UPDATE UPDATE:

finally started working on getting my Enlisted Surface Warefare Specialist (ESWS) pin. theres two books worth of signatures i have to get. it involves knowing stuff from every department on the ship...and theres a ton of stuff to learn! when i get both books completly signed, i take a small written test, then i go to the 1st class "murder board".....basically an oral test. they ask questions and i have to answer. its a lot of work, but its worth it in the end. it adds points to advancment tests, helps with quals and looks good in your records. im trying to get it done before i take my third class test in september, and hopefully put the pin on before i actually make third class. that would be nice. im about 20% done...

otherwise i went on my first helicopter ride a couple days ago! that was really cool. got some good pics. they flew around the ship and around a couple other navy ships in the area. really neato.

anyway we just pulled into Limassol, Cyprus; making our third port visit of the cruise....or our first in over a month. not sure if im going out in town though...might just catch up on sleep instead. but that may change...