How To Check In To Your First Navy Ship As An Ensign
Welcome Aboard!
Ok so not quite yet... There is always some apprehension with checking on to your first ship. This is where you are going to spend 2 years of your life living and working. First impressions are key and you really don't want to look stupid. Well the first thing you need to know is that you will. It is inherent to the rank, you may be hot stuff but at the end of the day there is a lot to know and there will be a time where you will look foolish for doing or saying something stupid that no one told you was stupid. Sorry I know, what a great way to start out a blog post, here you were all excited, now all your hopes and dreams are crushed. But not to worry, while you still will make mistakes I will help you not make as many! Here are some basic things you need to know to check aboard your first ship.
Before you even arrive at your ship you should email your Commanding Officer (CO) and your sponsor. Both emails will be provided in your orders. The email to your CO is kind of a big deal but not NEARLY as big of deal as you are going to make it out to be. Yes you want to do it right and not make a first impression that says "Hi I can't even write an email correctly and I am here to drive your 2 billion dollar warship!" So for tips on writing check in letter to your CO check out the section in the Division Officer's Guide or the Naval Writing Guide books. Both have good examples on how to write them. Some quick notes on the intro letter:
- Be professional and hit the basics as covered in the navy books listed.
- Don't request to be in a certain billet or even ask about which billet you will be assigned, it will probably change half a dozen times before you arrive and may change during check in.
- This is supposed to give the Captain a basic understanding of who you are, but don't stress it because I don't think my CO even read it...
After you write your CO letter, email your sponsor if they haven't already gotten in touch with you. He or she is the best point of contact to ask all the questions you would be afraid to ask someone else. They are most likely a junior officer and possibly the person you are going to replace. So ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable about the check-in process. I asked what to wear on check in, what time to be there, what my job would be, how the command climate was... all the basics. Each ship will be different so it's good to ask your sponsor these things.
Hopefully your sponsor will meet you prior to checking in at the ship, like at the airport to help you out. My sponsor met me and my wife at the airport and he even invited me and the other check-ins to a barbecue that some of the JO's were having that evening. It was a great way to start our time here and helped us feel a lot more comfortable about the check in process.
The day you actually check in, wear the prescribed uniform (for me it was summer whites) and bring your orders. I was told to bring a set of NWU's in a book bag so I could change after so that may be a good idea too. I made the mistake of asking one of the gate guards where the ship was and he gave that look of "Are you a spy?" I realized as soon as the words left my lips how stupid that was. Don't ask the gate guard where the ship is, that's a violation of operation security, instead ask your sponsor and preferably ask him to meet you somewhere right before checking aboard.
When you walk across the brow if it is between 0800 and sunset don't forget to stop half way across the brow, turn towards the back of the ship and salute. You will do this every time you cross the brow between these times to salute the flag. If you are in civilian attire at the time, stop and face that direction at attention for a half second.When you finish crossing present your ID and orders and say "Request Permission to come aboard." (while saluting). If you are in a dress uniform it should be obvious to everyone you are a new check-in. Tell them you are if they don't guess and tell them your sponsor's name. They will call your sponsor up if they aren't already there and he will escort you from there.
The day will consist of paperwork, introductions and feeling overwhelmed and lost. Don't worry it's normal. Most likely you will meet the CO and XO (Executive Officer) individually. These can be kind of nerve racking but just remember they are people too, show respect but don't freak out - you are an Officer in the US Navy, act like it.
After the endless paperwork for admin you will be handed a PQS Binder. This will have all the qualifications you need to get in order to get your pin. You will open it up the binder to see sheet after sheet of line items you need to get signatures for, your eyes will glaze over and you will shut the binder. Worry about those in a few days, for now focus on learning the ship and learning your new job.
You will most likely be introduced to your new division, when one of them extends their hand and gives you their name, don't give them your first name... say Ensign (last name). Keep it professional. I accidentally did this so you can learn the easy way from my mistake, even if it wasn't a huge one.
Another quick note is don't ever wear your cover inside the wardroom or the Galley. It is a navy tradition to remain uncovered in both of these spaces to show respect to the fallen.
Your first day may seem long, especially if you arrived at 4am just to be early enough to find a parking spot on base, but before you know it, it will be over. Don't be afraid to ask for help or directions on the ship. Understand that you are new and don't know much. Be humble and open to knowledge no matter where it comes from. And now...
Welcome Aboard Shipmate.
