name. After that, just needed to fill out a half-page form and a 2-page questionnaire about what I thought about TPU... and then I was let go.
Drove over to the piers and found a parking space a ways away from where they said my ship would be. Interestingly, as I walked along past the ships, I came by the USS Kearsarge, the namesake of my building (Ship 11) in boot camp. Docked to the next pier was the USS San Antonio, so big I couldn't see anything else nearby. I began to wonder if my ship had come in yet... but as I kept walking, suddenly there she was!
This was indeed my proudest day so far. The Truxtun is beautiful! STG2 told me they all put a lot of work into it the last couple months for the filming that's going on even now. I had to wait to go up the accommodation ladder because there was a crane working just next to it. But soon I went up, saluted the officer of the watch and held out my card like I've been trained to for a long time now. Shook his hand as he welcomed me on board. The CMC was on hand as well and shook my hand too. Everyone was very friendly. Soon an STG came up to bring me down to Sonar... on the way down I met my sponsor, and she set me up with a rack before we went to meet Senior Chief and the rest of the division.
We spent the morning together, my sponsor and I. Went to admin and filled out some forms... then found out I had an assigned rack, so I moved my bag to #30, which is a top rack near the central head, but out of the way of traffic. I didn't realize it at first, but the one I'm assigned has lots of head room, since there's no rack or ventilation pipe overhead. I think I'll like it pretty well. Changed into my NWUs while we were there and locked up my Whites in my little stand-up locker. I was warned that there are a couple thieves in the female berthing. STG2 then took me on a short tour, and then we had fried chicken at the galley for lunch. The food was alright (even some egg drop soup and egg rolls) and then we went back to Sonar before knocking off for the day.
I'm still excited about my assignment here, so I guess that's a good sign. :)
Monday, June 25, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Hello, Norfolk
My husband and I arrived in Norfolk very late Monday night (the 18th). Checked into our hotel and stayed up even later, getting my dress whites ready for the morning and worrying about when I needed to check in, since nobody told me. I figured it probably didn't matter as long as it was in the morning... and I was right. Got a little turned around my first time on base. Google had given me poor advice about where TPU (Transient Personnel Unit) was actually located; correct street, just wrong side of the base. :)
At first I thought I wouldn't need my cell... reinforced thinking from San Diego... and started out on foot in search of TPU. I used the TSC building to ask directions, since I know about them, and a senior chief directed me the right way, mentioning I needed to drive a little further down the road. So I returned to the car, and just when I did, my ship called me, giving direction about checking into TPU. It was easy from there on. Nimitz Hall (for TPU) had an adjacent parking lot. Had to stop for colors on the way, but that was fitting for my first day back. First thing to do in the office, fill out forms, then report one floor upstairs to the FFT (Further Fleet Transfers) office. A couple more forms, then since I was the only one checking in at the time, the staff petty officer, AM2, talked about housing with me, mentioning that the place I wanted was extremely inconvenient. He had lived there for 3 years... and between the hour commute in the morning, the constant noise from the F-18's, and the mosquitoes from the nearby swamps, he was very excited to be moving somewhere else next week. So that was very timely information...
On the way back to the hotel I stopped by the military housing support center and talked with an agent in person for the first time. My application (faxed in on the 12th) had been approved on the 18th... and it was still alright to change the location preference. Whew! My husband and I spent the rest of the day looking at our four options... one across the street, one up north, one by the Amphibious base, and lastly, one by the Naval Air Station, which I already knew I didn't want; just wanted to see it. The second one won out... the community manager was there and offered to show us a unit later in the day. The pool was being used by kids, and there seemed to be a good atmosphere around the place.
Talk about a busy first day! The next day -Wednesday- (after a morning filled up with urinalysis) I got the contract at the office to go over with my husband, then we looked at the exterior of our specific unit (that happened to be the same design as the one we were shown) and then returned to the office to sign the contract. Not bad work for the first two days!
Thursday morning, about 25 of us had command Indoc. The XO, CMC and another Master Chief, along with a staff petty officer went over the usual Indoc concepts. Welcome, here's where everything is, be good Sailors, come to work, don't abuse alcohol, know about suicide, and bear with us as we try to get you to your next command ASAP. :) On the way home I unpacked my very tightly packed car into a local self-storage unit so I would feel safer and less awkward driving around. It happened to be 92 degrees that morning, so it was hot in my NWUs as I emptied the car.
Friday, we had training in the partition next to the one we had for Indoc. I overheard the CMC give his talk very much the same way he had given it to us yesterday... "On your feet"... "attention to the Sailor's Creed"... "stand at attention for inspection"...and he was a very down-to-earth type of guy too. Our training was GM2 answering questions about fleet life. It was a good session and I learned a few things.
At first I thought I wouldn't need my cell... reinforced thinking from San Diego... and started out on foot in search of TPU. I used the TSC building to ask directions, since I know about them, and a senior chief directed me the right way, mentioning I needed to drive a little further down the road. So I returned to the car, and just when I did, my ship called me, giving direction about checking into TPU. It was easy from there on. Nimitz Hall (for TPU) had an adjacent parking lot. Had to stop for colors on the way, but that was fitting for my first day back. First thing to do in the office, fill out forms, then report one floor upstairs to the FFT (Further Fleet Transfers) office. A couple more forms, then since I was the only one checking in at the time, the staff petty officer, AM2, talked about housing with me, mentioning that the place I wanted was extremely inconvenient. He had lived there for 3 years... and between the hour commute in the morning, the constant noise from the F-18's, and the mosquitoes from the nearby swamps, he was very excited to be moving somewhere else next week. So that was very timely information...
On the way back to the hotel I stopped by the military housing support center and talked with an agent in person for the first time. My application (faxed in on the 12th) had been approved on the 18th... and it was still alright to change the location preference. Whew! My husband and I spent the rest of the day looking at our four options... one across the street, one up north, one by the Amphibious base, and lastly, one by the Naval Air Station, which I already knew I didn't want; just wanted to see it. The second one won out... the community manager was there and offered to show us a unit later in the day. The pool was being used by kids, and there seemed to be a good atmosphere around the place.
Talk about a busy first day! The next day -Wednesday- (after a morning filled up with urinalysis) I got the contract at the office to go over with my husband, then we looked at the exterior of our specific unit (that happened to be the same design as the one we were shown) and then returned to the office to sign the contract. Not bad work for the first two days!
Thursday morning, about 25 of us had command Indoc. The XO, CMC and another Master Chief, along with a staff petty officer went over the usual Indoc concepts. Welcome, here's where everything is, be good Sailors, come to work, don't abuse alcohol, know about suicide, and bear with us as we try to get you to your next command ASAP. :) On the way home I unpacked my very tightly packed car into a local self-storage unit so I would feel safer and less awkward driving around. It happened to be 92 degrees that morning, so it was hot in my NWUs as I emptied the car.
Friday, we had training in the partition next to the one we had for Indoc. I overheard the CMC give his talk very much the same way he had given it to us yesterday... "On your feet"... "attention to the Sailor's Creed"... "stand at attention for inspection"...and he was a very down-to-earth type of guy too. Our training was GM2 answering questions about fleet life. It was a good session and I learned a few things.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Checked Out of TSC San Diego
Tuesday was very like Monday... except I reported early to Building 1 after letting Holds know what was going on, and there was pizza for lunch instead of burgers. Also, the commodore of the attending DESRON spoke to me and the Australian officer about good books to read about American Naval strategy in WWII! - after looking over my book by Admiral Sims. He recommended Neptune's Inferno... pretty sure I'll be reading it soon.
Wednesday after muster I found myself on the same working party, except this time for a different conference in a different building. It had already started before muster and was completely covered. I checked out with the Petty Officer in charge the next day, and they still didn't need me. This afforded me extremely valuable time to pack my things in anticipation of my move today.
Friday, today, I checked out from the BPO (barracks) first, went to muster, then went to admin. They sent me to NMT first, then I came back and was all checked out by 0900! I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it all was. At NMT, STG1 from my duty section signed me out. He asked me if I completed my goals from when I first checked in... saving money: check, reading Navy books: check, doing better on the PRT run... well... I'm still in progress. I had forgotten about writing them... it was so long ago.
I walked of base and climbed the steps to the bridge to overflow parking with a lightness I've never had before. I certainly enjoyed my 16 months here... it's just so exciting to move on to bigger things. I'm impressed that my two extra years on my contract works out just about right before I check in to my first ship.
Wednesday after muster I found myself on the same working party, except this time for a different conference in a different building. It had already started before muster and was completely covered. I checked out with the Petty Officer in charge the next day, and they still didn't need me. This afforded me extremely valuable time to pack my things in anticipation of my move today.
Friday, today, I checked out from the BPO (barracks) first, went to muster, then went to admin. They sent me to NMT first, then I came back and was all checked out by 0900! I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it all was. At NMT, STG1 from my duty section signed me out. He asked me if I completed my goals from when I first checked in... saving money: check, reading Navy books: check, doing better on the PRT run... well... I'm still in progress. I had forgotten about writing them... it was so long ago.
I walked of base and climbed the steps to the bridge to overflow parking with a lightness I've never had before. I certainly enjoyed my 16 months here... it's just so exciting to move on to bigger things. I'm impressed that my two extra years on my contract works out just about right before I check in to my first ship.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Escorting and Getting Help
I volunteered this morning when they asked for two people from the Holds muster to help out at Bldg. 1. They needed someone to check badges for a conference, so the seaman and I who volunteered have been switching on and off, sitting at the desk just inside the door with the master list of attendees.
They were selling a burger and a hotdog, plus chips and drink for $5 for lunch. I got myself some, and read a little in Admiral Sims book about ASW in WWI... a commander came by trying to tease me for reading, asking if it was appropriate Navy material... I guess it was, but he was still laughing for making me snap out of my reading. :) There were a bunch of Chiefs who were serving. One came by and asked if I got enough and then paid for it himself when he found that I had paid out of pocket. Gosh, I love the Chiefs! If you're working for them, they take care of you.
Also loved hearing a couple British officers talking about some sort of sports match (can only assume it was soccer). And an American Chief ribbed an British officer, asking him to say "Lieutenant", even slowly... and the Englishman only replied back, "Left-enant"... even slowly! After the chief left, he said it our way to me. :)
I was covered by the seaman when I had my appointment with Fleet & Family Services on Rosecrans later this morning. The lady was very helpful, showing me different sites and telling me about various resources I could use. I also found out that Virginia's BAH is about $600 less than San Diego's... but so are the average rates there. I feel much better about the upcoming decision.
An Australian officer gave me "four marks" for reading Admiral Sims's book, while he called my counterpart's sci-fi book "trash"... with a smile.
They were selling a burger and a hotdog, plus chips and drink for $5 for lunch. I got myself some, and read a little in Admiral Sims book about ASW in WWI... a commander came by trying to tease me for reading, asking if it was appropriate Navy material... I guess it was, but he was still laughing for making me snap out of my reading. :) There were a bunch of Chiefs who were serving. One came by and asked if I got enough and then paid for it himself when he found that I had paid out of pocket. Gosh, I love the Chiefs! If you're working for them, they take care of you.
Also loved hearing a couple British officers talking about some sort of sports match (can only assume it was soccer). And an American Chief ribbed an British officer, asking him to say "Lieutenant", even slowly... and the Englishman only replied back, "Left-enant"... even slowly! After the chief left, he said it our way to me. :)
I was covered by the seaman when I had my appointment with Fleet & Family Services on Rosecrans later this morning. The lady was very helpful, showing me different sites and telling me about various resources I could use. I also found out that Virginia's BAH is about $600 less than San Diego's... but so are the average rates there. I feel much better about the upcoming decision.
An Australian officer gave me "four marks" for reading Admiral Sims's book, while he called my counterpart's sci-fi book "trash"... with a smile.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Last Duty in San Diego
So I never missed a morning duty section muster. :) OS1, our watch-bill coordinator, had to fill some slots due to people classing up at the last minute. I was the only one who raised my hand when she asked who was on Hold. Yikes! She switched me from the last 51 access watch (early Saturday morning) to the five-and-a-half-hour mid watch, and someone who couldn't do that one filled the one I had before. As we straightened all this out, I also got her to sign off on my check-out sheet... I was in the front row.
Had breakfast and lunch at the galley to make my day more simple. I had one sign-off to get on the third deck of the schoolhouse for the mentorship coordinator, then stopped by admin for a few more. Only needing the last day's sign-offs now.
My watch went pretty well... my feet survived: neither of them fell asleep. My new dress shoes are worth their weight in gold (good thing... they were $82). The first couple hours I was alert and gung-ho about getting through it. The afternoon muster went on outside the door, and I had to keep saluting and allowing people to pass, even when I heard them call my name (somebody rogered up, telling OSC I was on watch for me). The next couple hours were much slower, as usual, but I managed to read through the entire Civil War portion of the Navy Chronology book I started last time, and it helped a lot. Traffic was much slower later on, since most people run away from base as fast as they can on Friday afternoons. :) It's a pretty sad existence when you live for a 15-second phone call you get to make every hour, along with a short sentence you get to write in the log. :)
Had breakfast and lunch at the galley to make my day more simple. I had one sign-off to get on the third deck of the schoolhouse for the mentorship coordinator, then stopped by admin for a few more. Only needing the last day's sign-offs now.
My watch went pretty well... my feet survived: neither of them fell asleep. My new dress shoes are worth their weight in gold (good thing... they were $82). The first couple hours I was alert and gung-ho about getting through it. The afternoon muster went on outside the door, and I had to keep saluting and allowing people to pass, even when I heard them call my name (somebody rogered up, telling OSC I was on watch for me). The next couple hours were much slower, as usual, but I managed to read through the entire Civil War portion of the Navy Chronology book I started last time, and it helped a lot. Traffic was much slower later on, since most people run away from base as fast as they can on Friday afternoons. :) It's a pretty sad existence when you live for a 15-second phone call you get to make every hour, along with a short sentence you get to write in the log. :)
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wild Couple Days
Tuesday, first day back this week, you know of. After I took care of the orders stuff in the morning, I had another usual workout before the afternoon Holds PT muster. Elliptical and weights for about a half hour.
Wednesday I found out some specifics from my sponsor on the Truxtun, and got a welcome email from my Senior Chief (LCPO - leading chief petty officer). I had my screening with the doctor, and along with getting that done, we found out that we were both very much in to military history. She recommended reading Helmet For My Pillow, and we talked about the Norfolk area. She also had the neatest picture on the wall of her grandmother from 1938, dressed in Sailor dress blues outside a house... sort of like this old recruiting poster, but much more normal. :)
Today was crazy! Went straight into the office and turned in my medical clearance page from the doctor. Then I talked with a lady in admin about the transfer days, about how it meant I could detach anytime in June 2012, not on June 12th, like I had mistaken it for. She gave me an extra week so that I could get money for the transfer in advance (it needs processing time). So it's official: I leave June 8, and with my 11 days of leave on the books and requested, I report on June 19. She told me I'd get up to 8 days back when I arrive. To fill out the form completely, I had to go home and get my banking information... and I let my family know the news. Back at base, they helped me find and print my "Page 2"... proving I was married so that my husband could transfer with me. Then I was handed a checkout sheet. Just like that.
Went straight to Dental, got my record, swung by the Post Office, and they stamped my sheet. Dropped off my car at the NEX so it could be safety-checked for the long drive and smog-checked so I could already have military decals when I arrive, and not have to mess with vehicle access. While I waited for that, I walked over to Medical, got my record (checking out) and stopped by for the checkup on my immunization from Tuesday. Walked a little further and had an outstanding "Mediterranean chicken salad" at the Luna Grill in Liberty Station for lunch, and even caught a little of the women's softball world series on TV. Walked back to the NEX, got the next installment of MHQ, then waited at the NEX garage for the car to be done (reading a great article about Midway... it's the 70th anniversary next week). When I did get it, I cleaned the windows and got gas around the corner, then went to the Sub Base for my decals.
When I got home from that, it was 1400, and time to change into the PT uniform for muster. Muster was short, then I went up to the Cabrillo National Monument for a half-hour run/walk on the 3.2K trail loop. What a view! I forget how I hate running when I'm out there.
Back at base, I called my Senior Chief from the boat to tell him the dates and talk about housing. Cleaned up at the pool house (the gym's showers are closed), then waited for the Van Lady by the barracks to pick up the two extra sets of coveralls (she sewed all those patches on) and the new dry-cleaned dress white pants that I had dropped off on Tuesday.
Then I talked with my family in North Carolina and then my family in Seattle (who are going to North Carolina during the time I'm driving across the country) for a good long time about our very near plans.
Wednesday I found out some specifics from my sponsor on the Truxtun, and got a welcome email from my Senior Chief (LCPO - leading chief petty officer). I had my screening with the doctor, and along with getting that done, we found out that we were both very much in to military history. She recommended reading Helmet For My Pillow, and we talked about the Norfolk area. She also had the neatest picture on the wall of her grandmother from 1938, dressed in Sailor dress blues outside a house... sort of like this old recruiting poster, but much more normal. :)
Today was crazy! Went straight into the office and turned in my medical clearance page from the doctor. Then I talked with a lady in admin about the transfer days, about how it meant I could detach anytime in June 2012, not on June 12th, like I had mistaken it for. She gave me an extra week so that I could get money for the transfer in advance (it needs processing time). So it's official: I leave June 8, and with my 11 days of leave on the books and requested, I report on June 19. She told me I'd get up to 8 days back when I arrive. To fill out the form completely, I had to go home and get my banking information... and I let my family know the news. Back at base, they helped me find and print my "Page 2"... proving I was married so that my husband could transfer with me. Then I was handed a checkout sheet. Just like that.
Went straight to Dental, got my record, swung by the Post Office, and they stamped my sheet. Dropped off my car at the NEX so it could be safety-checked for the long drive and smog-checked so I could already have military decals when I arrive, and not have to mess with vehicle access. While I waited for that, I walked over to Medical, got my record (checking out) and stopped by for the checkup on my immunization from Tuesday. Walked a little further and had an outstanding "Mediterranean chicken salad" at the Luna Grill in Liberty Station for lunch, and even caught a little of the women's softball world series on TV. Walked back to the NEX, got the next installment of MHQ, then waited at the NEX garage for the car to be done (reading a great article about Midway... it's the 70th anniversary next week). When I did get it, I cleaned the windows and got gas around the corner, then went to the Sub Base for my decals.
When I got home from that, it was 1400, and time to change into the PT uniform for muster. Muster was short, then I went up to the Cabrillo National Monument for a half-hour run/walk on the 3.2K trail loop. What a view! I forget how I hate running when I'm out there.
Back at base, I called my Senior Chief from the boat to tell him the dates and talk about housing. Cleaned up at the pool house (the gym's showers are closed), then waited for the Van Lady by the barracks to pick up the two extra sets of coveralls (she sewed all those patches on) and the new dry-cleaned dress white pants that I had dropped off on Tuesday.
Then I talked with my family in North Carolina and then my family in Seattle (who are going to North Carolina during the time I'm driving across the country) for a good long time about our very near plans.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Orders!
I routinely checked my orders from home this morning, but this time it had changed! So very excited... I immediately made phone calls to my closest family, then reported in for the morning Holds muster. And instead of a working party, I worked on getting my Sea Duty Screening (medical stuff) on the way to getting completed. Dental was easy, needed an immunization at medical, and signed up for an appointment with a doctor.
I am assigned to the USS Truxtun, DDG 103, home-ported in Norfolk, Virginia. When I got home, I did a bit of research on the various commands it is assigned to, its commanders, and history. It's the sixth ship to be named Truxtun (after one of the first Captains in the US Navy who served on the original Constellation, one of the first frigates to be made after the Navy was officially established by Congress in 1798).
I told my instructors before the muster and they had good things to tell me about the people there. I know one person from the previous Ops class who is stationed on it, and since I emailed the boat this morning to establish contact, I was already contacted by my sponsor, an STG2 who seems very friendly. She friended me on Facebook. :)
The Truxtun joins five other DDGs, three CGs (cruisers) and one FFG (frigate) in Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Two, attached to the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) - which I was so moved by watching it being commissioned in January 2009. Interestingly, that's the same year my own ship was commissioned.
I am assigned to the USS Truxtun, DDG 103, home-ported in Norfolk, Virginia. When I got home, I did a bit of research on the various commands it is assigned to, its commanders, and history. It's the sixth ship to be named Truxtun (after one of the first Captains in the US Navy who served on the original Constellation, one of the first frigates to be made after the Navy was officially established by Congress in 1798).
I told my instructors before the muster and they had good things to tell me about the people there. I know one person from the previous Ops class who is stationed on it, and since I emailed the boat this morning to establish contact, I was already contacted by my sponsor, an STG2 who seems very friendly. She friended me on Facebook. :)
The Truxtun joins five other DDGs, three CGs (cruisers) and one FFG (frigate) in Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Two, attached to the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) - which I was so moved by watching it being commissioned in January 2009. Interestingly, that's the same year my own ship was commissioned.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Deja Vu
When I last posted about the Admiral Sims book, I did another search on eBay and found this (also for much cheaper on Abebooks):
I started reading it on my flight to see my husband for the holiday weekend and finished the first couple chapters (or 30 pages). It's a big hardbound book: 200+ (8.5/11") pages with small pictures. And it's very interesting! I loved the back-story on submarine development, and now with the focus on how to defeat the new threat. It's a promising read, covering the topic all the way to 2007!
Didn't know that the Irish-American inventor, John Holland, was originally working for the Fenians in Ireland, but finally developed the first working submarine for a competition put on by the United States Navy in 1888. This famous picture of him reminded me in a vague way of Professor Calculus from the Tintin stories who created a submarine (Calculus was actually modeled after a different inventor):
Didn't know that the Irish-American inventor, John Holland, was originally working for the Fenians in Ireland, but finally developed the first working submarine for a competition put on by the United States Navy in 1888. This famous picture of him reminded me in a vague way of Professor Calculus from the Tintin stories who created a submarine (Calculus was actually modeled after a different inventor):
Friday, May 25, 2012
Advancement Score
The final scores from my March 8th advancement exam came out Thursday. As I went to the Student Resource Center to check for orders this morning, there were a few others there to check their scores... and they were talking about it. No announcement... just word of mouth.
Success! I scored 1.5 PNA (Pass, but Not Advance) points for my next advancement exam coming up this September. Out of all the STG3s in the Navy who took it, I scored in the 70th percentile, missing the minimum points required to advance by 22 (out of 144). I'm not sure how many STG3s are in the Navy... but according to the Navy, 210 advanced to STG2.
Success! I scored 1.5 PNA (Pass, but Not Advance) points for my next advancement exam coming up this September. Out of all the STG3s in the Navy who took it, I scored in the 70th percentile, missing the minimum points required to advance by 22 (out of 144). I'm not sure how many STG3s are in the Navy... but according to the Navy, 210 advanced to STG2.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Nothing Much Different
Except for the fact that I knew more about what I was doing today, it wasn't much different from the day before. We cleaned the third classroom that was occupied yesterday, and also cleaned up the student lounge. There was a special lunch of steak and fried shrimp (along with egg-foo-young, fried rice & wonton soup) at the galley today celebrating Asian-Pacific Islander heritage month.
I again started my workout at 1300, going until 1415 or so. Did 30 minutes on a bike, then mostly core strength exercises.
I again started my workout at 1300, going until 1415 or so. Did 30 minutes on a bike, then mostly core strength exercises.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
First Day Back
There was a little confusion this morning as we all tried to figure out where we were supposed to stand for the Holds muster. Apparently, they've been making one big, long line spanning the side of the schoolhouse. But IC1 had everyone form up the old way when he came out.
And of note, this was the first time my name was called out during a muster as "Waters". :)
Over by the Holds office, I volunteered with a former classmate to work up in the schoolhouse for a certain working party he had been on before. We joined two others up in the student lounge, and waited until someone came for us and gave us something to do. We ended up cleaning two classrooms very thoroughly, wiping down tables, cabinets, sills, and even the bases of swivel chairs before sweeping and mopping and taking out the trash.
There was some down time before we were let go for lunch, and I was able to do my PT early, before the afternoon PT muster. I worked out for over an hour, doing my own concoction of sets on the basketball court. As I've said before, I really like the setup in the big gym. I did some strength training, as well as lots of cardio before I was through. Finished out with a 10-min. cool-down on a bike.
And there was a super-fast turn-around time for my out-of-bounds chit in admin. I got a phone call during lunch that it had been approved, even with turning it in just the day before. And another classmate got orders this afternoon... for San Diego. I think I checked mine about three times, but alas, to no avail.
And of note, this was the first time my name was called out during a muster as "Waters". :)
Over by the Holds office, I volunteered with a former classmate to work up in the schoolhouse for a certain working party he had been on before. We joined two others up in the student lounge, and waited until someone came for us and gave us something to do. We ended up cleaning two classrooms very thoroughly, wiping down tables, cabinets, sills, and even the bases of swivel chairs before sweeping and mopping and taking out the trash.
There was some down time before we were let go for lunch, and I was able to do my PT early, before the afternoon PT muster. I worked out for over an hour, doing my own concoction of sets on the basketball court. As I've said before, I really like the setup in the big gym. I did some strength training, as well as lots of cardio before I was through. Finished out with a 10-min. cool-down on a bike.
And there was a super-fast turn-around time for my out-of-bounds chit in admin. I got a phone call during lunch that it had been approved, even with turning it in just the day before. And another classmate got orders this afternoon... for San Diego. I think I checked mine about three times, but alas, to no avail.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Graduated!
I am officially done with all courses and checked back into Holds.
Today, in our service uniforms, the instructors handed out the certificates while we were formed up in the front of the classroom. STG2 tried to get my new name on them, but whoever was in charge changed them back to Payne. Oh, well. I guess they all match. We got three other certificates as well: one for each of the auxiliary classes.
Today, in our service uniforms, the instructors handed out the certificates while we were formed up in the front of the classroom. STG2 tried to get my new name on them, but whoever was in charge changed them back to Payne. Oh, well. I guess they all match. We got three other certificates as well: one for each of the auxiliary classes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
