Watching the Naval Sea Cadets drill.
Leaders: US Naval Sea Cadets Seaman Apprentice Thompson, Sea Scout Ship 7916 Boatswain Keller, Sea Scout Ship 1115 Boatswain Nelson, US Naval Sea Cadets Petty Officer Herbert.
Thompson teaches the finer points of making sharp turns.
Pivot on your right toe and your left heel.
Scott took a break and collected big salt crystals.
Marching toward the Navy Museum.
Ship 7916 scouts at the Navy Museum.
Watch out for those girls with big guns! The rule was "No aiming at the skipper," which is, of course, exactly what they tried to do.
Rebecca at the big gun.
Sarah at the big gun. The two made an effective team, leveling that barrel right at the skipper's head.
"Hey, look! Our uniforms are in a museum!"
Doug and Jared inspecting the marvelous model of the USS Missouri. Both Sarah and the Skipper's grandfathers served aboard the vessel, though at different times.
Korean armored ship.
More drill!
The Sea Scouts from Ship 7916 beat the US Naval Sea Cadets at the first round of the drill challenge game, "Knock Out." Here, Jared, Rebecca and Caitlin are the final 3...
...and Caitlin and Rebecca tied for the win. No matter how fast he gave commands "leftfaceaboutfacerightface!" The drill instructor could not shake them until he played a trick on the scouts: having another Cadet give the order while the contestants' backs were turned. The girls followed the command and lost.
After more drill, more drill, and marching with the Cadets, NOW they are looking sharp!
The USS Barry at twilight.
In the bunk area, the girls found artifacts from sailors of yore. Think that vintage Mountain Dew can is worth something on eBay?
Close quarters! Us gals were relegated to an area where visitors come through, so that Plexiglas barrier made things close. Front to rear: Meghan, Sarah, Rebecca, Caitlin.
"Let us out!" The Plexiglas made it feel a little like prison.
We had time to strengthen friendships among ourselves...
...and with scouts from Ship 1115.
Scott and Jared passed some time thumb-wrestling in the mess deck. No actual thumbs were injured.
US Naval Sea Cadets' Supply Officer gave the uniform care instruction. She taught us some cool tips, particularly for rolling the sailor's neckerchief.
It's...hmm...the battery room or something.
Our special tour of the Barry included areas not normally seen by the general public, including the engine room. The guide told us that workers in this room would hold out a broomstick in front of them, to detect any possible leak, as the steam, coming out of a pinhole at 1,200 PSI would "cut a man in two." Ew!
Our tour had to wait until after 2000, when the Marine Corps retirement event ended. It sounded like they had a good time, but it was awful when they came down to use the head and brought those stinky cigars with them. From what was left on the tables, it looked like some of the guests were smarter than the average cigar smoker.
OMG! It's a fire!
Ashore in the dark, lined up during the fire drill. "All present and accounted for." Jared must be substituting for Gus.
Up in the pilot house with all the Sea Cadets, including these new recruits, who do not yet have their uniforms.
Our tour leader took us up to the fantail, which was covered by the custom tent for the big Marine event.
Boatswain Keller, happy to finally be in a bunk! Unfortunately, it was not a quiet night, with someone banging a stick up above, and young women in our area coming and going all night. Lights finally went out around 2330, and, even though we lost an hour, were on at 0500. Who slept? Not I.
We went off to Andrews Air Force Base for breakfast at 0-dark-thirty. Here, Sea Cadet recruits load into one of the vans.
Chow line at Andrews. Everybody more sleepy than hungry.
Scott conked out at the breakfast table.
...and Gus conked out in the car.
