My next destination is the USS Nimitz. What advice do you have for me for my first ship and carrier assignment?

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 18:49:13 -0500

Finally coming to the fleet after 14 months of school

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Feb 23 at 2018 6:59 PM

CW3 Jeff Held — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 18:59:25 -0500

I’m an Army guy. Best advice I can give is “don’t get stupid in a no-stupid zone”. Make LOTS of friends, take lots of pictures, learn more than you thought could be possibly learned about others jobs, learn what the “big fleet picture” looks like, and have fun!

Between all that take college courses.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Feb 23 at 2018 8:32 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 20:32:23 -0500

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member: OCNGRATULATIONS AND KUDOS, PETTY OFFICER THIRD CLASS!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2018 8:56 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 20:56:42 -0500

Just know where to be and when to be there, and keep yourself open to learning as much as possible. Find a person in your shop who's shit-hot and follow their lead. Don't accept tribal knowledge; always find a written answer. You'll be fine. Good luck!

Response by CPO Rob Carleen made Feb 24 at 2018 4:00 PM

CPO Rob Carleen — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 16:00:21 -0500

Having served on six carriers during the 60-70-80’s my advice is first to remember all the shipboard Naval etiquette, ship compartment numbering systems and traffic patterns you learned in boot camp. Makes you look like you belong. There will be an Indoc that will tell you all the specifics of your ship, things like where to be, or not to be during different evolutions. You’ll be assigned duties on the watch quarters and station bill. Your LPO will help you transition to the new and alien environment. Learn your way around the ship step by step, there are maps posted to show you where you are all around the ship. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. There’s no shame in getting lost on that huge bird farm. I went aboard as a CPO ...my last sea duty. Got lost several more times than I’d like to admit my first month or so. Avoid “sea lawyers” and their ilk. Observe your shipmates, emulate the squared away ones...you’ll see how easily they move through the day. Watch the “Final Countdown” movie, you may get a glimpse of me.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Feb 26 at 2018 1:58 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 13:58:20 -0500

CTT's take 14 months of schooling?! Since when, and why? PO1 William "Chip" Nagel

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 26 at 2018 2:11 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 14:11:35 -0500

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member Keep Your Head on a Swivel if You Go Up on the Flight Deck CTT3, Flight Deck is a Dangerous Place. I think You'll Be Pleasantly Surprised. I'll Give You a Heads Up. Sounds Like You'll be Homeported in Bremerton, Retired from there after 21 Years and 6 years as that as My Homeport. Bremerton has 2 Seasons, Rain and Summer and I was usually Deployed during Summer. Keep Your Head Up and I'm Jealous. I was Just out there Last Summer. Respectfully CTO1 Wm "Chip" Nagel USN(R) If You have any more Specific Questions I can help with. Don't Hesitate to Ask. Hope You Like Coffee.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2018 4:21 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 16:21:02 -0500

Is Nimitz still in the yards at Bremerton. Or at least in maintenance?