Guess who's back

[MiniCog]

So, it's been a while since I've been on any forum (with the past summer, working 40-50 hour weeks, moving from place to place wherever I can find room, spending most of the other time with Lauren (almost a year with her now) and just trying to make it to boot camp).  I went to Navy boot camp (which, talking to new Army and Air Force guys, I found out that Navy boot camp is a hell of a lot harder physically and mentally than either of those) September 4th, graduated November 2nd and got to spend all of like 6 hours with my girlfriend (she's the only person who came, which I am a-okay with), started my A School that week (6 months plus 6 month Nuclear Power School and 6 more months at prototype), and now I'm almost a month into training and oh damn, class is kicking my ass. I'm told that a) my pipeline is the hardest to finish, b) it requires the longest and most training and c) everyone in the Navy is jealous of our bonuses and how fast we rank up. I mean, I'll be an ET3 (E-4) in 5 months. If anyone's been wondering how everything's been going or has questions about what I'm doing or the military in general, I'll answer what I can (but, probably not everything considered I'm studying classified and secret material that requires a security clearance).  It's a nice gig.  And pretty cool. And here's my lovely dress blues with 14 buttons (one button is a double. I mean come on).

[Cholla]

Okay, I give up. Who is it?
As of yesterday you have eight less reactors to maintain.
Yeah, you atomheads advance pretty quickly.

[Walker18]

Been wondering about you, and how you've been getting along in the Navy, glad you're doing so well! As for the courses,
getting on pace with the military training schedule can be difficult at first, but hang in there, surely you're not alone with this headache.
Good to hear from you! Keep us updated!

[CigarSki®]

Squid...

[timsatx]

You gonna be a bubblehead too?

[MiniCog]

I haven't decided yet. But probably. Subs just seem way cooler.

[CigarSki®]

Bring condoms...

[booger]

I went to Navy boot camp (which, talking to new Army and Air Force guys, I found out that Navy boot camp is a hell of a lot harder physically and mentally than either of those)   

Welcom back.
And by the way.  The only people who think the Navy boot camp is harder than the other services is, well, people in the Navy.

[Conrad]

Welcom back.
And by the way.  The only people who think the Navy boot camp is harder than the other services is, well, people in the Navy.

+1! Welcome back.

[Son of Pappy]

Did a squid just whine about how hard boot camp was?  Must be a nuke thing

Well done Nate, well done.  Did you get some cheese to go with that whine?

[CigarSki®]

USCG boot camp is the easiest, and I speak from both sides of the fence. Boot Jan 1981 and Instructor 1984-1985.

[MiniCog]

Oh no, I didn't whine!  I was actually kinda depressed that I didn't get beat more often than I did!  I heard we'd go on 10 mile runs in the mornings and be doing like 1000000000000000000 push-ups and pull ups...  I mean we did a lot of push ups and sit ups and 10 counts and 8 counts and pull ups, but no 10 mile runs in ranks or any of that cool stuff.

I just heard the military's generally making bootcamp easier. Truthfully, the only hard part was not being able to leave the compartment... Like, ever. And 3 phone calls in 9 weeks (5, 15 and 20 minutes) really kinda sucked. And watch standing for 4 hours (especially after taps) sucked. And P-days sucked. And not having free time sucked. Well, we had free time, but that only meant state at each other for 30 minutes until our next planned activity started. For me, not being much of a fat ass and all, it was more a mental game than physical. And they go big in the mental department.

[MiniCog]

Wow. I just looked at that picture again and I look freaking tired 

[Conrad]

Oh no, I didn't whine!  I was actually kinda depressed that I didn't get beat more often than I did!  I heard we'd go on 10 mile runs in the mornings and be doing like 1000000000000000000 push-ups and pull ups...  I mean we did a lot of push ups and sit ups and 10 counts and 8 counts and pull ups, but no 10 mile runs in ranks or any of that cool stuff.

I just heard the military's generally making bootcamp easier. Truthfully, the only hard part was not being able to leave the compartment... Like, ever. And 3 phone calls in 9 weeks (5, 15 and 20 minutes) really kinda sucked. And watch standing for 4 hours (especially after taps) sucked. And P-days sucked. And not having free time sucked. Well, we had free time, but that only meant state at each other for 30 minutes until our next planned activity started. For me, not being much of a fat ass and all, it was more a mental game than physical. And they go big in the mental department.

Forced marches up and down Misery and Agony at Ft Knox in July in full gear and packs was WAY cool, sorry you missed out on all that good stuff.   

[MiniCog]

I hated the days we did firefighting or uniform issue or damage control. Damn buildings are over 2 miles from the compartment, hahaha. I hated marching there because only half of our division really knew how and I was always stuck between the same 2 people who were almost constantly off step. And it only got worse when we had sea bags. Hahaha. 

So I start new study hours next week. 35-4. 35 hours a day, 4 hours minimum per day, I didn't do too hot on a BE exam today, but hopefully I can bring the 2.26 up to a 2.85 (if I max my points on the math test on Monday), then I'll be on 20-3's. if I almost get all the points, I may get somewhere around a 2.79 or lower, which would be 30-4's.

Either way, the next couple weeks are going to suck matter what if I'm stuck on 35-4's or 30-4's.

[MiniCog]

I'm telling ya, this school is hard but it's also really really cool. I'm 1/6 o the way done with A-school (24 weeks). After that I'll be in Power School for another 24 weeks as an ET3, which means nice rooms and nicer pay and I can go do random inspections on the guys at the Citadel if I want.

After Power School I'll be at Prototype for 6 months. Which is cool, I may even leave there as an ET2.

So the hours might suck, but it'll be worth it. Truthfully, it already is.