When all else fails

Chapter 2

     My parents stayed for a couple days after the graduation I spent the time with them. Surprisingly mom seemed to have respected my growth after boot camp because she didn't treat me the same. Not an equal, but not as some little thing she could bully and push around. My dad after the first day reverted back to his old ways, physically there but mentally checked out.

     The morning I checked into corps school, the A-school to teach us how to save lives, was uneventful. I was put up in the barracks, which are more like a hotel then what you may think. As I stepped into the room I see two beds on either side of the room with a night stand at the head and a wardrobe next to it framing a window which separates the room. At the foot of the bed is a desk and chair to study at.

     I had one roommate who seemed to be as quiet as I was. I started out by saying "Hey there I'm SA Fredrickson, looks like we are rooming together."

     "Hi I'm SR Newkirk, yes so it seams. What do you think the schools ganna be like?" the other responded timidly shaking my hand.

     "I'm not sure, as long as it's better than bootcamp." I nervously chuckle

     Newkirk rolls his eyes "Anything has to be better than there."

     We quietly set about unpacking our gear and and getting to know each other a little as we warm up to the company. Turns out he was from a quiet little town in Ohio and joined the Navy as there was nothing but farming in his future back home. I kept most of my past secret and just stated I joined to get away from a dead end job and no other prospects.

     The next morning there was an orientation to the school. We were introduced to the rest of our classmates and instructed that there was going to be 5 "red badges" one CO, one XO, one MAO, and two EPO's, the student leaders of our class. The two EPO's would be decided with the results of our first test.

     The rules were really rather simple because the school was only three months long. We were allowed off base in civilian clothes, and on weekends we didn't have to be on base unless we were in trouble for something. The base was open for our roaming. After the rules, we were lined up and marched to to our first class. The class was set up just like I remember from high school, a bunch of seat desk combos lined in rows. There was a dry erase board at the front for the instructors to write on. After three hours of class we marched to lunch, then after a quick lunch it was back to class for another four hours of school.

     After classes we were dismissed to do as we wished. We were to report back to the class at 0800 the nest morning. So I went back to my room, Newkirk and I decided that it would be a good time to go explore the base and see what all it had to offer. We found a bowling alley, and the NEX (Naval Exchange) we went in and bought 3 sets of civilian clothes each to start us out. It felt nice to be able to just buy them after months of the same uniforms. We wandered back to the galley where we had dinner then up to the room for the night.

     The rest of the week went similar to the first day, class stated at 0800 till 1200. Marched to and from lunch. Class again until 1630 then free until the next morning. We had PT 3 days a week where we had to be ready at 0630.

     Friday came quick bringing along our first test. We took the test right as we got into the class, and had the results after lunch. As we all came in after lunch the instructor called "Fredrickson, Johnson, front and center face the class at attention." Johnson and I glance at each other as we quickly do as ordered. "Class 425 these are your two EPO's. They are the two that had the highest scores on this first test. They will have to maintain a 3.5 and not fail a single test if they do not then another will be selected. They will lead any remedial studies that will be held for those of you that fail any test. Three test failures and you will be held back a class, three after you will be dropped from the school and another assignment will be found. Is that clear?"