FIRST WEEK OF DEPLOYMENT

Spent the last week in Gulfport, MS processing from the Reserves to Active duty. During the week I met four of my training team members three OS Senior Chiefs and one OS Chief:
Darnell – we have known each other since 2005, we served together at Wing Five in Brunswick. He is from Delaware and enjoys eat soft shell crap sandwiches. He also is a Shriner; he does wear the funny hat.
Tim – he served with Mo and Doug in Afghanistan, Mo and Doug are from NOSC Chicago. He is a funny guy, always talking like Forest Gump and he is a Shriner that wears the funny hat. He is from ALABAMA.
Martin – he served with Kirk, Josh & Pat in Kuwait, they are also from NOSC Chicago. This is his fifth deployment to the Sand Box, he is what we call in a professional Reservist. He is from Toledo.
Andy – currently we have no connections however we have only had a week to talk and who knows what we will find out about each other over the next 3 months. Andy reminds me of Fonzie from Happy Days; he walks and talks with coolness. He even combs his hair just like him. He is from Va. Beach, VA.

The process was simply and drawn out a bit, a lot of hurry up and wait.

The best brief of the week was giving by Chaplin Mema (that is not here real name however she said it’s here nick name so I’m using it). She entered in the Navy at the age of 46 years old, WOW! She has been in for six years and before the Navy she was a Baptist Minister for 21 years. She was a trip.

The other unique experience was being fitted for a gas mask. The technician sized my head and placed the mask on my head. He then placed a clear tent over my head and started pumping air into the tent. I had to conduct five different breathing exercises so he could determine if the mask was leaking CO2. I passed with flying colors.

On Thursday Tim, Darnell and I went on a lunch adventure. I was able to track down a local specialty; Mississippi Hot Tamales. Margaret and I stopped at a restaurant in Paducah, KY some years ago that got their start in Mississippi making Tamales. So I asked one of the workers at the hotel if he knew where the best Tamales were in the area, he directed me to Doris’ Hot Tamales in D’lberville 20 mins away from the hotel. WOW, they were AWASOME! Attached is video of the joint. Doris passed away a couple of years ago so we did not get the pleasure of meeting her. Her son RJ is keeping the family tradition going and he is doing a great job. They have been making Tamales since 1946. I have attached a video for your enjoyment. This place is a must if you’re in the area of Gulfport or Biloxi.

In addition, on Thursday most of us had to get a Smallpox vaccination. The vaccination is now only good for 10 years according to the Navy. If you were born before 1970 more than likely you got one. The best way to describe this event was to film it, enjoy. The movie is under it's own posting due to it's size.

Yesterday we completed the entire process. We have been issued our Army uniforms and depart at 0600 on Sunday morning for Philadelphia. We will catch a bus to go Fort Dix to start Combat Training, we can’t wait.

Today we are going to see a piece of our Naval History in Mobile, AL, the USS Alabama. I will post again soon. Bob out!