Shock and Awe

When I was in college a lot of my good guy friends were in the Army ROTC.  They were always talking up both the Army and the officer program. A couple of them, jokingly told me at the time, that maybe I should join the ROTC as well.  I gave it some serious thought because the benefits outweighed the negatives. But, in the end, I decided against it.

This year, after I decided to pursue a career in the military, I ran the idea by my Army buddies... now all officers. All of them advised me to go directly for the officer program and not to mess around with the enlisted side. They told me that I should have no problem getting in since I already have my bachelors degree. I did a lot of research and spoke with recruiters from each branch of service, then initially opted to try for the Air Force officer program. So, I conversed back and forth via email with the recruiter and got set  up to take the AFOQT (officer test)... and didn't get what I expected, nor were many jobs available to me. I explored my other options, spoke to more recruiters and was advised by a Navy officer recruiter to go regular enlisted for a couple of years, and to try again for officer in a couple years. Of course, when I told my buddies, they told me that I was getting a raw deal, so I verified it with the recruiter and conducted more research. I found out that the U.S. government is downsizing the military and that it is difficult to get into officer programs because of the limited amount of slots, also it is very competitive to try and go in as a civilian. So, I decided it was in my best interest to follow the advice of the Navy officer recruiter.  My buddies have their own opinions on the matter, but since I am going in at a different time than they did, I have different circumstances...as does the Navy.

No matter what my family and friends are there for me to support me in my endeavors, and offer guidance if I require it.

7-Day Follow Up

I met with my recruiter this morning for my 7-day follow up. Got weighed in and took a written test about drug abuse awareness. I also signed some paperwork saying that I have not changed my mind about the Navy and that basically I am staying out of trouble. Went over my "START" guide, which is basically information about what to expect at basic training and the information and creeds that I need to memorize. She told me the importance of different things in the guide and highlighted what I need to go over. We also talked about what will happen in my first DEP meeting. As I was leaving, she had me practice reporting in/requesting permission to leave and saluting. "Future Sailor DeWispelaere requests permission to come aboard (enter)/go ashore (leave)." This will become part of my routine for DEP and basic training.  The other recruiter in the office laughed a bit, I guess didn't realize that's what it was... and my recruiter said she will call me Dewi since she knows how to spell my name but not how to say it. The other recruiter said they'd probably call me Alphabet in Basic... oh joy! He he. Oh, and my recruiter gave me a new poster to hang on my wall with the Sailor's Creed on it. She said that I need to have it memorized as well as I know the Pledge of Allegiance.

Later I got a text from my recruiter that I have an additional required meeting next week with the district supervisor. Apparently the supervisor wants to meet with all people shipping out to Basic in May and June.  Busy week next week.

More Navy Pictures

 My new Navy hat.

 My utilitarian heavy-duty watch that my dad picked out for me to wear during Basic.

I am officially property of the U.S. Navy... as of the day I signed my contract I am in the Inactive Reserves while I am in DEP until I leave for Basic.

 Ahh, I am an Army brat who joined the Navy. My parents are so proud... as is the rest of my family, and my friends. My dad is so happy that I joined the Navy rather than the Army, and says that it is a better fit for me.

 Me in my new Navy hat... I think it looks so cute on me, and works well on bad hair days.

 I will persevere in my goals in the U.S. Navy... ha ha, yeah, I think I was growling here, trying to be tough.

Go Navy! I am an Airman and a Future Sailor. Readying for all that lies ahead of me.

Updates on my Enlistment/DEP process

This past Friday, I had my 72-hour Indoctrination meeting with one of my recruiters, who came to my house. Basically they wanted to make sure that nothing changed, and that I still want to join the Navy. We went over some paperwork, made sure that I have not had any other traffic violations or gotten any recent tattoos, or done any drugs, or that my weight has dramatically changed. I have a follow-up meeting scheduled with the recruiter at the recruiting office, and I have to get them copies of my Master Promissory Notes (they came in the mail the other day, after a 3 week wait), also they need a copy of my contract for their file. Also, I have my first DEP meeting next week. It sounds like it will be an introductory thing, since we don't start PT yet. Upon enlistment I received a START guide with Navy information, creeds, and stuff that I have memorize before I enter Basic Training. We shall see when I start to get quizzed on all of my information. Another thing that I have been told is I should have another swearing in ceremony and medical exam on the day that I ship out for Basic.

Ugh Gotta Start PT... A Necessary Evil

I need to start getting in shape before I go to Basic Training... only about 2 months to get ready (83 days to be exact). For Basic the standards I need to pass are as follows: Minimum-- Curl ups (sit-ups) 47, Push-ups 15, 1.5 Mile Run 15:45, 500yd Swim 14:15, and 450m Swim 14:05; Maximum--Curl ups 101, Push-ups 46, 1.5 Mile Run 10:17, 500yd Swim 7:23, and 450m Swim 7:13.

Also for my Aircrewman Candidate School standards I need to pass a class 2 swimming test: Swim 1 mile in flight suit in under 80 minutes; swim 75yds in full flight gear (backstroke, sidestroke, breaststroke--25yds each);  tread water for 2 minutes in full flight gear, followed by 3 minutes of drown-proofing, followed by 5 minutes of floating with a life preserver; and jump from a 12-foot tower and swim 15yds underwater wearing full flight suit and boots.

My recruiter told me that I should get a free membership to the Y with my DEP (delayed entry program) ID. Also, I am going to check into a discounted alumni pass at my alma mater for the recreation center. I need a workout buddy... soon I should have one. I was also told that soon PT sessions will begin for Future Sailors with my DEP group.

My biggest challenges are going to be fine-tuning my swimming skills, cutting my run time, and my form for my push-ups and sit-ups. With time it will be better, and I need to keep motivated... I can do this! PT will become a BIG part of my life in the Navy, might as well begin to get used to it now.

Some of the Free Stuff From the Recruiter :)

 First two visits to the recruiter I got some cool stuff... and I use it all.

This is the stuff that I got when I signed my enlistment contract. I also got another binder and pen. The hat fits my dad better than it does me, so he got a new hat. I picked one up at the NEX that looks better on me.

I put on my hat for this picture, but it was too big, so my dad ended up getting a new hat. He put his "my daughter is in the Navy" pin on it, and wears it all the time.

Getting Antsy For Some Answers

I am waiting as patiently as I can for a new chapter of my life to begin. I have begun my enlistment process, though it seems that it should be moving a lot faster than it is. November began my research phase and I should've expected the "hurry up and wait" thing since it is, after all, the military and that's how they do things. At least I have gotten through the hard parts of my enlistment process: research, initial meetings with the recruiter, signing the contract and choosing a career field, and swearing in. Now, to deal with the the annoyances. I am fighting with the loan companies to verify, process, and release information on my records. It takes an eternity just to receive a glimmer of hope from them. One company seems more complacent than the other, but it still takes some time to receive any answers. So, I am stuck waiting a couple of weeks to a month for anything, any news. I call them and they tell me that there is nothing to report and basically that they can't confirm whether or not anything has been done. They have to send a request to send a request and so on... oh, if only things would run more efficiently. But, I think that loan companies want to be a pain until you pay them off. I tell them that the government will pay them and they are still being a nuisance. I guess I get to pester them some more until I am blue in the face. I just don't want them to hold up my enlistment process anymore than they already have. I've got about 50 days, I think, until I have to get all of my student loan paperwork into the Navy so that I remain eligible for the loan repayment program. The headaches continue...