Ok I know many of you have been waiting, so I'll finally finish the blog haha. Week 4 was a very fast paced week. We split up into small groups of 8-9 people for our Division Officer Leadership Classes. These are small group excercises which stress leadership by presenting us with situations that we would be likely to see in our careers. These lasted from 7am until 430 or 5 everyday. Although they were long, they were very helpful and to me better than large classes. We also had our final PRT. I cannot remember my numbers for push-ups and sit-ups, but my 1.5 mile run time improved, 9:35 which I was very happy. Although I never saw this officially, I was told I was in the top three males in PRT scores, I think I ended up second after the final test. I am very happy with that regardless!
Week 5 was very laid back for the most part. We continued to have PT in the mornings and some final classes. Knowing the end was near made everything fly by. We finally got to wear our NWU's (navy's camo), which is my favorite uniform. The rest of our time involved final paperwork things, paying for uniforms which was a shocker, and hanging out with our companies. On Wednesday we had a class dinner on base which was a lot of fun. Thursday was our Hi Mom's reception, which is what I had a large part in planning, so I and the other social officers were glad to see that event be a great success! The reception was at a great place directly on the beach and it was a great time to spend with our friends and family. Friday morning we had the family graduation run 1 mile run, anyone was welcome to run along with us. And then finally graduation was at 9 that morning!
All in all it was a great experience and I met so many great people. The 5 weeks flew by and made my summer great!
Davis Navy ODS
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Week 3
We have made it past the half way point! It really had gone by very quickly. So this third week we managed to not get in trouble for the most part, they can always find something though. We had a lot of classes this week. They really try and drive leadership and professionalism into everything that we do. In Tuesday we had our test over any and all things Navy, which I made a 90 on. I managed to need 5 immunizations thanks to not having any titers built up.
The mid-PFA was this week and I have managed to become stronger and faster! 93 pushups, 112 sit ups, and the 1.5 mile run in 9:40. I was pretty excited about that, but definitely want to do even better on the last PFA on the Monday of week 5!
We had our first taste of off base liberty this weekend and were allowed to go into Newport! Newport is an awesome little city! We had a couple of retired naval officers buy us a round of beers, I was saluted by a 3 year old boy, and countless "thank yous." That was an odd feeling and very humbling experience.
On Friday, we had a combined room/summer whites/and knowledge inspection. That was the most stressful thing we have had so far. By no means are you allowed to break your military bearing, all the while they are checking everything in your room, your uniform, and drilling you with questions! I passed, so thankfully I didn't have to do reinspections on Saturday. One last note on the whites, I have NEVER been so afraid of eating before or scuffing into anything haha.
Week 4 is supposedly out busiest week, in terms of class load. I have no idea what the classes are over yet. On the 4th we will get to go to Bristol RI ad march in the nation's oldest July 4th parade! I think they said its the 227th parade. Pretty excited about that!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Week 2
This week has been pretty great! We had two of our simulators this week, fire fighting school and the wet trainer (aka USS Buttercup). Fire fighting was awesome, we were put in full gear, oxygen tank an all, which the said weighed 70 pounds all together! We got to fight a total of 3 fires, one burning under a bomb, one grease fire, and one full fledge ship fire. The instructors described it as walking inside the largest gas grill and they weren't kidding, it was incredibly hot! Manning the fire hose seemed to complete my childhood haha.
Now the Buttercup is definitely missnamed.. It makes it sound easy, but we definitely sunk the buttercup twice. By far the best thing we have done so far though. The buttercup is actually a section of a former Naval ship! They simulate an attack and unleash 25000 gallons of water! I was the section leader once, meaning I was the boss and had to plan out how to patch everything, not to mentioned being yelled at because te ship is sinking! I was glad I had te chance to be the section leader though!
PT has increased a lot this week! My legs are so stiff, it hurts to do anything! We had the joy of having all of our locks locked together an Gavin to find our own in 5 minutes because someone left there lock undone one afternoon. So that added some Friday afternoon excitement!
We have on base liberty this weekend! Which means we can basically go anywhere on base. Last night we went bowling, tonight we a big group of my company are going to eat in the officer's club for the first time, kind of excited about that!
Despite our increased PT, we have spent a good bit of our time doing extra workouts! We run a lot on our own, and the gym here is huge! Never thought I'd admit this, but I'm now used to waking up at 0430. I have actually beat my alarm the last two mornings. I'll keep you updated as the week goes!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Week 1
Ok so I have now officially survived week one. Our average day starts at 0400, maybe 0430, and goes until about 2300. Every morning we have about 1 hour of PT of some sort, breakfast, classes, lunch, classes, dinner, class/more PT. So we stay at it all day. I passed my first PFA with 81 pushups, 70 sit ups, and a 10.38 min 1.5 mile run. Also passed the 3rd class swim test and will hopefully get to do te 2nd class swim qualification before I leave, no promises though.
We got all uniforms on Monday, which took about 6 hours to get everybody through. On Tuesday we met our Senior Chief, let's just say a nuclear bomb explosion would have been less chaotic! He came in screaming at 0400 and we ran, "got on our face," sit ups, and whatever else he decided to do. It wasn't just our Senior Chief, there were no fewer than 10 Chiefs yelling down our neck about how slow we were doing things! Also, yesterday.Senior Chief took us on a "tour" of all his favorite places. Needless to say he likes the sand. We went to rose garden, the cookie jar, and some other cruel name sand pit, all before 0530. But, I think we have the best Senior Chief and have really gotten to like him believe it or not.
Yesterday was our first uniform inspection, got to wear the khakis for the first time, and in the words of our Leutinent, I felt damn proud!
Who know what all fun we will do next week, but I know that on Monday we go to firefighting school, and Tuesday is our attempt to not let the USS Buttercup sink! Those should be awesome!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Settled in and ready to start!
June 11th 0338... I now finally feel like I have settled in. I had the chance to have liberty most of the day to walk around and see the base before we are told where and where not to go. Rhode Island is beautiful,the high for the next 10 days never breaks 72!
Anyway, I had the joy of having my luggage lost from a plane I happened to be the ONLY passenger on! I was told my bag would make it to me around 2 that afternoon, it didn't. I went to bed around 11 (2300) and got sleep all the way until 145! That's when I was told my luggage was at the gate and the Duty Officer was going to escort me to the gate to claim my things. But finally I feel like I'm settled in now that I am unpacked, although it sounds as if we can be made to change companies at anytime and have to change rooms. My roommate is a no-show, so I have the bunk (hatch) to myself.
We haven't done anything but paperwork so far, but in a hour from now our first day of PT begins. Also tomorrow is when we go to get all of our uniforms, we will only wear PT gear or the entire first week, if you're thinking what I'm thinking sounds like it should make for an interesting week! Our class has 194 members, split into 4 companies.
Anyway, I had the joy of having my luggage lost from a plane I happened to be the ONLY passenger on! I was told my bag would make it to me around 2 that afternoon, it didn't. I went to bed around 11 (2300) and got sleep all the way until 145! That's when I was told my luggage was at the gate and the Duty Officer was going to escort me to the gate to claim my things. But finally I feel like I'm settled in now that I am unpacked, although it sounds as if we can be made to change companies at anytime and have to change rooms. My roommate is a no-show, so I have the bunk (hatch) to myself.
We haven't done anything but paperwork so far, but in a hour from now our first day of PT begins. Also tomorrow is when we go to get all of our uniforms, we will only wear PT gear or the entire first week, if you're thinking what I'm thinking sounds like it should make for an interesting week! Our class has 194 members, split into 4 companies.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Anchor's Aweigh!
My flight is at 1300. Family is coming up to have me a "final" good meal at Cracker Barrell. Meghan has gotten me packed and ready. She came up early this morning and we have been reading other former ODS blogs to get an idea. And basically the main thing I got from every blog was "DO NOT CALL THE SR. CHIEF SIR" because as the Chief told them that will make you "Get Stronger or Smarter" meaning push-ups for everytime he is called "Sir". Another cool thing I learned from a blog was story behind the USS Buttercup. The stimulator ship that during week 3 we will have to save from sinking. I read that it got its name from back when the Chiefs were allowed small pets aboard--that a small dog named Buttercup found a leak and alerted his owner. If it wasn't for Buttercup the ship would have sank. And in Buttercup's honor any ship stimulator on any training base will always have the name USS Buttercup. That story has never been confirmed but has been passed down. Pretty cool and funny that its not a another way to mock us by having a ship called Buttercup.
Reading those blogs gave me the idea that having my own blog would be an easy way to keep in touch with everyone since I will not have much phone priveleges. I will have access to the Internet cafe so I can keep every one up to date on my "torture". Which I will be loving every minute of I'm sure.
I will arrive in Newport tonight and tomorrow will be sign-in day. I will keep you posted as much as I can, hopefully every couple of days. Thank for everyone who has supported me through my first year of Medical School and will follow and support me through my journey at ODS. Anchor's Aweigh!!!!!
Reading those blogs gave me the idea that having my own blog would be an easy way to keep in touch with everyone since I will not have much phone priveleges. I will have access to the Internet cafe so I can keep every one up to date on my "torture". Which I will be loving every minute of I'm sure.
I will arrive in Newport tonight and tomorrow will be sign-in day. I will keep you posted as much as I can, hopefully every couple of days. Thank for everyone who has supported me through my first year of Medical School and will follow and support me through my journey at ODS. Anchor's Aweigh!!!!!
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