I just got back from my first underway period in about 13years. Being on a aircraft carrier is just like I remembered it. The ship is built like a maze, with lots of ladderwells and hatches that you need to go through to get were you need to go. What does mean to the layman who has never been to a ship, Lots of climbing narrow stairwells. Sleeping in a small coffin size rack (bed) stacked 3 high. 30-100 people showering and using the same bathroom, which only has 3 showers, 5 sinks and 4 toilets. 12-16 hour workdays. Sounds difficult? It is...But guess what, you get used to it. and it comes natural. The only thing that hurt me was the fact that I havent to long ago had knee surgery, so the old knee was acting up for the first three days. But after that, I was good.
My new job is taking me some time to get used to. Im learning on the fly, while ensuring that my 12 guys are being taken care of. Mind you that only 4 of my guys work in my office, the other 8 have different jobs and responsibilities when we go to the ship, but im their supervisor, and they have to see me for everything. Then If I cant solve the problem, then I go to my supervisor, who pretty much wants me to use my own judgement. Which you learn to do very quickly in the military. The more you supervisor is out of the office, the better. Taking care of the people is not so difficult for me, the difficult part during this sea period for me was traking correspondence, reading evaluations and correcting as neccessary, and reading and rewriting awards packages. Not to mention you see the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer every day and they all know me well, because Im the only one for my rate and rank in the squadron. I cannot just blend in and work. They all have to come through my office for something, because we take care of their paperwork before they sign it. I havent even began to talk about the different things they want me to take on while im here. As you know from reading my previous blogs, I have made a few mistakes while learning the ropes. But you cant let mistakes or missteps slow you down. To be honest, my only advantage is my experience in being passed taskings or jobs that take me WAYYYYYYY out of my comfort zone. With all this being said this two week underway period -seemed like two months. The days stretched out longer than any days I can remember. And when it was time to go and we got off the ship, It felt like we had broken out of Shawshank. (If you dont recognize that reference, check out the movie "The Shawshank Redemption). But on the positive side, the food wasnt to bad(they have a chicken line-(a line where you get only chicken, drummettes, fried, baked) a black mans dream. And im not being stereotypical either, if you would has saw us eating them wings and legs, you would know. The desserts were not that great though. But this was the biggest difference from my last ship, They let you serve yourself, like a buffett line. So you know when they served barbque ribs you seen us with plates stacked to the ceiling with ribs, walking trying to balance the stack to your table. You know I couldnt figure out why we had so many hefty people on the boat with all the stair climbing and walking around required on a daily basis. But when you see those heavy plates at breakfast, lunch, and dinner - then it all becomes crystal clear.
Overall the ship wasnt that bad. The ship is huge - its like the caddilac of the ocean. But my offices is right below the flight deck, so all you hear is jet engines taking off and landing during flight operations. Its pretty loud, but eventually you tune it out. Every morning every one cleans during "spirit" for one hour (7:30-8:30) and you have to clean for the whole hour, dirty or not. Dont be caught not cleaning during this time. Unless you are supervising the cleaning.
Internet connectivity isnt the greatest. And you cannot access your personal email while underway. You have to use your official email address to get mail.
I have to load some software so I can post my pictures I took before we pulled in. Ill update later.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Movie Observations
I havent blogged in a while i know. I cant say that i couldnt have because there are several events that I could have blogged about but sometimes that procrastination bug kicks in and you let something go for a minute which has turned into a good thing for unwinding, sharing and documenting experiences, as well as keeping all those interested well informed as of what is going on with me. Im going to breifly touch on some things that I saw in the past few days that made me think.
I went to the movies the weekend before last on a whim because I went to blockbuster to return the last three CD's of "The Wire" that I rented. (I can say i am addicted to watching that series and I intend to see every last episode until the last one) When i came out of blockbuster, I zipped by the theater and saw that Tyler Perry's new movie was out. So I checked my watch and lo and behold it was about to start and ( at 2:00 in the afternoon I knew it would be the cheapest time) I went ahead and decided to see it. I was thinking at that time I would probaly be the only one in the theater watching that movie, checking the time and looking at the people in line, I felt Id have the theater to myself! But after grabbing my bag of corn, and going inside I have to say that i was suprised to see it almost full of people, not only that only a handful of us were black, the rest were of asian and latino descent. All of mixed ages. Now I knew Tyler Perry was popular, but I didnt realize how broad his fanbase was. After I watched and enjoyed the movie, I saw that not only did they watch the movie, they all sat patiently while the credits rolled afterwards ( At the same time they were showing excepts of Madea talking with Dr. Phil).
In my mind, All I could think of if Tyler Perry could imagine all this success back in the days when he was struggling, and how wise it was of him to make plays and movies which showcase normal everyday struggles, the importance of family and friends, and the importance of prayer and faith in God. I can easily see why he is so blessed. I feel that its Gods way of saying and showing that when you put Him first, there is no limit to His blessings.
Any body who knows me, knows that I love cars, especially fast ones. Every now and then I see a sleek new Corvette, Porsche 911, or Ferarri and automatically I think to myself, Man It must be nice being them (drivers of said cars) then you look at your car and I feel I have a ways to go to being successful. But God will quickly point out to me how blessed I am, because not soon after Ill always see somebody on the side of the road in a rattletrap, or ill see people waiting in the hot sun or wind at a bus stop, knowing that the bus is probaly running late. These things remind me to stay in my lane, thankful for my blessings, and even though I am always striving to improve I cannot take what I have now for granted. Because I am smart enough to know that it can all be gone in a nanosecond, and I can be walking from point a to point b as cars pass me by.
I went to the movies the weekend before last on a whim because I went to blockbuster to return the last three CD's of "The Wire" that I rented. (I can say i am addicted to watching that series and I intend to see every last episode until the last one) When i came out of blockbuster, I zipped by the theater and saw that Tyler Perry's new movie was out. So I checked my watch and lo and behold it was about to start and ( at 2:00 in the afternoon I knew it would be the cheapest time) I went ahead and decided to see it. I was thinking at that time I would probaly be the only one in the theater watching that movie, checking the time and looking at the people in line, I felt Id have the theater to myself! But after grabbing my bag of corn, and going inside I have to say that i was suprised to see it almost full of people, not only that only a handful of us were black, the rest were of asian and latino descent. All of mixed ages. Now I knew Tyler Perry was popular, but I didnt realize how broad his fanbase was. After I watched and enjoyed the movie, I saw that not only did they watch the movie, they all sat patiently while the credits rolled afterwards ( At the same time they were showing excepts of Madea talking with Dr. Phil).
In my mind, All I could think of if Tyler Perry could imagine all this success back in the days when he was struggling, and how wise it was of him to make plays and movies which showcase normal everyday struggles, the importance of family and friends, and the importance of prayer and faith in God. I can easily see why he is so blessed. I feel that its Gods way of saying and showing that when you put Him first, there is no limit to His blessings.
Any body who knows me, knows that I love cars, especially fast ones. Every now and then I see a sleek new Corvette, Porsche 911, or Ferarri and automatically I think to myself, Man It must be nice being them (drivers of said cars) then you look at your car and I feel I have a ways to go to being successful. But God will quickly point out to me how blessed I am, because not soon after Ill always see somebody on the side of the road in a rattletrap, or ill see people waiting in the hot sun or wind at a bus stop, knowing that the bus is probaly running late. These things remind me to stay in my lane, thankful for my blessings, and even though I am always striving to improve I cannot take what I have now for granted. Because I am smart enough to know that it can all be gone in a nanosecond, and I can be walking from point a to point b as cars pass me by.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Uncommon
So far being at the squadron I have learned that I am going to have a lot of responsibilities and that includes tracking alot of things. So I am learning things fast and working hard to retain everthing as I learn it. My supervisor and sponsor are ready and willing to turn everything over to me and pretty much let me run the show. I just havent figured out yet exactly how im going to do things Its hectic and will be stressful for a while until I learn everything and bring my self up to speed. But just like anybody I want to do a good job and support the mission as best I can. Everyone knows me already and they call me by my rate. Which should be pretty easy because Im the admin LPO and its not exactly easy to blend in when you are 6"3 and weigh 295. No one would pick me as the "admin guy" If they didnt know already what I did.
Right now my "Book of the Year" nomination is "Uncommon" by Tony Dungy. If you dont know he was the former coach of the Indianapolis Colts who was the first black head coach to lead a team to a Super Bowl victory. Have you ever read a book and you read a sentence or paragraph that is so profound that you have to read it out loud to make sure the knowlege stays with you. You want to remember it and use it whenever a situation requires a certain decision. I always choose a book based on the criteria that if I open it up to a random page, start reading and the story draws me and and flows to where I want to keep reading right there in the store, Its a good chance Im going to buy the book. But this book is on the money. Its about finding your path to significance. What make this book insightful for me is that Im always interested in how people overcome different obstacles on the way to success. I enjoy hearing about the failures and the lesson from the failure. The book talks basically about Coach Dungys experiences and how he strives to do things in a way which God would approve. Its written with Christian principles, but with simple common-sense lessons which he learned and applied to become successful. I read the whole book in four days, even when I should have been sleeping I was reading the book. Its a excellent guide for the young male who isnt sure how to carry himself in this day and time. I could go on and on but I wont. Buy it for yourself and see.
Well anyway the lessons from this book helped me feel better about a embarrassing mistake I made today. We were all in a room for training and after the training, the MasterCheif(highest ranking enlisted guy at the command) was talking and he asked if anybody had anything to put out. My cheif whispered in my ear about some worksheets that needed to be sighned. So i wanted to wait till he finished to put the information out. And thats what I did. However I learned that before he talks he askes "Does anyone have anything to put out ?" Then everyone who has something to say, then says it. However after everyone spoke, He started speaking on other things. After he finished and I said " I got something to put out" and i told the people about the worksheets that needed to be sighned. Well it turns out that I spoke WAAAAAAAY OUT OF TURN. After the MasterCheif speaks, the meeting is officially over and nothing is to be said. What ever you say, you supposed to put it out before he starts speaking. But I didnt know that. So he walked out, and my supervisor and sponsor, looked at me kind of shocked but amused. So the mastercheif turns around and says, PS1 I need to talk to you. So I go and he politely explains to me the way it goes. And he was cool because he knew that i didnt know the rules. And i think everyone else knew, that I didnt know as well. I know im going to catch some good natured flack for my gaffe, and I am still embarrassed about it. But overall I had to realize that sometimes you are not going to get it right. And although I know this, reading Coach Dungy's book helped drive this point and many other points home. I have my own way of doing things but looking at certain things from his perspective in the book convinced me that I need to change the way I look at certain things. What seems like failure or misfortune, could be God's will to prepare you for whats ahead. I can relax and chill because when I give some guidance and talk to younger folk than myself, I can include my mistake at the squadron as a tool/example on the importance of attention to detail and knowing the proper protocol before you speak to a group of people.
Im going to save this book to stay in my personal book archive. Only the best and most informative books get this great honor. Let me know if you read it.
Right now my "Book of the Year" nomination is "Uncommon" by Tony Dungy. If you dont know he was the former coach of the Indianapolis Colts who was the first black head coach to lead a team to a Super Bowl victory. Have you ever read a book and you read a sentence or paragraph that is so profound that you have to read it out loud to make sure the knowlege stays with you. You want to remember it and use it whenever a situation requires a certain decision. I always choose a book based on the criteria that if I open it up to a random page, start reading and the story draws me and and flows to where I want to keep reading right there in the store, Its a good chance Im going to buy the book. But this book is on the money. Its about finding your path to significance. What make this book insightful for me is that Im always interested in how people overcome different obstacles on the way to success. I enjoy hearing about the failures and the lesson from the failure. The book talks basically about Coach Dungys experiences and how he strives to do things in a way which God would approve. Its written with Christian principles, but with simple common-sense lessons which he learned and applied to become successful. I read the whole book in four days, even when I should have been sleeping I was reading the book. Its a excellent guide for the young male who isnt sure how to carry himself in this day and time. I could go on and on but I wont. Buy it for yourself and see.
Well anyway the lessons from this book helped me feel better about a embarrassing mistake I made today. We were all in a room for training and after the training, the MasterCheif(highest ranking enlisted guy at the command) was talking and he asked if anybody had anything to put out. My cheif whispered in my ear about some worksheets that needed to be sighned. So i wanted to wait till he finished to put the information out. And thats what I did. However I learned that before he talks he askes "Does anyone have anything to put out ?" Then everyone who has something to say, then says it. However after everyone spoke, He started speaking on other things. After he finished and I said " I got something to put out" and i told the people about the worksheets that needed to be sighned. Well it turns out that I spoke WAAAAAAAY OUT OF TURN. After the MasterCheif speaks, the meeting is officially over and nothing is to be said. What ever you say, you supposed to put it out before he starts speaking. But I didnt know that. So he walked out, and my supervisor and sponsor, looked at me kind of shocked but amused. So the mastercheif turns around and says, PS1 I need to talk to you. So I go and he politely explains to me the way it goes. And he was cool because he knew that i didnt know the rules. And i think everyone else knew, that I didnt know as well. I know im going to catch some good natured flack for my gaffe, and I am still embarrassed about it. But overall I had to realize that sometimes you are not going to get it right. And although I know this, reading Coach Dungy's book helped drive this point and many other points home. I have my own way of doing things but looking at certain things from his perspective in the book convinced me that I need to change the way I look at certain things. What seems like failure or misfortune, could be God's will to prepare you for whats ahead. I can relax and chill because when I give some guidance and talk to younger folk than myself, I can include my mistake at the squadron as a tool/example on the importance of attention to detail and knowing the proper protocol before you speak to a group of people.
Im going to save this book to stay in my personal book archive. Only the best and most informative books get this great honor. Let me know if you read it.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Today
I have came to the realization that this is most likely my last tour in the Navy. I have to enjoy every day no matter what it brings. I have enough experience to realize that even though I am anticipating retirement and letting this military phase of my life come to a close, I know I will miss it. Like so many older former military guys I see walking around with their old ball caps on with pins indicating previous commands, places visited, or medals earned. You can see in their faces when you look at them and they are watching you in uniform. I dont know if I will be like that. Im proud of the things Ive done, the places Ive been, and overall sacrifice of my career in service. But I think that Its on me to make my next phase, my best phase so that my best years are ahead and not behind me.
Today I met our Command Master Cheif and our Commanding Officer- For those who are not in the military (the command master cheif or CMC is the top enlisted guy at a command. He is the voice for all the enlisted folks. The Commanding Officer or CO is the officer in charge of everything who we all report to. ) He was a wiry older guy with intense eyes. All COs in air squadrons are former pilots and some still fly. So he had his flight suit on, all most of them wear daily. He said that he was glad to have me onboard and that he was shorthanded- as I knew before. I assured him that I would do my best to make sure everything is taken care of. And thats exactly what I plan to do. I went on to meet many more people in the squadron who all seem like one big family. I doubt everyone gets along perfectly but when you are at a small command everyone knows everyone, and that creates a somewhat "family" type atmosphere.
Im glad to be here for my last command. Its going to be somewhat of a challenge to keep a eye on so many different things going on. But we all need to be pushed out of our comfort zone in order to grow and stretch ourselves. And this is definitely another one of these times.
I moved from my temporary quarters to my permanent quarters today. I learned that most rooms are two-man rooms. But the brother who assigned me my room hooked me up with my own room. Its not the most luxurious of accomodations. But ill make it do what it do. The most disapointing thing is I learned that everytime we get underway for a cruise, they move us out of the barracks and put all our things in storage. Then when we get back, they move us back into the barracks in different rooms. This is true malarky(remember "G"rated blog) Im going to have to use my connections to snag another single room. I have two much stuff to be sharing a room. I dont think a grown man should have to share a room with another grown man on a permanent basis. I havent had a roommate since 1996 while in the barracks in Japan, and this dude was a country music loving black dude. Who talked with a country accent and wore those boots. Now you can imagine how many times I wanted to strangle this cat. Especially when his friends came over. They all hated me. But from that time I swore i would never have another roomate if I could avoid it. Im sticking to this mantra. Ive earned the right to my own room. No country music allowed.
Today I met our Command Master Cheif and our Commanding Officer- For those who are not in the military (the command master cheif or CMC is the top enlisted guy at a command. He is the voice for all the enlisted folks. The Commanding Officer or CO is the officer in charge of everything who we all report to. ) He was a wiry older guy with intense eyes. All COs in air squadrons are former pilots and some still fly. So he had his flight suit on, all most of them wear daily. He said that he was glad to have me onboard and that he was shorthanded- as I knew before. I assured him that I would do my best to make sure everything is taken care of. And thats exactly what I plan to do. I went on to meet many more people in the squadron who all seem like one big family. I doubt everyone gets along perfectly but when you are at a small command everyone knows everyone, and that creates a somewhat "family" type atmosphere.
Im glad to be here for my last command. Its going to be somewhat of a challenge to keep a eye on so many different things going on. But we all need to be pushed out of our comfort zone in order to grow and stretch ourselves. And this is definitely another one of these times.
I moved from my temporary quarters to my permanent quarters today. I learned that most rooms are two-man rooms. But the brother who assigned me my room hooked me up with my own room. Its not the most luxurious of accomodations. But ill make it do what it do. The most disapointing thing is I learned that everytime we get underway for a cruise, they move us out of the barracks and put all our things in storage. Then when we get back, they move us back into the barracks in different rooms. This is true malarky(remember "G"rated blog) Im going to have to use my connections to snag another single room. I have two much stuff to be sharing a room. I dont think a grown man should have to share a room with another grown man on a permanent basis. I havent had a roommate since 1996 while in the barracks in Japan, and this dude was a country music loving black dude. Who talked with a country accent and wore those boots. Now you can imagine how many times I wanted to strangle this cat. Especially when his friends came over. They all hated me. But from that time I swore i would never have another roomate if I could avoid it. Im sticking to this mantra. Ive earned the right to my own room. No country music allowed.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
First Day at VAW-113
Today was my first day at my new command. I didnt have to be there until this Friday, but i didnt have anything to do plus I didnt feel like paying for additional hotel rooms, So I decided to check in in order not to prolong the anticipation on how it was going to be. And to save some loot.
One of the guys who works in my new office was in school with me. I learned he will be working for me along with 4 other guys in the office. My job will be different this time. Instead of running one section, like im used to. Im in charge of the whole office and all the functions. There is not as many people to be responsible for (only 139) So it will be a little different than Im used too. Alot of functions that I will be responsible for, I have little or no experience in the area. So Ill probaly be spending my first three months reviewing instructions just to get my knowledge base down pat.
My supervisor is a E7 who I remember working in security when we were both in Okinawa. She will be leaving in May so after then Im pretty much on my own. So Ill be hitting her up with all kinds of questions till she leaves. By then I should have a idea of whats going on.
There are not too many black people at the command. The three that I met were all senior to me but seemed real happy to see another black person checking in. One I didnt even know was black until he approached me and gave me a few words of wisdom of how to navigate through the command. I know I have to do my best to represent, because I refuse to be the weak link in the black chain.
I dont think it will be as fast paced as my CSD Monterey, but i think that this is going to be pretty challenging and different, because Im not used to seeing the people who run the show walking around. Everyone is in one building so you cant get away with anything, and they see everything. So you have to be on top of your game at all times. This is not something im used to. I like to skate around and not do anything sometimes. I dont think ill be able to get away with it much here. But its all good. Ill use this experience to sharpen me up for my next job in the civilian world, If there is a job when I retire..well see.
Is it just me or does it seem that some people in the News are doing whatever they can to talk down Obamas plan so it will fail?
One of the guys who works in my new office was in school with me. I learned he will be working for me along with 4 other guys in the office. My job will be different this time. Instead of running one section, like im used to. Im in charge of the whole office and all the functions. There is not as many people to be responsible for (only 139) So it will be a little different than Im used too. Alot of functions that I will be responsible for, I have little or no experience in the area. So Ill probaly be spending my first three months reviewing instructions just to get my knowledge base down pat.
My supervisor is a E7 who I remember working in security when we were both in Okinawa. She will be leaving in May so after then Im pretty much on my own. So Ill be hitting her up with all kinds of questions till she leaves. By then I should have a idea of whats going on.
There are not too many black people at the command. The three that I met were all senior to me but seemed real happy to see another black person checking in. One I didnt even know was black until he approached me and gave me a few words of wisdom of how to navigate through the command. I know I have to do my best to represent, because I refuse to be the weak link in the black chain.
I dont think it will be as fast paced as my CSD Monterey, but i think that this is going to be pretty challenging and different, because Im not used to seeing the people who run the show walking around. Everyone is in one building so you cant get away with anything, and they see everything. So you have to be on top of your game at all times. This is not something im used to. I like to skate around and not do anything sometimes. I dont think ill be able to get away with it much here. But its all good. Ill use this experience to sharpen me up for my next job in the civilian world, If there is a job when I retire..well see.
Is it just me or does it seem that some people in the News are doing whatever they can to talk down Obamas plan so it will fail?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Finally Finished
We finally finished school on friday. On Tuesday we graduate. So I am in the middle of a 3 day weekend because Monday is a holiday.
Yesterday afternoon I went out to get something to eat. I really wanted some chicken wings but I didnt want any KFC, Churches, or the like. I wanted something different. I ended up at Mission Valley Mall food court which is a few miles away from base. On my way to checking what I wanted I noticed alot of teenagers (or what seemed like teenagers) all in the food court. After just looking around the first thing that went my mind was we are in a new generation. Old school parents would never let there kids out the house looking like these kids looked. It was crazy and I was embarresed for the parents. It just looked like they had no idea what to do with themselves. I had to step back and realize that this is a new day and time, and some of those old school parental restrictions, arent being passed down to this generation. You see it from time to time, but not a whole lot. These kids are doing what they want to do.
Since these are my last couple of days is San Diego Im going to take a few pictures.. Today i am going to go to the bookstore and watch the All-Star game. Ill update soon.
Yesterday afternoon I went out to get something to eat. I really wanted some chicken wings but I didnt want any KFC, Churches, or the like. I wanted something different. I ended up at Mission Valley Mall food court which is a few miles away from base. On my way to checking what I wanted I noticed alot of teenagers (or what seemed like teenagers) all in the food court. After just looking around the first thing that went my mind was we are in a new generation. Old school parents would never let there kids out the house looking like these kids looked. It was crazy and I was embarresed for the parents. It just looked like they had no idea what to do with themselves. I had to step back and realize that this is a new day and time, and some of those old school parental restrictions, arent being passed down to this generation. You see it from time to time, but not a whole lot. These kids are doing what they want to do.
Since these are my last couple of days is San Diego Im going to take a few pictures.. Today i am going to go to the bookstore and watch the All-Star game. Ill update soon.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Suprise Opinions
In class our instructor passed out a copy of a article where a Cheif (E-7) had been convicted of forcing himself on a young female sailor while at a local hotel. He ended up losing his rank, half of his months pay for 2 months, and after which he was going to get kicked out of the military. The article went on to say that the sailor was "traumatized" by the event and would need additional counseling to restore her faith in the male upper chain of command or something of that nature.Now here is what I found interesting. After listening to the class give their opinion on the article 99% of the class (100% of the female class members) beleived the notion that the female sailor was just as guilty as the Cheif. They beleived that there was more to the story and that possibly the female sailor was not as innocent and traumatized as the article made her out to be.
Now....Normally a reasonable person would give the benefit of the doubt to the young sailor which obvious is what happened during the case, because the Cheif should have known better. I didnt voice my opinion but I did say that I doubt the whole story is coming out, because from being at my different commands and observing how a lot of the young female sailors carry themselves in the workplace and outside the workplace, I can Definitely see how they were very skeptical about her being "traumatized". Since this is a " G" rated blog im not going to go into what they thought happened in the case. Now none of them knew the individuals involved in this particular incident- but they reinacted what they thought happened. All of which had interesting points of view. I was most suprised at the opinions of the female class members. Like i said - im not going to go into what they said but it was crazy. Not at all what i expected their reaction to be.
Now....Normally a reasonable person would give the benefit of the doubt to the young sailor which obvious is what happened during the case, because the Cheif should have known better. I didnt voice my opinion but I did say that I doubt the whole story is coming out, because from being at my different commands and observing how a lot of the young female sailors carry themselves in the workplace and outside the workplace, I can Definitely see how they were very skeptical about her being "traumatized". Since this is a " G" rated blog im not going to go into what they thought happened in the case. Now none of them knew the individuals involved in this particular incident- but they reinacted what they thought happened. All of which had interesting points of view. I was most suprised at the opinions of the female class members. Like i said - im not going to go into what they said but it was crazy. Not at all what i expected their reaction to be.
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