Departing from Chicago was a nightmare! The evening of graduation from basic training, the area had massive thunderstorms and flooding. The roads surrounding the airport were treacherous, especially for the buses. Once we finally got inside, we were all soaked... while wearing our dress whites and carrying our seabags (green duffel bags which held all of our uniforms and gear). My parents had also purchased a backpack for me... I had that along as well. I looked so silly with a bag on the front and one on the back. Everyone was also carrying garment bags with our other dress uniforms. As we waited for our flights, we spent some time in the USO. The rain and flooding had caused multiple delayed and cancelled flights. My group ended up spending the night in the USO and departing the next morning. We still had a couple of delays. Our flight arrived in Pensacola, FL around 8:00 p.m. After checking in with the command, being assigned to where we would be located on base and our barracks assignments, we also had a welcome brief from the chain of command. Since the galley (chow hall) was closed for the evening, the instructors ordered pizza for us. I don't think that we got to bed until about midnight. (My seabag had a hole ripped in the bottom of it by the time that I received it in Pensacola.)
Roommate -- My first time in the Navy living with a roommate was at "A" School, which is the technical school that you attend after completing basic training. We got to choose our roommates. I didn't really know many girls that were in my barracks. One of the gals that was in my "brother" division at boot camp somehow became attached to my hip and she volunteered to room with me. That turned out to be a mistake. She had a real attitude and was almost ten years my junior. Ugh! (( I entered basic training at 26 years old and most of the people there were 18.) Luckily, she ended up being gone often for her long days in classes. My days weren't as long and I was out by 4:00 p.m.
Waiting to class up-- Once we were assigned our living quarters, we had to wait until there was a class available for us. That meant a lot of cleaning and standing watch. There was fire watch which was walking (roving) and checking spaces for safety, making sure that the equipment was up-to-date, and if there was a fire, reporting it and doing your best to control the fire. Another type of watch duty was inspecting ID's at the quarter deck of the barracks. You also had to announce the time of day, any inclement weather, and call attention to colors in the morning and evening. I stood that watch often. Then, I was put on phone duty to answer calls for the officers. I was told that I was well-suited for this position and received many compliments from my superiors. My class became available after a couple of weeks at Pensacola Naval Air Station "A" School.
Better food-- Food at basic training was alright, though our meals were always hurried. At "A" School, we got to take our meals in the morning before class (after PT), when it was our assigned break between classes, and then at dinner time. We had time to actually enjoy our meals, and the food was closer to restaurant quality (later I was told that the squadron cooks were some of the best cooks in the Navy other than those who cook for the ship captains).
Classes-- Every day class started at 8:00 a.m. and ended at or before 4:00 p.m. Since I was an undesignated airman, we learned the basics that we would need to learn for any position within the aviation field. We were taught about the different tools within a tool box, weather conditions and how they affected work, what the different aviation jobs entailed in the fleet for Air Department, about the flight deck and the types of aircraft, and what the jersey colors meant. (2 months of classes)
PT sessions-- Every morning we would meet at 6:00 a.m. (if I remember correctly.) We would do push-ups, sit-ups, and various calisthenics exercises following our mile and a half run. When we ran it was in formation and we sang cadences along with the group leaders and instructors.
Experiencing Pensacola-- In the evenings we had leisure time before taps was called. There was a mini commissary on base where we could purchase snacks to keep in our rooms and basic personal care items. There was also a place to purchase uniform items and Pensacola souvenirs. On base, we had an enlisted club where they had pool tables, arcade games, a bar that sometimes served food, night life, and a lounge. Those who were not of drinking age could not be in the bar of the enlisted club. On weekends, they would have dance lessons, DJs and karaoke. I made some good friends and also had some from basic training with whom I spent time. We had to have a liberty buddy to go off base. I went to the beach a few times and to the mall. In hindsight, I wish I had done a little more exploring.
Orders-- After my classes had completed, we attended a small graduation ceremony where the instructors presented us with certificates of completion. We also received our orders for where we would be assigned during the first enlistment of our Navy career. I was assigned to an aircraft carrier and was to report to the Aviation Fuels division of Air Department.
Leave-- Following "A" School, I was permitted two weeks of leave. I went home to see family and friends. My mom had a big banner made for me that was displayed in the front of the house. A party was also planned while I was home. Friends and family visited with me during the party and I filled them in about how things were going with me.
Arriving at Everett WA for sea duty-- I departed from Chicago and headed towards the West Coast. I was so excited to see what lay ahead. I had gained some more luggage while at home. I had my computer bag and another duffel. I must have looked like a packed mule. Ha ha. It was all very heavy and I had to carry it on my own. I went to the USO in Seattle to get in touch with my new chain of command and figure out travel arrangements from the airport to base. I had to take a shuttle then a van to base. I was riding with a few other people and we were dropped off at the main gate. It was a long walk to the ship, which was towards the back of base. Luckily, someone on duty brought a truck to help carry luggage and give us a ride. Once I checked into the Quarter Deck of the ship, my new department sent someone to help me carry my stuff to my new berthing onboard.
Waiting to class up-- Once we were assigned our living quarters, we had to wait until there was a class available for us. That meant a lot of cleaning and standing watch. There was fire watch which was walking (roving) and checking spaces for safety, making sure that the equipment was up-to-date, and if there was a fire, reporting it and doing your best to control the fire. Another type of watch duty was inspecting ID's at the quarter deck of the barracks. You also had to announce the time of day, any inclement weather, and call attention to colors in the morning and evening. I stood that watch often. Then, I was put on phone duty to answer calls for the officers. I was told that I was well-suited for this position and received many compliments from my superiors. My class became available after a couple of weeks at Pensacola Naval Air Station "A" School.
Better food-- Food at basic training was alright, though our meals were always hurried. At "A" School, we got to take our meals in the morning before class (after PT), when it was our assigned break between classes, and then at dinner time. We had time to actually enjoy our meals, and the food was closer to restaurant quality (later I was told that the squadron cooks were some of the best cooks in the Navy other than those who cook for the ship captains).
Classes-- Every day class started at 8:00 a.m. and ended at or before 4:00 p.m. Since I was an undesignated airman, we learned the basics that we would need to learn for any position within the aviation field. We were taught about the different tools within a tool box, weather conditions and how they affected work, what the different aviation jobs entailed in the fleet for Air Department, about the flight deck and the types of aircraft, and what the jersey colors meant. (2 months of classes)
PT sessions-- Every morning we would meet at 6:00 a.m. (if I remember correctly.) We would do push-ups, sit-ups, and various calisthenics exercises following our mile and a half run. When we ran it was in formation and we sang cadences along with the group leaders and instructors.
Experiencing Pensacola-- In the evenings we had leisure time before taps was called. There was a mini commissary on base where we could purchase snacks to keep in our rooms and basic personal care items. There was also a place to purchase uniform items and Pensacola souvenirs. On base, we had an enlisted club where they had pool tables, arcade games, a bar that sometimes served food, night life, and a lounge. Those who were not of drinking age could not be in the bar of the enlisted club. On weekends, they would have dance lessons, DJs and karaoke. I made some good friends and also had some from basic training with whom I spent time. We had to have a liberty buddy to go off base. I went to the beach a few times and to the mall. In hindsight, I wish I had done a little more exploring.
Orders-- After my classes had completed, we attended a small graduation ceremony where the instructors presented us with certificates of completion. We also received our orders for where we would be assigned during the first enlistment of our Navy career. I was assigned to an aircraft carrier and was to report to the Aviation Fuels division of Air Department.
Leave-- Following "A" School, I was permitted two weeks of leave. I went home to see family and friends. My mom had a big banner made for me that was displayed in the front of the house. A party was also planned while I was home. Friends and family visited with me during the party and I filled them in about how things were going with me.
Arriving at Everett WA for sea duty-- I departed from Chicago and headed towards the West Coast. I was so excited to see what lay ahead. I had gained some more luggage while at home. I had my computer bag and another duffel. I must have looked like a packed mule. Ha ha. It was all very heavy and I had to carry it on my own. I went to the USO in Seattle to get in touch with my new chain of command and figure out travel arrangements from the airport to base. I had to take a shuttle then a van to base. I was riding with a few other people and we were dropped off at the main gate. It was a long walk to the ship, which was towards the back of base. Luckily, someone on duty brought a truck to help carry luggage and give us a ride. Once I checked into the Quarter Deck of the ship, my new department sent someone to help me carry my stuff to my new berthing onboard.
