Formal Reception Night
Formal Picture
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Countdown is On!
Every morning, we have had a countdown of the days remaining here at ODS. This morning, it was 3 days and a wake-up. Even at 0400, the day is considered done, so we counted Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The wake-up is Friday since we wake-up, eat for the last time at the galley, and get in our full dress blues for graduation. We are looking forward to it.
Today, we started with our final weigh in. From when I got here until now, I have gained something like 4.2 lbs. Go figure! Then we walked in the "wonderfully" cold weather down to gym 302, which is about 3/4 of a mile away. We have a yellow flag today, so we did not march. The yellow flag means that we are below 25 degrees, not including the ~20 mph winds. Once there, we did our last official PT for the course; our final PFA (Physical Fitness Assessment). I scored higher than I had in the previous two and moved up to the next level on the PFA chart. Yay! I did have one little mishap on my 19th lap in the gym...someone cut right in front of me and it tripped and hit the deck. I was up in about 3-5 seconds and when the instructors asked if I was ok, all I could say is that I bruised my pride. Still, I shaved about 5 seconds or so off my last time even with the fall. Now my right wrist is hurting quite a bit, but as long as we don't have to do push-ups, it will feel better soon. After that, it was chow time. Oh, one quick little bonus...since we are done with the PFA and weigh in, now we are authorized to eat deserts and talk during meals. Since we had over 3 1/2 hours until the next evolution (our next agenda item), we took our time at breakfast and enjoyed 20 mins or so to eat rather than the standard 15. It was so nice!
We went back to the house (our rooms) and changed into our khakis...and then back to PT gear since half of our group was headed to the pool for abandon ship/night swim training. We had to jump off the 10' platform (in the mostly dark), then swim together in a group for 200 yards (8 laps). At each end, we took a head count and then would keep swimming. Basically, if a ship goes down, you have 13 minutes to get 200 yards from the ship; otherwise, when it goes down, the vaccume will pull you down too. We made it and didn't loose anyone. During this time, the staff folks were splashing water in our face, a strobe light was simulating lightning, and there were noises of a ship breaking up. Our group linked arms and kept singing, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming swimming swimming." We all got a good laugh. After that, we climbed into a life raft and discussed how to survive in it for several days. It was great.
Other than that, this week will be full of drill practice for graduation. We were supposed to head to gym 302 for an hour, but it was occupied, so we only spent about 20-30 mins in our p-way on drill. Tomorrow and pretty much the rest of the week we will have 3.5 hours of drill each day. That's 3.5 hours of standing at attention or parade rest in very uncomfortable shoes. No biggie though. On Wednesday night, we have the company dinner, the roast on Thursday morning, and the reception on Thrusday night. Then 0845 and we will be at parade rest in the gym watching everyone come in for graduation. 0900 graduation begins, and at approximately 1000, we will give our first official salute to the Sr. Chief, and we are free. Can't wait! I am so excited to see my wife and kids after 5 weeks!
The next ODS class started today. Last night, a few of us came in and helped with their initial weigh in and paperwork. We also answered a few questions, but were instructed not to give too much away. On that note, I have given way too much information on this blog! Oh well. :)
Well, I have to run. We had the BOC (Basic Officer Course) review this morning just before the abandon ship training and we have the FOC (Fleet Officer Course) review at 1430. Since it is in another building, we will be leaving in about 15 mins or so to walk down there. It is amazing how much walking we do and it seems like nothing now. Same with the stairs. We are not allowed to use elevators, and the stairs now are just a normal part of life. It is great. :)
Today, we started with our final weigh in. From when I got here until now, I have gained something like 4.2 lbs. Go figure! Then we walked in the "wonderfully" cold weather down to gym 302, which is about 3/4 of a mile away. We have a yellow flag today, so we did not march. The yellow flag means that we are below 25 degrees, not including the ~20 mph winds. Once there, we did our last official PT for the course; our final PFA (Physical Fitness Assessment). I scored higher than I had in the previous two and moved up to the next level on the PFA chart. Yay! I did have one little mishap on my 19th lap in the gym...someone cut right in front of me and it tripped and hit the deck. I was up in about 3-5 seconds and when the instructors asked if I was ok, all I could say is that I bruised my pride. Still, I shaved about 5 seconds or so off my last time even with the fall. Now my right wrist is hurting quite a bit, but as long as we don't have to do push-ups, it will feel better soon. After that, it was chow time. Oh, one quick little bonus...since we are done with the PFA and weigh in, now we are authorized to eat deserts and talk during meals. Since we had over 3 1/2 hours until the next evolution (our next agenda item), we took our time at breakfast and enjoyed 20 mins or so to eat rather than the standard 15. It was so nice!
We went back to the house (our rooms) and changed into our khakis...and then back to PT gear since half of our group was headed to the pool for abandon ship/night swim training. We had to jump off the 10' platform (in the mostly dark), then swim together in a group for 200 yards (8 laps). At each end, we took a head count and then would keep swimming. Basically, if a ship goes down, you have 13 minutes to get 200 yards from the ship; otherwise, when it goes down, the vaccume will pull you down too. We made it and didn't loose anyone. During this time, the staff folks were splashing water in our face, a strobe light was simulating lightning, and there were noises of a ship breaking up. Our group linked arms and kept singing, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming swimming swimming." We all got a good laugh. After that, we climbed into a life raft and discussed how to survive in it for several days. It was great.
Other than that, this week will be full of drill practice for graduation. We were supposed to head to gym 302 for an hour, but it was occupied, so we only spent about 20-30 mins in our p-way on drill. Tomorrow and pretty much the rest of the week we will have 3.5 hours of drill each day. That's 3.5 hours of standing at attention or parade rest in very uncomfortable shoes. No biggie though. On Wednesday night, we have the company dinner, the roast on Thursday morning, and the reception on Thrusday night. Then 0845 and we will be at parade rest in the gym watching everyone come in for graduation. 0900 graduation begins, and at approximately 1000, we will give our first official salute to the Sr. Chief, and we are free. Can't wait! I am so excited to see my wife and kids after 5 weeks!
The next ODS class started today. Last night, a few of us came in and helped with their initial weigh in and paperwork. We also answered a few questions, but were instructed not to give too much away. On that note, I have given way too much information on this blog! Oh well. :)
Well, I have to run. We had the BOC (Basic Officer Course) review this morning just before the abandon ship training and we have the FOC (Fleet Officer Course) review at 1430. Since it is in another building, we will be leaving in about 15 mins or so to walk down there. It is amazing how much walking we do and it seems like nothing now. Same with the stairs. We are not allowed to use elevators, and the stairs now are just a normal part of life. It is great. :)
Friday, January 29, 2010
USS Buttercup
Yesterday was a great day. Our wing went to visit and embark on the USS Buttercup. We started with a few briefs about the USS Buttercup, and then we embarked. Things were going great until we heard the call on the 1MC that we were being attacked. We were hit twice and our teams had to rush below deck to do damage control. My team was responsible for sealing the tare in one of the seams on the port side of the ship (left side). Others had to repair two pipe breaks, a hatch break in the deck (floor), and several other things. By the time we were finish with the DC (damage control), the water was about up to our shoulders.
Ok, for those of you who don't know, the USS Buttercup is the damage control training ship that is used to train and update training for those that are going into the fleet. Although not confirmed, the ship received the name because back when Captains were allowed a small pet on board, the Captain's dog detected a damaged area of the ship. Had "Buttercup" (the dog) not found that damaged area, it is very possible that the ship could have gone down. So, at every traning facility that has a damage control tranining area, the ship is always named the USS Buttercup. Whether this is a true story or not, no one really knows; but one thing you learn in the Navy is that traditions are extremely important.
Back to the USS Buttercup, my team put together an "H" brace. Essentially, we took a rubber mat (like a yoga mat) and placed it against the breach. Then we took a piece of ply wood and placed it against that. Then by using several cut 4x4's and wedges, we locked that board in place. The fist attempt, we left about 6" of the breach open. We got in on the second attempt though. The instructors managed to take and hide our maul's, so we had to do a little searching there. They ended up topside in the equipment locker. Word to the wise, never let your tools leave you hands.
Today we will have fire fighter training. Should be interesting. We will put out a grease fire as well as a large (contolled) fire. We will put on full fire gear, charge the hoses, and get the fire out. Wing 4 in the house (dorm rooms) did the fire fighting yesterday and will head to Buttercup today. I feel bad for them though...we will be bused to fire fighting (just as they were yesterday), and they will be walking to Buttercup...yesterday it was in the 30's and snowing for us. Today is -1 with the wind chill. Poor them!
In other news, this is the last weekend here at ODS. From the sounds of it, we will be on off-base liberty this weekend with the possibility of wearing civies (civilian clothing). Everyone is looking forward to it. I'm headed to sushi tonight with a few people, then I think I will just stay on base the rest of the weekend. Maybe get a few laps in at the pool and a nice workout at the gym. If I go anywhere, I have to take a cab ($$$$$), and if I stay anywhere, what fun would that be without my beautiful wife and kids? There are a few that are headed to Boston and Connecticut for the weekend (we are allowed a 50 mile radius). Other than that, next week begins week 5 - the last week of ODS. The fun part will be that a new ODS class will begin on Monday, so they will be taking a little more of Sr. Chief's loving attention...LOL! I'm sure we'll hear them on Tuesday around 0345 when they are abruptly awaken for lots of PT and the meeting of their new Sr. Chief.
Next week we have a few enjoyable events. After we do our last PFA on Monday, the rest of the week looks pretty good. Wednesday will be our company night out. We are renting the Liberty Center and will have pizza, sundays and a movie. Thursday, we get to roast the staff (Sr. Chief and our Class Officer). Thursday night, I get to have a great date with my wife at the reception. I am looking forward to it. Then on Friday, 0900 is graduation! As the saying goes here, only 6 days and a wake up!
Alright, I better head out. God bless you all!
Ok, for those of you who don't know, the USS Buttercup is the damage control training ship that is used to train and update training for those that are going into the fleet. Although not confirmed, the ship received the name because back when Captains were allowed a small pet on board, the Captain's dog detected a damaged area of the ship. Had "Buttercup" (the dog) not found that damaged area, it is very possible that the ship could have gone down. So, at every traning facility that has a damage control tranining area, the ship is always named the USS Buttercup. Whether this is a true story or not, no one really knows; but one thing you learn in the Navy is that traditions are extremely important.
Back to the USS Buttercup, my team put together an "H" brace. Essentially, we took a rubber mat (like a yoga mat) and placed it against the breach. Then we took a piece of ply wood and placed it against that. Then by using several cut 4x4's and wedges, we locked that board in place. The fist attempt, we left about 6" of the breach open. We got in on the second attempt though. The instructors managed to take and hide our maul's, so we had to do a little searching there. They ended up topside in the equipment locker. Word to the wise, never let your tools leave you hands.
Today we will have fire fighter training. Should be interesting. We will put out a grease fire as well as a large (contolled) fire. We will put on full fire gear, charge the hoses, and get the fire out. Wing 4 in the house (dorm rooms) did the fire fighting yesterday and will head to Buttercup today. I feel bad for them though...we will be bused to fire fighting (just as they were yesterday), and they will be walking to Buttercup...yesterday it was in the 30's and snowing for us. Today is -1 with the wind chill. Poor them!
In other news, this is the last weekend here at ODS. From the sounds of it, we will be on off-base liberty this weekend with the possibility of wearing civies (civilian clothing). Everyone is looking forward to it. I'm headed to sushi tonight with a few people, then I think I will just stay on base the rest of the weekend. Maybe get a few laps in at the pool and a nice workout at the gym. If I go anywhere, I have to take a cab ($$$$$), and if I stay anywhere, what fun would that be without my beautiful wife and kids? There are a few that are headed to Boston and Connecticut for the weekend (we are allowed a 50 mile radius). Other than that, next week begins week 5 - the last week of ODS. The fun part will be that a new ODS class will begin on Monday, so they will be taking a little more of Sr. Chief's loving attention...LOL! I'm sure we'll hear them on Tuesday around 0345 when they are abruptly awaken for lots of PT and the meeting of their new Sr. Chief.
Next week we have a few enjoyable events. After we do our last PFA on Monday, the rest of the week looks pretty good. Wednesday will be our company night out. We are renting the Liberty Center and will have pizza, sundays and a movie. Thursday, we get to roast the staff (Sr. Chief and our Class Officer). Thursday night, I get to have a great date with my wife at the reception. I am looking forward to it. Then on Friday, 0900 is graduation! As the saying goes here, only 6 days and a wake up!
Alright, I better head out. God bless you all!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
DOLC and Week 4!
We made it to week 4! Wahoo!!! This week has been very different from previous weeks. Since we have taken our exams, we have moved out of BOC (Basic Officer Course) and FOC (Fleet Officer Course) training and have moved to DOLC (Division Officer Leadership Course). Very different atmosphere. First, we are allowed to have coffee and snacks. I don't drink coffee, but the rest of the class sure does. For 63 of us, I think they went through 2 boxes from Dunkin' Doughnuts and about 20 pots of coffee yesterday. We also were allowed to eat the cookies that someone's aunt sent last week. 10-1 gallon bags of cookies made it just past lunch... The training itself is also very different. We are in table groups and the training is interactive and setup to stimiulate conversation. For example, one of the senarios that one group had to deal with yesterday as we discussed mid-year and annual counseling sessions (reviews) was the character being reviewed was having inappropriate relations with an officer (the character was enlisted). The person in the role of the DIVO (Division Officer) had to deal with this, then as a class, we discussed it. Very interesting. Other groups dealt with suicide, co-worker inappropriate relations, etc. Great conversations.
Ok, I've got to jump back a couple of days. Monday was very cold and wet here. We were in the 30's with a nasty wind (approx. 30-40 knot winds - 35-45 mph winds). So, as we marched everywhere, we spend most of the day in very wet pants. Just about the time they dried out, we were on the move again. No worries though. :) We also learned that we were going to be given evening liberty from the end of business to 2000. That means no galley food...unless you really wanted it! The galley food has made everyone very gassy...future ODSers, bring some gasx - your shipmates will appreciate it!
We have to muster in a few minutes to get today rolling for DOLC, but just to give an idea of what today entails as a week 4 day:
0345 - wake-up
0445 - march to gym 302
0500 - PT (and it wasn't all that bad)
0615 - chow
0800 - DOLC (leadership course)
1015 - tour the Arleigh Burke destroyer
1130 - chow
1300 - DOLC
1600 - liberty
2000 - evening muster
Fun day today. :) PT wasn't too bad either. PT this morning was the draw the card and do the 4-count exercise (a heart card had us doing the number on the card of 4-count push-ups...so 6 of hearts is 6 push-ups going down-up-down-up=1) Not too bad. :) Either we're getting stronger or we just make it fun enough that we don't care.
Real quickly, please be in prayer for one of our shipmates here. He found out that his wife is pregnant the first week he was here and this will be their first child. She had previously had a miscarriage, so please be in prayer for them.
Ok, gotta run. God bless everyone and have a wonderful day!
Ok, I've got to jump back a couple of days. Monday was very cold and wet here. We were in the 30's with a nasty wind (approx. 30-40 knot winds - 35-45 mph winds). So, as we marched everywhere, we spend most of the day in very wet pants. Just about the time they dried out, we were on the move again. No worries though. :) We also learned that we were going to be given evening liberty from the end of business to 2000. That means no galley food...unless you really wanted it! The galley food has made everyone very gassy...future ODSers, bring some gasx - your shipmates will appreciate it!
We have to muster in a few minutes to get today rolling for DOLC, but just to give an idea of what today entails as a week 4 day:
0345 - wake-up
0445 - march to gym 302
0500 - PT (and it wasn't all that bad)
0615 - chow
0800 - DOLC (leadership course)
1015 - tour the Arleigh Burke destroyer
1130 - chow
1300 - DOLC
1600 - liberty
2000 - evening muster
Fun day today. :) PT wasn't too bad either. PT this morning was the draw the card and do the 4-count exercise (a heart card had us doing the number on the card of 4-count push-ups...so 6 of hearts is 6 push-ups going down-up-down-up=1) Not too bad. :) Either we're getting stronger or we just make it fun enough that we don't care.
Real quickly, please be in prayer for one of our shipmates here. He found out that his wife is pregnant the first week he was here and this will be their first child. She had previously had a miscarriage, so please be in prayer for them.
Ok, gotta run. God bless everyone and have a wonderful day!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A few pictures...
The view from my room
My room. I'm on the port side (left)
Kind of a mess...my sea bag is still on my desk from picking up uniforms
Day 1 UOD (Uniform of the Day)
Days 2-5 UOD and PT gear
Every day now UOD This was day one with Khakis...they look better now. LOL
Full Dress Blues just before pictures.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Ahh...Week 3 is just about done
I can finally write this with a sigh of relief. Today was test day...what I mean is that today we had our second PFA (Physical Fitness Assessment), our Basic Officer's Course and Fleet Officer's Course exams (final exams), and a service dress blues uniform inspection. The good news is, I passed all three. Thank you Sally, Isaiah, and Eliana for your prayers just before and during the test (I sent a quick email to them just before). I doubt that I'm in line for the academic award, but I passed both of the exams today with decent marks.
The PFA this morning was kind of funny. I improved all of my tested sections (push-ups, sit-ups, and the 1.5 mile run)...even managed to shave over 20 seconds off the run time. The funny part was that afterwards, it was so cold in the gym that everyone sounded like they were coughing up a lung. That cold air during a run doesn't do a body good. LOL
Plans for this weekend have yet to be formally announced, but our Class Officer (who is on staff here at OTCN and oversees our training) told us that we've been pretty good this week and that we will get off base liberty this weekend. We will have to be in service dress blues (that means ribbons but no medals) if we leave the base. Otherwise, the rest of the base is open to us. That includes the movie theater, bowling alley, and so on. Sadly, many of the folks here are excited to head to the bars in Newport. Alcohol has been authorized, and I really wish that it hadn't. You can imagine that none of the Chaplains will be headed that directions. I know, we are such duds...lol Someone did ask if we can have desert, and although alcohol has been authorized, desert has not been. Go figure. :) That kind of puts the kabosh on what a couple of the Chaplains and I were planning...chow here, then out for ice cream. Such is life. I did hear that there are some great sushi places to visit. Maybe we can get a group together to head there for lunch. Or maybe not...sushi is expensive.
I will say that this trip/training has most definitly stregthened my reliance on Christ. In the times when I thought that I had had enough (generally because I missed my family), I felt His presence picking me up and moving me forward. I have had the opportunity to spend more time in my Bible than I have in a while, and it has been wonderful getting deeper into the Word of God. Chapel services here are pretty light in that they do not go in depth into the Bible, but that's where personal study can take off. There are also studies here as well during the week.
We only have 2 weeks left, and you can tell. The team here (India Company) has moved into survival mode. One of the most common statements you will hear is that people are done and ready to move on. I'm one of those people... :)
The good thing is that next week will be our DLC training (leadership training); part of which is firefighting and sinking ship evacuation. We are looking forward to it! After that, it is week 5, and my family is coming to town on Wednesday of that week. I can't wait to see them!
Isaiah - if mom is reading this to you, I want you to know that a lot of the times that I thought something was hard, I just thought of you and you got me through.
In short - another week down...we survived! God bless everyone!
The PFA this morning was kind of funny. I improved all of my tested sections (push-ups, sit-ups, and the 1.5 mile run)...even managed to shave over 20 seconds off the run time. The funny part was that afterwards, it was so cold in the gym that everyone sounded like they were coughing up a lung. That cold air during a run doesn't do a body good. LOL
Plans for this weekend have yet to be formally announced, but our Class Officer (who is on staff here at OTCN and oversees our training) told us that we've been pretty good this week and that we will get off base liberty this weekend. We will have to be in service dress blues (that means ribbons but no medals) if we leave the base. Otherwise, the rest of the base is open to us. That includes the movie theater, bowling alley, and so on. Sadly, many of the folks here are excited to head to the bars in Newport. Alcohol has been authorized, and I really wish that it hadn't. You can imagine that none of the Chaplains will be headed that directions. I know, we are such duds...lol Someone did ask if we can have desert, and although alcohol has been authorized, desert has not been. Go figure. :) That kind of puts the kabosh on what a couple of the Chaplains and I were planning...chow here, then out for ice cream. Such is life. I did hear that there are some great sushi places to visit. Maybe we can get a group together to head there for lunch. Or maybe not...sushi is expensive.
I will say that this trip/training has most definitly stregthened my reliance on Christ. In the times when I thought that I had had enough (generally because I missed my family), I felt His presence picking me up and moving me forward. I have had the opportunity to spend more time in my Bible than I have in a while, and it has been wonderful getting deeper into the Word of God. Chapel services here are pretty light in that they do not go in depth into the Bible, but that's where personal study can take off. There are also studies here as well during the week.
We only have 2 weeks left, and you can tell. The team here (India Company) has moved into survival mode. One of the most common statements you will hear is that people are done and ready to move on. I'm one of those people... :)
The good thing is that next week will be our DLC training (leadership training); part of which is firefighting and sinking ship evacuation. We are looking forward to it! After that, it is week 5, and my family is coming to town on Wednesday of that week. I can't wait to see them!
Isaiah - if mom is reading this to you, I want you to know that a lot of the times that I thought something was hard, I just thought of you and you got me through.
In short - another week down...we survived! God bless everyone!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Almost the End of Week 3
We're over the hump of the training! Finally! This week has been different, but not too bad. Well, except for PT yesterday. Sr. Chief really nailed us. Run until he says stop, drop down and do the excercise he calls until he says stop (like 2-4 mins of push-ups, sit-ups, flutter kicks, etc.), then get up and run again. There were no breaks between sets either. Yikes! We are all pretty sore today. Not a good thing since tomorrow is our PFA (Physical Fitness Assessment), but we aren't as sore as when we did our first PFA. The Chiefs wanted to show us who was boss then and dropped us to the deck (floor) for a hard workout. The former Marines had said that was harder than anything they did back at Marine boot camp. Glad that was in week one!
Today was a day full of classes. From 0800 - 1630, we were in class. During this time, Sr. Chief did a room inspection. I was so happy to see that we only had 2 discrepencies - one for each of us in the room. We are to make our beds with 6" of sheet folded down from the top and that is to be folded down at the 6" line. Mine was about 1/4" off as was my room mate. No biggie though, we passed!
This weekend is supposed to be our first off base liberty weekend. We are all looking forward to it. We will have to be in service dress blues to leave the base, but that's ok. :)
Well, I hate to cut this short, but I have to polish my shoes and iron my shirt for the dress uniform inspection tomorrow. We also have our second PFA (Physical Fitness Assessment) and our final exam. Should be a busy day.
God bless you all!
Today was a day full of classes. From 0800 - 1630, we were in class. During this time, Sr. Chief did a room inspection. I was so happy to see that we only had 2 discrepencies - one for each of us in the room. We are to make our beds with 6" of sheet folded down from the top and that is to be folded down at the 6" line. Mine was about 1/4" off as was my room mate. No biggie though, we passed!
This weekend is supposed to be our first off base liberty weekend. We are all looking forward to it. We will have to be in service dress blues to leave the base, but that's ok. :)
Well, I hate to cut this short, but I have to polish my shoes and iron my shirt for the dress uniform inspection tomorrow. We also have our second PFA (Physical Fitness Assessment) and our final exam. Should be a busy day.
God bless you all!
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