First Day

A few days ago was my daughter's first day of school, and judging from the pictures that Laura sent me, she had a blast. I've posted a couple on the blog's website. toecane.blogspot.com

She's getting SO big! I can't wait to see her again!

Carry On My Wayward Sailor

I realise that it's been quite a bit of time since I've last written on here, and it's for good reason. For reasons out of my control, the communications to and from the ship were restricted. I'm unable to go into detail at this moment.

So after some long debate and self-searching, I think that Laura and I have finally come to a decision about our future. I called the Lockheed Martin recruiter yesterday to get a better idea of what kind of salary/benefits I could be looking at. The salary they were offering didn't even come close to what I was expecting out of them, so this made the decision much easier for us.

As of Spring 2012 I'll be attending Middle Tennessee State University as a double major in Audio Production and Music Business, without any "what-if" or "I Coulda" kind of thoughts.

As this deployment is coming to a close I find myself becoming less and less a part of the machine. Yes, I still stand watch. Yes, I still conduct my maintenance. And yes, I still do all the things necessary of a Sailor that is deployed, like cleaning, mustering, etc. Instead of leading the maintenance, I show my replacement how to. Instead of standing watch, I show my replacement how to condition the radar to allow for maximum efficiency. Even though I've only been a part of the Navy for 6 years, it still gives me a small sense of pride to pass along what I've learned in my short stay here. And even though I feel like I was written off as a short-timer here without much say in the matter, I can pass along what I've learned in the 7th fleet and hope that the next generation doesn't develop a sense of entitlement like the last USS Howard generation had.

That being said, I have seen some beautiful things in the world. It feels like I have travelled to at least three of the four corners of the world. From Australia, to Europe, from the Middle East to the Far East. I've got pictures to prove I was at Hiroshima, the place where the bomb dropped, as well at the memorial to peace there that the city build to show to rest of the world. I've literally been to paradise as I island hopped around Palawan and indulged in Pork Adobo and fresh fruit in the Philippines.

But you know, out of every wondrous and breathtaking scene I have burned forever into my memory, there's no other place I'd rather be than with my Wife and Daughter. Someday I hope to have the opportunity to show them everything I can, go to Germany again, fly to Kyoto, Japan. I'm glad I've had these opportunities, but it's time to focus of myself and the future that I would like to have. That is why I'm going back to school, and that is why I decided against selling my dream for a steady paycheck.

I have no idea if we'll have a steady check, or even if it will be a very big one for that matter. But, I'll tell you this: I'll be home every night, I'll never be more than a couple hour's drive away at any given time, I'll never get a call telling me that the ship has to get underway, and my rank will never be in constant jeopardy because someone with a higher rank than I is having a bad day or their spouse tossed them out. ALSO, NO CHITS TO FILL OUT!

We still have a couple more ports before I'll be closing the blog out, so stick around just a bit longer. It won't be too long before I post whether the Dixie cup hat I throw over the side floated or sank.
~chase