As a mass communications specialist for the United States Navy, I attend A-School in Fort Meade, Maryland. Ideally located between Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis, Fort Meade is really an amazing place.
While passing through security I thought, Good God! This is an Army base! I'm in the Navy! They're going to eat me alive!!!!
And then you start driving in the base. Fort Meade is a little town wrapped up in a military name. Theres a commissary, bowling alley, PX (Army equivilent of NEX), soccer fields, football fields, tracks, a golf course, a running trail, a hospital, a dentist's office, etc. You will get to see all of these things relatively soon after getting settled into the Navy Detatchment, aka your home for the next six months.
I came early to the Defense Information School (DINFOS), which is the formal name of the A-School we attend with the Army, Air Force, and Marines... and one Coast Guard kid. Anyway, I arrived two weeks early which meant that I got to be a first lieutenant for two weeks. That means you clean and paint and do general detail on the detachment. But if you're like me, you're a lucky sailor. I happen to be in the first class of 24 that has ever existed for the MC rate. That means I'm with 24 amazing people.
I know what you're thinking: I hated the people at boot camp. How could I possibly be lucky enough to find people I like at DINFOS?
Yeah well I was the definition of angst at boot camp. I hated practically everyone. BOOT CAMP IS NOT THE NAVY! Don't forget that.
There is not a single person here that I don't get along with. And thats not just in my class. The classes before me are just as wonderful. We're all squared away sailors and we're here to a job, but we're also here to have fun! And we do.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
First Things First: Boot Camp
I thought it fitting that the first post on this blog would also be about the first part of my experience in the Navy: boot camp.
Naval Recruit Training Command, or RTC, is located in Great Lakes, IL. The base, a charming little installation, will be your home for the next eight weeks. I will try and recount exactly how the process went for me, but I must remind you that each person who comes in will have a unique experience.
Three other sailors and myself were bussed to O'Hare International Airport and told to go the USO office inside. Remember, those of you flying in will not be bussed to O'Hare; you will fly straight to that airport. You will go to the USO office and check in. While checking in you should find out when the next bus to RTC will be leaving the airport. My suggestion is to get to RTC as soon as possible, but I will tell you why a little bit later. You might have to wait a while for a bus, and in the meantime you can use your $25 meal card to get a snack or stay at the USO to use the computers or watch a movie.
NOTE: Wrap up all your communications with family and friends when you get the chance. You will get three phone calls during boot camp if you are lucky. You will have no access to a phone, computer, or anything else on a regular schedule with the exception with mail.
When the time comes to grab your gear and get on the bus, don't freak yourself out. Focus on why you joined the Navy. Study your general orders of the sentry. Study the Sailor's Creed. Study the song Anchor's Aweigh. Study your chain of command. I promise you: know these things and you will be absolutely golden during boot camp. If you take one thing away from this post, take this: STUDY STUDY STUDY.
Finally, after much anticipation, you should arrive in one piece at RTC. The bus will take you right up to the door. I promise you that you will be nervous that someone will come out to scream at you, but such was not the case for me. I merely stepped off the bus and walked inside. Once inside the building you will be gathered into a group and told to stand at attention in front of someone senior to you. It could be a petty officer, chief, senior chief, etc. Regardless, keep your mouth shut and your eyes forward. Instructions will not be repeated.
You will be told to do a few things and answer a few questions, after which you will make the first of three scheduled phone calls during boot camp. This phone call should be no more than one minute long. You will call someone, anyone, and let them know that you have arrived safely. You will also tell them that you will get another phone call in 3-5 weeks if time allows. Then you will say goodbye and begin one of the worst days of boot camp.
In-Processing.
I can tell you this much: you will not enjoy your first day. It might not be horrible for you or it may be God awful... it all depends on the individual. I saw some people handle it well and I saw some people burst into tears. I was rather numb to it all. My parents were in the Navy some years ago and their advice was to blend. Give no one the need to know your name. Being noticed means being singled out and that is RARELY a good thing.
Anyway, the first day consists of a series of tests, sea bag issue, fittings, etc. Actually, its mostly waiting. You WILL be awake for around 36 hours. You will be expected to stay awake. Do what you are told. Do not fall asleep.
I would like to quickly touch on something about sea bag issue. Don't bring anything with you for boot camp. Seriously. I know that you DEP book says what you can bring but it is lying to you. I came with everything ready and had to send all of it back at MY expense. Don't bring undies and don't bring a bathing suit. I do suggest the girls bring makeup because later on you'll take pictures and will want to look nice. I also suggest you dont let anyone know you have that makeup... they will hover around you begging to use it on picture day. Nothing liquid though!
Anyway, the worst day will end with you taking you sea bag to the USS Pearl Harbor, your temporary barracks during P-Days. P-Days are administration days. Aka- paperwork and shots. Lots of both. You'll hate it, but if you are as excited as I was to be at RTC then time will pass quickly... for now.
The rest of boot camp is hard to describe. Its been one month today that I've been graduated from RTC Great Lakes and I couldnt be happier, yet I still am capable of understanding exactly how much I learned in those eight weeks of hell.
Boot camp is mental. Remember that. I walked in assuming that boot camp would be 90% physical and 10% mental, but it was really the other way around. It is lucky for me that I am very strong willed. I was not broken. How can you tell if someone is broken or not? Well you have to wait until graduation... whoever cries there was shaken down to the core.
Anyway, your RDCs (Recruit Division Commanders) are the equivilent of drill sergeants that we know from countless movie portails. However, they can't hit you. What they do is worse.
They IT you. IT meaning intensive training. I suggest being really good at push ups, sit ups, mountain climbers, jumping jacks, squats, arm circles, etc. All of these things sound easy and they are... for 10 minutes. Try all of them in quick succession for an hour straight. Its maddening escpecially when you are paying for someone else's mistakes.
Remember througout all of this that boot camp IS TO TRAIN YOU. You will learn how to bring a ship in and out of port, how to fire a weapon, how to march, how to study, how to fold and stamp your clothes, and how to deal with fear and pain. Actually, quite a bit of time is wasted at boot camp with all things considered.... youre just too afraid of whats next to realize it.
I don't know what else to say about it really. If there are certain things that want to be known you can leave a message and I will answer them to the best of my ability. There are certain things that I am contracted not to discuss with anyone (and this certain thing just happens to be the scariest/coolest part of boot camp).
But once its all said and done, you will pack your sea bag, get on the bus, and head to your prospective A-School. Some people will be flying for hours and some will be taking a bus across the street. No matter where you go, though, that is where the next adventure begins....
Naval Recruit Training Command, or RTC, is located in Great Lakes, IL. The base, a charming little installation, will be your home for the next eight weeks. I will try and recount exactly how the process went for me, but I must remind you that each person who comes in will have a unique experience.
Three other sailors and myself were bussed to O'Hare International Airport and told to go the USO office inside. Remember, those of you flying in will not be bussed to O'Hare; you will fly straight to that airport. You will go to the USO office and check in. While checking in you should find out when the next bus to RTC will be leaving the airport. My suggestion is to get to RTC as soon as possible, but I will tell you why a little bit later. You might have to wait a while for a bus, and in the meantime you can use your $25 meal card to get a snack or stay at the USO to use the computers or watch a movie.
NOTE: Wrap up all your communications with family and friends when you get the chance. You will get three phone calls during boot camp if you are lucky. You will have no access to a phone, computer, or anything else on a regular schedule with the exception with mail.
When the time comes to grab your gear and get on the bus, don't freak yourself out. Focus on why you joined the Navy. Study your general orders of the sentry. Study the Sailor's Creed. Study the song Anchor's Aweigh. Study your chain of command. I promise you: know these things and you will be absolutely golden during boot camp. If you take one thing away from this post, take this: STUDY STUDY STUDY.
Finally, after much anticipation, you should arrive in one piece at RTC. The bus will take you right up to the door. I promise you that you will be nervous that someone will come out to scream at you, but such was not the case for me. I merely stepped off the bus and walked inside. Once inside the building you will be gathered into a group and told to stand at attention in front of someone senior to you. It could be a petty officer, chief, senior chief, etc. Regardless, keep your mouth shut and your eyes forward. Instructions will not be repeated.
You will be told to do a few things and answer a few questions, after which you will make the first of three scheduled phone calls during boot camp. This phone call should be no more than one minute long. You will call someone, anyone, and let them know that you have arrived safely. You will also tell them that you will get another phone call in 3-5 weeks if time allows. Then you will say goodbye and begin one of the worst days of boot camp.
In-Processing.
I can tell you this much: you will not enjoy your first day. It might not be horrible for you or it may be God awful... it all depends on the individual. I saw some people handle it well and I saw some people burst into tears. I was rather numb to it all. My parents were in the Navy some years ago and their advice was to blend. Give no one the need to know your name. Being noticed means being singled out and that is RARELY a good thing.
Anyway, the first day consists of a series of tests, sea bag issue, fittings, etc. Actually, its mostly waiting. You WILL be awake for around 36 hours. You will be expected to stay awake. Do what you are told. Do not fall asleep.
I would like to quickly touch on something about sea bag issue. Don't bring anything with you for boot camp. Seriously. I know that you DEP book says what you can bring but it is lying to you. I came with everything ready and had to send all of it back at MY expense. Don't bring undies and don't bring a bathing suit. I do suggest the girls bring makeup because later on you'll take pictures and will want to look nice. I also suggest you dont let anyone know you have that makeup... they will hover around you begging to use it on picture day. Nothing liquid though!
Anyway, the worst day will end with you taking you sea bag to the USS Pearl Harbor, your temporary barracks during P-Days. P-Days are administration days. Aka- paperwork and shots. Lots of both. You'll hate it, but if you are as excited as I was to be at RTC then time will pass quickly... for now.
The rest of boot camp is hard to describe. Its been one month today that I've been graduated from RTC Great Lakes and I couldnt be happier, yet I still am capable of understanding exactly how much I learned in those eight weeks of hell.
Boot camp is mental. Remember that. I walked in assuming that boot camp would be 90% physical and 10% mental, but it was really the other way around. It is lucky for me that I am very strong willed. I was not broken. How can you tell if someone is broken or not? Well you have to wait until graduation... whoever cries there was shaken down to the core.
Anyway, your RDCs (Recruit Division Commanders) are the equivilent of drill sergeants that we know from countless movie portails. However, they can't hit you. What they do is worse.
They IT you. IT meaning intensive training. I suggest being really good at push ups, sit ups, mountain climbers, jumping jacks, squats, arm circles, etc. All of these things sound easy and they are... for 10 minutes. Try all of them in quick succession for an hour straight. Its maddening escpecially when you are paying for someone else's mistakes.
Remember througout all of this that boot camp IS TO TRAIN YOU. You will learn how to bring a ship in and out of port, how to fire a weapon, how to march, how to study, how to fold and stamp your clothes, and how to deal with fear and pain. Actually, quite a bit of time is wasted at boot camp with all things considered.... youre just too afraid of whats next to realize it.
I don't know what else to say about it really. If there are certain things that want to be known you can leave a message and I will answer them to the best of my ability. There are certain things that I am contracted not to discuss with anyone (and this certain thing just happens to be the scariest/coolest part of boot camp).
But once its all said and done, you will pack your sea bag, get on the bus, and head to your prospective A-School. Some people will be flying for hours and some will be taking a bus across the street. No matter where you go, though, that is where the next adventure begins....
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