In less than a week (Tuesday, to be precise), I'm heading to Cape May, NJ for 8 weeks of Coast Guard boot camp. I'm a little nervous.
During the next two months, I will: - permanently move out of my parents' house. - enlist in the US military. - go through boot camp. - turn 21. - move to some yet-to-be-determined location to perform some yet-to-be-determined job.
Should be interesting.
Of course, I won't have internet access during boot camp. We don't even get a chance to call home until near the end. So, wish me luck and don't burn the place down while I'm gone.
[ September 30, 2007, 01:36 AM: Message edited by: Miro ]
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Coast Guard. Cool.
Be safe, have fun.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
The worst part is Cape May is a dry town. Not that you will probably get much of a chance to drink anyways, but its not the best destination for a 21st birthday.
I wish you well, I regret not joining the Coast Guard. It was something I had always wanted to do.
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
Thanks. I don't think I'll have much time to even think about partying on my birthday. Not that I'm much of a party person, anyway.
I leave tonight for a motel, then go to Cape May tomorrow. Now that it's so close, I'm getting kinda anxious. It's finally real.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Wow. Congrats and good luck.
As for the dry town bit . . . is Lewes a dry town also? If not, I reckon you could take the ferry over and drink there! (For that matter, I'm almost positive they sell beer on the ferry!)
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
That's a whole lot of stuff happening. Wow! and Cool! and Congrats!
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
Cape May isn't actually a dry town.
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
Congrats and godspeed!
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
Absolutely tell us how it went.
By all accounts I guess it will go waaay goood. Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
I'm about to head out. Thanks for all the good wishes.
I'll definitely report in when I get back.
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
I'm still in boot camp. This is my off-base liberty.
I graduate on Friday, if nothing goes wrong. *knock on wood*
It's been an adventure, that's for sure. Lots of yelling, marching, sitting in class trying not to fall asleep (we don't get a whole lot of rack time).
My first duty station is Port Clarence, Alaska. It's roughly equidistant between Nome, the Arctic Circle, and Siberia. Should be interesting. It's a Loran station, which means we put out a huge radio signal for navigation. I'm disappointed I didn't get a cutter (big ship) or a small boat station, but the location almost makes up for it.
Anyway, my time is limited. Hello to all and I'll see you in a week.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by Miro: My first duty station is Port Clarence, Alaska. It's roughly equidistant between Nome, the Arctic Circle, and Siberia.
Sounds like the definition of "middle of nowhere", no?
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester: Sounds like the definition of "middle of nowhere", no?
I've been describing it as being 'in the middle of nowhere on the edge of nowhere'. (map) It is rather appropriate that I'd get stationed at the northernmost station in the Coast Guard.
So*, I graduated on Friday. Coming home was kind of a creepy feeling. I lost my identity as a member of my company (the group of people you train with) as well as the people/places/routines that were my life for the past two months. Strange as it seems, I miss some aspects of it. Now, I cringe when people at home do/say things that would get me in trouble if I were still at Cape May (like call a bathroom a 'bathroom', not a 'head').
I've definitely been changed by the experience. I guess only time will tell if the changes are permanent. I learned a lot during boot camp. I'm at home for now, on leave. Another week and a half, and I'll be starting work. It feels good to have a job. This is my first job with a paycheck. Before now, I've only ever worked odd jobs.
I have a question for any Alaskans out there. The only way I'll have to call friends/family is using a calling card. I've started looking, but they all seem to charge a lot for calls made from Alaska. Anyone know a good card to use?
For Seattleites - I'll be spending a day and a half in Seattle on my way NW. Any Hatrackers want to meet up or, barring that, suggest fun, cheap things to do in the city?
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:Seattleites
*perks up*
There's a bunch of us here in Seattle - myself, Juxtapose and our friends hang out here on a pretty routine basis. Romany and Shan are also here, as is Libbie, and we're overdue for a get together anyway.
If you'd like to plan something or would just like ideas for how to cheaply spend time in Seattle, drop me a note?
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Miro, will you satisfy my curiousity and tell me if you're male or female? I seem to remember thinking you are female, but please forgive me if I'm wrong.
Congrats on your new adventure, nonetheless! Bravo for your bravery and determination, it sounds like you'll be great!
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
ersomaniac - Note dropped.
Narnia - Female, why do you ask?
Posted by Brian J. Hill (Member # 5346) on :
Hmm...I didn't know there were any Seattle Hatrackers. I'm in Maple Valley all this week as a resident tour actor/director with the Missoula Children's Theatre. It would be neat to meet some other Jatraqueros. Drop me a note (along the same lines as ersomaniac's note) if interested.
Posted by Libbie (Member # 9529) on :
quote:Originally posted by Brian J. Hill: Hmm...I didn't know there were any Seattle Hatrackers. I'm in Maple Valley all this week as a resident tour actor/director with the Missoula Children's Theatre. It would be neat to meet some other Jatraqueros. Drop me a note (along the same lines as ersomaniac's note) if interested.
No freakin' way - I did a Missoula Children's Theater show when I was about 12.
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
I'll be going to mechanic school in VA at the end of November. I got my orders two days after putting in my request to be placed on the waiting list. That's some kind of record.
Life up here is something else. When I first got here, it was light all the time. When the temps hit the 70s, we were all complaining about the heat. Now, we start work a couple hours before sunrise and the temps hover comfortably in the 40s. It's a little strange to be thinking that I'll be back to civilization soon. You know, with people.
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(For that matter, I'm almost positive they sell beer on the ferry!)