Being that group has been stopped for the Month of August, I figured I could fill you in on my life this week as I went about my on the job training with the Navy. I will do my best not to make it incredibly lame! =)
Monday: I leave at 7 am thinking that will be enough time to get me to NAVSTA Norfolk in time, I was wrong! There was a line a mile away from base, and I was thinking, "Oh shoot. This is definitely not the best first impression!!" So I called, hoping that I do not get completely blasted by my new superiors. I showed up 20 minutes late, and I found that I was the first person there after all!! Worked out quite nice. I was disappointed to find out that my buddy from ODS was not there, but thats okay. I ended up meeting five other Ohioans. It was interesting because it was a computer lab setting and talked while we waited. The most interesting stories were the ones about people's Iraq experiences.
We took a tour of the base, went and ate at the officers club (where I ate the equivalent of two meals), and then took a tour of a destroyer. I won't give many details, mainly because the ships all blur together after a while!
Tuesday: Paperwork!!! AHHHHHHHH! It was rather painless though, but it felt like they were feeling out what they needed from us. That happens ALOT. This is when I found out that I was promoted two months ago and NO ONE TOLD ME! Ridiculous! Its okay though, I just updated my uniforms in the uniform shop. Good thing it was not that high of maintenance.
What was neat was running into a two star admiral (for those that are not familiar, a very important person) who went out of his way to talk with me. I used to work with Admirals, so I am not intimidated. He asked a lot of questions in the two minutes we were talking in the Uniform shop. Then I walked back and casually said, "I just met a two-star, and we talked!" like it was an every day occurrence.
After that, we ambushed the Chaplain Candidate Office. I felt like we stalked them, which we sort of did, but it was fun. I just felt bad since the other group of Chaplain Candidates did the same thing! Thats why I just walked away and made a new friend instead. We had to be on our P's and Q's because the command that the office was in houses a four star admiral (top admiral), so we had to be careful. It worked out okay though.
After lunch, we went on a Frigate. The CO, who was a friendly man of Dutch descent, took us around and was very helpful and interesting. He knew little details about all of his crew members, and even remembered stuff about us. As he was explaining something to us on the outside of the ship, and I felt something land on my arm. I try brushing it off, and feel that it was a hornet. Next thing I felt was a sharp pain! So I forced it off of my arm, and it hurt quite a bit but I kept my mouth shut! It worked out okay, though I am sure that my pictures all have a strange red mark on arm. The chaplains were so proud of me that I took it with minimal reaction =)
Wednesday: We ended up listening to different stories from the chaplains. One Chaplain, who just got in from deployment, was telling us how he deals with sailors. It was interesting listening to his sea stories, and I can not believe some of the things that happen... they are crazy! So I definitely got a strong dose of reality in reference to what the Chaplaincy is like.
We got to check out the Little Creek base, and go on a small patrol boat. The Commanding Officer looked younger than me, and was really friendly. While over in Little Creek, we also checked out Ft. Story. We spent soooo much time driving! When we got back to base, we went on a Cruiser. Not the biggest ship either, but they were really interesting. The command center looks like something straight out of Star Wars, and the capabilities on that ship are amazing.
Thursday: This was a bizarre day. It started out with a massive theology debate between the baptists, and from there the Presbyterian got pulled into it. It seems that everyone is either baptist, seventh day adventist or presbyterians. I like being a fly on the wall for these conversations, because I get to hear view points. I generally don't engage in them, but they are hilarious since you can tell that they are SO into what they are talking about.
One of my fellow candidates disappeared, and we left him behind when we went on a destroyer to meet with an injured sailor. That was a fun experience, and we got to talk with a few lay leaders on the ship.
When we got back, the Chaplain and I went to eat, and we were the only two to go. We bumped into the CCPO coordinator, and he ate lunch with us. I find that he is a really fun guy to talk with, and that he definitely has a difficult job. But it was nice because I could have conversations and not worry about getting talked over.
I got called out a total of two times today! Supposedly, according to one of the Candidates, something about the way I stand is not very militant! I did not get what he said, but eh, oh well. Then I got called out by a Chaplain for having my hat too low. The good thing is that my Chaplain pulled him aside and told him to be more diplomatic about correcting people. The rest of the day he was friendlier than normal to me, I don't know why =)
We went on an amphib today, which are the ships that deploy Marines from the coast. They are large, but they have amazing gyms! Thats what matters to me =)
I found out that I had a dinner that night, and I ended up getting home at 930ish, Not the best for doing homework! But it was a free dinner at Grate Steak, so I can not complain! I met a very encouraging Chaplain Candidate (from OH as well!), and it was great talking with him. Plus, it was just nice to see everyone away from the military scene.
Friday (today)- My chaplain was not here most of the day, but we tagged along with a Captain. We got onto the George Bush, and saw what a newer Aircraft Carrier looks like. The Chapel is AMAZING! So pretty. But it was a pretty impressive ship. We ate in the Officers Mess, and they bought our lunch for us. It was really nice. Plus I bumped into my former Medical Officer from my last command. He remembered me, and it was great talking with him! He was a very inspiring guy, really smart and quietly funny yet humble. He got me an appointment with the best doctors when I needed help a few years back.
So after that, we were done... but the Captain we were with pulled some strings and got us on board a submarine. It was cool, but I was really tired at that point! Those are sooooo tight!
I talked with our Canadian Chaplain today, and found some very random things out. The most impressive was that he said that they eat six meals a day in the Canadian Navy! I did not think that was possible!! Apparently, it is.
So as we were leaving the sub, my two fellow candidates told me that the schedule is up in the air for next week. I have no idea what will happen next, it is sort of annoying because I would like to know. So sit tight, and I will tell you more when I get back next week!
