I am in the Navy now!

I am in the Navy now!

After commissioning I was ready for some smooth sailing. I received a few emails from the Naval Operation Support Center (NOSC) and was given directions on how to proceed. Things were looking good. This included directions on how to access many of the governments sites to start my initial naval career. What I didn't appreciate were the order of things that I had to accomplish to get this process moving in a positive direction. Two things, I later realized, had to occur immediately. First, any computer access would only occur when a access form was completed by me and put into the hands of the personnel at the NOSC. The second was obtaining a common access card (CAC). This card would provide the digital signature I had to have to access the government sites. The cards are only issued on military installations typically with appointment. The next logical question was...how do I get on a military installation without proper identification? Thankfully a friend, who had lots of CAC knowledge, directed me on how to obtain one. The computer access paperwork and CAC were my initial obstacles I had to overcome. For anyone else, they should priority one. 

The next step was the type of computer I would use to access all the military networks. I started down this road using an Apple MAC. Despite reading several blogs on this topic, contacting Apple and going to an Apple store, it became very clear that I would never be able to access the military sites using an Apple platform. Three days later the new PC I ordered arrived at my home as my new Navy computer. I have been happy every since though Windows 10 is not perfect for all our Navy needs. 

Shortly after my first communications with the NOSC, I began receiving emails from the local detachment I was assigned. Lots of information was sent my way. Most of this information listed the tasks I needed to complete to get up to speed. There was a lot of “what to do information” 

but not a lot of detailed “how to do it information”. This became evident as I attempted to start the large amount of on-line training that is required to complete. I was under the assumption that all the Navy Reserve sites would come on line in one stand up process. I was incorrect. Many of the individual sites required their own account information and individual start up. I was unaware of this because of my incorrect assumption above. At this point, I was making no progress. I didn't know the right questions to ask nor the right people to contact. Many of my questions I was able to articulate were being answered with more questions that I frustratingly didn't have the answers. In retrospect, the process would have been smoother if I had known the detachment training officer (TO) and NOSC training department personnel. These folks are a must! New folks joining the Navy need these folks immediately. Sites like Swank, JKO, ESAMS, DTS, NFASS etc are all very important and require individual start ups that the TO and or NOSC training personnel will have to assist in getting up in running. They won't start on their own! A trip to the NOSC and a in person meeting with the detachment TO with computer in hand will prove to be very helpful. Find the time to go!

After attending the NOSC indoctrination course, I was able to meet briefly with my new detachment who was at the NOSC at the same time for drill weekend. Trying to soak up information from the NOSC personal as well my new detachment folks was difficult because there just wasn't enough time to get good in person information from both groups. Making assumptions and not having an enough knowledge to even formulate questions made it difficult to utilize both groups. My recommendation would be to separate the indoctrination course and meeting the new detachment into separate weekends.  I would utilize the separate time to meet the detachment TO and training department to get a better understanding of the needed web based sites. Getting detailed instructions on “how to perform a task” will be very helpful. 

While still at the NOSC on day 1, my next step was to head to the medical department. I didn't realize that despite just being commissioned in the Navy some of my medical requirements were not met during the commissioning phase. I needed proof of vaccines received, PPD performed, a physical and health assessment and dental exam completed. I was under the assumption these were all completed when I was undergoing the recruitment process. I was incorrect and had to hustle to get them done. Hard to do when we all have full time jobs. Take home message...first day at NOSC...go to Medical and ask what is missing. The next piece of information I needed on day #1 of the NOSC was to find out when my physical readiness test (PRT) was to be performed. I didn't know enough to ask this question. I later discovered my detachment was doing the PRT the very weekend I had met them. This led me to have to schedule a “make up” PRT. Being brand new, not fully in the NOSC system led to me performing the PRT on the scheduled make up day. The lack paper trail of my presence led to my scores being lost and never found. Lesson learned...I always now take a photo of every document with the needed signatures so I always have a record. 

After the "shotgun" first weekend at the NOSC, I settled into trying to get through the web based training requirement. There is a lot for sure! I had the list of the initial required courses but I could not locate where to find the courses within the training site. Very frustrating to say the least. “How to” instructions would have been great in this setting. Sitting down in person with your computer will be invaluable in this situation with either the NOSC training department or a “seasoned” member of your detachment. Very helpful and timely when we all work full time. Taking photographs of screens and using youtube.com proved to be helpful in asking the right questions and getting them answered. Taking photographs will be a reoccurring theme is these writings. Take photographs! For every certificate of course completion that popped up on my computer screen, a photograph of the certificate was taken for my records. A habit that has served me well so far.

As I completed the required training courses, pursued my medical readiness, tried to wear my uniform correctly, another bump in the road was experienced. I was informed my security clearance was not complete nor was there a future date of completion. Does this matter I asked? It does! All training, schools, assignments etc require a security clearance. Though the permanent security clearance may take some time, an interim clearance is required. Asking who the leaders of your detachment (TO, Officer in Charge (OIC), Assistant Officer in Charge (AOIC), is very important. Names, email and phone numbers are a must in completing many of the tasks. The Administrative officer will be the one to assist with the security clearance. A direct question of “can you assist me with my interim security clearance” maybe required. They will request assistance from the NOSC personal. Do not be afraid to follow up and be persistent. 

Despite the times I thought the smooth road was littered in broken glass, I was beginning to make progress through this load of work. Just when I was beginning to feel I had a finger on the pulse, I was told to start working on getting to Direct Commission Officers(DCO) in Newport, RI