What to expect

[plague]

Hey everyone,

I have an inquiry as to what to expect going to shipboard life. I currently just received orders to PCU-77, USS George H. W. Bush(CVN-77). As I am a Laboratory Tech I have never been aboard ship in my 8 years of active duty service. I know I need to work on get my warfare qualifications completed ASAP as these are almost a must for picking up HMC. Any hints/tips that anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[8404]

Plague:

Rule #1 always do what the IDC tells you.
Rule #2 work on your damage control certification
Rule #2 work on your SW pin qualification

Northrop Grumman USS George Bush CVN-77 builders of the ship:
http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/bush/

Official Navy website of the USS George Bush CVN-77 Pre-Commissioning Unit
USS George Bush CVN-77

This is a story from a former Sailor stationed aboard Destroyer Naval Ships and his life on board.

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/navy/a/diarysailor_2.htm

Also, Check out this pdf file about Shipboard Medicine by Doctor Terrence Riley, *Captain, Medical Corps, US Navy (Ret); Professor of Neurology, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030

http://www.bordeninstitute.army.mil/published_volumes/harshEnv2/HE2ch29.pdf

Plus, there was a thread on this site, that similarly discusses this topic.

http://www.corpsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412&highlight=life+aboard+ship

Additionally, most people who served aboard ship, including myself as a former Marine, will tell you it was the best part of their military career.

[Da-Chief]

BLEH!
;-)

2 things..

On a PCU... you will be doing many, many, many things outside of your rate. Be prepared for it and be ready to be flexible.

2. Warfare won't be done until the ship is fully commissioned I believe, Crazy can correct me if I am wrong. Your Not Battleready yet to get your pin's..

Good Luck!

HMC