A-School
A-School, is where you go after Boot Camp, if you are trying to become a designated striker, for whatever rate you plan to go for.
In my case the rating was Aviation Structural Mechanic (Hydraulics), AMH for short.
I flew out of San Diego and landed in Memphis, TN sometime at night. I have no idea of the time, just that it was dark and rainy. We checked into admin, and the barracks. My particular barracks was South 402. My barracks was located by the Galley, and the Wave cage. (Female Barracks). My first night I went to my assigned room, and fell in exhaustion onto the only empty rack. I woke up sometime later having to piss really bad. But, I had no idea where the Head was. I didn't want to disturb my roommates. So I laid there for well over three hours suffering with a full bladder. It was a weekend, so the other guys slept in. Finally one of them started to stir, and came awake. I asked him where the head was, and off I went.
A little while later, the messenger came up to my room, and told me I had a visitor on the Quarterdeck. I got dressed in my Working Blues, went downstairs, and found that one of my friends from Boot Camp was there. He asked if I wanted to go over to McDonald's. I hesitated, because I was so used to all of my movements being regulated from Boot Camp. He saw my trepidation, and told me it was ok, we weren't under the same rules here.
You go from having a very structured routine, to all of a sudden freedom, and it's a real shock. Another shocker I had, was looking at all of the civilians in the Airports. I felt they were all unsat, because of their hair length and the way they wore their clothing. Yes, I was really that brainwashed.
One thing about Millington was that you were not authorized to wear civilian clothes for a set amount of time. I think it was like 60 days. So, before you were allowed to wear your civvies, you had to walk around in your working blues. To get authorization you had to run a chit through the chain of command. I remember when I was finally able to wear my civvies, I was so excited. I went up to get my civvies out of storage, and someone had stolen my jeans. So, I had to go over to the Navy Exchange and buy new jeans and a belt. You HAD to wear a belt.....what a stupid rule.
Then there was school........
Molly's Naval Glossary:
Working Blue Uniform- This uniform is also known as Johnny Cash's. Because they are all black (Navy Blue) with a necktie, and your white hat.
Galley- Kitchen or Chow Hall
Head- Restroom
Chit- Can be a written request to get authorization for something, or another version can be used to report a violation of the UCMJ.
UCMJ- Uniform Code of Military Justice, the law.
Rate- A rating is your job. To become a designated stryker for a certain rate, you either go to A-school or you get designated after you take your first test for whichever rate. You're not actually 'Rated' until you become a Petty Officer 3rd Class (E-4)
Quarterdeck- A cermonial location on either a ship, or building. If you watch the movies, it's where people salute the flag, and then the person on watch, to request permission to come aboard.
In my case the rating was Aviation Structural Mechanic (Hydraulics), AMH for short.
I flew out of San Diego and landed in Memphis, TN sometime at night. I have no idea of the time, just that it was dark and rainy. We checked into admin, and the barracks. My particular barracks was South 402. My barracks was located by the Galley, and the Wave cage. (Female Barracks). My first night I went to my assigned room, and fell in exhaustion onto the only empty rack. I woke up sometime later having to piss really bad. But, I had no idea where the Head was. I didn't want to disturb my roommates. So I laid there for well over three hours suffering with a full bladder. It was a weekend, so the other guys slept in. Finally one of them started to stir, and came awake. I asked him where the head was, and off I went.
A little while later, the messenger came up to my room, and told me I had a visitor on the Quarterdeck. I got dressed in my Working Blues, went downstairs, and found that one of my friends from Boot Camp was there. He asked if I wanted to go over to McDonald's. I hesitated, because I was so used to all of my movements being regulated from Boot Camp. He saw my trepidation, and told me it was ok, we weren't under the same rules here.
You go from having a very structured routine, to all of a sudden freedom, and it's a real shock. Another shocker I had, was looking at all of the civilians in the Airports. I felt they were all unsat, because of their hair length and the way they wore their clothing. Yes, I was really that brainwashed.
One thing about Millington was that you were not authorized to wear civilian clothes for a set amount of time. I think it was like 60 days. So, before you were allowed to wear your civvies, you had to walk around in your working blues. To get authorization you had to run a chit through the chain of command. I remember when I was finally able to wear my civvies, I was so excited. I went up to get my civvies out of storage, and someone had stolen my jeans. So, I had to go over to the Navy Exchange and buy new jeans and a belt. You HAD to wear a belt.....what a stupid rule.
Then there was school........
Molly's Naval Glossary:
Working Blue Uniform- This uniform is also known as Johnny Cash's. Because they are all black (Navy Blue) with a necktie, and your white hat.
Galley- Kitchen or Chow Hall
Head- Restroom
Chit- Can be a written request to get authorization for something, or another version can be used to report a violation of the UCMJ.
UCMJ- Uniform Code of Military Justice, the law.
Rate- A rating is your job. To become a designated stryker for a certain rate, you either go to A-school or you get designated after you take your first test for whichever rate. You're not actually 'Rated' until you become a Petty Officer 3rd Class (E-4)
Quarterdeck- A cermonial location on either a ship, or building. If you watch the movies, it's where people salute the flag, and then the person on watch, to request permission to come aboard.
posted by Tall Molly Man at 11:47 PM
2 Comments:
I am so loving these posts. Its really interesting to read your approach to it all.
A belt...hehe I happen to think a man is a bit uncivilized if he doesn't have a belt on with his pants. But I personally hate them on my clothes unless its a suit.
I'm weird, I know...
lol
And done!
I don't like belts either. I don't like the buckle poking my belly button. I'm weird.
I have a cousin in the Navy. She's stationed in San Diego.
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