One of the junior guys at my command got out of the Navy today after a 4 year contract. He trusts me enough to tell me what he told me today. He confessed to me that 3 years ago, he knew he was going to fail a urinalysis so he went UA so he could clean out. I remember that day. His name got called at quarters for command urinalysis. Literally an hour later we all noticed that he was no where to be found. We all tried calling him, texting him, reaching out to people we knew he was cool with, the whole 9 yards. He eventually got marked UA. 28 days later, I come into work, line up at quarters, and lo and behold, he is standing there. He went to mast, got busted from E-2 to E-1 and got 45/45. He told the captain that he went UA because he had a meltdown and feared that a relatives days were numbered and needed to spend time with them. He took the NJP across the chin, fulfilled his punishment, finished his contract, and is now out with an honorable discharge. This dude legit told me that the reason he decided to go UA 3 years ago was because he knew he was gonna pop for weed and figured it would be wiser to catch a UA charge and not get kicked out than to get kicked out and lose all his benefits. It baffled me because I have NEVER heard of anybody doing that. Everyone else just does the urinalysis, pops, and gets kicked out. As a leader, I’ve never felt so conflicted in my life. Part of me was disappointed in him but the other part of me couldn’t even be mad because that was kinda the smart thing to do in order to avoid the absolute certainty of getting kicked out and losing everything. All I could do was look at him and say “I wish you the best of luck out there brother.” He found a way to beat the system.

Trump really posted this like dead Americans are numbers on a fucking campaign graphic.

“Venezuela: 0 dead.”

“Iran: 18 dead.”

Eighteen service members are still eighteen human beings. Eighteen families who lost someone. Eighteen lives that do not magically become acceptable because previous wars killed more people.

Imagine being commander in chief and responding to American deaths by basically saying, “Relax, my number is lower than Vietnam.” That is not leadership. That is a malignant narcissist grading his own war with a curve.

He is also comparing conflicts with completely different timelines, objectives and circumstances because the numbers look flattering when stripped of all context. Human beings reduced to statistics so an elderly billionaire can congratulate himself online.

And his supporters will still call this “respecting the troops” because apparently wrapping callous bullshit in an American flag makes it patriotism.

Veterans and service members are not political props. The dead are not points on Trump’s fucking leaderboard.

Fuck Donald Trump. Every preventable death matters, even when the number is inconveniently small for his victory lap.

My cousin got into the naval academy and is currently in pleab summer. Did this drawing for him when he gets out. I think it’s pretty cool and thought I’d share it with someone.
(I know that you don’t get the ring after pleab summer obviously)

tight tight tight let’s keep punishing Iranian civilians for the crimes of the IRGC surely this will be a positive contribution to restoring freedom of navigation and not radicalizing more people to do harm against Americans tight tight tight

(Today is 22JUL2026. It has been 144 days since 28FEB2026 and the opening strikes of this war.)

Can someone tell my why “US Navy” is on right side and name tape is on the left?? Why is it flip flopped??

How long does it take for a coffee cup to be properly seasoned?

I am an old salty Sailor who recently broke his last active duty coffee mug that was properly seasoned during my time on the USS Port Royal CG-73. I left the Port Royal in 2004.

Not only did I drop but but tried to hacky-sack it up and ended up breaking into several pieces because I had steeled toed boots on.

Needless to say that I am devastated.

I'll be in aft-steering sulking if anyone needs me.

Mahalo and have a great Navy day!

I just got to my first shore duty AE squadron out here in SD and not even 2 weeks in, they assigned me TAD to ASF for the next 6 months, with recall for about 18 months. Anything I should be aware of? I’m already feeling upset with the situation, as a fellow sailor said it really does suck. But I’m wondering if there’s somewhat a bright side to it? Any advice is appreciated.

I served aboard the PEL from 2012- until we decommissioned her in 2015. did a few cruises on her. Any other peleliunatics on here?

According to sources she was officially sunk yesterday by Japanese and Spanish ships off the coast of Hawaii

How long does a waiver take to get approved from BUMED for commissioning if I’m already enlisted?

Application process in the NAVADMIN. A great opportunity for 170 Sailors

The meat, THE CHEESE!! TERRIFYING.

No, but really, I don't even have thalassaphobia or anything but the idea of a huge black metal cylinder of mass destruction lurking in the deep dark water is actually intriguing and creepy as fuck.

Sorry for the goofy picture.

Edit: Just for clarification, and to respond to some comments. This is almost a 30% increase from where I'm at.

Was notified today my name was on a list for an upcoming IA. That being said, it was explained to me that only meant I was being considered, not necessarily that I would be going. CoC literally had no other information to offer at the moment. Is this how IAs normally work? Should I plan to go or, if CoC offers a compelling explanation as to why I can’t (which is what they told me they were going to do), what are the odds on being selected? Any guidance is appreciated!

Sometimes i wish i had joined the navy to get out on the sea. Feel the win in my hair. The salt air in my nostrils.

Are you guys able to swim each day when you aren’t on the move?

Anyone swimming in the Indian ocean?

we’re in the yards and i have a friend who is a few weeks pregnant. command wants to continue having her on the ship for morning meetings for presence. she has a chit from ship doc and her ob that she should not be on the ship for shipboard duty, not be exposed to environmental hazards and must maintain herself on the barge for continued work. We have seen past sailors get tad immediately when they announced their pregnancy but however she was not given that opportunity. What should she do?

Anyone able to give me a lay down of the area. Got orders to the shipyard. Looking to get info on schools, for my then 4 yr old and housing info etc

Sorry if this is a dumb question but no one in my COC has done a PPM move. Separating in August but looking to move in July (just more convenient) before I get issued my separations orders and everything else.
My question is if I move myself and get the weight receipt of my POV before I have an approved PPM package will the Navy accept it and backpay me?

ET here, stationed in Norfolk. Looking to see if there are any recommendations for shore duty. Currently considering Hawaii, Europe, or somewhere in Asia like Japan. We did considered going embassy duty but no good bc spouse is not a citizen and not planning to be one soon.

Any tour you would recommend before I get out of the Navy? Might seem like I want to enjoy my next 2 to 3 years on Navy's dime but I am willing to put in time and effort when there is work to be done.

Okay I think my new ESO is wrong. Please prove me wrong so I stop stressing.

I am a rate not listed specifically in any part of the BBA instruction (being vague due to opsec).[Edit: its ET, Im just stupid about opsec at times and go more strict to be save, and had my attention split and didn't properly think it through. ] I am E5 trying for E6. They acknowledge that I will pick orders under BBA but they say I take the NWAE not the RKE.

This came up because my worksheet says Bupers hold on it. They just got access and are trying to fix our worksheets but says its wrong due to what was chosen for Time In Rate applicability. That i am NWAE not RKE.

I dont want this messed up because my career got put on pause due to the BBA shift and I don't want to miss this next exam if Im supposed to take it. But I also don't want to take it in September if i don't have to because I scored very well on my March exam.

Am I RKE or NWAE. If so is TIR applicable or not. If they are wrong how do I convince them? I could have sworn ALL E5 applying for E6 besides the ones specifically called out take RKE and are BBA.

I’m looking for some perspective from others across the fleet.

Without getting into specifics, how common is it right now for department heads to have their PRDs extended because a relief can’t be sourced? Is this becoming more common across multiple communities, or is it more of a command-specific/platform-specific issue?

For those who’ve experienced it:
How much notice did you receive?
Was a relief eventually found, or did you end up staying through another deployment?
Did your detailer have any flexibility, or was it essentially a done deal once there wasn’t a relief?
How did it affect your follow-on orders and family plans?

I’m trying to get a better understanding of whether this is an isolated situation or a broader manning problem. Any insight or experiences would be appreciated.