The Journal of a Sailor...


Hey there everyone, this is my journal for all of you to read while I'm away from my true home. After my 9 weeks of training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL., I flew to Pensacola, FL to NTTC Corry Station to train as an EW (Electronic Warfare Technician) and should be here for about a year or so. So, sit back, kick off your shoes, and enjoy!




Tuesday, January 11, 1999 -I was supposed to go in for my ASVAB testing and medical test, but when I was being breifed by Petty Officer 1st Class Dwyer, he noticed the breakout on my arms from the chemicals I was using the week before. We all agreed to wait about a week to see if it would clear up and save all of us a lot of time. I'm supposed to call Petty Officer Roberts, my recruiter, on Friday to tell him my situation with my arms. Hopefully, it'll all be cleared up so I can get a start on it.


January 25, 2000 - I finally made it to to the doctor's office yesterday and got some medicine that should clear EVERYTHING up and then I can finally go in for the testing. I have to go in and show Mr. Roberts my arms. So, 10 days and counting , I should be ready to go!



January 31, 2000 - My dad found a great website yesterday that shows all about RTC or Recruit Training Command for Boot Camp. If you go to the The Recruit Training Command Website, you can see what the steps are taken until graduation after 9 weeks of intense PT (physical training) and drills on Navy customs and dress. Enjoy!



February 3, 2000 - Well, I'm finally going to MEPS. The whole arm thing is gone now so it should be okay for the physical. I also have to take the ASVAB tonight and then stay over night at the hotel. I should be able to pick my job tommorow and get a guaranteed school. Wish me Luck!



February 5, 2000 - The trip to MEPS (Military Enlistment Processing Station) yestreday was a long and dissappointing day in a way. I got through the whole skin thing fine but when they looked at that I had taken Paxil for a while, they wanted record on its use and cause of usage. So that meant for a wild goose chase around Portland, calling and faxing documents, and when I finally got them to the right people he made me schedule an appointment with a specialist next week just to make sure that last little problem isnt one anymore....and now that I have people praying for my failure, it shines a little more sunshine on the whole thing.....I'll know this thursday.



February 10, 2000 -Well, everyone can stop holding their breath because I MADE IT IN!!!! As of Thursday, February 10, 2000, I Jeremy Thompson am now enlisted in the US Navy! Here are some hard facts about what I will be doin and dates I will be going places:
- Departure for Basic Training: April 4th, 2000
- Location of schooling: Pensacola, FL
- Length of schooling: one year to one and a half years
- Possible station locs: San Diego, Honolulu, Or Tokyo
- Position in Navy: EW-AEF (Electronic Warfare Tech - Adv. Electronics Field)
- Duration of enlistment: 8 years (4 initial, 2 extension, 2 inactive reserve)

If you want any add. info on it, please feel free to email me at Mcmannis20@yahoo.com or NavyGuy80@aol.com. Or just give me a call and I'll be mroe than happy to tell you all about it. Im excited and I hope you are for me...thank you all for ebing there for me.....



February 14, 2000 - Hey all, I just massed an email to a lot of people and if you came to take a look, here it is.....it applies to every singel one of you....
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Hey all...I know for some of you it's been a while since you've heard from me last and for others, I've seen you in the last couple days. I thought I'd drop a line on how things were going with myself and new plans I have that quite literally will change my life. No, Im not talking about a pilgrimage or an entrance into the Witness Relocation Program, but something that could help me start things rolling. First of all, I'd just like to say thanks to all of you who have supported me in things I have done in my life. Whether it be from the choir or just life decisions in general, you all have helped me get through to where I am today, and Im glad to have had friends like you all. Second, for all of those who have no idea of what Im getting at, I'll make it short. Ever since my plans to go back to UO were cut abruptly short a couple months ago, I've decided to do something that, although may seem rash to some, is something that should open many doors for myself. I enlisted in the US Navy last week and am excited to join. It's a total of 8 years of commitment (4 initial, 2 extension, 2 inactive reserve) and I chose to become an Electronic Warfare Technician - Advanced Electronics Field (or shortly EW-AEF) and will be attending school in Pensacola, FL for roughly a year and a half of intense electronics study and theory. From then on, I don't know where I will be stationed at. Im hoping for either San Diego, Honolulu, or even Tokyo, Japan. After my initial duty, I plan to go back to college (with 49 grand in my pocket for school), obtain my B.S., and then possibly go back in to become a pilot. OR if not that, I'll go straight into the Tech field for Intel or Microsoft or something....anyways, you're probably wondering "Why the Navy?!?" I guess for a couple years now (and those of you close to me will attest to this) I had trouble making large, life altering decisions and have had trouble wit h school after Glencoe. I made a pact with myself after leaving UO hat I would try school one more time and if it didn't work out, I would go into the military. Now that sounds like Im making a last ditch effort, but it's so much more than that. I mean, yeah I have to give 6 years of my life to service, but in the return I get to see the world many times over, obtain lots of money for school, and finally get out into the real world and see whats beyond that Oregon border. I guess you could say, the reason Im going in is because I finally grown up, out of that slacker high-school phase. I sound more like an inspirational speaker (like that track or wresting star we had come visit for our senior year, wit h the jar of beans/rice/sand) Anyways, I'm doing this, not for just myself, but for everyone. It's tough to explain. But for now, I'll just say I'm doing what I've wanted to do for a while now. I just wanted you guys to hear this so that if you're at a choir concert at Glencoe or for some of you, I 'm not at the 10 year reunion, that this is what I have been doing. I hope you all don't freak out or get mad..Ive had enough of that lately. But I just wanted to thank you all for being there for me when I needed it..I'd go through a rundown of everyone.but you all know what you did. I just have a couple requests of a couple people before I wrap this up..... -Leanne, could you inform Cherish somehow of this, I know that she would care less...but at least she'll know why I sent her those letter after we graduated.... -Leanne, Kameron, could either one of you get a hold of Jamie and send her this email or make a copy for her because I heard that she no longer attends MSU. She is very close to me and I know she'd love to hear about this, as all of you do. Anyways...I 'm writing a novel now so I basically said my piece. I probably won't be home much for a while. I leave April 4th for Basic and then might have to go straight to school after that, so I wont get a chance to make one last visit home before. But anyhow, I will be maintaining this account so feel free to email whenever you want or need some advice about something. I'm here for every single one of you...even the people that wont see this message. Also, i have a web page going and one of the links is a journal I will keep while in the service so that you can see what Im up to or any new developments. If you drop by, please sign the guestbook so I can see you all go this message. The web page address is (www.angelfire.com/or/mcmannis/jeremy.html). Well, I'll have to run now...and for all of you, I thank you once again and I hope that you all lead full and happy lives. If I don't see some of you again (in case of war or otherwise), I'll always think of you, no matter where I am. Sincerely, Jeremy



March 30, 2000 - Well Ive got 6 days to go and I can be more excited and more nervous. My mother put it as the "pre-naval Jitters" compring it to the pre-wedding jitters. The only difference is I only have to worry about 20 years not my life ;) Just kidding of course. I watched this documentary the other day on OPB about a couple fmailies in Winsconsin and one the kids went through Navy boot camp. It showed some footage of him in training and at the end of the confidence course ceremony he shed a coupel tears. I hope I feel this way when Im in his shoes....not that Ill cry liek a baby or anything. (c: Anyways, after I leave on the 4th I wont be checking my email or webapge until June or so, when I get back. SO, until then...



June 10, 2000 hey everyone! Just putting a little message in here to sat that IM ALL DONE WITH BOOT CAMP!!!!!! HOORAH! Anyways, I'm leaving for Pensacola on Wednesday (the 14th) and should get all settled by the end of next week, meaning i have a phone and my computer. Well gotta run for now, Love you all and will see you all soon!



June 19, 2000
- Well hello to all you in Oregon, Michigan, and any of who straggled over to this site. This is my first offical entry at NTTC Corry Station in sunny Pensacola, FL. Yeah, its sunny, but muggy and hot too. It feels like we're in a constant sauna. HAd our first PT session today too, that didnt help the heat any. Push ups, jumping jacks, crunches, and 8-count body builders for an hour, whew! Anyways, about the base.
The base is located on the south west part of Pensacola and is a medium sized base. I've enclosed a picture of the base in the gallery section of the page. The barracks I live in are pretty much college dorm rooms, only better :) Carpeted, fridge, microwave, and theres a TV in the little lounge we have, and a private bath too. On base theres a Rec Center with a bowling alley, arcade, McDonalds and cyber cafe. There's also the Navy Exchange (NEX) and the NEX mall. We're only about a 20 minute drive from the beach and downtown.
Alright, now for what I can do and my beef on the base. This base is known as a "spook base" because this base is strictly for intellegence ratings (EW, CT, IS, etc.) But that has it's advantages. I already have off-base liberty because they said they want to keep us happy. According to them, the ratings are stressful so they keep it easy on us. Which is good because we can brag to those at NAS down the street since they have to wait 2 mos before they have overnight liberty and civilian clothing, whereas we only have to wait three weeks :) AS for this whole three thing I keep mentioning, when you get out of boot camp they make us go through this three-week CORE program, which is designed to ease us from boot camp mode to semi-normal mode (At boot camp though, you went from civilian mode to boot camp mode in like, oh, ten mins). After that three weeks is up, I move into a little bit larger quarters and start school. Right now, Im roomed up with a guy I was in boot camp with so that makes it easier. WE always reminisce about our chiefs and petty officers, makes it better I guess.
Right now, Im pretty pleased and proud of what I have done, as far as in my life goes. I've always have dreamed of doing something like this, I just never had the motivation to do so. (They hand out motivation in mass quantities in boot camp, mostly in the forms of beatings and yelling) But seriously, for all thsoe who are wondering, I am happy with this decision and I can't wait to get out to the fleet and serve aboard a ship and see the world. It's kind of nice to describe my experiences with Dad and hear him say "That's not at all what it was like when I went through". I just tell him "It's a bigger and better Navy, Dad" I mean Ive heard that we have email and internet access aboard ships and can call whenever I need to. I think the best that happened so far is that I got paid to be in boot camp and lost 20 lbs...hehe screw Jenny Craig, join the Navy!
Well thats all for now really, Im sure I'll have more to share as the weeks go on and school starts. I have a friend from high school who's in the COast Guard stationed in St. Pete so that means I have it even more easier around here. Now that I have email access and whatnot, it'll be easier to keep in touch with you all. So for now, I wish you all luck and great big HOO-RAH!


July 6, 2000
I checked in to the Naval Hospital last night about 930pm for heat exauhstion. I never knew how warm it was here until last night, because since I used to live in the land of eternal darkness (aka Oregon) you really didnt need to drink a lot of water. So, I got stuck with an IV for four hours, pumping fluids into me. I didnt get out until 230am and man was I tired. I tried sleeping on the OR table, but there was this little girl across the hall just screaming her head off because she need to get stitches and shots in her foot for somehting....and I thought I hated needles. Well, anyway, I was put back on Fit for full duty status at about 8am and feeling better, except this time I think I'll drink a little more water than normal :)


August 13,2000
Hey everyone, Its been a while since my last update but I thought I drop an entry in finally. Anyways, Ive been in class the last four weeks or so and Im doign exceptionally well, I might add. I think with all the comps Ive had so far I have a 97.4% in the class and I believe I may be the 1st or 2nd inclass. Yea for me! But seriously, the material is easy so I think I should have no problem in making 1st of class by the time ElTech is over (next month some time). Also, I finally got over my fear of big commitment (like the whole Navy thing wasnt enough) and I went out and bought myself a truck yesterday. Its a Black 95 Ford Ranger XLT 2.3L V4. I got it for $8,800 and my insurance is only 98 a month. 98?!?!?!?!? I guess insurance is reall cheap down here...doesnt matter to me as long as I can get out on the road. The payments are 302.22 a month and we set up an allotment so they take out 151.11 each paycheck, that way Idont have to worry about saving up $300 a month and then be broke. So, even though it may sound like a big responsiblity, I think it'll help me finally budget myself (which some or all of you know I have a problem with) Ill take pics today and then hopefully get them on the net soon so you all can see. Well, gotta run for now, Ill be posting a little more often. I should also get the finalized leave dates for this xmas. AND THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR WISHING ME A HAPPY BDAY!!! I really appreciated it :)


September 13, 2000 - After several hours of remodling and renovation, the website is almost finished and is now open to visitors. I added a potry section, a gallery of photos (still working on), and a Thanks page. Also, I decided to make an intro page, kinda like a gateway to the place. So, Im still continuing on wokring on it so keep checking back for new additions and changes. Anyways, report from Pensacola, Im doign just fine. TRuck's doing great, school's going great, and actually starting to enjoy it down here. But I must admit, I didnt do it on my own. I met a girl named Christy down here who told me that theatre and music do exist down here. I was greatful to learn of this and have started going to plays and musicals again and I even started writing once again. The new Deep Underground page is a small collection, but always growing. But enough rambles, I did find that my leave should be around either xmas or new years so prepare for the storm to come home. Ill know the EXACT dates by October hopefully. Until then, jsut bear with me, I know you're just as eager for me to be home as I am. BUt I am settling very nicely here so homesickeness had it's time, but now it's time to relax and enjoy myself. I hope to have pictures in the gallery sometime soon of the beaches down here....oooh are they pretty. OH, one more thing, I shoudl be moving (again...) as soon as they finish the building across the courtyard (THEY HAVE AC THAT WORKS!!!!!) So stay tuned for a phone number update. Well, got some studying to do, so Ill look forward to the next entry....God Speed to all...



Septmeber 30, 2000 - Oooh! Look a second entry in a month! Amazing isnt it? Well I thought used this to record anyhthign that I deemed important that Ive gone through down here, at least I thought it is.. :) Anyways, I finally got my butt into gear and have done ALOT of rearranging as far as my life goes. First of all, Ive hada hard couple weeks in dealing with the Car loan and insurance people but I believe I have it all figured out now. And I actually balanced my checkbook! Something I havent done in ages. Also, I went out and actually had a great time out on the town last night too. Went to a couple clubs and got my groove on with a certain someone that I will explain in detail later. I ended up actually using a fake ID to get in one of the clubs since Im just one year to young for it, hehe. And I think I made great progress with that girl I mentioned earlier. Her name is Susan and is orignally from Alabama. I can begin to describe what I love about her , I get speachless when ever I think about her. But out of everything, her voice is what drew me towards her in the first place. She and I frequent the karoke every weekend and dare each other to go up and sing. And she sounds exceptional, even when drunk! She sounds liek a mixture between FAith Hill and Shania Twain (shes a big country fan.....GAK!) But seriously, she is great and Id give anything to be with her. Just need to give it time and show her that Im the one she wants ;) More info will come as available. As far as school goes, I pretty much done with my tech school and will be graduating from it on Oct. 3. I then head to a nine month school for Maintenance on the SLQ-32A (the lovely machine I get play with for the next 6 years). It should be fun since we actually get to start doing what our rate does. GO EW! Anyways, keep coming back for more updates.


October 14, 2000 - Id jsut like to start out by saying a lot has happened in the few weeks that I last put in an entry. First of all, I was put into Holding Company here for a month. There were too many people in my class so I volunteered to be set back a month until the next class gets to Maintenance school on Nov 2. So until then, I work everyday at various places around base. Also, I found out that the Friday after Thanksgiving was deemed a non-training day so I should be able to make that trip to Maryland Ive been planning on. Aunt Barb amd Uncle Tood (Petty officer Nix) live there and said Id be more than welcome to coem stay with them for a couple days. BEsides, if I dont see some family soon, Im gonna go nuts, I swear. :) If you noticed in the entry before I mentioned someone by the name of Susan. Well, beung my normal romantic self, I succeeded in making her a part of my life. Things between us have gone just like I imagined and can only hope they get better and better. Honestly, I haven't felt this way about someone in such a long time, possibly since Jasmine. Which by the way is finally engaged to Mikey. I really havent had an actual significant other for a year or so, so Im anxious to see what arises from this. Wish me all the best of luck. Im also entering the talent show here on Corry in a couple weeks, I plan on doing Ave Maria a cappella since I dont anyone who could play it. I think things are starting to fall into place, and Im liking the picture thats being created.



November 5, 2000 - One more month and I finally get to come back to that hole I call Hillsboro. I got the dates for my xmas leave and should coming home on Dec. 15. And even though I finally get to come home after eight months, its kinda wierd to think but this place I live now has started to feel like home, it's kind of gut-wrenching to think. Anyways, I can't wait to leave and see everybody again. As of Nov. 2, I finally started school again and can;t be more happier that I am. I just love getting out of school at 1130:) Plus the new class I'm with is great so Ill have no problem fitting in. And for all those who are interested, susan and I are doing just great. Even though we planned on going to New Orleans this weekend, we had to make alternate ones because of the new 10 duty section arrangement (meaning she has duty every 10 days), which one of them happens to fall on that Sunday, so we instead are just gonna have a night on the town. She left the other day for Alabama to visit her parents for the weekend, and even though I know it's only for a couple days, it's feels wierd to not have her around. Im not sure what this is, but I hope it doesnt go away. Maybe Im falling in love with her, only God knows. Well, must skedaddle out of here. Stay tuned for the next installment.



December 10, 2000 - Well, the day that I finally get to go home after eight months away is finally here. In just five more long boring school days I will be flying home and trying to make sense of whats going on in my life. It's just going to be wierd to go back there and now that thigns have changed. I mean Mom and Dad got a new house, Mike and Jasmine are engaged, and people have moved back or away. I guess I just have to realize that that's what life is about: Making changes to better your life. Well, I dont about that but I htink I am enjoying the changes. Susan and I are doing great, we've already made some plans for trips to New Orleans, Atlanta, and etc and both crossing our fingers we get the same duty station after we graduate. I won't get out of here until about August and she'll be graduating in June or July. Hopefully her and I will be together for a long while. AS for website info, I added a United States Armed Forces TRibute page. It's in the works but open to look at, Im going to add to it from day to day. Also I will get myself to finally start the gallery page, I have the photos to post just have to write the code. Well, for most of you, Ill see you this Saturday and for those I wont be able to see, I miss you all and hopefully I'll see your faces again sometime soon.

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