In 2005, I had just turned twenty-four and I was going on my first deployment while I was in the Navy. This was an exciting time for me because it was going to be the first time I have left the country. Also, I was about to experience new countries and cultures that I never thought I was going to see in my life. Moving to Norfolk, Va., I didn't know what to expect. I knew no one and had no friends in the area, I was all alone for the first time. After I arrived at my first ship, USS Saipan LHA-2, I walked up to the quarterdeck. With a proud salute to the flag and then to the Chief Petty Officer who was on duty at that time, “Respectfully request permission to come aboard,” I said. I handed over my orders and was escorted to my new
…show more content…
I looked at what is referred to as a coffin, because of the small size of where we would be sleeping. The bed was about two and a half feet wide and just
Kerr 2 over six feet long. Ok, I thought, I sleep on my side so here is the problem I was facing, the distance between the mattress and the bottom of the rack above me was less than two feet and when I laid down for the first time, my shoulder touched and I had to figure out a new way to sleep. After Suarez and I finished with all the paperwork, I met the entire chain of command. Of whom I was terrified, who wouldn't be when meeting sailors who are salty and have been in the Navy for close to twenty years. For the next few days, I was going through all the necessary training and getting to know how the galley was run on the …show more content…
This was very exciting for me because I had never left the country before. I was in awe of the ocean for the first time when I was no longer able to see Virginia. “Attention USS Saipan,” the intercom bellowed, “We are currently passing the White Cliffs of Dover.” As I turned to Robinson who was working next to me, I said, “I have always wanted to see them,” so I ran outside to see the beautiful alabaster coast of England. It took us a few weeks to reach our first port, which was Oslo, Norway. “This is amazing,” I thought. Visiting the land of the Northmen I have reads stories of most my life was a feat that I never thought would happen. Over the next month that the ship was doing maneuvers with other allied ships from England, Norway, France and Spain; I was moved to the Wardroom as a cook for the officers who were onboard. This simply was one of the best things to ever happen to me. While working at night, I would discuss music with the some of the helicopter pilots. I would always send food with them when they would go on their night operations and then have a hot meal waiting for them when they came back to the ship. Little did I know that this would be what would lead to the ultimate experience I have had in my
I looked at what is referred to as a coffin, because of the small size of where we would be sleeping. The bed was about two and a half feet wide and just
Kerr 2 over six feet long. Ok, I thought, I sleep on my side so here is the problem I was facing, the distance between the mattress and the bottom of the rack above me was less than two feet and when I laid down for the first time, my shoulder touched and I had to figure out a new way to sleep. After Suarez and I finished with all the paperwork, I met the entire chain of command. Of whom I was terrified, who wouldn't be when meeting sailors who are salty and have been in the Navy for close to twenty years. For the next few days, I was going through all the necessary training and getting to know how the galley was run on the …show more content…
This was very exciting for me because I had never left the country before. I was in awe of the ocean for the first time when I was no longer able to see Virginia. “Attention USS Saipan,” the intercom bellowed, “We are currently passing the White Cliffs of Dover.” As I turned to Robinson who was working next to me, I said, “I have always wanted to see them,” so I ran outside to see the beautiful alabaster coast of England. It took us a few weeks to reach our first port, which was Oslo, Norway. “This is amazing,” I thought. Visiting the land of the Northmen I have reads stories of most my life was a feat that I never thought would happen. Over the next month that the ship was doing maneuvers with other allied ships from England, Norway, France and Spain; I was moved to the Wardroom as a cook for the officers who were onboard. This simply was one of the best things to ever happen to me. While working at night, I would discuss music with the some of the helicopter pilots. I would always send food with them when they would go on their night operations and then have a hot meal waiting for them when they came back to the ship. Little did I know that this would be what would lead to the ultimate experience I have had in my