JUNE: Peace

Well, we've reached another landmark--May is over! I'm happy to report that time has been passing quickly on my end, and thus far I'm receiving similar reports from "over there". Praise the Lord!

June is finally here, which means the beginning of a new focus for Justin's time away. If you missed the explanation of these "themes" you can find out more about them here. This month we will be concentrating on "peace" although that study won't officially begin until Sunday. Needless to say, I'm excited! 

I also thought I'd share a photo Justin sent me from his "Steel Beach Picnic" this past weekend. To preemptively answer the questions I know will follow the previous sentence--

Steel beach picnics are a tradition in the United States Navy. They are often department-sponsored barbecues held on the deck of the ship, hence the name "steel beach". Often held on the flight deck or in a large hangar bay for carriers, much like a day at the beach with volleyball and other sporting events

Thanks wikipedia, that's such a better explanation than I would have given!

My hunny's a grillin' machine!

So how did Justin get stuck grilling? Because he is the JORG ensign (pronounced: "George"), which means he has the privilege of executing all tasks tedious and trivial. This is one of the better ones, for sure! Again, a more detailed explanation:

The J.O.R.G. Ensign (Junior Officer Requiring Guidance) is the most junior officer in a naval command. The JORG is typically the collector and manager of the Wardroom Fund, a bank account funding miscellaneous incidentals to social functions as well as parting gifts or plaques for separating officers.

One of the other (implied) jobs of the JORG is to prank the XO (executive officer), the second-highest command position on the ship. It's worth mentioning that Justin is NOT the most junior officer aboard, and hasn't been for almost a year, but his XO just so happened to like him so much as the JORG that she promised him he could remain so for the duration of his time on this ship. Lucky him.

Fair winds and following seas!

Stephanie

Photoex

Justin sent me a couple of photos yesterday that were taken as part of a "photoex" for his strike group and said they were safe to share on my blog. Enjoy!

Justin's ship is the farthest right, in the background

Justin's ship--USS Mitscher (DDG-57)

Fair winds and following seas!

Stephanie

Staterooms and Seasickness

I was able to talk to Justin again before bed last night, thanks to Google Chat! I am so glad that he FINALLY got a stateroom, and just in time for deployment. Staterooms are supposed to be automatic for officers but there weren't any available when Justin checked onboard last May. Consequently, he was thrown into berthing 6 along with the other out-of-luck JOs (junior officers).

"JO Jungle"

 

Aside from having absolutely zero space, there was also a huge plumbing problem. Any time there were clogs on the ship, they would back up into the "JO Jungle". Not pretty! Thankfully, he was moved into a stateroom about a week before deployment, just when we thought he had run out of time. He shares his room, and a computer(!), with two other guys--Kamm and Heighton. This new arrangement has made it much easier for us to communicate so far, and we are both so thankful!

(Kamm)

(Heighton)

He also told me about a workout regimen he and friends Drew, Naomi, and Jocelyn have come up with. They have decided to run (treadmill, bike, elliptical..) 2.5 miles per day for a grand total of 500 MILES by the end of deployment. Even though I think they're all CRAZY, I know this will be a great release of energy or frustrations.

Unfortunately satan is already throwing kinks in his plans--Justin is SEASICK! This from the man who is never seasick. I knew it had to be bad, but I was shocked when he told me they had 15 FOOT seas! No thank you! Please keep him in your prayers while they (literally) ride out this storm.

Fair winds and following seas!

Stephanie