Perils of crossing the Gulf Stream Department: Rx Author: Charlie Era: 1982 Date: 01/10/06 The 2 Planter that messed up RPFW temperatures that Brother Cal referred to was none other than Major Mike. He was RAW and I was CRW when we suddenly entered the Gulf Stream. We were having a major shoot-the-shit going on at the work bench when EOS called down and told the Major all his temps were screaming up. We quickly got everything back in spec, but Major Mike got disqualified and had to go through some sort of upgrade.

Ports of call "warnings" Department: Medical Author: John Era: 1982 Date: 01/14/06 Wasn't it hilarious how they would always give us those "warnings" prior to arriving in a foreign port. They would tell us where not to go and what not to do......knowing full well that each and every one of us would head straight to those off-limits places we were warned to stay away from. John

Obituaries Department: Medical Author: John Era: 1982 Date: 01/14/06 Would it be possible to add another component to this great website.....obituaries for those shipmates we know have passed away over the years? John

The Gut Department: Rx Author: Mike Matthys Era: 1990 Date: 01/16/06 Every sailor who has been to Toulon knows where and what "the Gut" is and the trouble that you can find there. We pulled into Toulon on a Med Cruise and there were three of us who wanted to take this opportunity to visit Paris. We put in our "swap duty chits" so we could have three days off and figured it wouldn't be a problem. We got the chits back and the RO, CDR. Mark E. Ferguson III, had denied our request. The RO told our Chief, Roger Hicks, that if we wanted three days off then we had to take leave. We were pissed. I guess the RO thought we would take his advice and take leave. We told our chief, "Fuck it, we'll spend our time and money in 'the Gut.'" The RO saw our chief a few days later and asked him if we had submitted our leave requests yet. Chief Hicks said, "No Sir. They said, 'Fuck it. They would spend their time in the Gut.'" "But...but...I...they..." stammered Ferguson. MMC Hicks said he turned and walked away. Thanks, Fergie...we had a blast!

Bonuses Department: Rx Author: Bisonhead Era: 1984 Date: 01/18/06 I just read that the Army offers up to 40K to enlist and up to 90K to re-enlilst. If there are any current IKE sailors out there....what is the nuke re-enlistment bonus currently? I have people tell me all the time I was crazy for turning down 50K to re-enlist in '88. I tell them that unless you were there you wouldn't understand why it wasn't worth it.

Re: Bonuses Department: Rx Author: Mike Matthys Era: 1988 Date: 01/18/06 I got this info from an ex-nuc on the Enterprise board. Not sure if the $90,000 applies to nucs but I have a feeling that it does. With the signing of the 2006 National Defense Authorization Act, prior- service and active duty military servicemembers may be eligible for the following new or increased bonuses: A $20,000 bonus for prior-service members who affiliate with the reserve. A $10,000 bonus for those who join the reserve officer corps. A $2,500 bonus for those who agree to transfer from one service to another. An increase to $90,000 in the maximum Selective Re-enlistment Bonus for servicemembers (active duty and reserve) with critical skills. A $1,000 finders fee for soldiers who refer a person who enlists and completes training in the Army, Army Reserve or National Guard. A $5,000 signing bonus for ROTC Nursing Students. -------

THE GUT Department: Rx Author: Charlie Era: 1981 Date: 01/19/06 I never went to Toulon, but in the late 70's and early 80's, THE Gut was an alley in Lisbon filled with bars on each side with only one way in and out and guarded by Gestapo-like Portuguese cops. Of course, it was strongly recommended to avoid the gut, so naturally that's where everyone ended up. The first time I went there in 81, we shared the gut with a bunch of German and English and other NATO sailors. We went pretty wild in that place, but the only incident I got involved in was when Cal wanted to take a picture of the gut, and the cops confiscated his film, much to the anger of our newfound German drinking buddies. I thought that were going to throw us in the paddy wagon they had parked there at the entrance, but Cal and I actually calmed the Germans down. In 84, it was just the Ike and escorts, so it was a calmer, but still depraved visit.

The 98 MED CRUISE Department: Air Author: ABH1 Era: 1998 Date: 01/24/06 I hate to tell you guys about the 98 Cruise. We were scheduled for 10 PORT visits! Yes I said 10. We only did 8, there was a car bombing in Hiafa and we were suppose to go to Croatia(went there in 2000). Everyone was saying how unheard of this was. The Enterprise had to relieve us as we were too drunk to carry on the Mission! The 1st night in Dubi they sold 486 cans of beer. I think most of it went to V-1! Boy do I have pictures! I remember the port call videos that were mandatory. The Midnight Express was shown before pulling in to Turkey. Scare tactics for drugs. I paid $200 for the trip to Rome to see the Pope. Ending up making sure Jackwa was on the bus at each stop. The Pope was could of been a cardboard cutout and a recording. He was a speck in a window and slurred his words wose than Jackwa. Jackwa ended up almost passing out at midnight in St. Peters Square then going back to hotel and throwing up on the bus drivers feet. At 230 am he tried to take a leak off the bacony.

Cont. of 98 Med Cruise Department: Air Author: ABH1 Era: 1998 Date: 01/24/06 Thanks to Jackwa I had the best time. He only took me to the best places. The GUT in Naples. We heard an explosion both took out our cameras and took off running in the direction of the explosion. We ate lunch on crub in the GUT next to some garbage cans. He being the more seasoned deployment scammer showed me how to do a cruise right. He stood three watches that whole six months. I stood five. ABH1 W and ABH1 D made alot of money off me and Jackwa. The ship was going to pull out in Rhodes Greece and they were flashing lights we didn't know about it till we got back, a garbage thing. Then it went dead in the water some drill in I think Turkey. In Turkey Crash had 8 guys in their room, I told them not to get caught. Jackwa was suppose to come back for me but says he was passed out in the MyRot hotel, I kept saying Marriott he says no the My Rot hotel. In Corfu we had to rent a villa because the 2000 Marines had trashed the island a week before. The longest we were out was two weeks.

ST. Thomas Department: Air Author: ABH1 Era: 1999 Date: 01/24/06 Once again Jackwa shows me the way. He tells me to take leave for when we pull into St. Thomas. I had booked us two rooms at the 1829 Hotel. We went to the bar, Green House, the whole ship was there. Naranjo comes in calls Jackwa his dad and says let me buy you a drink. Well, we hadn't got our drinks yet and Naranjo put his head on the bar and just starts blowing chunks all over Jackwa's shoes! Then we go to the other side of the island, its 9am the bar isn't open yet so we go to another bar outside serving huge glasses of Champange and orange juice for 6.00. The guys from Crash were throwing the oranges full of booze to these giant Iguanas! These animals got so drunk they were falling out of the trees and fighting each other to get the orange! We continue our trek to the U POUR IT Bar! Great Bar, for $2.70 you got what ever you drank and filled the glass with however much you wanted (top shelf included!) It started to pouring down rain outside, so we had to stay and drink. :>)