Family and mugs

There are things on deployment that help make the separation from family and friends a little easier.

In the moments when I miss my family, it helps to have something that I can hold, or pictures I download from my family when we are in a port.

And sometimes, it is a mug with pictures of my family on it.
Because my brother is awesome, he sent it to me.

Keeping Things Fresh: Welding Class 101

So, what do you do to keep things fresh on deployment?
Learn a new skill.

Why not learn welding with HT1?

Groundhog's Day

Yep. This is where we are in the phases of deployment.

It literally feels like every day is the same. 

I looked at the Plan of the Day (POD), and realized it was Friday. 

Wasn't it Friday yesterday?

Sea Legs and Sea Service Ribbon

It has only taken about half a deployment to finally get my sea legs.

I still feel the ship moving, but I also don't get sea sick and haven't taken any medication.

I am jealous of those who were like this from day one but I am really glad I finally got to this place.

What's interesting, is that I acquired my sea legs at the same time that I earned my Sea Service Ribbon (at least 90 days at sea).

Busan COMREL

We made a port visit to Busan, and while there, we got to do a COMREL (volunteer event) at an orphanage. We got to play with the kids and then clear a space that will be repurposed for the community.

Baby Dolphins - see, I am on a cruise!

I always come up to the bridge about 15 minutes earlier than necessary to give evening prayer. 

Tonight, I got to see a school of young dolphins. It was breath taking. Something like 25-30. 

At first, I did not know what I was seeing but the longer I stared, the more amazing what I saw became. Seeing this group of baby dolphins simply reminded me about how amazing the world is that God created. 

Mah Rabu Ma’asecha, Adonai! How beautiful are your creations, O Lord.

Driving the ship

It's July 4th and we celebrated with cake.

I celebrated by being allowed to helm the ship for a bit.


I know they told me there is nothing to hit out where we are but that's what they said on the Titanic!!!

Staying in my lane (Why I am here)

Aboard ship, so much of what goes on has nothing to do with religious ministry. And sometimes, it feels like I do not do enough, because I do not stand the watch. My job is not to make sure that the wrenches get turned, but that those holding the wrenches are good to go. 

I want to make a worthwhile contribution to the ship, and at the same time, stay in my lane. 

I have had to learn that it is okay to work the hours I need to, to accomplish what is in my area of responsibility.

Which means, making sure services are running smoothly, building on services, like a meditation service and the like.

It means walking the deckplates at night and therefore, finding time during the day to workout, and even catch a nap.

And I have to be okay with my limited scope of responsibility. I am not a SWO (surface warfare officer). I should not then, try to emulate their schedules or what they do.

I chaplain. Period.

That is why I am here.

Chaplain Snack Time

Due to the generosity of care packages from people I know and those whom I do not, I got to hand out candy and snacks to sailors around the ship. I told them all that it was “Chaplain snack time.” We are all tired, hot and busy. Their smiles were such a reward. I may need to institute this on a more consistent basis.

God Willing, the future chaplains are already amazing

I have been working with two students who, God Willing, will become Navy chaplains when they are ordained from JTS. They have been asking me questions about how I handle different aspects of chaplaincy, other religions, being Jewish on a ship… and so these two amazing people put together a care package that specifically included stuff for my Muslim sailor. 

They sent him Halal jerky.

Because they cared.

Because they understood that being an observant minority is hard everywhere, and especially on a ship.

'They are the embodiment of what every chaplain should strive to be – one who cares for everyone, period.

FWWD – fresh water wash down

Consistently, throughout the deployment, we use fresh water to wash off the salt deposits on the exterior of the ship. Basically, we do a car wash for the ship. I should have worn civvies, rather than my coveralls. Just like a car wash, you get wet. But it was a great time to spend with my sailors.

The blessing of a Liturgical tradition

This past week, when Shabbat came, I felt at peace. I closed the Siddur (prayer book) and davened (prayed) with more appreciation for our liturgy than I have ever had before. I watched the sun set from the 4^th level deck and recited the words I knew by heart. I was comforted by the words I know so well. 

The difference is, that each night I write evening, and I have to be creative. Each night, I have to come up with something new and meaningful … something.

Sometimes I struggle to come up with a prayer. The ideas do not always flow so smoothly.

But Shabbat came and I did not need to create or write. My mind rested as I recited the words we have be reciting for generations.

Post Yokosuka - Getting back into the rhythm

We pulled in to Yokosuka for a second port visit, and though it was a working port, I got to go to my family’s home every night we were there. For three nights, I slept on a bed that did not rock, the phone did not ring at all hours, and chains were not being dragged across the deck due to late hour flight ops. 

I got to shower in a shower I did not share with 14 other women, shave in the shower without falling over, without having to wear shower shoes, that did not rock back and forth, and that drained normally.

I got to sit with my family at dinner and talk late into the night. I was loved and supported.

And then we went back on deployment. It was harder than I thought to get back into the rhythm. 

Reinlistment: Not on the Main Mast (Semper Gumbi)

It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to reenlist a sailor. So, having only been on the ship for 10 months, I was incredibly honored to have HT2 Abercrombie ask me to reenlist him. 

Though we were supposed to do it on the yard arm (the top of the main mast), the weather did not cooperate, and we completed the reenlistment in the pilot house. 

BZ Abercrombie! You are the embodiment of what the Navy standard for all sailors should be.

First Qual: ALOFT

In the military, you work to get qualified in your area of expertise, as well as additional qualifications that help keep the ship ready to make mission at any time. 

Unlike in the Marine Corps, where there is a chaplain version of the FMF (Fleet Marine Force) qualification, the Navy does not have a chaplain version of the SWO (Surface Warfare Officer) qual.

That said, it does not mean I do not go for any qualifications. It means I go for ones that are non-weapons based.

In this case, I was asked to reenlist a sailor at the top of the main mast. To go up the mast (aloft), I got my aloft qual. We were really high up, but the weather was cooperative, the seas were calm and my instructors were supportive.