STRIPPER!
Now that I have your attention ... my roomate and I finally got around to stripping all the wax (and other sundry gunk) off of our floor. Yes you read that correctly, I was on my hands and knees scrubbing to CLEAN a floor. It looks damn good too if I say so myself.
On to the real news though. I finished ATT! Actually I finished last week on Monday, and started FC "A" school the following day. Regardless, I finished around 15 days ahead of schedule, no where near "soonest" but more than enough to get my PDA. Besides I wasn't going to open study every waking hour (read: ever) and I was also taking time to help out fellow classmates (which I enjoy, and really didn't take that much time). Some of my classmates gave me a little 'going away' present. Our instructor hands out these awards for various things (getting 100% on tests, being the most days ahead, having highest GPA, etc.); I had all but one. So before I 'comp-ed' (graduated) they made me a bunch of gag awards to hang around my station "'The Laugh' Award", the "Falk Award", the "Most Awards Award", the "Jewish Student Award", to name a few. I came back from a test to find them all over my station, even the instructor had a good laugh. Anyway, the game plan for "A" school is to take my time and max my scores since grades matter now. I'll see if I can get the 'Distinguished Military Graduate' award. I'm not class leader anymore, since I joined a class that was already formed, but I am Master-at-Arms ... which means I'm in charge of cleaning the room each day (note the 'in charge' bit which means I don't do any actual cleaning, I'm sneaky what can I say). Other than that the PT is more involved at "A" school, '3-mile' (feels like 2) runs and whatnot. It's very humid here so I invariably end up thoroughly disgusting and tired.
That's all for now, need to iron and shine my boots (do we notice a trend yet?).
J
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Fun with Cadence ...
So when we march, we sing to help us keep in step. Usually Cadence is a 'call-repeat' sort of thing; for example: Caller, us
We're not the Army!
We're not the Army!
The backpack'n Army.
The backpack'n Army.
We're not the Air Force!
We're not the Air Force!
Always on the golf course.
Always on the golf course.
We're not the Coast Guard!
We're not the Coast Guard!
They don't even work hard.
They don't even work hard.
We're not the Marines!
We're not the Marines!
They don't even hygiene.
They don't even hygiene.
We ARE the Navy!
We ARE the Navy!
The Worlds Finest Navy.
The Worlds Finest Navy.
Now for the 'fun' part. Today was a Heritage day, so we have a long march back from the theater on base. Our march happened to take us past a normally empty barracks that is currently holding a bunch of Marines (not sure why). Said Marines we're in front of their barracks preparing to muster. Our cadence caller called the above cadence and managed to time it so the 'Marines' section was RIGHT IN FRONT of the group of Marines. They all laughed and clapped and so did we. Who says there's inter-service rivalries. We'll have to see what they come up with in return. =)
I've started "A" School and have some photo's to post but I need to get my uniforms ready, since there's also been a crackdown in the ship (dorm) on room and personnel inspections.
J
So when we march, we sing to help us keep in step. Usually Cadence is a 'call-repeat' sort of thing; for example: Caller, us
We're not the Army!
We're not the Army!
The backpack'n Army.
The backpack'n Army.
We're not the Air Force!
We're not the Air Force!
Always on the golf course.
Always on the golf course.
We're not the Coast Guard!
We're not the Coast Guard!
They don't even work hard.
They don't even work hard.
We're not the Marines!
We're not the Marines!
They don't even hygiene.
They don't even hygiene.
We ARE the Navy!
We ARE the Navy!
The Worlds Finest Navy.
The Worlds Finest Navy.
Now for the 'fun' part. Today was a Heritage day, so we have a long march back from the theater on base. Our march happened to take us past a normally empty barracks that is currently holding a bunch of Marines (not sure why). Said Marines we're in front of their barracks preparing to muster. Our cadence caller called the above cadence and managed to time it so the 'Marines' section was RIGHT IN FRONT of the group of Marines. They all laughed and clapped and so did we. Who says there's inter-service rivalries. We'll have to see what they come up with in return. =)
I've started "A" School and have some photo's to post but I need to get my uniforms ready, since there's also been a crackdown in the ship (dorm) on room and personnel inspections.
J
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Weekend Update ...
Friday - Headed down with King for the Chicago Blues festival. Went in working whites for the proper '20s experience (you know the old movies with the Sailors in the uniforms dancing), and it was great fun. My camera wasn't working and King lost his charger so hopefully I'll be able to track down some photos from the other folks who were snapping away.
Saturday - Duty ... 'nuff said.
Sunday - Chores day was interrupted by a request for volunteers to go sailing. Naturally I jumped at the chance. A group of Navy retirees have a sailboat they race in local competitions, and they happily recruit extra crew from Great Lakes. Never 'raced' a sailboat before (more plotting and wind planning than when just cruising), and the wind was much lighter than expected but still fun.
After hanging out at the free festival and discovering there's a ton of stuff like that, it reminded me of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. So now I have a new 'plan' for my liberty weekends. To see all the sites they hit in the movie, and most of them are free/cheap ('cept Cubs games but Military can get discount tickets).
Time for bed.
J
Friday - Headed down with King for the Chicago Blues festival. Went in working whites for the proper '20s experience (you know the old movies with the Sailors in the uniforms dancing), and it was great fun. My camera wasn't working and King lost his charger so hopefully I'll be able to track down some photos from the other folks who were snapping away.
Saturday - Duty ... 'nuff said.
Sunday - Chores day was interrupted by a request for volunteers to go sailing. Naturally I jumped at the chance. A group of Navy retirees have a sailboat they race in local competitions, and they happily recruit extra crew from Great Lakes. Never 'raced' a sailboat before (more plotting and wind planning than when just cruising), and the wind was much lighter than expected but still fun.
After hanging out at the free festival and discovering there's a ton of stuff like that, it reminded me of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. So now I have a new 'plan' for my liberty weekends. To see all the sites they hit in the movie, and most of them are free/cheap ('cept Cubs games but Military can get discount tickets).
Time for bed.
J
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Wednesday ...
Better than yesterday. Had sweepers this morning, a little more rough than usual since having everyone clean makes lots of stuff dirty. Blazed through some more MODs in ATT (11+ days ahead of schedule, which is more than the 15% to get my PDA). Academics today was canceled due to a blood drive being held in the ship. Just need to iron a uniform for tomorrow and re-polish my boots (got destroyed Tuesday). One thing learned from yesterday ... coveralls are comfy!
Tuesday ...
.... LAME. Started off well, moved into the 'digital circuits' part of the ATT curriculum. Digital was always easier to begin with and I also remembered more of it, so I was able to do well on the section Pre-Test. Then there was post-ATT PT ... in the rain. Not bad, this is the NAVY afterall and it's just water ... but still push-ups in the rain isn't my idea of "fun".
But then it got REALLY silly. Since it was a Duty day our section decided to have everyone strip and re-wax our floors. Sure no problem ... oh wait, big problem ... there's not enough of ANYTHING for everyone on one deck to strip and wax their floors all at the same time. The student staff for our duty section also didn't think any sort of detailed planning was necessary ... just put the stuff out there and people will get it done. Thus I ended up spending 5 hours trying to provide some method to the madness. Getting people to share equipment (swabs, strainers, etc.), rationing chemicals (pure striper melts plastic gloves), and then cleaning up all the equipment when people were done. NOT fun. I didn't help my roomates get our room done, and they spent a few hours helping me get equipment clean. I'll be writing up a "how to" so we don't have to go through that again ... I'll also be striping and waxing my floor on Saturday (our next duty day).
Better than yesterday. Had sweepers this morning, a little more rough than usual since having everyone clean makes lots of stuff dirty. Blazed through some more MODs in ATT (11+ days ahead of schedule, which is more than the 15% to get my PDA). Academics today was canceled due to a blood drive being held in the ship. Just need to iron a uniform for tomorrow and re-polish my boots (got destroyed Tuesday). One thing learned from yesterday ... coveralls are comfy!
Tuesday ...
.... LAME. Started off well, moved into the 'digital circuits' part of the ATT curriculum. Digital was always easier to begin with and I also remembered more of it, so I was able to do well on the section Pre-Test. Then there was post-ATT PT ... in the rain. Not bad, this is the NAVY afterall and it's just water ... but still push-ups in the rain isn't my idea of "fun".
But then it got REALLY silly. Since it was a Duty day our section decided to have everyone strip and re-wax our floors. Sure no problem ... oh wait, big problem ... there's not enough of ANYTHING for everyone on one deck to strip and wax their floors all at the same time. The student staff for our duty section also didn't think any sort of detailed planning was necessary ... just put the stuff out there and people will get it done. Thus I ended up spending 5 hours trying to provide some method to the madness. Getting people to share equipment (swabs, strainers, etc.), rationing chemicals (pure striper melts plastic gloves), and then cleaning up all the equipment when people were done. NOT fun. I didn't help my roomates get our room done, and they spent a few hours helping me get equipment clean. I'll be writing up a "how to" so we don't have to go through that again ... I'll also be striping and waxing my floor on Saturday (our next duty day).
Monday, June 04, 2007
Mondays ....
... are usually blah. Our class was divided in two today, not really sure why. We like our new instructor much better, and I'm class leader again. Pouring rain complete with lightning, just after a gorgeous weekend weather wise. Plus we had Heritage today. Usually a bore, today wasn't bad. A History channel-esque movie on the "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors", covering one of the battles at Leyte Gulf (Phillipines) during WWII. Essentially the Japanese pulled a bait and switch to lure the main fleet away from the forces on the beach. The main fleet bought it hook, line and sinker ... leaving escort carriers (VERY small carriers by comparison) and their Destroyer escorts to face the main striking force of the Japanese complete with line of battle Battleships, Cruisers, etc. The Destroyers and Aircrews fought tooth and nail and were able to rout the Japanese. By far the most interesting presentation as it dealt a little more with tactics and whatnot, instead of dry procedures.
Blues Festival in Downtown Chicago this weekend.
Oh and read this, it's long but worth it.
... are usually blah. Our class was divided in two today, not really sure why. We like our new instructor much better, and I'm class leader again. Pouring rain complete with lightning, just after a gorgeous weekend weather wise. Plus we had Heritage today. Usually a bore, today wasn't bad. A History channel-esque movie on the "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors", covering one of the battles at Leyte Gulf (Phillipines) during WWII. Essentially the Japanese pulled a bait and switch to lure the main fleet away from the forces on the beach. The main fleet bought it hook, line and sinker ... leaving escort carriers (VERY small carriers by comparison) and their Destroyer escorts to face the main striking force of the Japanese complete with line of battle Battleships, Cruisers, etc. The Destroyers and Aircrews fought tooth and nail and were able to rout the Japanese. By far the most interesting presentation as it dealt a little more with tactics and whatnot, instead of dry procedures.
Blues Festival in Downtown Chicago this weekend.
Oh and read this, it's long but worth it.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Long Day ....
New Navy Phrase of the Day (which Jeremy will continue to use when he gets home): "Bag of Ass" = SUB-par performance on either activity (march-out looked like a bag of ass!) or general appearence (You look like a bag of ass, did you iron that shirt with a rock?), see also "Hot [pile of] Garbage".
Friday's are usually good days. We get out an hour early from ATT (school), no mandatory PT, no Academics or Sports or Heritage. This of course assumses that people don't send their brains on liberty before the day is through. The rearmost quarter of our ~100 person return march to the ship (dorm / barracks) decided that since it was friday they didn't have to put any effort into marching. Which really sucked when GM1 drove past in his car and observed the slovenly section, his reaction featured today's Navy Phrase of the Day early often and loudly. As a result we took a marching tour of the base for an hour under the supervision of FC2 (who is the resident perfectionist). It was a nice day weather wise, as a Californian I can phrase it as excellent beach weather ... which makes for a damn hot day marching in wool socks, wool pants, a cotton long sleeve shirt, and a ball-cap. To cap the night off, it's a Duty day for our section. As a newly appointed Workcenter Supervisor I'm responsible for organizing the 'sweepers' (top to bottom cleaning) of one deck (complete with cleaning supply locker, small lounge, and laundry room); all in all not to bad, just some grumbling about how the last guy was much more lax.
On a lighter note the newer "PC" Navy policies are bearing fruit. Talked with a friend over dinner, she's on 'hold' waiting to leave for her next school. A group of hold's from her ship went out to help a local Junior High class with a Civil War Day event. The Navy folks were duly cautioned about presenting a good appearence / example, etc. As it turns out the average 13 year old now curses WORSE than a Sailor. I may be able to help defend our fame as drinkers this weekend if I get down to Chicago, luckily I don't think many 13 year olds will be allowed to compete.
Well my boots need polishing (stupid mud).
New Navy Phrase of the Day (which Jeremy will continue to use when he gets home): "Bag of Ass" = SUB-par performance on either activity (march-out looked like a bag of ass!) or general appearence (You look like a bag of ass, did you iron that shirt with a rock?), see also "Hot [pile of] Garbage".
Friday's are usually good days. We get out an hour early from ATT (school), no mandatory PT, no Academics or Sports or Heritage. This of course assumses that people don't send their brains on liberty before the day is through. The rearmost quarter of our ~100 person return march to the ship (dorm / barracks) decided that since it was friday they didn't have to put any effort into marching. Which really sucked when GM1 drove past in his car and observed the slovenly section, his reaction featured today's Navy Phrase of the Day early often and loudly. As a result we took a marching tour of the base for an hour under the supervision of FC2 (who is the resident perfectionist). It was a nice day weather wise, as a Californian I can phrase it as excellent beach weather ... which makes for a damn hot day marching in wool socks, wool pants, a cotton long sleeve shirt, and a ball-cap. To cap the night off, it's a Duty day for our section. As a newly appointed Workcenter Supervisor I'm responsible for organizing the 'sweepers' (top to bottom cleaning) of one deck (complete with cleaning supply locker, small lounge, and laundry room); all in all not to bad, just some grumbling about how the last guy was much more lax.
On a lighter note the newer "PC" Navy policies are bearing fruit. Talked with a friend over dinner, she's on 'hold' waiting to leave for her next school. A group of hold's from her ship went out to help a local Junior High class with a Civil War Day event. The Navy folks were duly cautioned about presenting a good appearence / example, etc. As it turns out the average 13 year old now curses WORSE than a Sailor. I may be able to help defend our fame as drinkers this weekend if I get down to Chicago, luckily I don't think many 13 year olds will be allowed to compete.
Well my boots need polishing (stupid mud).
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