Some Light Shed and News of Delay

Here's a copy of an e-mail I received this evening.  It helps answer why river city has been so long this time.  Unfortunately, the ship will not return as scheduled, but it's only a short delay.  And it doesn't disrupt Andrew's leave dates, so it's o.kay.  It could be much worse!  It could have interfered with his visit home and that would have been very, very bad!!!  The CO would have heard from me on that one!  Well, maybe not . . . but 'ya never know!


Here's the e-mail:

27 Oct 2010

Dear family, friends, and Tigers,

USS RODNEY M. DAVIS will be delayed in our return to homeport in Everett, WA up to two weeks.  At this time, we will be home no later than 23 November 2010 – unfortunately, I can not give an exact date as our return is driven by the operations. 

As I mentioned in my previous email, the operations we are involved with in the Eastern Pacific are unprecedented and require the Navy’s best hunters of drug traffickers – and RODNEY M. DAVIS is one of them.  I understand the impact this extension has to you families back home and those who were planning to meet the ship for Tiger Cruise.

I am cancelling the November 4-9 Tiger Cruise.  With the unpredictability of our schedule I can not guarantee a date when we will arrive in San Diego, and find it unfair to those who are taking time out from work, school and sports, to not have a confirmed date to travel to meet the ship.  I am drafting a letter to the airlines to explain the unique circumstances which have impacted our schedule and ask for their support in providing refunds or airline credit towards future tickets.  I will send that letter out to all Tiger Cruise participants. Additionally, I am already in the processes of planning another Tiger Cruise opportunity which will most likely be offered in the Spring/Summer 2011 time frame. 

To the families, I ask for the continued positive support for your Sailors.  All of your homecoming preparations are very much appreciated and will make our arrival day very special.  I have conveyed to the crew that they have two options at this point:  1) become discouraged by the situation which may cast a shadow on the tremendous accomplishments they have achieved over the last six months, or 2) accept the change and focus on the good it is doing for the future of our country and understand that RMD Sailors are needed for this operation.  I am asking for your support in option number two!  The entire RMD family, from Sailors to you back home, need to rally through any adversity this situation may have caused.

I will be opening up email soon to allow you to communicate with your Sailors and work through the details this deployment extension will have.  I ask you not to ask about the specifics in what we are engaged in and wait until your Sailors returns home.  

Warmest regards,

CDR Scott Robertson

Commanding Officer

CDR Scott Robertson

Commanding Officer

USS RODNEY M. DAVIS (FFG 60)

Still Waiting and Wondering . . .

Got this message tonight, which was a relief because I've been worried.  It's been a loooong time since I've heard from my guy!  Hopefully, they've been successful with their mission.  I can't wait to learn what they've been doing.

From:   "RODNEY M DAVIS OMBUDSMAN"

To:        undisclosed-recipients

 

Family and Friends,

I spoke with the CO on the phone and he assures me that everyone is doing ok and that River City will be over soon.  Take care. 

Please remember to not post information about the ship on any web sites.  We want all our sailors safe.
Respectfully,
Amy Webb
USS Rodney M. Davis OMBUDSMAN

Back in River City

The RMD is in River City.

River City Ends and Andrew Accolades

Received an e-mail about an hour ago that River City has ended for this go 'round.  Crew and ship are fine.  I'm waiting to learn what they were doing this time.

And, congrats to Andrew!  He has been selected to attend "C" school!  "C" school is for sailors who've shown outstanding leadership and capabilities within their jobs.  Shortly after he returns from sea, Andrew will be back in Chicago where he'll attend school.  Once he's finished with school, he'll go back to his home port in WA; he'll stay attached to the RMD. 

It's an honor to be selected to attend C school.  I'm very proud of him, and I think he's proud of himself too.   Andrew's only reservation about attending C school is that he really doesn't like Chicago and he especially hates their winters.  Maybe he'll become so engaged in his learning he won't think about the weather.  Probably not . . . this is Andrew we're talking about!!!  But I'm really proud of him. 

Way to go, Babe!   :o)

GSM Insignia

RMD in River City . . .

Here's a copy of the e-mail I received:

From:"RODNEY M DAVIS OMBUDSMAN"

To: undisclosed-recipients

Due to the Ship’s current operational situation they had to go to “RIVER CITY”.  RIVER CITY is when out going emails from the Ship is not allowed, Sailors can still receive email.  The Officers and Crew are doing well and they will be back online as soon as possible.  Senior Chief Hunt has access to his email, if you have any emergencies you can email him at cmc@ffg60.navy.mil and he will pass the message on to your Sailor - emergencies only please.  Thanks for your support and your patience.

Please remember to not post information about the ship on any web sites.  We want all our sailors safe.
Respectfully,

USS Rodney M. Davis OMBUDSMAN

From Wog to Shellback

What?  From "wog" to "shellback".  Do those terms leave you with a question in your mind?  If yes, then you're like me!

I got an e-mail from Andrew in which he told me he was going to be participating in the ceremony where he changes from "wog" to "shellback".  Hmmmm . . . those terms don't sound like Navy ranks that I've heard of before, so what could they mean?

Well, here's the answer.  And a I love the clever folklore that surrounds the ceremony.  Just another reason those guys on the ship become like family to one another.  They've each endured (and survived) these silly rites of passage.

So, good on 'ya Babe.  I'm proud of you for becoming a "shellback"!
 

The Shellback Initiation

The Shellback Initiation is a ceremony to celebrate a young sailor's first time passing the equator. It is a 'secret' in the Navy, and many of the rites of passage are supposed to be kept among sailors. One such rite of passage involves the 'wogs', or those who have not yet been initiated, plucking a maraschino cherry from the belly button of a high-ranking enlisted man known as a Chief Petty Officer. There are many other rites or contests, and the Shellback Initiation can vary from ship to ship. Sailors who complete the Shellback rites are given a certificate proclaiming them to be fit to understand the 'mysteries'.