I'm happy to report that on Friday, I met one of the biggest milestones of my Naval career as a Surface Warfare Officer. I am now a qualified "Officer of the Deck" Underway. The Officer of the Deck is the eyes and ears of the Captain in the Pilothouse (aka the Bridge) for safe and swift navigation of the ship and execution of the ship's schedule and routine.
The officer of the deck (OOD) occupies a unique position in a naval ship. Nowhere in military or civilian life is there a parallel to the range and degree of responsibility that is placed in the hands of the OOD. As a direct representative of the Captain, he or she acts with all the authority of command and, next to the Captain and Executive Officer (XO), is the most important person in the ship. Qualification as OOD is the cornerstone of professional growth for a surface line officer and the most critical milestone of the Surface Warfare Qualification. (Watch Officer's Guide)
Following a four years of preparation in college and the past year experiencing different evolutions, I was offered to have a qualification board with the Captain, XO, and Department Heads of the ship to earn my qual. After a lot of studying and two practice boards (aka "murder boards") I went into my final board and passed! It gave me a great boost of confidence and excitement. And yet, it is also a great burden--knowing the responsibility which lies in my hands during my watch. Luckily, I am surrounded by fellow officers who will continue to train me and help me through these first few weeks of being qualified. All of this, both my recent qualification and my very status as a Naval officer, is an honor I am unworthy of and try to live up to each day.
When we turnover the watch, there's a formal process of passing down information and a professional military turnover, with salutes and statements of relieving the watch. Standing watch as the OOD is known as "having the deck." I wish I could tell you what it's like to utter those words, especially for the first time, "Attention in the Pilothouse...I have the deck."
Praised be Jesus Christ for carrying me to this milestone. All glory and honor belong to Him--for this is His work.
30 May 2010
08 May 2010
One Year Down...
Hard to believe. As of today, I've completed my first year as a commissioned officer in the Navy. My first year living totally on my own, out of college and in the world. It's been a year?! In some respects, college seems like a far distant memory; in another, it feels like yesterday that I was walking across the stage at graduation. Moving to my first duty station last May, I never knew I'd experience what I've experienced this year. Not that anything particularly shocking or crazy has happened--it's just that each day, I never know what could happen next.
Here's some particular experiences that have been pretty noteworthy during my first year of "real life"--some were expected, some unexpected:
1. Went to court
Ok, I'll clarify. I went to court with one of my sailors. It's protocol that if one of our sailors has to go to court, be it for a traffic ticket or something more, someone from the chain of command has to go with him/her. It's kind of a neat idea, and is a great illustration of how we in the military really support each other--the whole person. Leadership and caring for your sailors doesn't stop when you cross the brow of the ship--it's a full-time job, and you need your head on a swivel to keep track of everyone. You wouldn't find that in the corporate world.
2. Went to jail
Haha--don't worry, it wasn't me who was in jail! But I did go to jail to pick someone up after getting released. One of my sailors, in fact. I'll never forget what that drive back to the ship was like. Hearing his story of what his 25 days in jail were like, and the fear in his voice knowing he was going to come back to the ship just to be kicked out of the Navy and have to go back on the streets--streets he joined the Navy to escape from. But he was having continual discipline issues, and his bout in jail was the straw that broke the camel's back. I still think about him--I hope he's doing ok.
3. Administered oaths
One of the privilidges you have as an officer is the authority to reenlist a sailor signing on for additional years of service, readministering their oath of enlistment and witnessing the signing of their new contract. This is one of those honors I love to do--and one I never feel worthy of. I was also extremely honored to get to serve as the commissioning officer for one of my friends from college who recently became a Marine Corps officer. I administer the oath of office, that beautiful public vow we make as officers, indefinitely pledging our allegiance to and defense of the Constitution of the United States. Sweet. And I finally got to go to the USMC Museum!
4. Played on a soccer team
I know I know, kinda lame. Not as illustrious as the other items on this list. But seriously--I never would have thought I'd be playing on a soccer team past third grade. Thank you Naval Base Intramurals! And my awesome shipmates/teammates, the base championship runner-ups. :-)
5. Marched for Life
Yes! I finally got to go to the March for Life! What an amazing event it was. I ran into so many people that I knew, and so many friends of friends--it's such a beautiful legit Catholic family we have. I was so encouraged to be there in our nation's capital, standing with my generation for those who have no voice. Pretty moving.
6. Watched the Saints win the Superbowl
I mean, come on. This was the biggest event ever for Saints fans, the city of New Orleans, and Gulf Coast. What a glorious season. And the best part--to be in New Orleans the week after for Mardi Gras, watching Drew Brees reign as Bacchus, and hear WHO DAT while dancing the Second Line nonstop.
I wouldn't say I've learned anything too particularly profound this past year. If anything, I've learned how beautifully simple your life can be, and at the same time, so utterly fulfilling. All it takes is an unwavering attentiveness to God and a total trust in His will. Simple, right?
His will continues to unfold before me, and each day, I wake up ready to set out into the deep, not knowing what is going to happen next. I'm recklessly abandoned to His Divine Providence--only thanks to the grace He never ceases to offer upon my unworthy soul. Who could ask for more?
"Your will is my heritage forever, the joy of my heart.
I set myself to carry out your will in fullness, forever."
~Psalm 119
Here's some particular experiences that have been pretty noteworthy during my first year of "real life"--some were expected, some unexpected:
1. Went to court
Ok, I'll clarify. I went to court with one of my sailors. It's protocol that if one of our sailors has to go to court, be it for a traffic ticket or something more, someone from the chain of command has to go with him/her. It's kind of a neat idea, and is a great illustration of how we in the military really support each other--the whole person. Leadership and caring for your sailors doesn't stop when you cross the brow of the ship--it's a full-time job, and you need your head on a swivel to keep track of everyone. You wouldn't find that in the corporate world.
2. Went to jail
Haha--don't worry, it wasn't me who was in jail! But I did go to jail to pick someone up after getting released. One of my sailors, in fact. I'll never forget what that drive back to the ship was like. Hearing his story of what his 25 days in jail were like, and the fear in his voice knowing he was going to come back to the ship just to be kicked out of the Navy and have to go back on the streets--streets he joined the Navy to escape from. But he was having continual discipline issues, and his bout in jail was the straw that broke the camel's back. I still think about him--I hope he's doing ok.
3. Administered oaths
One of the privilidges you have as an officer is the authority to reenlist a sailor signing on for additional years of service, readministering their oath of enlistment and witnessing the signing of their new contract. This is one of those honors I love to do--and one I never feel worthy of. I was also extremely honored to get to serve as the commissioning officer for one of my friends from college who recently became a Marine Corps officer. I administer the oath of office, that beautiful public vow we make as officers, indefinitely pledging our allegiance to and defense of the Constitution of the United States. Sweet. And I finally got to go to the USMC Museum!
4. Played on a soccer team
I know I know, kinda lame. Not as illustrious as the other items on this list. But seriously--I never would have thought I'd be playing on a soccer team past third grade. Thank you Naval Base Intramurals! And my awesome shipmates/teammates, the base championship runner-ups. :-)
5. Marched for Life
Yes! I finally got to go to the March for Life! What an amazing event it was. I ran into so many people that I knew, and so many friends of friends--it's such a beautiful legit Catholic family we have. I was so encouraged to be there in our nation's capital, standing with my generation for those who have no voice. Pretty moving.
6. Watched the Saints win the Superbowl
I mean, come on. This was the biggest event ever for Saints fans, the city of New Orleans, and Gulf Coast. What a glorious season. And the best part--to be in New Orleans the week after for Mardi Gras, watching Drew Brees reign as Bacchus, and hear WHO DAT while dancing the Second Line nonstop.
I wouldn't say I've learned anything too particularly profound this past year. If anything, I've learned how beautifully simple your life can be, and at the same time, so utterly fulfilling. All it takes is an unwavering attentiveness to God and a total trust in His will. Simple, right?
His will continues to unfold before me, and each day, I wake up ready to set out into the deep, not knowing what is going to happen next. I'm recklessly abandoned to His Divine Providence--only thanks to the grace He never ceases to offer upon my unworthy soul. Who could ask for more?
"Your will is my heritage forever, the joy of my heart.
I set myself to carry out your will in fullness, forever."
~Psalm 119
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