My Life in the Navy

My life in the Navy was two completely different lifestyles. The first tour of duty was more relaxed than my last tour, one difference was from my job on board. My first job was Yeoman, I did the Plan of the Day, Legal cases, and Engineering Log room Clerk, and I had freedom to go where ever and whenever as long as my work was done for the day. When I rejoined in 2002, I could not go back to that job, so I was trained to be a cook. I was on duty from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm each and every day with little or no real break. I grew very tired, and it was very different than my first time in.

The next difference was my supervisor, which were almost identical in method of training and providing support. my first supervisor was real relaxed, so was the environment, but he left during our Western Pacific Cruise. The next supervisor came on board with prejudice and favoritism, which strained the work environment, so I went to the Engineering Department as Log room clerk. I still had full freedom, by still being available for legal cases and engineering issues.

The supervisor for my last tour was poised to became a chief petty officer, and I was the low man on the totem pole, so I was working very hard to please him, but to no avail. I tried to work in the office, but I still had no real freedom I had before. This pressure finally broke me, and I left the Navy. The last difference was the uniforms. My first tour the uniform was the prison blues look with light blue cotton shirt with dark blue dungarees, and steel toe bondockers. It was very comfortable, and durable. My last time in the uniform match the Coast Guard with polyester shirts and pants, very uncomfortable, but the Navy also went to everyone wearing coveralls, which was reserved for snipes (engineering crews) on my first ship.