#dd-368

I have a lot to update about. I am a little annoyed with myself for not updating this earlier!

About two months ago I found out through the HS2 that my flight physical will not transfer over. She wished me luck and sent me on my way; no matter, I am glad I know that I can pass a first class flight physical.

I have secured a position volunteering 3 hours a week at Seattle Children's Hospital, for which I am extremely excited!!! I need to complete a minimum of 80 hours in 6 months. Depending on how that goes I may volunteer more with them, I have a foot in the door though. Which is great considering how difficult it is to apply!

Got all my E4 sign-off's completed. Now I just need to take the test. For some reason I felt like a fire got lit under me and I had a burning urge to move forward sooner rather than later. I approached my Command Master Chief with what I had completed in my conditional release package and let him go over it. He suggested some structure changes within the memorandum. I also showed it to my department head, Bosun. He agreed with Master Chief and just about smacked me over the head for waiting as long as I did to tell him, "Sir, I am going to see a recruiter."

He has been so supportive of my decision that he gave me time during the work day to schedule my appointment with a recruiter. I had created a list of all near-by recruiting stations so I was ready to make calls right away. I started near Ft. Lewis-McChord and found a recruiter whom had done WOFT packets before. I made the appointment for the 24th of May (today, at the time of this writing).

I did not get to talk to the recruiter whom had done the WOFT packets as he was at a Dental Appointment. I had sensed during the two phone calls I had placed to him that he seemed un-interested which was worrisome. And when I found out he was out of the office for our appointment I fought the urge to shake my head. It was as if all the things I had heard about recruiters was coming true before my eyes. While waiting in the office I observed all the other enlistees, high schoolers,  talk to the recruiters like they were pals. Their shaggy hair cuts were very amusing and brought me back to when I was processing for the Coast Guard. Of course, I was extremely respectful and addressed the recruiters, all E6 and above with the proper respect that is expected of military members. They definitely showed me respect and I noticed there was no buddy-buddy theme to our conversations, which I was pleased with.

After waiting for 45 minutes I finally was directed to talk to another member whom had put people through WOFT. He basically confirmed everything I already knew but emphasized the PT test, something I had not really given much thought too. So I made a mental note to start training in earnest to score well above the standard on the PT test. That was perhaps, the biggest thing I took away today. That, and of course a signed conditional release form (DD-368)! As I was walking out the recruiter I was originally supposed to see walked in. We introduced ourselves and I quickly found out his tour was ending in 2 months which gave reason as to my initial concern about his lack of interest. So I will be working with the one I had talked too today, whom still has two years left in his tour. 

Once I get the form signed by my commanding officer I will be able to start scheduling tests and physicals etc. I need to pass my E4 test first however... Which will take at least another few weeks. In all honesty, it should already be done. Either way, soon I will have a signed conditional release in hand!

I apologize for summarizing as much as I did, usually my posts are much more detailed but I had a lot to write about.