FIVE BEST TIPS FROM MY TIME IN THE NAVY.

First, you choose to join. Then, you survive. Later, you give advice.

1. Do your best to blend in and go unnoticed. First day of boot camp a recruit showed up with a fresh face of makeup and her best designHER clothes. While being issued Navy gear, an important looking woman came up and yelled for her to remove the makeup immediately. Due to the rigid schedule and endless marching, the recruit never got the chance to follow through with the order. When the same woman saw the recruit later that evening, she caused quite a scene demanding the recruit get the makeup off right that instant. Turns out the irate woman was the Recruit Division Commander (RDC or better known as a Drill Sergeant). The recruit ran to the bathroom to grab paper towels, which felt like sandpaper - squirted some soap on and scrubbed her face raw. If you are wondering how I know this story so well it’s because I was THAT girl! Don’t make my same mistake; no matter how cute you want to look. This taught me to not draw unwanted attention to myself.

2. ALWAYS wear your shower shoes. Showers are required daily in boot camp. However, not your typical shower. There is no time to lather up, shave your legs, relax, and sing. You have seven minutes to get your butt undressed, cleaned, redressed, your supplies away, and line up for inspection.

I forgot my shower shoes once and quickly chose to wear my boots instead. I made it back just in time for inspection. As luck would have it, my bright idea did not go unnoticed by the RDC and I received intensive training (better known as a smoke session). Unless you really want to be in shape, grab your SHOWER SHOES! Eight years later and I still have mine for public shower use.

3. Carry a bottle of hot sauce. This one is self-explanatory. Purchase your favorite bottle of hot sauce and take it with you to eat. Yes, for EVERY meal. You will want it to mask the blandness of the food you are shoveling down your throat. No, the food is not bad at every command.

Apparently, my husband (also a Navy Veteran) and I, sing praises of Tapatio often as our daughter reminded me to include this tip. We seriously put it on everything.

4. Study the ranks of your branch until you know them like the back of your hand. It is standard military protocol to address the highest ranking person you see. To do this, scan the room quickly and identify their insignia. I failed to do this in boot camp while standing watch and earned myself another smoke session That was a mistake I only needed to make. I still pay close attention to details in my civilian job

5. Learn how to hurry up…and wait You will hear this saying frequently. I spent most of my time in the military hurrying everywhere. Hurrying to eat to shower, to get dressed to prepare for inspections, to go to work; only to wait a LONG time. The best advice I can give is to practice at home before you join the service Time yourself and see if you can get faster every try so you have more time to wait

Although this is a running joke amongst military members the purpose of this is to arrive early and be ready for anything.

These five tips will prepare you for your time in service and allow you to be successful in your civilian life.

Find more great stories in this book.

Jacqueline Zappey

U S N A V Y

Hi! My name is Jacqueline Zappey. I am a mom to 5 beautiful children; 1 girl and 4 boys. My husband Jacob and I are both Navy Veterans and teachers. I enjoy helping others, drinking my decaf coffee, listening to music, and chatting with friends. I was the 2018 Ms. Veteran America 1st Runner Up and am extremely passionate about women Veteran’s issues and sharing resources.