December 21

Okay now for the daily what's goings on. We just turned west and cranked the
speed up to cruising. So we are gone. What this means for packages and mail
I have no clue. Maybe when we go past Hawaii we'll get some CODs (Carrier On-Board Delivery)?

As for my next stop keep watching the news. I'll tell you all I can once I,
well, can. In any case we have a few good ports we got lined up.

Life here. Well we just hit some moderate seas for the first time. A carrier
can be weirder than most any ships. It doesn't list much (3-4 degrees in
heavy seas). The problem is that since its so big that 3-4 degrees is about
12 feet up and down on the edges of the flight deck. Plus the period of the
rolls is so slow it can be even weirder. It's easier to get into
the rhythm of the rolls. However, in high seas it can be easier to walk on
the walls than the floor. So it could be worse. What else about here would
anyone want to know? Um, flight quarters go on far more than you would
think.

Career wise I still don't know. Seabee rates are A school only sadly. If I
want to wait for an A school it will be about 2 years here as a UNDES. You need a year min to apply for it, 18 months until you can leave but most commands won't
let you until you hit 2 years. I might go for yeoman. You get a security
clearance and can do actual things that apply outside the navy.

Oh good news. I found out I can put in a diver package immediately. No
minimum time, no waiting for my departments approval to let you go when they
can fill your spot. Dropping SWCC only affected applying for SWCC again for
2 years (and possibly SEAL), but not diver, EOD or Airt Rescue. However you need a dive physical and a recent PST (both of mine from SWCC are about a month too old).
This means I can't do all that until once we pull back in. So 6 months then
dive school (hopefully). The couseler said I can and should still strike for
a rate, make PO3 in whatever rating, go for good evals. He basically said
they're still so undermanned that as long as you qualify you'll get to go.

Not too much xmas stuff planned. Only a small tree in the galley and a
Christmas Story played the other day. Surprisingly not too many people are
in the holiday spirit within a month of departing. Maybe holiday cheer will pick up on the 24th or 25th. Fingers crossed we will have a little time off then.

Alex