[Hostel]

You know, when I was a little kid, and I watched TV, my dad was totally into WWII movies and history. My dad used to bore me for hours on end with movies and documentaries on U-Boats, and other things. When I was a kid, I wanted to do anything but watch old movies about a war I enver knew.

When I got a little older, I rememeber while in school that I had to do a report on some aspect on the military. As if fate was screaming at me in the face, I ended up with submarines. I remember getting a C on that paper because once again, I wanted to do anything but anything related to submarines, or the military.

Now here I am, 26 years old, and a sonar technician on a submarine, and enriched in submarine history and tradition as one can get. And you know what the funny part is? I still would rather be doing anything than stuff related to submarines. Fresh air? Sunshine? TV? Reliable email? Who the hell needs that when you're surrounded by 8000 tons of high grade steel and spending time with 150 of your closest friends? What the hell was I thinking?

I was thinking, "$11,000? Hell sign me up!"

Kidding aside, I like my job. Don't neccesarily like who I work for half the time, but the job is rewarding. Now if I can just make second class. Perhaps then the re-enlistment option might sound a litle more viable.

People often ask me if I think the job is hard, or what is the hardest part of my job. You know what the hardest part of my job is? Staying the heck awake! Anyone ever wondered what sonar sounds like? You can find out for free. All you have to do is find someone who owns a C.B. radio, or if you own one, you're already ahead of the game.

Take the CB radio, and turn it on. Now make sure the squelch is turned down. You hear that static sound? Thats what the ocean sounds like 24 hours a day through a submarine sonar system. Add the occasional dolphin fart, or whale's mating, and there ya have it. Man I don't know about ya'll, but I never heard anything like that when I held a seashell up to my ear.

Heheh.

Everyone have a great weekend. I'll be leaving on deployment a week from today. If I don't happen to get on here before then, everyone take care and be well, and I will see you when I return.

God Bless the U.S.

[tomkow6]

Hi, Hostel! Thanks for the personal input, but I STILL admire you guys! Is it true that you have to be able to do ANY job on a sub?

Thank you for serving!

[beachn4fun]

Hey Hostel.....

p.s. please print some of tomkow's jokes off and take them with you. Whenever you are bored listening to sonar, just whip out a joke and have a laugh!

p.s.s. God Bless you and may He grant you your wish!

[HiJinx]

Oh, c'mon, Bro, you like manning the deck gun, right? And where else can you get paid for telling the wife you're going out with the guys for months on end?

Ok, so you're not going to bars or ball games, but...

Anyway, thanks for your service! We all appreciate what you do more than any of us can say. Thanks.

[MEG33]

Be careful and God bless you for serving our country.Go Navy!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Sir, for your service to our country. And thanks too to Severa and the boys for their service as a Navy family.

Hi JJ!! Hi Robbie!!