Hi folks, sorry for the delay,I recived a PM from RAD DAD and that sort of kicked me in the butt to continue my story.BTW how does the karma thing work.RAD DAD has 8 pages and 178 replies to the thread he started and ony 1 karma point,I will figure out how to give him one more but what are the normal qualifications for getting one?
I have done a few cool things in my life,but none can conpare to the tiger cruise,the massiveness of the equipment,the pride and training of the sailers,the perfection of the aircrew and ground support,the cleanliness and maintenance of the reactor compartments(just kidding,was not allowed there but they need a plug also).I would recomend that anyone that has a chance to go, do it.from what I understand it is not limmited to parents:aunts uncles,neighbors,friends etc can go all you need is a sponser on board.Be nice to the kid that cuts your lawn.
As to info before you go, if you don't have satilite internet(I do) go to your sponsers ship web site(I cant) cvnxx.navy.mil The Stennis site had 21 pages of info, most everything you will need.
A few things not on the web page.First and formost,realise and be aware that although you are on vacation,you are not on a cruise ship.You will be on a warship that is doing warship things.you will have an unbelievable amount of freedom to wander around and explore.Be aware of your suroundings.You will have many chances on the flight deck or hanger bay to bash your head on an aircraft wing or trip over a tiedown.Bring a digital camera with a case.Put a spare memory card and spare batteries in the case,when it your turn to be on vutures row watching flight ops is bad time tohave your batteries die.
As for preporation before you go,this is my best advice.Go to either WalMart or HomeDepot on a sunday early afternoon with a list of 10 items.Park as far from the front door as possible.pick out your first item,pay for it and take it to your car. return and repete for item #2.Do the same for #3 thru 10.This training will serve two purposes.One, it will train you how to stand in line. I think on the ship they have lines to get in line.Second, observe the people wandering around aimlessly,changing direction at random,blocking the ailes.You know where I am going with this,dont do be like them.I dont know how it is during deployment,but at the end there is a lot of material being moved and staged for unloading.
As I mentioned before,you will have a lot of feedom.Explore,on the Stennis we were issued a qual book:find the ships laundry,go to the air wing ready rooms,tour the jet shop plus many more,dont stop at what is in the book,explore,talk to the sailers,they are proud of what they do and will be happy to explain how their job is the most important job on the ship.I was amazed that after 8+ months at sea and 5 days from home how helpful and proud they were.Its getting late and I am starting to ramble so I am done for now.If anyone has any questions I will do my best to answer.Thanks Alan