Friends, Family, and Shipmates: I've started a blog to chronicle my adventures on this upcoming IA deployment to Afghanistan, refer to: http://www.sailorplayingsoldierinafghan.blogspot.com
I really hope you enjoy this blog. I will update everyday until I start my training. After that it will be sporadic as internet capability can be grueling in a training environment and of course, in "theater" (Afghanistan).
I will update this blog from time to time. But we will not be doing anymore RV trips until I return next May/June (yes 2010)! So this blog will be used to chronicle what is going on with my family. So I know that's TWO blogs - but I think you can muster up enough time to read them as this one won't be everyday...more like maybe a week or month. Basically, when I have something grand to announce.
Be safe!
Steve
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Another Deployment on the Horizon.....
As some of you may know, I've been chosen to go on a special assignment to Afghanistan. I guess this is what happens when you get advanced (LOL)!!
The military term for this assignment is "Individual Augmentation (IA)". The IA will be to Afghanistan. I will not publish any dates - as we say in the Navy "loose lips sink ships". So I won't go about that business, but I will start a blog to chronicle my entire experience on this IA.
Once I have started the blog, I'll let everyone know.
Safe travels -
Steve
The military term for this assignment is "Individual Augmentation (IA)". The IA will be to Afghanistan. I will not publish any dates - as we say in the Navy "loose lips sink ships". So I won't go about that business, but I will start a blog to chronicle my entire experience on this IA.
Once I have started the blog, I'll let everyone know.
Safe travels -
Steve
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Congratulations Joseph!!
Our oldest son, Joseph, has graduated High School!! We are very proud of him. He had a rough Senior year, but between Maria and I we got him to that graduation day.
He now has his sights set on going into the United States Marine Corps! I guess he thinks his Uncle Shane (USMC GySgt) is more cool than his Dad (USN Senior Chief). I know whatever he chooses, he'll do well. We are glad he's going into the military - many great benefits for those that are active duty. One of which will be someone other than Dad being a pr+ck! I think he'll understand that - oh - about 5 minutes after he gets off the plane and he is "introduced" to his Drill Instructor!! At any rate, it will be good for him.
I hope he'll heed my financial advice - I think I'll talk to him "after" he gets out of Boot Camp. He may realize Dad has always been on his side and might be a little more willing to listen.....(Ahhhh - You think?)
Anyway - we are proud of our Joey and we wish the very best for him as he matures into manhood!
Safe travels -
He now has his sights set on going into the United States Marine Corps! I guess he thinks his Uncle Shane (USMC GySgt) is more cool than his Dad (USN Senior Chief). I know whatever he chooses, he'll do well. We are glad he's going into the military - many great benefits for those that are active duty. One of which will be someone other than Dad being a pr+ck! I think he'll understand that - oh - about 5 minutes after he gets off the plane and he is "introduced" to his Drill Instructor!! At any rate, it will be good for him.
I hope he'll heed my financial advice - I think I'll talk to him "after" he gets out of Boot Camp. He may realize Dad has always been on his side and might be a little more willing to listen.....(Ahhhh - You think?)
Anyway - we are proud of our Joey and we wish the very best for him as he matures into manhood!
Safe travels -
Monday, June 1, 2009
Frocked!!
It happended - today at 1615 I was "frocked" to Senior Chief. In the USN once we have received confirmation from USN HR that promotion has been approved, the Commanding Officer is allowed to "frock" those personnel. Frocking means to "wear" the rank, but you're not getting paid for it. Basically, you are referred to as the frocked paygrade, you get the "prestige" and "benefits" that come with that paygrade, but you just don't get paid for it. I will probably be promoted on 16 Oct and start receiving pay that date. I will know in a month or so when I should see the actual advancement date.
So in the USN, frocking is a very big deal. Maria and my Command Master Chief did the honors of taking off my "Chief" anchors and pinning on my "Senior Chief" anchors. Most of the Chief's Mess was there along with my CO, Dept. Head, and almost all of my Yeoman. It was a great ceremony.
Maria and I are still pondering our decision to stay Navy or retire next year. We sure are leaning toward staying. While my retirement pay would be substainally larger if I stayed for another five years, I would have to go back to sea duty and probably be required to do a tour in Afghanistan or Iraq. So as I've said before....more to follow.
Stay safe, and chat later -
Steve
So in the USN, frocking is a very big deal. Maria and my Command Master Chief did the honors of taking off my "Chief" anchors and pinning on my "Senior Chief" anchors. Most of the Chief's Mess was there along with my CO, Dept. Head, and almost all of my Yeoman. It was a great ceremony.
Maria and I are still pondering our decision to stay Navy or retire next year. We sure are leaning toward staying. While my retirement pay would be substainally larger if I stayed for another five years, I would have to go back to sea duty and probably be required to do a tour in Afghanistan or Iraq. So as I've said before....more to follow.
Stay safe, and chat later -
Steve
Thursday, May 28, 2009
GREAT NEWS and.... Not so good news...!
I'll get right down to the "GREAT NEWS" - I found out today that I was promoted to Senior Chief!! That is E-8 in the USN. E-9 is highest you can go. I found out today around 1600 from my Commanding Officer, Administrative Officer and Command Master Chief. I got the news with a few of my Yeoman around, that made it so much better.
So going back to my choices that I posed a few days ago...remember my four choices? Well, this was not even in the plan as this was the last opportunity for me to make it - well this brings a new twist on things.
So Maria and I have a decision to make.......retire from USN next year as planned or stay USN for the next 5 years. So that would mean no full-timing for us for at least four more years. Decisions - Decisions! This is something I really have to think about.
The not so good news is that I still do not have my final grade from my fourth class I took this last semester. I received all other grades, and have been waiting for the last seven days - getting a little ticked off about this.
Anyway, today was full of the best news I've received in a few years!!
For all those on the road, be safe.
Chat later -
Steve
So going back to my choices that I posed a few days ago...remember my four choices? Well, this was not even in the plan as this was the last opportunity for me to make it - well this brings a new twist on things.
So Maria and I have a decision to make.......retire from USN next year as planned or stay USN for the next 5 years. So that would mean no full-timing for us for at least four more years. Decisions - Decisions! This is something I really have to think about.
The not so good news is that I still do not have my final grade from my fourth class I took this last semester. I received all other grades, and have been waiting for the last seven days - getting a little ticked off about this.
Anyway, today was full of the best news I've received in a few years!!
For all those on the road, be safe.
Chat later -
Steve
Thursday, May 21, 2009
All Down - Now time for FUN!
I'm sure you can figure out what I'm talking about by reading my last post....NO more classes until 1 June.
We are planning our trip to Morro Bay, CA very soon. Much more information to follow on those plans.
Our boys are doing good - we just try to hard to keep them on task. My oldest son said to me the other day..."Dad, I'm a senior - I want to have fun before I can't fun anymore....." Unfortunately, he just doesn't get it, but I think that's a typical teenage thought. He will be 18 in 39 days. (Yes, we're counting.....).
Maria is working hard with her daycare business. We both cannot wait to close those doors and we both move onto our next life-chapter.
We are still trying to figure out what we will do next September when I retire from USN. Our viable options:
#1: Move to Alaska and pursue our careers in the Federal Civil Service
#2: Get in our MH and start a Workamp "career"
#3: "I" get in the MH and work on MBA while woking as a camphost
#4: Stay here in our house in Hanford; Maria continue her business and I work on MBA full-time (I also get my GI Bill).
So here's to all my readers: Help us - tell me what you think. #1, 2, 3 or 4 - and if you choose, give me a reason why.
Stay safe - chat later.
Steve
We are planning our trip to Morro Bay, CA very soon. Much more information to follow on those plans.
Our boys are doing good - we just try to hard to keep them on task. My oldest son said to me the other day..."Dad, I'm a senior - I want to have fun before I can't fun anymore....." Unfortunately, he just doesn't get it, but I think that's a typical teenage thought. He will be 18 in 39 days. (Yes, we're counting.....).
Maria is working hard with her daycare business. We both cannot wait to close those doors and we both move onto our next life-chapter.
We are still trying to figure out what we will do next September when I retire from USN. Our viable options:
#1: Move to Alaska and pursue our careers in the Federal Civil Service
#2: Get in our MH and start a Workamp "career"
#3: "I" get in the MH and work on MBA while woking as a camphost
#4: Stay here in our house in Hanford; Maria continue her business and I work on MBA full-time (I also get my GI Bill).
So here's to all my readers: Help us - tell me what you think. #1, 2, 3 or 4 - and if you choose, give me a reason why.
Stay safe - chat later.
Steve
Monday, May 18, 2009
2 Down -- 2 To Go!!
My title is concerning my college classes; 2 down and 2 more left this semester. I take the finals for both those classes this week. I'll be done by Friday, then no school until Monday, 1 June. Next semester I'm only taking two classes.
I just wish I could get my two high school aged sons to understand the importance of college - instead I spend my time getting them "to school". Maria and I are just about at our witts end with their nonsense. Their good kids - just too much playing around for me.
Anyway, be safe on the road.
Chat later-
Steve
I just wish I could get my two high school aged sons to understand the importance of college - instead I spend my time getting them "to school". Maria and I are just about at our witts end with their nonsense. Their good kids - just too much playing around for me.
Anyway, be safe on the road.
Chat later-
Steve
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