Ahh, my thoughts and stuff...

4 – 3

chitien — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:53:06 +0000

We had live fire today it was a new experience, the first time I got to fire a real weapon. It took me two tries to make marksman, needed the score of 180 to receive that, I made 182. Our division had visitors today from members of senior enlisted academy, they answered our questions about the Navy, told us about their experiences in the Navy. They are on their way to be the future leaders of the Navy which is why they are receiving the special training. We also got to PT with them. One of the Senior Chiefs I spoke to turns out he knew my recruiter AO2 Adams.

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4 – 2

chitien — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:47:46 +0000

We did simulate fire today and during that time we had the zone inspection back in our compartment. I was having a little bit of trouble in the beginning with aiming the gun, the instructor was very strict, they had a good reason, we were receiving training on use of deadly weapon. Over all it was a positive experience, but there were people who had a hard time doing the simulation. I got though the zone inspection without any hits, I was happy about that.

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4 – 1

chitien — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:45:22 +0000

Had an early day today, woke up at 3:30am with the division because of the PFA, we were able to flag it. After PFA we had two inspections back to back, the personal inspection and the weapons turn over inspection. I put my military ID in the wash by accident, luckily I didn’t get hit for it. Tomorrow is going to be another early long day.

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3 – 5

chitien — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:42:47 +0000

We had a great time at marlin spike today. Our task was to simulate bring the ship out to see, exercise a man over board drill and then bring the ship back to shore. The division worked as a team and the even turn out well. Today we are going to sleep early because tomorrow at 4am we have to wake up for our second PFA. I am still waiting for legal to see what my fait will be.

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3 – 4 hold 3

chitien — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:40:58 +0000

We did drills all day after the morning of free time. We praticed for the weapons turn over inspection as well as the personal inspection. We had visiting RDCs do the drill to get us more prepared. Over all it was a very long day. Getting up every night to iron my clothing is starting to get to me, I can get enough rest, and I almost fell asleep standing up during the inspection.

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3 – 4 hold 2

chitien — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:32:30 +0000

Wrote a letter to Joe today, telling him about my case and that I will be leaving the Navy. I feel that I need to spend more time studying for the second test. I was pretty hard. I don’t think I will be able to pass the test.

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3 – 4 hold

chitien — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:49:50 +0000

Today I got my 20 minute phone call I was able to get a hold of my mom and my two sisters. We did not do much of anything else.

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Training 3 – 4

chitien — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:41:33 +0000

I received a letter form Joe, I was pretty happy about that. I haven’t heard anything from legal about my case yet, I suppose it will take a few days for things to process.

The next two weeks will be very busy, we have different inspections, drills and training activities lined up.

Our division also got a new shipmate from Staten Island, NY. We also got our new ARPOC, Moore. Everyone has a good feeling about him, even our Chief was happy with him. When he gave marching orders, our division was able to execute them as a team.

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Training 3 – 3

chitien — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:38:56 +0000

I pass my prone float swimming test today, I am happy about that. I did it for myself to prove that I can do it, it was such a great feeling.

I also wrote my letter to the Commanding Officer, Captain Peterson, requesting permission to separate from the Navy, hopefully I will hear from them soon with some good news.

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Training 3 – 2

chitien — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:26:31 +0000

Our division went to classification today, I turn down the other jobs they offered me so now it is up to legal to decide if they want to let me go.

I improved on the swim test today. I remained afloat for 4 minutes and 30 seconds, i needed to stay afloat for another 30 seconds.

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Training 3 – 1

chitien — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:24:29 +0000

Nothing interesting happened today. We got our second hair cut. It was a fade, I think the look is ok although I wanted to keep my hair. I am still not doing all that hot with the floating, I need more time!

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Training 2 – 5

chitien — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:21:10 +0000

I went to swim today, this time for the floating part of the test. It is a lot harder than I expected. I still panic a bit since I can’t see in the water, it is something I don’t know how to over come, especially with almost no time to practice at the pool.

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2 – 4 hold 2

chitien — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:17:22 +0000

Today was a easy day, not much to do in the mornings, I went around to make sure everyone’s bunk is on spot. There are 16 people in my section. I wrote a letter to my parents and one to my recruiter to let him know what’s going on.

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2 – 4 hold

chitien — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 16:13:19 +0000

Today I officially became a section leader, I got my new assigned bunk so now I am in a different section with a different group of people. I will miss my old bunk mate.

The section I am assigned to is the largest one in the compartmant with 15 shipmates, this means a lot of work, but hopefully everything will go smoothly.

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Training 2 – 4

chitien — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:12:46 +0000

Today we got our second uniform issue. this includes two dress whites, one dress blue (which is completely black as far as I can tell), two peanut butters. The dress blue and whites were really tight fit, I had a lot of trouble getting in and out of them. But the peanut butters made us all look like petty officers.

Good news finally I pass the swimming part, where I had to jump off the 10 feet platform into a 12 feet deep pool and swim the length of the Olympic size pool. But I still have to do the 5 minute float which is the hard part for me.

Side note: Best part of the boot camp is the food, because it is almost like all you can eat. Worse part of boot camp is not having enough time to eat everything you want to.

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PS. Three meals a day, lunch and dinner there are always three meals to choose from, two vegetables and a soup if you wish. Open salad bar, fountain drinks including different juices, hot chocolate, milk and even coffee.

Training 2 – 3

chitien — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:50:29 +0000

We took our first test today, simply put test 1, we also had our zone inspection. I knew right after the test is over that I had answer at least 5 questions wrong. I was disappointed at myself, especially on one question where I change my right answer to a wrong answer.

During the zone inspection the inspector how neatly my sheets were made she recommended me to be a section leader. This is my first job in the division. Good thing is I get to be at the beginning of the line for everything, which means more time for chew. I am taking this job seriously because I don’t want to get IT for mistakes and more importantly for other people’s mistakes, at least the people I am in charge of helping.

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Training 2 – 2

chitien — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:50:08 +0000

In the morning I went to Classifications, I found out my security clearance was denied, because my parents have dual citizenship and they travel to Taiwan. I had a quick conversation with my parents about that and decided that I was going home. However since I did sign the contract initially I was afraid that the Navy would hold on to me and force me to pick another job or enter the fleet as an undesinated sailor. I had a conversation with the Chief about this, he suggested that I pick a different job and go to school using Navy’s money, he said desk job would most easily pass the time for me. My shipmates were very supportive of this unexpected turn of events. I keep this in serious prayer to see what God has planned for me.

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Training 2 – 1

chitien — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:18:25 +0000

I was called to make up my PFA, I was able to pass successfully, and I was completely thrilled. Our starboard watch and port watch got in trouble today, they were ITed by the Chief. The port watch wasn’t so lucky, he got ITed to a point that he passed out two times. They send him out to VA hospital in an ambulance.

At night I made an effort to talk to him to find out what happened. I wanted to know why he keep doing what he was told even after he passed out once. He just said he didn’t want to get send home, he didn’t want to ‘fail’ boot camp. He is only 20 years old, Doyel. I feel he will do great things when he gets older. I wish my determination can measure up to his.

I score well on a mock test so I was given a chance to call home, it was encouraging to know my parents are supporting me.

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Training 1 – 5

chitien — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:43:13 +0000

We PT in the morning, I ran the 12 laps, I felt good about myself. But I had swimming in the afternoon, that is what I really need to over come, floating for 5 minutes. We got IT again after the swim, I was very tired, to the point I almost fall asleep standing up. I also got my dog tags today.

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1 – 4 hold day 4

chitien — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:33:21 +0000

I study most of the morning so nothing interesting happened. At night PO Tosado got mad at the division right before bed, everyone got ITed, I wasn’t happy but I accepted it. I had night watch also, so over all it was a bad night for me.

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1 – 4 hold day 3

chitien — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:03:56 +0000

We ran drills all day today, the division got IT for a little bit. In the afternoon we did B.A.S.E.S, it is something we run every Saturday. Today we were complimanted by PO Tosado for our bunk making skills. Chief Alcantara said we were well prepared for the Personal Inspections. PO Larson call us girls because our division wouldn’t shut up.

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1 – 4 hold day 2

chitien — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:46:59 +0000

It was a holiday today, we had our usual free time in the morning between 8am to 1pm. I wrote my parents for the first time and I spend rest of the free time studying. We ran drills to prepare for inspections later in the afternoon. In the coming week I’ll be very busy, making up for swimming qualifications as well as doing my initial PFA. On top of that the division still has inspections and test one to deal with.

Side note: I was suprised by the number of Catholics and Christians we have in the division. I can always see someone saying grace before meals.

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1 – 4 hold

chitien — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:32:06 +0000

It is the last day of the year, we PT in house, the RDCs gave us an easy day. My cough is still going, I have been doing my best to try to control it. A lot of people in my division is sick and I was told most would not get better during their entire time at boot camp.

At night after Taps a few shipmates spoke up, they said different things to encourage each other to work together to get through boot camp.

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Training 1 – 4

chitien — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:20:37 +0000

Today I finally got off LLD, but as soon as we woke up, our section was IT because someone was too slow to get ready in the morning.

Today was my schedule dental cleaning, a bunch of us was send to get our teeth cleaned. That took up most of the afternoon.

One guy in our division Lott who had a messy nose bleed yesterday had a reoccurring incident today at the dental building. He created such a mess the head, bathroom, he was using got secured, and his uniform thrown out.

The nurse that did my dental cleaning made a deep impression on me, she was very detail in her work, it was her personality. She cared to do her best and make it right, even if she knew another doctor later on could easily pick up where she left off. She didn’t mind staying later then anyone else in the office to get the work done. I wonder if I can find someone like that in the future.

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Training 1 – 3

chitien — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:12:34 +0000

In the morning our division was given computer based instruction on the material we are studying for on the test. After the workshop the division was commissioned. This time our division flag is made official.

In the afternoon the division went to do their initial PFA, since I was LLD from yesterday’s doctor’s visit I didn’t participate. But I hoped I can pass it when my time comes around.

At night we started receiving instructions on ironing our cloth daily.

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Training week 1 day 2

chitien — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:33:55 +0000

I didn’t sleep well last night, my body ws in pain from the ITs and I had a fever. In the morning I went to to sick call to get medication and I asked for two days of LLD, Light Limited Duty.

The division went to get their swim qualification, due to my physical condition I decide that I would be better off missing it. And because my leg was hurting that badly I decided to hold off on tomorrow’s initial PFA, physical fitness assessment test.

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1 – 1 hold 4

chitien — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:26:31 +0000

Note: These holding days means that we didn’t advance in our training even though the time is spend in boot camp.

I have been sick for a few days now, slight fever and cough. It feels very cold at night so I load up on sweats and stuff to stay warm. Our section was ITed again in the morning because someone was too slow with the morning hygiene. So we a bunch of jumping jacks again. The workout from last night compounded with today’s I could hardly walk after. But I drag myself around through the uneventful day.

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1 – 1 hold 3

chitien — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:21:30 +0000

This morning we had our first B.A.S.E.S, it is a series of exercise events that were put together so we got a balanced worked out. We had to set up the equipments too since it was our division’s first time to do B.A.S.E.S. Breakfast was schedule after the event.

When we got back to the compartment the Petty Officer wasn’t in a good mood and he spot checked us for geek straps, which we had to have on our glasses. I had lost my a few days ago, it fall off and I couldn’t find it. So I got ITed for over half hour. There were others with me but we did about 500 jumping jacks all together.

After dinner we received a review session from a recruit from 5 – 1 day of training and he gave us great studying tips for our first exam.

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1 – 1 Hold 2

chitien — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:43:21 +0000

Christmas day, we had a early morning but after breakfast we had a few hours to ourselves. I wrote letters to my recuriter AO2 Adams, Alex T. and Joe S. We had a really good dinner but our division got ITed after, and it was because of a few of the guys, so this created bad blood between some of the guys.

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1 – 1 hold

chitien — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:23:14 +0000

My right arm was still hurting when I woke up in the morning, so my bunk mate, Overhamm who was our division medical yeoman wrote a slip for me to go to Tranquility, the recruit hospital. The doctor said that it was nothing too serious, but the intire visit took so long I missed the PT, physical training that day.

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