After going through that snot filled hell of the gas chamber, we marched back to the barracks to clean up and ready for chow. In the barracks the only thing on my mind was me calling Malina nothing else even mattered. I went through all the motions of showering and getting dressed as my mind wandered on how to approach her with marriage. My mind was still drifting as I called the cadence as we marched to the phone center. It was my turn to make my 15 minute call and I couldn’t believe I got the same crusty ass phone station as before. I ignored the stench that occupied this space and dialed Malina’s number. I pick the receiver up, wipe it off and began to press the buttons. With each press of the buttons my hands became to sweat more and my heart began to race. I thought to myself, “Why the hell am I so nervous?” My inner voice reply was, “Cause you about to talk to her about marriage DUH!” I got myself under control as I pressed the last number key and waited for the line to connected.
After the third ring, someone picked up the phone and I heard a familiar voice say, “Hello?” Her voice was so soothing to my soul I just sat there with a smile on my face until she said hello again. “Hey baby I’m sorry I just enjoyed listening to your voice.” We chit chatted about what I went through in boot camp this week and what she did at home. Our conversation was so good I lost track of time and only had a few minutes left. We said our goodbyes but right before I hung up I snuck in a, “How do you feel about marriage?” There was no answer just an awkward silence. At first I thought the phone hung up but then I heard her say, “Are you asking me to marry you?” Malina voice seemed she was asking a question but was saying yes at the same time. My reply was, “It was something I have thought about because I don’t see my life without you.” There was silence on the line and I thought my time was up but then I heard her speak. The only thing she said was, “OK.” When I went to ask her what the OK meant the damn line cut off. I thought to myself, “Shit! You dumbass that should have been the first thing you talked about!”
After cursing a few more times I hung up the phone and got back in formation. On the way back to the barracks I replay her “ok” over and over in my head. I tried to analyze the tone she used and hopefully it was a happy one. I thought about writing her a letter but by the time she got it I would already be home to ask her in person. We arrived at the barracks and again my mind was floating on the conversation we had as I go through the routine getting ready for TAPS. The Company Commander yells, “LIGHTS OUT!” I lay on my rack thinking about Malina and I having kids and growing old together. The last thing I remember was us kissing after I drifted off into a deep sleep.
I woke up to someone screaming some profanity for us to get up then realize this is our last week of Basic. This is the week we get our orders on where our next duty station will be and when we have to report. “Cole! Congratulations you get to live in a tube with a bunch of other men.” My reaction to that statement was, “HUH?” The CC reminded me that I signed up for Submarine Service and ended the statement by calling me a forgetful dumbass. “Cole I don’t know why we are doing this but we also are awarding you an A-School (my specified field of training) here is the list you can choose from. “ I grabbed the piece of paper and scanned the list. The list had different Rates (Jobs) that I qualified for according to my ASVAB (Aptitude test) Score. The Rates on the list were: SKS; MMS; STS; MSS; TMS and ICS. I had to list them from “I really want” to “not a chance in hell” and give the comments back to the CC. My list was MMS, STS, TMS, ICS, SKS and MSS. I thought to out loud, “Who the hell wants to cook in the Navy?” I handed the list to the CC and he told me that my orders would be delayed because of my A-School.
My orders were only delayed one day which is light speed fast when it comes to the Government actually doing something. I scanned the orders and to my surprise I got TM school which was third on my list. I felt good about that choice and better yet my A School was in Orlando, FL and I didn’t have to report for 2 weeks. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” I would be home with my baby oh and my family for two weeks. All I could think about was seeing Malina as I walked off the plane. I got up did a happy dance and showed everyone my orders. I went over the next view events and made a mental timeline. First, graduation would take place on Friday. Second, we would have our Liberty Weekend. This weekend consisted of us drinking on base and other guys going to massage parlors. Third is flying home on Monday to see my loved ones.
Well Friday comes and graduation goes off without any hiccups. We march past the Officers and Dignitaries do our salute snap to and keep on marching. The whole ceremony lasted 2 hours and most of that was a parade rest (Hands behind your back feet spread shoulder width apart). The heat in San Diego was intense, towards the end of the ceremony people were dropping at flies from being in parade rest for so long. See the key not to pass out is to keep bending your knees this allows for circulation throughout the body. I guess the people who were landing flat on their face didn’t get the memo on this.
The ceremony ended with the Commander of the Naval Base saluting us and saying, “You are no longer recruits you’re United States Sailors wear that with pride GOD bless.” The cheers from the crowd and from us newly acknowledged sailors were deafening. We all jumped for joy because 8 long weeks of boot camp hell was over and we can finally see our loved ones. Well not me, I would have to wait one long weekend until I was home in Chicago. After the festivities, it was time to go get a drink. The rules on drinking in San Diego were if you are on base and under 21 the only alcohol you could have is a damn wine cooler. Also the only place to drink for those under 21 was the bowling alley. As the saying goes, when you got lemons make lemonade, so four of us bought every last bottle of Bartle & James wine coolers. It 12 bottles just to get a buzz but unfortunately it took 20 bathroom breaks just to finish two games of bowling. After we got a mini buzz on two of the guys decided to go to the massage parlor for some happy endings. I declined and went to go get a haircut. I took a cab to the mall found a spot that cuts my type of hair paid the person $15 then walked around. There was no need to go bust a nut because I was going to see my baby soon. I wanted to save all of that for her. I walked around in my Summer White uniform thinking about all the fun we were going to have in the two weeks I was home.
I wake up in the barracks with the worst headache known to man. Never again will I drink that many wine coolers in one sitting. Today was Saturday and only a two days until I am home. I gather my things to go get in the shower and I see both of my Company Commanders approach me. The look on their face is sadness which I never seen before. “Cole I go some bad news. First, you are not going to TM School in Orlando because they moved the TM Sub School to Groton, CT. Second, you are not going home Monday you have to report to Groton for Submarine School.” I sat there with the dumb “I can’t believe this just happened to me” face on. How could they do this to me, this isn’t fair. There must be a law that prohibits the military jerking people around like this. I started to protest my new orders and my CC told me to shut up and get my shit together I fly out tonight. Only thing I kept thinking about was not seeing Malina. I haven’t seen her in so long I need to see her.
I went to the payphone down stairs and told her the bad news. She said, “Baby be strong I am not going anywhere you will see me when you finish with this training.” The support she gave me for those 5 minutes on the phone gave me the courage to go to my next duty station. I went upstairs to pack my sea-bag. I said goodbye to all my shipmates and told them good luck in their careers. I climbed into the white Navy van and headed to the airport. All I could think about was Malina and how could the Navy do that too me. I let this eat at me until I boarded the plan on my way to Groton. I sat in my seat and waited for the flight crew to do their pre-flight routines. The flight attendant was showing where the exits were at along with the pilot yapping about the temperature in Groton. We taxied to the runway, the fasten seatbelt like blinked twice and made two beeps. The plan came to a stop then shot off down the runway. I thought to myself, “Here we go on to my next adventure.”
