Seasick

My first time going to sea was short but definitely not sweet. We needed to do a Change of Command Ceremony at sea so that entailed a short voyage to show off the ship to a new Captain. It lasted about three days with one day focused on the ceremony. The first day was great, I spent some time on the bridge as we were leaving port. One of my collateral duties is to escort the harbor pilot to the bridge. One of the chiefs took a very unflattering picture of me as I was trying to absorb everything going on around me.

The second day I got violently ill and spent most of the afternoon with my head on my desk. Every time I tried to walk any where I mostly just ended up banging into the bulkheads. I skipped dinner, that ended up being a good decision. As I was continuing to go downhill, it suddenly occurred to me that if I actually required medical attention no one was going to be able to get in the disbursing office without cutting through a wall. The outgoing CO ordered me to go to bed instead of attending the Officer's meeting that night. I latter heard they just used my lack of attendance to make fun of me. I only threw up once, I guess it could have been worse!

The third day consisted of the Change of Command Ceremony and bonging off the former Captain. The ceremony was conducted on the mess decks and latter broadcast to the crew. All the Officers attended in person and then celebrated with cake and ice cream afterward. I was on the bridge again while the ship came back into port and docked. Goodbyes were exchanged as the Captain departed the ship for the last time. I did not have much to say to him as I shook his hand, I only knew him for a few weeks. I do look forward to working with the new CO and continuing to learn my way around the ship.