Qualification

Posted on 19 Jan 2022 @ 18:32 by Lieutenant Commander Ciara Mcclellandi & Ensign Lorraine Walton

Episode: E1: A Historic Voyage
Location: USS Arizona,
Timeline: Date 2025-04-02 at 0830

Ciara was checking some documentation in the small office she had near the engine room/section. It was like a closet at best and barely had room to turn around, but it was still her office and still on the small section had a note that said Engineer. The scenarios and questions were written on paper which she was reviewing, the process of watch certification was set in stone since the earliest days of the submarine service. As usual she was early, something that had been proverbially beaten in to her was don't be late, be early. So she was here for the 8:45 am start time.

Lorraine had spent a lot of time reviewing for the upcoming exam, determined to pass this watch certification before they left the docks. She had been working hard, learning a lot, and now it all came down to this test. She woke up early that morning to go over some flashcards she'd made and to study a little before getting into the routine of the day. She walked briskly to the commander's office, getting there just a few minutes before the start time. She knocked and awaited permission to enter.


"Enter." Ciara called out and stood up as the young woman walked in, "Ensign Walton?" She began, "I'm Leftent commander Mcclendi, please have a seat."

Lorraine entered and took a seat in the chair across from the Lieutenant. "Good Morning, ma'am." She greeted Ciara, hoping that her nervousness didn't show too much.

"Today you are going to be taking the Deck Officer of the Watch qualifications...." The first part was the standard this will be a test of X Y and Z along with a practical, and the required introduction, however she did unbend enough to say, "..Good luck and we'll begin when ready."

Lorrie was nervous but she had studied as much as she could and she felt there was nothing more she could do to prepare herself. She just hoped she would pass the test, she needed to pass in order to move forward with her career. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm ready, Ma'am."

"Then let's begin." Ciara began the examination, it was a series of very detailed questions, from regulations, to procedures, covering everything from man overboard, to many other situations, including unauthorized pets on board, that one wasn't usually necessary but officer of the watch needs to be prepared for everything. The final question was practical about tethered boarding situation both unarmed and armed. Ciara's expression never changed. Finally after over an hour of grilling she paused, "And we're done." Then she smiled, "Now Ensign, Breathe. You finished."

Lorrie felt her heart race as she waited for Ciara to give her the next question. She had to strain to think about the correct answer about unauthorized pets on board, but she recalled the answers right from the book, as she memorized it. She felt like she had thoroughly answered every question, each scenario. She knew others more confidently than some, but she felt like she had laid it all out there, as good as she could.

Lorrie let out a deep breath she hadn't known she'd been holding when Ciara told her to breathe. She was done. She gave the lieutenant a small smile. She felt relieved. It was over. She just hoped that she passed.

Ciara made some notes, then smiled, "I won't keep you in suspense, you passed, you are a fully qualified Port Duty officer as of today." She signed the qualification card, "Congratulations."

Lorrie let out a sigh of relief. "Oh great. Oh, thank you, ma'am." She was really excited, her eyes lit up and her smile was practically ear-to-ear. She could cross that achievement off her to-do list. One less thing to worry about. But there were many left still to do.

It just came out, one of her father's sayings, "Save yer breath for cooling your porridge. You don't have to thank me, you did the work. You earned this." She chuckled, "Though now you're going to have more work because of this."

Lorrie grinned, "Yes, ma'am." She was well aware the workload would increase, but it was expected if she wanted to keep climbing the ranks.