Sunday June 01, 2008

My Life Inside Two Seabags and a Backpack.

...For the time being at least. Training concluded early May and I took about ten days leave back to Santa Maria to hang out with the folks, my brother, and the dog. Yet again, there just wasn't enough time and timing itself restricted me from seeing some faces that I was eager to catch up with but there's always next time. Drove back to San Diego to check into Naval Base San Diego (you know, the real Navy) and got a room with TPU (Transient Personnel Unit). This is where the Sailors separating or in limbo are assigned to before they get flown to their ships (such as my case) or report to their ships once they pull into the pier.

Didn't really have much trouble figuring out my needs and wants when it came to packing (I had acquired about a year and half of "stuff" from staying at the training base) but I've pretty much narrowed it down to literally, two seabags and a backpack. As some of you may not know, the FNG bachelor Sailor will be required to live aboard their ship for the first couple months. When space is available and the command permits it, they will then be able to move into a barracks on base.

I had no choice but to drive my truck back to Santa Maria because all the on-base vehicle storage was taken (the Reagan Battlegroup recently deployed a couple days before I checked in). Plus when it costs me the price of a new Xbox 360 title to fill it up, I figured this was a positive move. So I traded in my four wheels for two - haven't rode a bike since college! This transition to a lightweight lifestyle is going to be interesting.

Eight days until I hop on a commercial plane and fly out to Panama City. I am stoked. A little nervous about the whole real Navy thing but excited at the same time. And to see South America and its many offerings. Hooyah.

Sunday February 10, 2008

Fun-filled Weekend

Let's see, I'll start off by saying I did some hardcore studying at my Starbucks of my choosing. Then I got back to base to find the big television in our lounge was commandeered by some Rock Banders who were missing vocals. I lent my help and a few minutes later I came back with my Mic of Powah. I rocked out with the other members of STG (Second to God) as we made our global tour, picking up more fans and unlocking new songs. This started around 8:30 in the evening and easily went past midnight...

...Which is around the time the drunks come back on base. There was one guy in particular who's had guitar and singing background (as a hobby) and he drunkenly challenges me to a sing-off with $10 at stake. Song of choice was "In Bloom" by Nirvana. I insist he goes first and fails three times before the song finishes. I then channeled my Filipino Karaoke skillz and did honor to Cobain, completing the song with no failures. Easy money. As I dust off my shoulders, he wants double or nothing - I accepted, only with the agreement that I choose the next song.

Battle #2: "Creep" by Radiohead. He goes first and completes the song with a modest 83%. I then held my Mic of Powah to the sky, both channeling Thom Yorke and the Karaoke God to aid me to complete the song with a 97%. Moral of the story, yeah it felt bad "taking advantage" of a drunk shipmate, but when you're dumb enough to bet 20 bones on a sing-off it's your loss! Woo, coffee money for me.

Just as I was making my way back, I noticed two drunken silhouettes trying to make their way back to the barracks. I guess all the studying of initiation, dedication, accountability, and shipmates clicked as I found myself walking towards the two - who were approached by an on-duty watch stander! Now, this guy on watch isn't quite the brightest of us STGs, nor can his judgment call be trusted. Being the higher rank of the sober, I decided to take the two happy sailors and aid their way back to their rooms safely - with no unnecessary trouble (I knew this watch stander would take any chance he found to bust somebody, just for the sake of it).

I later found some two guys beyond the gate talking quite loudly (it was obvious they were inebriated as well). Feeling I could help them out and get them back to their rooms with no trouble, I approached them off base only to find out they were Marines from Camp Pendelton. The two Marines had bloody cuts on their faces and one was even missing a shoe. It was obvious they got involved in some drunken fisticuffs. I said I can try to help them hail a cab, "One team, one fight," I mentioned to one of them as I explained I'm just from the base over yonder. "Heh, yeah.. If you say so," retorted a Marine. Now, I understand they go through boot with buckets full of esprit de corps, but let's look at the bigger picture here. Anyway, I later then become helpless after the same Marine decides to hail a patrolling police car! The lady officer comes out and notices their bloody faces, and I'm just standing there in my sweats with a somewhat cool, but dumbfounded look. I'm thinking, "Well, shit" as she insists I sit down on the curb alongside the two Marines. After her backup arrives, she questions me briefly and my etiquette training kicks in. Yes, ma'am. No, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am. I speed walk back to base. Moral of the story, it's probably not worth helping out a couple drunk Marines. Shipmates by definition? No way.

Having only slept for about 4 hours (Rock Band marathon), I woke up to ready myself to head downtown where I coincidently discovered a peaceful protest by members of Anonymous against the Church of Scientology and their headquarters downtown SD. It was sorta cool to see that many people meet up for one cause. Of course, being a service member I am not allowed to directly participate in any protest of whatever kind (even the preservation of our Constitution kind). I did manage to photograph the event from a distance.

20 bucks richer, a lesson on charity and Marines, and some killer photos. All the while, feeling more prepared for next month's advancement exam. Fun-filled weekend.

Tuesday February 05, 2008

On Advancement

Petty Officer 2nd class advancement exams are just around the corner and as I start buckling down, I can't help but think and remind myself about one of the reasons I chose this occupation. In my previous adventures of employment, there'd be opportunities or chance of advancement based upon (if not strictly, to an affecting degree) who you knew or your popularity amongst a group (maybe the group of people that will have some say on determining your advancement). To no surprise, the military offers some kind of structure or criteria in which a person is judged against. And for someone who enjoys the dialogues that subjectivity can offer as a budding photographer and all-around artist, I actually find this... intriguing.

My experience in college (and in particular the arts community) meant that if you wanted those extra shows outside of what was required for class, you had to be buddy-buddy with a prof or the "hook-ups." It was ultimately this only way you'd get your point across, having your work stand out and be heard beyond the general student populous and their assigned work. My work didn't really interest the people I lived with at the time and so that proved to be an unforgiving environment to live in, ultimately affecting my work overall. If it was the other way around, word of mouth could've possibly paved its way to further opportunities to get my work out - but even then, this is a form of that buddy-networking.

Here, it's strictly based on performance: how well you know your damn job and how well you can do it. I like that. There's nothing more satisfying than being accepted for the extra detail (that same detail my RDCs drilled into my head) or that extra effort that separates you from the next guy in rank. Making rank means making more money and at a time when I really need to exercise or develop some kind of financial strength, advancement can mean a lot at this point. I'm not saying there's no buddy-networking happening (hey, if you know someone in the office, you could possibly get hooked up a job instead of rakin' leaves with the E-1s - but that still is based upon performance and what you can offer on the table), but when it comes down to it, it's whether you know your chops. Unlike my prior jobs, having dated my department supervisor or sharing the same interests that involve red dixie cups full with the cheapest beer alongside my co-workers will not determine whether or not I make rank. To a degree, that's why I prefer wearing the uniform because the rank on your left sleeve (or collars) or the candy on your chest act just like a resume, a curriculum vitae that demonstrates what you've gone through, what you know, also providing inspiration and motivation to your subordinates.

Monday January 14, 2008

FFG 41, USS McClusky

Rumors of orders coming down the pipe since last week when we got back from holiday stand down has kept our class anxious. Finally, a blanket of relief of knowing where we'll be in the next coming years as well as a change of pace arrives for the eight of us frigate sailors...

I was ranked number 1 so I had first choice of where I'll spend the next coming years. :) Out of Mayport, FL; Everett, WA; Pearl Harbor, HI; and San Diego, CA I decided to stay here (but relocate to a real Naval base, not this training command business)!

My ship will be the FFG 41 USS McClusky, part of the Commander, Destroyer Squad 1 (CDS 1) here in San Diego. It feels so good to finally know where I'll be stationed at and which ship! Just looking through their website, the Fightin' 41 has participated in crack-pacs (counter drug ops) aside from the usual deployments. Having its keel laid in '81 the ship is older than me! :) Since my home port is here, looks like I'll have to drive to the base and arrange a quick tour aboard the McClusky. One step closer to the Fleet.

Thursday November 01, 2007

Happy 1 Year Anniversary, Division 905.

And five more years left. They weren't kidding when I signed my contract promising two extra years of training. Give myself another six more months if all goes well, and maybe just maybe I'll finally report to my ship! Oh to be a technician... Actually, classes have started three weeks early for me, finishing up auxiliary systems (three 1 week long classes) then it's AN/SQS-56 maintenance. At this point, unless I get pulled from this training pipeline it looks like my fate is sealed to be aboard a frigate. I've heard sea stories of the water being so bad, you could almost walk on the bulkheads! Talking more and more to frigate sailors, I'm getting the idea that shipboard life is going to suck. But hey, you're out there to do a job and quite honestly being a tech doesn't seem that bad (definitely beats being undesignated - no paint chippin' for me!).

Still stuck on a training command (but it is San Diego so I can't complain too much). Milestones during my first year in the Navy would possibly be getting rated and then putting on 3rd class and my last month in Chicago. Something I looked forward to around this time is switching back to blues, the MGIB stops collection from my rediculous government income meaning I'll be $100 richer a month from now on. Oh yeah, and my annual clothing allowance to pay for all those dry cleans and alterations. More money is always a good thing. I like to think of it as an early Christmas bonus which I'm pretty sure we won't be getting. ;) Going out with a couple of buddies from my boot division (at least the ones that remain here on base as fellow sonar techs) for a beer or two for celebration's sake. Can't get too drunk tonight, tomorrow morning I have "graduation" for my final week long class. :P