Today, my younger brother Patrick will be sharing his experience on the summer Navy cruise he took through NROTC at the University of Memphis. My brother is good writer, and apparently a great photographer as well. Enjoy!
So, it was my first time being to an Asian country and even though I spent it in the airport, it was an exciting experience. I would go back in a heartbeat and probably will at some point during a later part in my life. However, the topic of this writing to describe my experience and share a couple of photos that I think portray a lot of what I enjoyed while on my Summer 2011 Midshipman Cruise.
First I had to fly to Hong Kong to meet the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in order to take that across the Pacific Ocean to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It was probably the longest 15 days of my life I have ever experience so far. There were 4600 people total on the carrier the whole way back to Pearl Harbor. We left Hong Kong and that was pretty cool because we got to see another culture and coastal area, but then we passed through the Philippines and even though we only saw an island that was part of it, it was still good to know that I have been over in that area and it was extremely exciting. We also, along the way, passed the famous Wake Island that was a major deal in WWII, along with Midway Island. However, we passed those two at night so it was not possible to see any part of them.
At the end of the cruise we were pulling into Pearl Harbor and as a tradition, enlisted men and officers line the edge of the ship in their white uniforms in honor of the USS Arizona. Well, we were asked if we would like to do that, and I said yes of course. I got up and put on my whites and went out to the hangar bay and there were hundreds of people in whites. We assembled and went up on one of the carrier's elevators and then spread out. Coming in and saluting the USS Arizona sent goose bumps and shivers all over the body. The sight was amazing even though it was misting a little bit. Needless to say, it was thoroughly enjoyable and a memorable experience.
While on the cruise I did not have a specific job, but was instead able to wander where I pleased and explore the things that interested me the most. I wandered through the hangar bays and flight deck, up to the bridge and tower, and out to the navigation area. Wherever I wanted to go, I could go. I spent most of my time looking out from the navigation area because it was outside and unbelievable to look at things going on around you. The sunsets were great, at least the ones I saw. I was at a loss for words with the way the sun bounced off of clouds and the water and then off the flight deck. Picture opportunities were numerous and sometimes you just had to stand in one spot for a long time to get a good picture of some action or of some part of what Mother Nature had in store.
My favorite place to stand on the ship was either the flight deck or up by the bridge, but outside on the porch-like thing. The view from that area was stunning. You were able to see everything going on, from operations on the deck, to other ships that were around us, and then the obvious ocean and how clear it was in the middle of nowhere. I loved simply standing there, not having a care in the world and just watching whatever was going on. It was the most natural, relaxing place on the ship and I spent most of my time up there. No, seasick is not a part of my makeup, but homesick did happen quite often. And even though I got homesick after a week or so on the ship, there were guys there who had families who had been gone since Thanksgiving. I cannot imagine what that would be like, but I did get a little taste of it.
The meals on the cruise were the worst imaginable; worse than college food. Occasionally we'd get a good one, like full shrimp, but that did not happen all that much. Bread was hard; rice was more boring than it typically should be; hot dogs and sausages looked like they were not cooked fully; and everything else was just simply gross. The food made me miss home the most.
I met the Admiral and Executive Officer of the carrier. For the XO we just sat down and talked about what he does, and any other questions we had for him. With the Admiral though, we had a very nice dinner with him cooked by his own chefs. The food was the best there was on the ship, and we got to talk to the Admiral like he was an ordinary guy. He was really down to earth and quite honest with us regarding some of the questions other midshipmen had asked. It was a very nice dinner and a very nice evening.
We were in a meeting with pilots from different squadrons and we got to ask them questions about flying, flight school, etc. When it ended, I hung around and talked with the one pilot I thought was the most interesting and who I thought gave the best advice. I got on a first name basis with him and he said we could chill whenever. So one day I asked if he could show me around his Prowler and he's like totally. He was pretty chill. So we just walk out to the flight deck one evening and he talks about what the jet does and I asked if I could sit in it. He said yes, so I got up in the pilots seat, and then moved to the seat the he sits in. He does electronic, mission type things that no one knows about. It was great, really windy, sketchy ladder up to the cockpits.
At the end, though long, the cruise was very enjoyable and one experience I will never forget. Next summer I have one more cruise to do and I think I will take part in a Foreign Cruise, meaning I will be on a different country’s vessel. I look forward to what God has in store for me next summer and whenever my career starts going.
Awesome! Thank you for sharing, Patrick. We're all looking forward to seeing where your life goes; so far it has been fascinating!
