We have lift off... Sorta

At approximately 0800 Vallejo Standard time, the Training Ship Golden Bear departed after sitting dockside for 4 days. The past few days have been filled with Marine Survival Training. On Friday morning we had fire fighting training which involved 1980's videos and spraying some fake ducks with hoses. That afternoon, we practiced our survival skillz by playing coastguard rescue swimmer (I'm like Ashton Cutcher now, just better looking..) with life jackets and an emergency life raft in the school heated pool. This was a blast! we had to do different task such as crawl in and out of the life-raft from the water and climb down into it from a ladder, all while being hosed down with icy water. It was quite the memorable experience, though I question the strength of my skill that I acquired that afternoon in the pool should the need actually arise to use them... I'm sure being an Eagle Scout and a Sea Scout will come in much more use than playing around for an hour an a half in the school pool.

The next day all the non-licensed cadets (like me) were given liberty for our last day in port and I was fortunate enough to have the Dods/Stewart clan from San Jose come up and rescue me. After a wonderful BBQ lunch at Gracies, (where the great Navy Damage Control Expert Chris Dods taught me all I need to know about firefighting in about 2 minutes) we headed off to Costco where they treated me a final supply run. (which I am so very appreciative of and can not express how much I meant to me). After that, we caught some cold stones and an afternoon showing of the latest X-men movie. After the movie and tour of my campus (complete with some hilarious/dirty pictures with Keema the school's bear) the merry band returned me to the ship (which has been quarantined due to the Swine Flu).

But finally today after leaving the beautiful city of Vallejo, we did circles around San Fransisco Bay through Richmond harbor and the Port of Oakland. Tonight there was a a reception for alumni and Faculty on the bear as we are dock along one of the countless piers between the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate. Tomorrow we get underway for Balboa, Panama (via Catalina). It should be a great first real day, filled with Golden Gate Bridge passing, classes, day work, and USAF PJs (that's United States Air Force Pararescue Jumpers for you all "un-cultured" people)

later days...

Very Respectfully,

Cadet 3/c Schiesser
Squad Leader, 1st Squad
GSMA,Division III
Blue Company
California Maritime Academy
sschiesser@csum.edu