the best is yet to come

So while I'm exhausted and excited and still in disbelief, and despite having told most of my friends and family asap, here's the official update.

Today, out of seemingly nowhere, we finally got to pick orders. Having the highest GPA, I was awarded first pick. Nervous but anxious, I sat down and looked at the list. Going in, I was hoping for a decent ship billet or some exotic FMF orders, but expecting nothing but boring shore stations. Much to my amazement, the possibilities were unbelievably good: Multiple 3rd Dental Co. Okinawa, 11th Dental Co with Marine Air Wing Iwakuni, the USS Stennis Aircraft Carrier out of Bremerton Washington, USS Pearl Harbor Dock Landing Ship out of San Diego, USS George Washington Aircraft Carrier out of Yokosuka, Japan, etc. There were a few other stateside FMF, South Carolina, Florida, Rhode Island, etc. Admittedly the first thing that caught my eye was the Gdub. Never in a million years did I expect to have the option of an aircraft carrier, let alone TWO! I had never heard of anyone in corps school getting on a CVN. Still, I asked first about the Okinawa and Iwakuni FMF billets. Yes, I had been telling myself I wanted to go FMF. The hard work with the marines was always a goal of mine... but something just wasn't sitting right. Okinawa is a small tropical island, not much to do, and then I'd be in Iraq or Afghanistan (which is something I had been planning on). One day I still hope to go with the marines and earn their respect, but the George Washington is a ONCE in a lifetime adventure. Stationed right outside of Tokyo, she makes tours all over the Pacific. Singapore, the Philippines, Korea, Australia... I could see it all. Not to mention she's on the front lines with our current conflict with North Korea. And as far as my career goes.. the Gdubs was far and away the best choice. For an HM straight out of corps school to get on a ship is rare enough as it is, but a carrier like the George Washington! Better yet, I'll be able to earn both my Surface Warfare and Air Warfare devices. The experience will be unbeatable, I'll get to see the world, when I'm not at sea I'll be able to visit Tokyo all the time... I took the Gdubs, and I could not be happier!!

In my heart of heart's I've always been an explorer more than anything, and that's why I've always been attracted to the Navy. Now I worked my ass off, got first pick, and am stationed on an amazing ship in an exotic far away land. I feel like I'm about to realize a dream.

In other less exciting news, as of today I am no longer EPO. I was anticipating to continue my duties as EPO in dental, but our instructor had other plans for me. I am now the Adjutant of Dental... aka the guy in charge. Never thought I'd be in this position, not really much to do except keep everyone in line and probably get yelled at by Chief, but that's ok. It seems like a good way to go out of Corps School.

Reason #3 today rocked, dinner was served personally by 2 chefs from the Food Network! Gorilla and some other guy who makes pizza in California...I forget. Homemade pizza with bacon, ham and sausage, and dry rub ribs. Holy shit, it was REALLY good. And I probably won't eat for the next 24 hours, but was totally worth it. It was awesome of those guys to come down and cook us sailors some quality food. They thanked us for our service, and I thanked them for the extra hours I'm gonna have to work out tomorrow.

It's past taps, so time for bed. Today was awesome, but the best is yet to come!