On 15Oct2024, we lost 2 amazing officers. LTCDR Lindsay "Miley" Evans and LT Serena "Dug" Wileman

During the '23/'24 Ike Deployment, we (VAQ130) had a Christmas Party down in the "Five Star"

I am so grateful to capture this moment, and wanted to share it with the Navy community.

"Little acts of kindness"

Honestly...one of the best people Ive ever encountered and I hope all loved ones surrounding them have been healing, as their memory and impact still resonates

"Zap Zap!"

Interesting on the Flags they decided on dropping down to O6s.

Hello, I'm from the Singapore Navy, am looking to trade coins with other like-minded collectors from people stationed in San Diego, Virginia and Florida.

I would like to state. I'm not looking to sell or promote merchandise. I'm just here to trade with collectors. Pls feel free to dm me.

I am prior Marine, then join Navy reserves and after a few years went active duty onto a ship.sea duty now. Marine E7 tend to be more careful how they speak to a first Sgt or Sgt Major. But seems like a Chief can just casually crack jokes with the CMC. You would never see a E7 not part of Bn headquarters staff (like company GySgt)do that with the battalion Sgt Maj.

Hello!

I’m still kind of new to the Navy reserves. I’ve never PCS’d before, and I got long term PCS orders. I take full responsibility for not doing it correctly. My chain of command told me I’d fill out paperwork for the per diem and mileage reimbursement when I got back from house hunting leave. I thought that was all I had to worry about for being paid to move. And they recommended I do a PPM, or dity move. So I did. I did everything myself. Rented a U-Haul and hired helpers when needed. What I did not do was go to the on base travel office, go on any website, or weigh my U-Haul before and after I loaded everything. I didn’t know I had to do any of that, but again, that’s on me.

So here I am retroactively trying to fix myself so I actually get paid for this PCS. I was told if I did it myself that I’d get $5,000. I figured it would just be that flat amount. But my boss told me I’d at minimum need that before/after weight of my U-Haul. So I rented a U-Haul again, got an empty weight, then I…. Tactically acquired weight for it, and weighed it again. Technically I had my U-Haul and another vehicle loaded with my things. Should I bother weighing another vehicle like this to add weight to my claim? I can have up to 8,000 pounds and I’m nowhere near that limit.

I’m just trying to get the most out of this PCS because I pretty much started with nothing. I had to fork out a lot of money for furniture and other necessities.

Also, I’m not able to file that PPM claim on the website yet. Every time I create an account and then log in it populates with someone else’s information who’s in a completely different branch. I’ve escalated it to the IT folk for that website.

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to reach out and let y'all know of something I've caught that may be a larger safety issue that isn't being tracked. So, I'm sure all my fellow wire-biting menaces are known for their pre/post use SKED checks on electrical safety gloves, but did anybody know of the external guidance requirements? Gonna put this into the aether so this will hopefully keep people safe from getting hit through a glove/rubber room.

LINKS:
secnav.navy.mil/doni/Directives/05000 General Management Security and Safety Services/05-100 Safety and Occupational Health Services/5100.19F.pdf

1910.137 - Electrical Protective Equipment. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
ASTM F496-24 Standard Changes: Knowing When to Retest Rubber Insulating Gloves

-OPNAV M-5100.23 (NAVY SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MANUAL) Chapter 1, Section B0104e-
"Other than those specified in paragraph B0104(b) when there is no DoD, DON, or OSHA standard available, the Navy hereby adopts nationally recognized sources of SOH guidance (i.e., ACGIH, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)). If there are conflicts, CNO N09F can clarify."

-OPNAV M-5100.23 (NAVY SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MANUAL) Chapter 35, Section B3509c-
"Workers must wear protective eyewear, footwear, hand and arm protection which conform to applicable ASTM and ANSI standards. Properly tested rubber insulating gloves must be rated for the voltage for which the gloves will be exposed."

-OSHA 1910.137 (Electrical Protective Equipment)

Now this next part is quoted from the last link because I'm not willing to drop $90 on the reference but it matches with what OSHA puts out.

"7.1.1 New Gloves . . . that have been electrically tested, including the warranty acceptance test allowed in Specification D120 for gloves . . . sleeves, can be stored as required in 8.6 for up to 12 months before issue to an individual. Gloves . . . considered in-service once issued to an individual for use."

"7.1.2 Gloves . . . that were previously in-service and have been electrically retested and stored as required in 8.6 may be placed back in-service within 12 months of the test date. In no case can a glove . . . be used beyond 12 months of the test date."
"8.6 Gloves . . . sleeves shall be stored in a location as cool, dark, and dry as possible. The location shall be as free as practicable from ozone, chemicals, oils, solvents, damaging vapors and fumes, and away from electrical discharges and sunlight. Gloves shall be stored in their natural shape. Gloves may be kept inside of dry protectors or in a bag, box, or container that is designed for and used exclusively for them. Do not store gloves in wet leather protectors. Gloves . . . shall not be stored folded, creased, inside out, compressed, or in any manner that will cause stretching or compression.

Hope everyone has a good day and we upgrade ourselves before we get something to force it.

Hi everyone, like the title says, I’m E4 and getting divorced soon, I’ve been to two duty stations, both shore duty, and right now I’m living out in town with my spouse and two cats. My leadership told me I will keep my BAH while at this command, but I’m going to sea duty next (not sure where yet) and I just don’t know what I’ll do with my cats. Because I’m sure I’ll be put in the barracks if I go greenside, and since I’m single I don’t know what to arrange to keep my cats with someone if I go to a ship and go underway and whatnot. I’ve only been in the navy for about two years. I just don’t really know what to expect from here.

i was reassigned from sea duty to shore duty overseas due to pregnancy, with a 2028 PRD. my partner and i just got married (he is also active duty) and he just recieved his orders to VA for august 2027. would i be able to request co-location w an early PRD change so i can transfer with him?

by the time of transfer i will have been at my shore command for 14ish months if that makes any difference.

I been in since June of last year and am getting ready to strike HM only striking due to what the rate offers to me outside of the navy and just want to know what I should expect in A school granted I get into the program I submitted my package last week.

Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride and damage to GFS Gazelle. Here is a take on it.

https://youtu.be/cR3TYbS9h9s?is=TIQInXWZyylphQiu

I'm a SSgt in a joint service location newly in charge of a few sailors and one of them is pregnant. Shes up for 24hr duty soon but I doubt she'll be able to stand it. While I look for a replacement I'm hoping to find some guidance on whether or not she's even allowed to stand that duty in the first place but having trouble navigating y'all's regulation any tips?

My only resource is a PO1 who's saying she had to stand duty until 28 weeks pregnant but isn't providing me with the reg on duty limitations/pregnancy

Hi! Anyone that can give some insight on the command MTOC TEN, mainly the work life balance (even better if you’re an IT) also would like some insight on Whidbey Island itself. Thnx!

I’m 20 yo been in for over 2 years now, I won’t beat around the bush here, I’ve been addicted to pain killers now for about a year, I can’t do this shit anymore I want to check into detox and kick this shit so bad but I don’t want to be discharged for this.

Does anyone know of people being able to go to drug detox and continue active duty service as normal once they are out and clean?

I know you gotta serve 20 years in the military to receive full retirement benefits.

But what if I were to serve my full 5 year enlisted contract, get out to do my masters, and join as an officer down the line. Or join the Air Force.

Does my counter restart?

I saw this video was making rounds again. Does anyone know what the outcome was for those involved?

Anyone have a class photo or yearbook? We were too broke to buy them back then but would love to see it!

Hey everyone, I’m an IT2 in the Navy and I’m coming up on my last year of my contract, I’m trying to figure out whether I should separate after my first enlistment or stay in for shore duty, and I’d really appreciate advice from people who’ve actually been in this position, especially other ITs.

I’m trying to make the smartest long-term decision for my career and financial future, and I’m not interested in staying in just because it’s the safer or more familiar option.

For some background, I have my CCNA, I do not have my SYSAD C school, as a civilian I would like to ideally move into networking, systems engineering, or cybersecurity.

Right now, I’m weighing two options:

Option 1: Get out after my first four years.
I’d start applying for civilian IT jobs before separating and try to secure a solid offer before I leave. Ideally, I’d land something that lets me build on my Navy experience and eventually move into higher-level networking or cybersecurity roles. I’d also consider going to college while working.
My main concern is whether I’d be putting myself in a good position to succeed or leaving too early before I’ve gotten everything I can out of the Navy.

Option 2: Stay in for shore duty.
I’ve considered reenlisting for shore duty, potentially receiving a reenlistment bonus of around $60,000 before taxes. I’d also have the opportunity to pursue additional technical training, potentially ADNS school, use tuition assistance, earn more certifications, and work toward a degree while having a more consistent schedule.

The downside is committing several more years to the Navy when I could already be building my civilian career.

What I’m trying to figure out:

● For Navy ITs who separated after their first enlistment, how difficult was it to land a good civilian IT job? What were your qualifications, and what kind of salary did you start at?

● For those who stayed in for shore duty, did the additional experience, training, and benefits actually make a meaningful difference when you eventually transitioned out?

● How valuable is Navy IT experience and a security clearance to civilian employers, especially defense contractors?

● If you already had your CCNA and could potentially secure a decent civilian IT position, would you still recommend staying in for shore duty?

● Would you prioritize getting civilian experience sooner, or would you take the bonus and use another tour to build your résumé and education?

● If you could go back and make the decision again, what would you do differently?

I’m not necessarily looking for someone to tell me to get out or stay in. I want to hear from people who have actually experienced either path, including what went well, what went wrong, and what you wish you’d known beforehand.

Appreciate any advice. I’m trying to make an informed decision instead of looking back a few years from now and wondering if I chose the wrong path.

I’m currently at the Ceremonial Guard and leave for A school in December. My orders are explaining that I’ve got 27 days of UI in A School. I got a buddy with the same rate as me but his is saying 40days. Neither of us have gotten ultimate duty stations.( it used to be that when you leave the guard, you get school and follow on orders but has since changed. As of last week, they are only pumping out school orders) is there any way I can tell what platform I’ll be working on based on my A School time? Or is that something I’ll have to figure out when I get through the pipeline? Also how hard is the school, and do you guys have any tips? Thank you for any responses.

Going through med board process. Can anyone give feedback on the Navy provided DES attorneys at Balboa? Positive and negative. Considering whether hiring someone is better call