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Not much of any importance has happened lately, so I will just fill in a few new details with this post. In the last month the only ship movement was a berth shift for a few days. The ship was actually birthed at a spot normally reserved for the carrier. The CURTIS WILBUR completed its repairs while there and then moved to a different birth afterward. The schedule is now based mostly on certifications and drills prior to a big underway this summer.

I was moved from being a phone talker to a Locker Officer during damage control drills. Most Officers start as phone talkers so they can learn from the Damage Control Assistant (DCA) while in CCS. We learn how to effectively communicate with the Locker Officers and watch the overall picture. For the last couple of drills I have been learning from an experienced Locker Officer prepping to take over for her at some point. As a Locker Officer, I do not have the overall picture any more. I am responsible for more specific duties in managing a locker. That includes a team and their equipment along with maintaining lines of communication.

I was able to experience Cherry Blossoms for the first time. I was a little dismayed by how short the season is. For a few weeks the pink and white petals are breathtaking and then the tree is left bare for the rest of the year. Most of the normal festivals were canceled or subdued due to the recent tragedy. That did not bother me that much though because I had duty over both the weekends when the festivals would have happened.

The Executive Officer (XO) turned over with a new XO. I had just felt like I was starting to understand him when he left. He had an interesting temperament, but always encouraged me to do my best. I considered him a good friend towards the end of his tour. Now I will need to adjust to a new leadership style. From the last few interactions, I think the new XO will be a good role model for me as well.

I just attended a Hail and Fairwell for two Officers leaving the CURTIS WILBUR. As much as I hate to say it, these are becoming a little more routine. The majority of the Officers leaving are better known by others. This is going to start to change as my seniority as a junior officer (JO) continues to increase. I am no longer considered to be one of the newer Officers and will probably start to take a more active role in training new Officers soon.

On a less solemn note, a new Officer was also introduced during the Hail and Fairwell. He was commissioned through OCS so it was interesting to reminisce with him. He is the first of a new set of Officers the ship will be filling it's billets with this summer. NROTC and the Naval Academy are about to commission their seniors. There are about a half dozen new Officers set to arrive so the department heads and chiefs are going to have their hands full. I arrived during a off period for turnovers. For several months previous and several months after my arrival there were no new Officers scheduled for ship billets. This is going to be interesting to say the least.