I Live In A Shipyard...

Tonight was the christmas party for the crew and family. Overall, it was good time and people were enjoying themselves, which was probably due to the cash bar. Unfortunately, given my luck, I couldn't drink, because I was on duty. In fact, I guess I am lucky to be able to go at all. During the party, they were giving out door prizes and they snuck in the awarding of the CAP'd sailors, which surprised a lot of people including the CAPees. CAP stands for Command Advancement Program, which is the ability for the captain to promote those sailors that have worked hard and earned a promotion, but were unable to advance because of their rate being closed. I must say 2/3 of those CAP'd were very deserving of it. The remaining third seemed very political, but what isn't on a ship or in the navy for that matter?

Anyway, I was walking back to the ship when it hit me. I live in a freakin' shipyard. On my door step there are thousands of tons of steel just laying around. Some are in various stages of looking like a piece of a ship and there is more that is just laying around. Never have I imagined that I would be living in a random small town in Maine and, furthermore, in a giant steel factory. Does this sound crazy to anyone else, but me? It's all the more reason for wanting to get underway.

Speaking of underway, the number of days is getting smaller and all that's keeping me going is the little milestones I set for myself. Be it daily milestones or weekly, they are keeping me from going 'crazy go nuts.' One such milestone is the Fast Cruise. Don't kid yourself. Yes, the words "fast" and "cruise" are used but we are neither going fast nor going on a cruise. Instead, we simulate like we are going underway, simulate going on watches, simulate setting sea and anchor detail, simulate UNREPs. I think you get the idea. But, at the end of the fast cruise is the first wave of those going on holiday leave. When that is over, I will be spending a week far, far away from this place. I have a feeling that it's going to be an excellent leave, so that when I do come back, I will be refreshed enough to endure a few weeks before we finally tear down the Kennebec River. Until then, I remain in a shipyard...

3rd Class

On Thursday, November 30th, I received word that I was selected for advancement to Petty Officer 3rd Class. Needless to say, I was excited. There was quite a battle in the third week of September between the test of my rate and myself. Two hours later, I would have sworn to you that that test kicked my poor, little ass. Alas! It did not. In turn, I, apparently, kicked it's ass. How? I haven't the foggiest. Our rate has been closed for some time since the merger in 2003. Last cycle, the Navy advanced over 100 to chief. Given that, we knew that the rate was beginning to open up. One thing that came to a surprise was how it opened up. It would be logical to assume that the rate would open up from the top-down. 100 are made chief would open up 1st class, then 2nd class, and then finally 3rd class. The opposite happened. 79.2% were made 3rd class, 66% were made 2nd class, and only 29.4% were made 1st class. Unfortunately, during this arduous fight, a sea brother was left behind. As long as we are both are aboard Gridley, there will always be MarPar.

The Frocking (putting on the crow) will take place this Friday. The pay, unfortunately, will not come until 6 months later. Go Government!