So I ship off tomorrow

[freakazoid]

Yeah, my recruiter said I should memorize my 11 General Orders, the Sailer's Creed, and the ranks and insignias.

Practice your pushups, too, since you've got plenty of time.

Yeah. The night before I was going to ship off I had to take a sort of pre-test to see how much I could do. Did a mile and a half in 13:10, needed to do at lest 13:30. Did 50 sit ups in 1:46, I think, had to do at least 46 in 2 minutes but I just wanted to make it even. Now my push ups were not so good. Don't remember what the goal was but I did not make it. I haven't worked out in a very long time. My legs and my rear end are still sore.

Do NOT get used to apologies from Master Chiefs.   

Thats what I figured. I was like, Woh, the Master Chief even came down to apologies, I bet not to many people get to hear that. He said that he liked the commitment.

[280plus]

Actually, I always found the Senior Chiefs and Master Chiefs to be pretty cool. Most of the Chiefs were too but there was at least one redneck A-hole I remember well. Now E-6 and below is hit or miss. I think the worse was the new 3rd class because suddenly they felt the power and wanted to exercise it. I watched a few friends let it go to their heads and turn "instant a-hole". I was in good shape going in and came out in even better shape at the end of boot. I pitied my fat friend who couldn't do one pull up. They kept him there and worked him till he passed all the physical requirements but he said it wasn't like boot camp after the nine weeks, it got more regular and he was treated like a human bean. And, if you're still out there, don't think the regular Navy is anything like boot camp, it gets much easier once you're out of boot.

[freakazoid]

and he was treated like a human bean.

How does that one work?

Actually, I always found the Senior Chiefs and Master Chiefs to be pretty cool. Most of the Chiefs were too but there was at least one redneck A-hole I remember well.

He seemed like a pretty nice guy.

[Manedwolf]

a command ballcap (which is just a baseball-style hat with the command's name embroidered on the front).

And scrambled eggs, depending on rank.

As for the Navy in general, I thought the overall rule was "If it moves, salute it, if it doesn't move, paint it?"

[RocketMan]

Human bean...ah, yes, Little Big Man.

[280plus]

The rule goes: "If it's broke fix it, if it isn't broke don't fix it and if it's broke and you can't fix it, paint it." 

[erictank]

And scrambled eggs, depending on rank.

As for the Navy in general, I thought the overall rule was "If it moves, salute it, if it doesn't move, paint it?"

Gotta chip the old paint off first! 

If it hollers when you try, you were supposed to salute it, instead. 

[French G.]

Some thoughts since you have time before you go. Most importantly you are apparently smart having qualified for a Nuc school. That leaves us to ponder some of what you post... Don't screw up the smartness. Nuc schools have a lot of washouts and I think most of them are not directly related to the schoolwork. I talked to/mentored a ton of nuc wash-outs and they were all quite smart, most failed at school because they weren't studying and taking it seriously. The school barracks life is unreal, you have money, what feels like absolute freedom after boot camp and parents, and plenty of distractions like buying expensive crap you don't need, girls, PS3, and alcohol. You screw up nuc school and you are taking yourself out of the running for your enlistment bonus, large re-enlistment bonuses, good advancement, and cake civilian jobs. In short over the years you are potentially paying 7 figures to be stupid and not take nuc school seriously. Some of the drop-outs work back to a good rating, had a few as ATs in the aviation world. They still cost themselves and they know it. So even if you hate the military, smile and say yes sir, do your job well and hit the door when your time is up with your enlistment bonus and your college benefits intact. Any other way out is the wrong way.

  A word about college benefits. They are going to start paying full tuition, give you $1K/year for books and pay you a monthly tax free housing allowance for 36 months to go to college. That is ridiculous money, ask anyone on here that has student loans. Don't screw it up by getting kicked out.

  A word on smarts. I cut a 99 on the ASVAB, was hounded to go Nuc, finally took their little test to shut them up, got 70/80 right they were thrilled, asked me again to go nuc and I declined. They were not thrilled. Smart only gets you so much. The rest is doing your job, getting all your qualifications and being a leader whenever you can. I made first class(E-6) in 5 years. I quit active this year after 14 years, still a reserve 1st class. I can cut 80s (max score) on the chief's exam, done it four times actually. I had to basically suffer 5 years not getting promoted for not being able to run 1.5 miles back in 2002. I'm not sorry, I'm a pretty good first class, had a chance to warp lots of young minds. I would have never made 1st in 5 just on smart, I was a minor god at my job and I did what I was told.

Good luck to you, don't screw this up! 

[freakazoid]

and plenty of distractions like buying expensive crap you don't need, girls, PS3, and alcohol.

FINALLY!! 

Thanks for the words of advice, 

[280plus]

What the hell "tomorrow" we're you talking about? Ain't you gone yet? 

[crawdaddyjim]

My only advice for Boot camp is START RUNNING NOW! Both of my sons are in the service. The oldest listened and ran every day until he left for Boot. He never had a problem in the Marines. The youngest didn't listen. He had a time of it just getting through Air force basic. Run, run, run.

Jim

[280plus]

Run freakazoid, RUN!!