West of Michigan

So… welcome to 2010. The more things change, the more they stay the same. But rest assured, things will still change. I now know when I’m going out to sea, and now begins the countdown to say goodbye to Damien. When I got Damien two years ago, I knew things were changing in my life, but I didn’t think a 6-month deployment was part of that future. It’s painful because I think I found a dog who’s like me… dysfunctional but loyal. I’m not looking forward to losing him.

Also, this begins the biggest countdown since my 3-month countdown to go into the Navy… In October I begin the 2-year countdown to the end of my second enlistment in the Navy. Why the two year countdown? Well, I’m scheduled to rotate out of San Diego in October 2011. IF I choose to re-enlist, I’ve got to look for orders elsewhere. If I choose to say goodbye to Navy life, I’ve got to apply for a one-year extension in San Diego until October 2012.

Why is this such a big choice to me? Well here’s the pros and cons of re-enlisting:

Pros:
100% job security for 4-6 years (medical notwithstanding)
Probably a $60,000 re-enlistment bonus give or take

Cons:
No Guarantee I’ll ever get back to California
VERY limited assignment options (read: east coast)
With my back issue, no guarantee they won’t kick me out anyways

Why do I want to get out? I want to stay in California. It’s where I grew up. I absolutely hate living in the snow. Where I am now puts me in the ideal spot to live post-Navy. Right now, I’m under the realization I’ll never be able to pass a full Navy PRT test with my back the way it is. My current command is willing to work with this right now, but there’s no guarantee of that in the future. Literally, at any time, my command could send me to a medical board and decide to process me out. I really don’t want to live with that gamble twice a year.

enough rambling…

Well, it’s been a trip… got back from Pensacola, and once again learned the painful lesson that nobody lives forever. As we go into the holiday season, things seem to be more subdued.

Amazing what a year has done. Work isn’t as fun as it used to be, and it’s becoming increasingly expensive to fly home. Although I’m close to family in Orange County and up in the bay area, I can’t get to Detroit as frequently as I used to. So far, tickets home for Christmas are roughly $650, and the more I save, the higher the prices climb. I hope I can make it…

Once again, I’ve updated my WordPress theme. Enjoy.

More than two months have elapsed since I left for schooling in Pensacola. I’m looking forward to getting home to San Diego… Also it looks like I’ll be deploying with the USS George Washington in October…

I just completed a week’s ride aboard the USS CHOSIN (CG-65). a very different experience from being on the sub… here we are far off the coast of Mexico. If you look closely, you’ll see the Aircraft Carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN-68)

Our division took a trip to Sea World today, had a blast! Haven’t been there in years (I can’t remember how long it’s been!) It’s one of the parks where we can get free admission (if only once a year).

Sorry for the lack of information going on… I’ve been working a lot recently, and I was in Seattle from 04-18 April.

On top of that, I’ll be in Honolulu fro 02-16 May, so even more time to enjoy life at the government’s expense.

A typical afternoon commute home…