Summer 2003 Pictures

Here is a brief rundown of what I did over the summer with some pictures to go along with it!

Late May/Early June

During this time, I was doing my training cruise on board the USS Wyoming, SSBN 742. I enjoyed this cruise immensely. I learned a lot, and even got to spend time in Florida and Norfolk to boot. Here are a few shots from my cruise.

 

We got to spend a couple days in Port Canaveral FL before we boarded the sub. It was a blast! Here I am outside the Ron Jon's Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach.

This is a shot as we were leaving the Wyoming temporarily to visit Norfolk. That is her in the background. She is a huge boat, at 560' in length!

While in Norfolk, we visited the USS Wisconsin, BB 64. This was an awe-inspiring moment, looking up at this towering behemoth with her 16" rifles.

Mid June/Early July

During this period, I was on leave at home. I mostly worked on my model ship project, of which I have just posted a gallery of pictures over on the Warship page. Go check out that gallery! Here is a teaser, though.

Mid July/Early August

On July 5, I reported back to the Academy to do Weapons Detail, which is teaching the incoming freshmen, or Plebes, how to shoot at the rifle range. Here are a few shots of me and my fellow detailers doing our thing. Thanks to Chase Ackerman for taking them for me!

 

Here I am explaining the intricacies of loading 5.56 mm rounds into the M-16's magazine. Since many of the Plebes had never shot before, we had to start from the ground up!

This is me giving the "Ready" signal. The detailers are tasked with making sure that every activity on the range is conducted safely.

This is my block leader, who is keeping an overall eye on the training for a section of plebes. The paddle in his hand is used to signal the range officer that his section is ready to fire.

Mid August

Once Weapons Detail was finished up, it was back home for a little more leave. During this time, I mainly worked on getting the car that I am now driving, a 1990 Ford Festiva, into "fighting trim." this involved sanding and painting it, mainly. Here is a shot:

Well, that about wraps up my summer! I had a great time, and got to do a lot of neat things. While I wish that it could have lasted longer, all good things must come to an end. I think I will look back fondly on the summer of 2003 for some time.

Andy Rucker