USS Scott: Reporting Aboard

 

USS Scott DDG-995

Feb 1991-Jan 1992

Reporting Aboard

 

First, let me put this out there, not everyone in the Navy was or is as gung ho as I was. So, there is some enthusiasm that others did not have.

When I joined the Navy, I had initially planned on being a submariner. Those plans changed throughout boot camp, and I was heading out to a destroyer—actually a guided-missile destroyer, DDG.

Originally it would be closer to 3 years of training before I would receive orders to a sub. With the change in schools, I reported to my ship one year to the day that I joined the Navy. I did not want to be stationed in Norfolk, but that is where I was sent. It seems the Navy knows the least popular choice for a person and picks that for you. I will skip all of the moving the family part of the story and stick with just the part about me.

I get all dressed up in my uniform and head to the Norfolk Naval Base. I do not see my ship anyplace, USS Scott DDG-995. I forget exactly which building I make it to, but I can track down Scott.  She is at a place called Moon Engineering being worked on. I drive there, and there she is. Wow, I have to say, I was impressed.

Finally, getting to my first real Navy command was pretty exciting. I had spent a year in training and was fully ready to put that training to action. I quickly noticed much of the "formal" Navy training we had was thrown out the window. The mood was actually far more relaxed than what we were told it would be. It is hard to explain that part of things, but it was partially a letdown and somewhat relaxing.

When you are in a training base, all of the tiny little Navy traditions are enforced. But, I found out "in the fleet" things were more relaxed. For example, the "Quarterdeck" was not treated so significantly on board the ship as it was in training. The best thing I can equate a quarter deck to civilians is the ship's lobby/reception part. Everyone goes through this to get what they need. In training, we were taught to respect this area almost has hallowed ground. Yet, in the fleet, it was not nearly as important. Make sense?

I report onboard, and finally, a guy from Engineering comes to get me. He leads me down into the ship, and I have to admit, I am totally lost. How in the hell did we get to where we are? It did not help sailors were running all over the place, but I would figure it all out.

I must admit, I have forgotten nearly everyone's name I associated with on Scott for that, I am sorry. The Second class talks to me about some of the ship's basics and gets me checked in. I did know a couple other guys from training who were checking onboard, I ask about them, and he tells me they are already there.

I do remember it was a Friday, so there was not much actually happening in Engineering. They were having a gathering later that day, and I was invited. But, since I had just moved into an apartment, I decided to opt-out of the party. I missed some drama at the party, one of the guys got drunk and cussed out one of the Engineering officers.

As for the ship, she was in a maintenance period. There was a good deal of work happening all over the place. Shipyard workers added some new equipment. They were actually cutting holes in the ship's side to remove some old equipment. More on that later. It was a busy time, and time for training was adequate. Training for the Navy is essential.

I reunited with my A-School friends, Escobedo and Wallace. Being on the ship was overwhelming, with so much to learn. On my first day, Monday, I was lead around the ship for a quick tour. Then sat down for an "official" talk about what I wanted from my time onboard. I wanted two things which I thought were pretty easy to get. First, be promoted to E5, Petty Officer Second Class. I was a Third Class. Second, earn my Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) qualification. I did not expect the reply I goy, "Good Luck." WTF??? I get told, "Good Luck" To me, that meant game on. I'll cover how I did in another post.

Over the next few weeks, the new guys had an orientation class. We were given homework each night and had to track down things on Scott. Such as what is the compartment number of the radio room. Or how many berthing compartments there were. All sorts of different questions to get us looking around the ship. Learning the layout of the ship was actually pretty easy.

My impressions of the ship and crew were pretty positive. It is hard to get along with everyone, but I always do my best. There was a hand full of guys that were hard to get along with. I imagine some even felt the same about me. I have some decent stories to share from my time onboard.

Scott was a great ship. I am not sure if it was because she was my only ship or if it was actually a great ship. When you ask sailors, which was their favorite, they always claim their ship was the best. More to come on my time onboard USS Scott. I hope you enjoy it and please feel free to comment.