The best time you will ever have. So drills, watches, and inport duty sucks but all the other makes you forget about all of that. I thought I would never miss being underway, now I miss it everyday!
Best time I ever had. The memories and friendships I made will never be replaced or forgotten!!!
Make sure you have your cigar for the last night underway before pulling into homeport whether you smoke or not.
Going off of what Semper said, being underway was an unbelievable experience. It's nice to get to go home every night now but I definitely miss the ship life. It's completely different than working at a Sector, VTS, or AirSta. Make the best of your time on board and it should prove to be a truly memorable chapter in your life. Make sure to bring a camera...oh and shower shoes.
I was onboard as an E-5 or below my entire time underway. Trash sucked, stores wasn't too bad, but I would take those 2 16 hours day vice doing what I did at my last duty station. Talk about feeling useless.
Going from being a CIC Watch Sup on a 378 to piloting a desk and having LT's think you are gonna run it aground sucked! I know several miserable people still doing that, and I feel bad for them everyday.
Had I gone to another ship, I would probably still be in!
I will always miss that white needle of death!!!
Ditto on the camera, splurge on a good one. I do regret not having enough pictures!
Originally posted by Ex_CG_GM: If you haven't been underway before you will probably get seasick. Don't worry, it passes after a couple days......usually.
When you get onboard...just ask the Doc for the "silver bullet"
Forget everything you learned on land. Get DC Qual'd asap ie: Firemain, quarterdeck, etc, etc. Have as much fun as possible, get all your quals for first taken care of, ships are best for advancement. Your first patrol all the "salty dogs" on board who have a comment for when you zig instead of zagging during drills or standing in line for chow or whatever, don't worry you will become one yourself. It is a great time, so stay positive!
