Oh the places life takes you!

[em2nought]

Congrats, and good luck!

One patrol was enough for me, after that I just hung lights on their tails.

[keltos01]

Originally Posted by Camaero

Hey guys,

I haven't posted regularly around here for a long time, but I wanted to let everyone know the strange way this website has shaped the direction of my life.

I joined in 2005 after picking up SHIII. I already loved military history in general at that time, but I didn't know much about submarines. I played the heck out of SHIII and IV, fell in love with Das Boot (the director's cut of course!), got into Dangerous Waters, etc. The whole submarine thing has really stuck with me ever since then.

Now comes the part I wanted to tell everyone. Late last year I realized I needed a new direction in life. I was doing fine, but I wasn't exactly excited about the path I was on. It lacked... experiences and adventure. So, I began to toy with different ideas. Eventually I decided to join the Navy Reserve and keep my job. I figured the reserve would allow me to add a little spice into life, without forcing me to change everything, and leave all I know behind. It felt like a safe thing to do.

But after going through MEPS and scoring high on the ASVAB, I decided a major change was actually what I wanted, if only I was brave enough to follow through with it. In the end, I followed my heart and asked my recruiters to switch my application to active duty.

After a long process, I volunteered for sub duty and signed an SECF contract a few weeks ago. A year ago I would have never believed this would be happening. I am extremely excited for the opportunity to serve on a submarine!

I've never even been out to sea before.

Cheers all.

You're now living one of my dreams !

Fair winds and calm seas

regards

Fred

[Camaero]

I appreciate the words of support, everyone! I'm looking at about a year of school at Groton, CT before I ever reach a submarine. Anyone know what Groton is like? It's a long long ways from home.

[Platapus]

Good luck and thank you for your service to our country.

Oh, by the way, those Navy Chiefs, just ignore them, they ain't that important.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Camaero

I appreciate the words of support, everyone! I'm looking at about a year of school at Groton, CT before I ever reach a submarine. Anyone know what Groton is like? It's a long long ways from home.

Glad to see you're back. Best of luck.

[ETR3(SS)]

Originally Posted by Camaero

I appreciate the words of support, everyone! I'm looking at about a year of school at Groton, CT before I ever reach a submarine. Anyone know what Groton is like? It's a long long ways from home.

Groton wasn't bad when I was there for BESS in late '02. Lot's to do and see in the area as Boston and NYC aren't that far away. I didn't get out too much as I was only there for the 8 or 9 weeks for BESS then out to the fleet. I also spent my evenings at night study and it paid off, graduated top of my BESS class and got bumped up to E-2. If you've got any other questions feel free to ask, I'll try my best to remember what I can and give advice.

Oh and let me be the first to say: You're dinq nub, get qualified!

[pmanhart]

Congratulations Camaero, you're about to become a professional janitor! Only kidding!

As a submariner myself, and former RM1 (you never STOP being a submariner, trust me...), I hope you'll choose the correct rate... here's some advice for picking one (and anyone correct me if I'm wrong!):

Radioman - Knows everything that's going on. Works late, because they own maintenance on all the masts and antennas, and have to make sure the internet is connected and working before going on liberty. Knows EVERYTHING about the crew, mission and why that next port got cancelled.

Sonar Tech - Shower a lot. There's lots of them. Watch waterfalls. Shower a lot. ST really stands for shower tech. Think everything should be classified as biologics, then after a shower, really listen for the turn speed and give it a real classification.

Fire Control Technician - OOD's boys. Don't really do anything. Always the first on liberty in port, usually followed by the STs. Their equipment is never broken, it's always YOUR stuff that's connected to their system.

NavET - Arts and Crafts. Charts. Charts. Charts. Never fix your JA phone, because they're always too busy doing charts or maintenance on the BCP (Ballast Control Panel). Always know where the boat is going, because... charts.

IT - Not sure these guys do anything but stare at a computer screen. Always working late because their backup didn't work, or the tagout server is down. Don't do it.

Enjoy your enlistment, and get qualified NUB.

[AngusJS]

Congratulations!

[3catcircus]

Originally Posted by pmanhart

Congratulations Camaero, you're about to become a professional janitor! Only kidding!

As a submariner myself, and former RM1 (you never STOP being a submariner, trust me...), I hope you'll choose the correct rate... here's some advice for picking one (and anyone correct me if I'm wrong!):

Radioman - Knows everything that's going on. Works late, because they own maintenance on all the masts and antennas, and have to make sure the internet is connected and working before going on liberty. Knows EVERYTHING about the crew, mission and why that next port got cancelled.

Sonar Tech - Shower a lot. There's lots of them. Watch waterfalls. Shower a lot. ST really stands for shower tech. Think everything should be classified as biologics, then after a shower, really listen for the turn speed and give it a real classification.

Fire Control Technician - OOD's boys. Don't really do anything. Always the first on liberty in port, usually followed by the STs. Their equipment is never broken, it's always YOUR stuff that's connected to their system.

NavET - Arts and Crafts. Charts. Charts. Charts. Never fix your JA phone, because they're always too busy doing charts or maintenance on the BCP (Ballast Control Panel). Always know where the boat is going, because... charts.

IT - Not sure these guys do anything but stare at a computer screen. Always working late because their backup didn't work, or the tagout server is down. Don't do it.

Enjoy your enlistment, and get qualified NUB.

Oh come on now - you've only listed the front end, there...

A-Gang - lots of bilge diving, polishing their, ahem, diesel and making sure The Bomb continues making O2.

E-div - t-shirts with acid-induced holes due to diving the battery well, complaining about fixing the CO's hot water heater, and yelling at junior RC-divvers trying to qualify E-div watch-stations.

M-div - diving bilges, doing a rain dance to get the evaporator to work properly, and wearing the michelin man suit during drills.

RL-div - almost as bad as the sonar girls. They only work once a day while underway and spend lots of time hiding in the lab during field day.

RC-div - keeps the tea kettle safe. Overworked as Logroom Yeoman. Qualified to stand the E-divver's primary watch-stations as well as their own. Highly-qualified coffee technicians before getting to sit in the big boy chair.

Did I mention which of these I was once upon a time?

[Aktungbby]

pmanhart!after a long silent run!

[ETR3(SS)]

Originally Posted by 3catcircus

Oh come on now - you've only listed the front end, there...

A-Gang - lots of bilge diving, polishing their, ahem, diesel and making sure The Bomb continues making O2.

E-div - t-shirts with acid-induced holes due to diving the battery well, complaining about fixing the CO's hot water heater, and yelling at junior RC-divvers trying to qualify E-div watch-stations.

M-div - diving bilges, doing a rain dance to get the evaporator to work properly, and wearing the michelin man suit during drills.

RL-div - almost as bad as the sonar girls. They only work once a day while underway and spend lots of time hiding in the lab during field day.

RC-div - keeps the tea kettle safe. Overworked as Logroom Yeoman. Qualified to stand the E-divver's primary watch-stations as well as their own. Highly-qualified coffee technicians before getting to sit in the big boy chair.

Did I mention which of these I was once upon a time?

All true. But the kid was smart and didn't sign up to be a nuc.

[Jimbuna]

Welcome to SubSim pmanhart

[pmanhart]

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

pmanhart!after a long silent run!

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Welcome to SubSim pmanhart

Thanks gents. I've been coming here for many years pillaging SH III and 4 mods, but as you noticed, haven't ever really posted in the forum. I decided to contribute to the website a few years ago, and come daily to see the sub news on the front page.

Currently trying to figure out the SH 5 mods... But enough about me.

Camaero, you've done yourself a service by choosing to be in front of the watertight door, don't let anyone convince you that power school isn't that bad.

[Rip]

Welcome to the club shipmate.

Hope you enjoy painting with two part epoxies.

Assemble topside for a paint party!!!


BTW, why no love for the TMs (Topedoman Mate) or SK (Storekeeper) YN (Yeoman).

I myself was a forward ET but more of an EW in the radio room.

No need to hurry, by the time you get qualified you will know what rating you want.

As far as Groton, not much but a few bars I remember that probably aren't there any longer.

I do recall they had a nice roach coach service that brought pizza and stuff.

[pmanhart]

Originally Posted by Rip

BTW, why no love for the TMs (Topedoman Mate) or SK (Storekeeper) YN (Yeoman).

Just to update the PC terminology

Due to words hurting people's feelings, and feelings being more important than anything these days, Torpedoman is now Machinist Mate Weapons (MMW).

On a more ridiculous front, Storekeepers are now Logistic Specialists (LS). I never met a box kicker that could be considered a 'specialist' in anything, but what the heck...