Navy CyberSpace Blog (3)

Happy 233rd Birthday!

October 13th, 2008

Happy 233rd birthday to the greatest Navy the world has even known!

The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which the Continental Congress established on 13 October 1775 by authorizing the procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. The legislation also established a Naval Committee to supervise the work. All together, the Continental Navy numbered some fifty ships over the course of the war, with approximately twenty warships active at its maximum strength.

Play some Battleship and enjoy the day! (Read the rest of the story…)

Crazy, Crazy Pizza

October 13th, 2008

My Twiget Nuke Son’s final episode of his first impressions of Japan. One of the great things about the Navy is the opportunity it provides to experience cultures outside our own - it broadens our service men and women view of life unlike any other profession can.

“We walked around for what seemed like forever. My feet hurt, and we finally decided to call it a night and go to our hotel. The rooms were large enough for a twin bed and the ability to walk between the bed and the walls/desk and that was it. The bathroom was only slightly smaller then the room itself. It had one of those fancy toilets with the buttons and gadgets on the side. One of them being a bidet, which I was too wierded out to try.

We went for dinner at this one restaurant that had a picture menu. (for ease of use. Otherwise we may have picked something not at all what we wanted). One of the things one the menu was small pizza. I was like wow, yay, pizza! So, I (Read the rest of the story…)

Another Weekend Wonder

October 12th, 2008

It is likely that the next President of the United Sates will have to replace as many as 4 Supreme Court justices - how come nobody is asking about this during the debates?

Why is there outrage over CEOs making millions but no similar outcry about professional athletes making the big money?

How many voters are deciding who they will vote for based on how much extra they may receive beyond what they earn?

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) really might be more successful as a travel (Read the rest of the story…)

Beware, Porn to Follow!

October 10th, 2008

The continuing saga of a Twiget Nuke’s first impression of Japan.

“Another thing that amazed me was how much 18+ things there were in Akihabara. It seemed every single store had its own collection of hentai/porn. We went into a corner store one time just to look for a few small things, and sure enough there was porn in a section. And it isn’t covered up, its not hidden away. You just find yourself looking at like music cds, anime dvds, porn; OK, new store, magazines, porn, novels. There doesn’t seem to be a line somewhere that says Beware! Porn to follow! Some stores with basements have a sign as you go down that says, “18+ (Read the rest of the story…)

Akihabara Maid Cafe

October 9th, 2008

OK, a herd of Nukes with a food fetish? My Twiget Nuke Son’s continuing saga of his first impressions of Japan, Enjoy!

“One of the things my friend had wanted to do while in Akihabara was go to a famed “Maid Café”. In a society all about social standards and ones place in society with the dominant male and subservient female, a whole sort of fetish revolves around the idea of a female serving you. But not in the “Can I get you a drink sir?” type way, but in the “Yes Master, how may I be able to serve you today?” type approach. The term “moe(mo –eh)” comes to mind. Well a maid café is a place where you go, all the waitresses and staff are female and dressed in French maid outfits. They talk sweetly and laugh in girly high pitched sounds and always try to bow. We were trying to figure out how to get to a maid café when (Read the rest of the story…)

Japan is a Geek’s Paradise

October 8th, 2008

My Twiget Nuke Son’s continuing first impressions of Japan, enjoy

“So when we finally arrived in Akihabara, Japan. It was much much different than the small city of Yokosuka. Being a part of Tokyo, Akihabara isn’t exactly deserted. Masses of people were all over the sidewalks, and when the light changed colors a herd of people crossed the street in one direction or another. The buildings were plastered with anime characters and video game signs, and one tall building on a corner had in large letters “Welcome to Akihabara” on a huge sign at its top. There were buildings with just floors and floors of arcade games, from the simple “UFO Grabber” games where you try to grab prizes, to the more complex. The more complex being one floor with 10-12 large mock cockpits to Gundams that close sealing you inside immersing you into a brawl of 5v5 Gundam arena combat. The non-participants got to watch a large screen in the center of the room (Read the rest of the story…)

Save Your Uniforms, Just in Case!

October 7th, 2008

Navy Veterans (NAVETs) re-accessing into the Active Component do not attend Navy Recruit Training but are ordered to Recruit Training Command Great Lakes for in-processing only (i.e., duty station assignment, administrative processing, uniform outfitting, etc.).

All NAVETs must have a complete seabag. To save yourself some money you should bring previously purchased, fully serviceable sea bag items to avoid unnecessary expenses. If you are thinking of getting out make sure you save some closet space just in case you ever decide to re-enlist!

When you arrive at RTC you must have complete copies of your (Read the rest of the story…)

Fire Prevention Week

October 3rd, 2008

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Fire Prevention Week is an opportunity to call attention to the importance of fire safety, especially in the home, and to honor our Nation’s firefighters for their heroism.

Americans can help reduce home fires by taking simple steps such as regularly inspecting furnaces and fireplaces, keeping space heaters at least 3 feet from flammable materials, and checking the condition of electrical cords. Making sure that smoke alarms and fire extinguishers work can also help minimize the impact of home and building fires. I encourage all Americans to remember this year’s theme — “It’s Fire Prevention Week: Prevent Home Fires!” — and to check their homes for fire hazards to help prevent disasters.

Across our Nation, firefighters put themselves at risk to protect our communities, and their selfless dedication has saved countless lives. America’s Bravest hold a cherished place in our hearts, and we honor those who have paid the ultimate price to protect citizens in harm’s way. The sacrifice of these men and women is an inspiration to all and epitomizes the true meaning of heroism.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 5 through October 11, 2008, as Fire Prevention Week. On Sunday, October 5, 2008, in accordance with Public Law 107-51, the flag of the United States will be flown at half staff on all Federal office buildings in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. I call on all Americans to participate in this observance through appropriate programs and activities and by renewing their efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Everyday in the Navy is Fire Prevention Day and every Sailor in the Navy learns firefighting - here is one reason why;

(Read the rest of the story…)

Boot Camp Battle Stations

October 1st, 2008

Two videos showing “Battle Stations” at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. I was able to tour the process a couple of years ago before the ship was completed. Definitely not the boot-camp I attended, this is MUCH better!

Part One
battle stations

Part Two (Read the rest of the story…)

First Day In Japan - Mass Transit

September 29th, 2008

My Son who is a Nuke on the USS George Washington sent me an email with a description of his first day off the ship in the country which will be his new home for a couple of years. I decided to post the part of his day when he and his friends had to tackle getting in and around the mass transit station. He has been studying Japanese for a few years but this is his first time actually using the knowledge “for real”. I always wondered what possessed people to ask in the foreign tongue if they speak English… Anyway, the first of what I hope are many installments of my Son’s Far East adventure.

“The streets were new to us, the signs with the engrish on them (attached photo) and the way just everything was situated. This will be our new home for a while and it was a lot to take in. On the base there are cliff like faces, the area itself seeming to be a sharp hilly terrain that was molded to allow buildings.

One off the base (after stopping by an ATM and getting yen out, 103 yen to the dollar) we entered the greater Yokosuka area. As an instant immersion, everyone around us was Japanese, all the buildings were labeled in Japanese with smatterings of English below the large Japanese lettering. We walked a ways that we thought was the train station (the brief we had gotten on locations having been back in may so our memories were a little fuzzy. After walking (Read the rest of the story…)