Comment

Comment by Mark on June 25, 2010 at 1:42pm

Darla gave a terrific answer to Sharon's question; I'll only add, that even if a sailor is not re-enlisting, they can do what's called a "split tour" at sea. Normally if a sailor doesn't re-enlist, they do their full tour on one boat and then get out. However they can request a split tour, where they do about two years on one boat, and two years on another boat. If this is done by request though, they are highly unlikely to be approved for a homeport change; it's usually to another boat in the same squadron. This would normally prevent a change from a boomer to fast attack and vice versa, because most homeports are exclusively for boomers or fast attacks. The reason is because the Navy doesn't want to pay for another move when they don't want to, and the guy isn't doing anything for them by re-enlisting. There are two SSGNs each out of Bangor and Kings Bay though, so they might approve a switch between those platforms. Also, there are three fast attacks at Naval Base Kitsap, two in Bremerton, one at Bangor, that are close enough that a move would not be required, so that may be a possibility a sailor can look into. Occasionally, a sailor may get a split tour involuntarily, also. This happened to me, because on my first boat, we wound up in a situation where all five ELTs authorized on the boat had made E-6 (MM1), because my buddy and I made E-5, then E-6 very early, without re-enlisting, prior to our four year point. Big Navy decided they couldn't have the ELT division on a boat being so top heavy, so they moved my buddy and I to different boats in the squadron. It worked out OK, because we still did our last Westpac about the same time anyway; we did have to requalify our nuc watchstations on the new boats, but that wasn't too bad, especially for me since I went to another boat of the same class - my buddy had to learn the plant on a 688 class boat, but he was smart as a whip, so it wasn't a big deal for him either.

Comment by Mark on June 24, 2010 at 11:58pm

Thanks for adding your insight about cranking there, Chief. I missed out on the pleasure myself on the boat, and wouldn't have had that insight at that age, anyway, I don't think. I did just pass it on in an email to my son though, who's a month into his first patrol as an E-3 STS right now. It's something he could benefit from, I think.

Comment by EMC (SS) on June 24, 2010 at 10:58pm

The better his attitude is the better his life will be on the sub. The job is going to be the same job regardless of how you feel about it.

Especially true as a nub (new guy) while cranking (food service attendant). They do that job for several important reasons, one of the big ones is to support crew morale. So if he has a poor attitude in that job it will be seen by the entire crew and it will make things even harder on him, because who wants to go out of their way to help some jerk with an attitude problem. While if he portrays a friendly positive persona then people will bend over backwards to help him get qualified, since they want him to be part of the crew.
Honestly, how bad is it to have to get someone a drink and do some dishes when your not qualified to do anything else anyway.

Comment by Mark on June 24, 2010 at 10:35pm

Carol - another thing I should have mentioned is that there are always a number of new guys on the sub who are going through something very similar to talk to and commiserate with that is a useful way to vent and get some support. You naturally figure it out, with the time you have to pass on your hands, standing watch and all. This does make it easier.

Comment by Mark on June 24, 2010 at 10:20pm

Carol,
Sorry to hear that Aaron is struggling on the boat right now. You are correct in your observation about newbies, getting crappy jobs actually comes with the job description until you make Chief on a submarine though, to be brutally honest - it's something he will have to adjust to, or fight constantly (not a good thing). That said, it does get better though; making EM2 will make a difference, because then he won't have to mess crank in the galley, something he has to do periodically as an E-4. Can't tell from the info you gave whether he's had that experience yet, but when he does, based on his reaction to the rest, he won't like it - unless part of the issue is with his leadership in his working division, because cranking will take him away from that for a while. On thing about boats, is that if there is a personality conflict within the division, it can be really rough for the guy on the low end of the totem pole, because it's hard to get a break underway with a small crew. On a positive note, Bangor is fantastic - I've been to Hawaii also, and to me, there is no comparison, I love the Pacific NW; it's easy to get over to Seattle if you want a taste of the "big city", but is on a heavily forested peninsula, with water all around, and mountains close by, and constantly in view (within weather limitations anyway - and the weather is better than our reputation actually).
To address another question someone had - you are not "stuck" on one type of sub; when a guy finishes his tour on a boat, he can request to go to one of the other type, in a different homeport, or different coast.

Comment by Pat L. in IL on June 24, 2010 at 9:53pm

Linda, Now there's an idea!! My sister also sent me an email and said that because she is a "team player" she would volunteer to go with me too!!!!!!!

Comment by Pat L. in IL on June 24, 2010 at 9:51pm

Carol, I'm sorry that your son is a little unhappy right now. Maybe it will get better when he isn't the newbie and stops getting all the crap jobs. My son and his 2 roommates are all going to Hawaii but they only talk about it at home. He told me there were a lot of guys who didn't get anything on their "dream sheet". He knows how fortunate he is and appreciates it. Carol, you might want to go to Molly's Adopt A Sailor and request that we send some cards to your sailor. We do this frequently if someone's sailor could use a little moral support. Pat

Comment by Emily-aaronsgirl11 on June 24, 2010 at 9:42pm

Carol, BarbaraJane is right. Bangor, Washington is the home of the USS Louisiana. It's absolutely beautiful out there!

Comment by carols_kitchen on June 24, 2010 at 4:41pm

Just thinking....when Karen started this group two years ago, do you think she ever knew it would grow so large? Wow! Everyone has been such a help to each other! You got me through A school to prototype--told us about Foster Creek Villas, and held my hand through many a day. What a blessing!

Comment by Pat L. in IL on June 24, 2010 at 11:04am

Being the considerate mom that I am, volunteered to house-sit while he is at sea. He just laughed......go figure! Pretty soon both my sailor and I will be starting a new phase in this adventure. To all you wonderful moms and dads, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for the information, support, and love that helped me get this far. Okay, now, anybody got a Nuke on the USS Pasadena????

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 4546
• 4547
• 4548
• 4549
• 4550
• …
• 4740
• Next ›
• Page