* Scuttlebutt: Water for immediate consumption on a sailing ship was conventionally stored in a scuttled butt: a butt (cask or small barrel) which had been scuttled by making a hole in it so the water could be withdrawn. Since sailors exchanged gossip when they gathered at the scuttlebutt for a drink of water, scuttlebutt became Navy slang for gossip or rumours. (from Wikipedia).
Day 1 (Sunday, 12 JULY) Today U.S. Naval Sea Cadets from across the country started their two week "sail" on the USS HORNET, CVS12. Parents said their farewells while looking on at their cadets and sent them across the yellow line into "Davy Jones Locker" (the waiting smiles(?) of US Navy Petty Officers). Hands shaked as the new recruits put olive green sea bags over their shoulders. Their hearts likely skipped a few beats as they heard the explosions of shouts and yells from Company Commanders and Petty Officers. Cadets endured the heat while standing in multiple lines as they finished their check in. They were then formed up in to training companies and marched up the gang plank and onto the ship. After stowing their gear and settling into their berthing, the cadets formed up for evening chow, then were able to meet their new ship mates. By 2100 (9 p.m. for you landlubbers), they settled in for a well earned sleep, ready to be woken up at 0530 for another day of learning.
Day 2 (Monday, 13 JULY) Cadets started the day off at 0530. After morning chow, they 
made ready for Physical Training. Physical Training is one of the most exciting and challenging evolutions at boot camp. Starting out with a mile run, and finishing with calisthenics, the recruits learn the real meaning of the values of the U.S. Navy: Honor, Courage, and Commitment . With motivation from fellow company shipmates, cadets are encouraged to go above and beyond limits they believed could not be accomplished. After eating a delicious lunch, the recruits started the first of many sessions in the 3rd Deck Messing Compartment, which has been turned into a classroomm. Before evening chow, the male cadets became familiar with another military tradition as the electric hair clippers blazed trails through fields of hair. To some cadets, this was a most trying experience as they watched large locks of hair fall in front of their face to the deck. The expressions on their faces showed disbelief and shock, but the hair will grow back. The cadets ended their day with the knowledge and feeling of accomplishment in physical training, classroom, and team building.
Day 3 (Tuesday, 14 JULY) REVELLIE ! REVELLIE ! ! . . . The cadets were roused out of their bunks at 0530 to a session of early morning physical training, followed by a quick change, and on to chow. Seeing so many cadets marching single file down the ladder wells to their classrooms was a splendid sight, but was quite noisy. Many faces showed the emotion of anticipation, and you could tell they were excited to learn something new, inspite of being still sleepy. Through the many classes held today, cadets learned about such widely varied topics as Personal Hygiene, Recruit Conduct, Chain-of-Command, Uniform Care and Storage, Healthy Lifestyles, and an Orientation to Naval Terminology ( . . they thought they were out of school for the summer ! ). Their notebooks, called their "knowledge," must be full of notes as they can be seen studying at every available opportunity . . . REALLY HARD ! (They carry them every where they go). After chow, the four training companies, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Echo 
disembarked for fresh air and team building exercises outside. Some went up onto the flight deck, while others went on "shore leave" with training on the surrounding piers. After returning to the ship, and while waiting for their turn in the chow line, company leaders drilled their cadets on general orders and practiced formation maneuvers. The day ended with quick showers and head calls, then it was time to hit the berthing. Fire watches were set for night watch.
Day 4 (Wednesday, 15 JULY) The recruit training contingent started the day with stretches and then progressed more intense exercises. After a quick trip to the "heads" (bathrooms) for a wash-up, the cadets lined up for morning chow. 0800 found the companies up again on the flight deck for morning colors (rendering honors to the flag) and daily awards. Meatballs were awarded (meatballs are nothing you eat, but are the awards given for competition in various aspects of the cadet training). The awards went to Alpha for military bearing, Bravo for academic performance, and Echo for marching. It was then time for a quick trip below decks to the berthing and reappear topside in their Service Dress Whites for company photos (they'll take a few days to edit and put up on this site). Appearing like a sea of marshmallows, looking their finest, stood in line waiting for their time to shine. With a cool bay area breeze blowing east, Mass Communication Specialist cadets helped prepare the cadets for their photo shoot. They were then introduced to a tap-line which set them into height order position. “Say cheese . . . you’re on candid camera!” (well, not really candid when you're being told where to stand and when to smile). It was then time for the Battalion to change back to their dungarees, and continue with a day of classroom instruction, and formation drill. The classroom subjects covered today were Sexual Harassment (prevention!), and Navy Core Values (Honor, Courage and Commitment). They wound the day down with marching pier side and practiced their motivational chants. With evening chow and showers squeezed in, another training day came to an end. . . . GOOD NIGHT CADETS! 
Day 5 (Thursday, 16 JULY) Rising at the crack of dawn, the recruits headed off to the pier for their early morning push-ups, sit-ups, and mile run. Physical Training is always included in the Plan Of the Day (POD), so off they go, fully awake or not. After a quick clean up, recruits formed-up in the hanger deck, and "raised the roof" with competing shouts extolling their company spirit. All in good fun for the recruits involved as their cheers showed off teamwork, creativity, and motivation. After morning chow, as the clock read 0800 sharp, the colors where raised on the USS Hornet’s silver flagpole, at the aft end of the flight deck. At colors, all stood at attention facing the national ensign while Petty Officers, Company Commanders, Recruit Division Commanders, and Officers saluted. The Battalion received a “fine Navy day” chat from the Commanding Officer, and the daily Meatballs where awarded. Alpha received the berthing award, Bravo the one for esprit de corps (company spirit), Echo was the best at marching, and Charlie took the awards for Military Bearing and Academics. While cadets dove into their morning routine of classes, the Mass Communications Specialist cadets had the opportunity to have a little “shore leave." Quickly, all of us slipped into our neatly pressed dress whites and away we went to the U.S. Coast Guard's 11th District Headquarters (overseeing four states), near Alameda. We met Petty Officer Read, an assistant to the district's Public Affairs Officer, who invited us to see where he worked and what his role was in ensuring a smooth flow of information to the public. While at Coast Guard Island, the MCS cadets were also able to eat at the island's dining facility, and make a souvenir hunting trip to their base exchange. Upon the return of the MCS cadets, the recruit companies were found to have spend their day with some additional physical training, and more classroom sessions. Training today included such topics as Damage Control, Ship Communications, and Naval History. During a battalion muster following evening chow, we had a surprise announcement that Machinist Mate First Class Edward Alvarez, USN just received word that he was selected for promotion to Chief Petty Officer. Companies where led in a Bravo Zulu, “Hurrah, Chief Select Alvarez!” Sleepily, the cadets returned to their racks for to get some well-earned sleep in preparation for another day on the USS Hornet.
Day 6 (Friday, 17 July) Good Morning recruits! Welcome to another fine Navy day! Up again at 0530, the recruits are heading to the pier for early morning Physical Training. Morning chow is served to us by our wonderful chefs, Tommy, Juan and Paul; if anyone is not getting enough, they didn't ask. Early morning colors is observed and the companies are now not only battling each other for loudness with yelling, they are also starting to come up with ways to poke fun at each other and themselves. It all started with the Quarterdeck staff giving us their rendition of "the 14 days of training" sung to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas. Between this, and their movements around the hanger deck whistling the tune of "Hi Ho, Hi Ho, its off to work we go," the Quarterdeck crew has set the bar high for the training companies to follow. Back to the classroom, the recruits learned such subjects as Damage Control and CBR (Chemical, Biological and Radiological precautions), with a little team marching thrown in. Following afternoon chow, recruits were again back in the classroom for instruction on Signal Flags and aircraft carrier operations, then to the Focsl'e (forward space in the ship, above the anchor chain locker), for hands-on instruction in Knots and Splices. After evening chow, the companies split up for separate instruction by their Recruit Division Commanders (Active or Reserve sailors), then it was time for showers and lights out at 2100 (9:00pm).
Day 07 (Saturday, 18 July) “. . . with a blast from the safety horn, tons of elevator, aircraft, and cadets rush up to the flight deck . . .”
The recruits were able to participate in the USS Hornet’s “Live-Aboard Day,” where the public is given an opportunity to witness special activities aboard the ship. Our Quarterdeck cadets helped the ship’s staff in moving multiple aircraft from the hanger deck to one of the three massive elevators, for a ride to the flight deck. These cadets served as hooked up tow bars, pulled wheel chocks and were wing-walkers (safety observers) for each of the jets. Once the jets were towed onto the elevator, the recruits marched aboard to accompany each jet to the flight deck. The visiting public was surprised as they were greeted by the sight of over 80 cadets standing in formation around each jet as it popped up to the deck (with moving up in only 8 seconds, they do really pop up!). This was the opportunity of a lifetime for most of our cadets. The rest of the day was spent in more classroom instruction by our team of Sea Cadet officers and active duty sailors. Today’s topics included seamanship, ship familiarization, and visual signals. After evening chow, the entire battalion made its way back to the flight deck, for a battalion group photo on the island of the ship. The day slowed to a halt and “all was well.”
Day 08, (Sunday, 19 June) This being Sunday, the recruits were given a little easier day. They were allowed to sleep in until 0615 ! (instead of the usual 0530), giving them a little more sleep (they do have lights-out by 2100 {9:00 pm}, so even with being woken at 0530, they should have plenty of sleep. After morning chow, the recruits and staff cadets were allowed to attend a non-denominational service held in the hanger deck, or could choose for quiet time down in their berthss. They then had more marching practice, and a short quiz. Following noon chow, the recruits were educated on drug and alcohol awareness, then had classes in First Aid for the remainder of the afternoon. In addition lecture on preventing and treating a multitude of common emergencies, they were instructed in some hands-on first aid measures. Being able to give an orange an 
emergency epinephrine injection (not to each other!). After this, the battalion became very animated as they practiced treatment for choking and carrying their “injured” shipmates. After another long day of training, the recruits were rewarded with a history lesson in watching the movie “Midway” and being treated to buttered popcorn.
Day 09, (Monday, 20 July) Today the recruits were allowed to sleep in until 0615 ! (instead of the usual 0530). The morning continued with field day time (not what you think; this is time spent deep cleaning the berthing and head areas). After morning chow and reporting for morning colors and daily company awards, the recruits spent the morning with more marching and facing movement practice, then reported to the classroom for a review and written test of all the training material covered so far. Immediately following the review, cadets had a class covering all the opportunities of the USNSCC, including the multitude of advanced trainings, advancing in rank, and future scholarship opportunities. Afternoon chow came and went, then it was back to the classroom for instruction on the process of completing the US Navy courses that are available to cadets, and classes in military Customs and Courtesies and Aircraft Familiarization (done walking around the aircraft). Following evening chow, recruits and company commanders departed to their berthing for an early end to the day. They were given a shortened training day to help ward off the effects of fatigue and the possible spread of illness. Whatever the reason, showers and extra sleep was very welcomed. While the recruits and their staff were in afternoon classes, the Mass Communication Specialist cadets were able to take in a few sights in San Francisco. With cadets coming from states as distant as Illinois, Missouri, Michigan and Florida, most of them had not been to California before. After walking across part of the Golden Gate bridge, we traveled to visit the World War Two submarine, USS Pampanito, accompanied by Instructor Bob Dunn, a WWII veteran of troop transport and submarine duty. In addition to the cadets listening to his explanation of life aboard the submarine, a number of other visitors collected around him, assuming he was a tour guide (and a special one he was! What an opportunity for first-hand learning by our cadets. As the instructor had spend most of his post-Navy career as a Hollywood camerman, the Mass Communication Specialist cadets listened to a variety of stories during the drive about photography in the motion picture business, and especially about his work with major movie stars.
Day 10 (Tuesday, 21 JULY) Not to alarm any parents, but we've had a number of cadets and staff cadets passing around some nausea, aches and low fever. To counteract this, we've heightened their awareness of handwashing and required them to use hand sanitizer when coming to classrooms, and chow. Some cadets have also been kept in their quarters and had their shipmates bring them their notes to keep up on classes. With this going on, and some cold, foggy weather here (wouldn't you all like a little of that over in the central valley right now?), morning PT on the docks has been scrubbed. After morning chow and formation for colors and awards, the recruits went back to classroom instruction sessions and test reviews. Later in the afternoon, the companies competed against each other in a team building exercise we call Team Walking. This entailed four cadets "walking" using eight foot boards with rope hand-holds, and racing half the distance of the hanger deck. Those cadets not on the boards were cheering on their shipmates, and some of the staff cadets and adults also took up the challenge. Following evening chow, with the sun finally shining through, the units took to the flight deck for marching practice, and the Mass Communication Specialist cadets took the opportunity to take individual portraits. Each cadet had their picture taken in front of one of the jets, and these will be on the photo discs that will come out in September. The MASSCOMM cadets also put up posters of some of their projects, including unit logos and collages. They also were treated to a ride in the flight simulator “IT WAS SO FUN!”. The day ended peacefully and “all was well”.
Day 11 (Wednesday, 22 JULY) This morning was a peaceful one, waking up to the sounds of “hurry up!” and “get ready!,” and again, they were given light, hanger deck PT duty, instead of out on the docks. The lines at the sick call station continue, but the cadets are hanging in there, and the staff is more concerned with wearing warm clothes, even if they aren't matching, than perfect uniforms. atching, than perfect uniforms. Chow was on the good side and most wanted seconds, but then again, its been very good all along. The recruit companies again spend a good part of the morning reviewing their lessons for their upcoming final exam, and practiced the formation marching that you'll get to see at graduation. After mid day chow, the cadets rotated through four stations in the "Damage Control Olympics." The stations including fire control on the flight deck, flooding control and escape from smoky or dark compartments. Recruits had to walk in a line blind folded while holding on to each others shoulders, it was nice to see the them all working together and helping each other along. While the cadets were starting with evening showers, our world here suddenly changed with alarms and flashing lights getting our attention. A cadet had gotten bumped hard into an alarm pull station and the system went off. Good thing it was just the alarm and not the sprinklers. The Company Commanders mustered their recruits, took head counts, then marched them quickly off the ship and on to 
the dock where they again took roll call. After all recruits, staff were accounted for, we waited for further instructions while the Alameda Fire Department checked the ship for fires. Things were quieter after that until time for lights-out. During this busy day, the Mass Communication Specialist cadets were also busy with visits from the senior US Navy Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer in the district. Following a Q and A period with him, we went topside for a discussion with a free-lance reporter and cameraman working on a story about the training.
Day 12 (Thursday, 23 JULY) The cadet's day started off a little earlier than normal with being woken for a “man overboard” drill. Recruits quickly moved up to the hanger deck for a muster and head count. Everyone was accounted for, and the cadets were allowed to head back down, but just for a few minutes, as they had to dress for morning PT. The recruit companies headed out for Physical Training with commanders, some to the hanger deck, and some to the pier. After morning fomration for colors and awards, the cadets headed off to the classroom for test review session, then took their final exam. The inital pass rate was very good, but some cadets received some small group remediation for an afternoon retest. After chow, most of the recruits took time to practice their presentations for graduation and some dressed in the whites for the Honor Boards. During the day, the cadets had to move around a host of technical people aboard as they prepared the hanger deck for the arrival of Buzz Aldrin, the second astronaut to walk on the moon. He will be coming in Saturday morning, and our cadets will be lining to pier in their whites to welcome him abaord. There are now multiple large screens and projectors hanging from the overhead. While Col. Aldrin will be aboard for presentations and book signing. Unfortunately, with the large number of people aboard the ship for their activities, visitors for graduation will have to pay the normal entrance fee to come aboard the ship after the ceremony is done. In addition to a great pass rate on the final exam, other positive news is that most cadets who had been feeling ill, are now doing much better. There are still some with a light cough, but those who had low fevers are over them.
THE FINAL PORT CALL !
As tomorrow's Plan of the Day has the cadets spending their day cleaning the ship and uniforms, and completing other preparations for graduation and departure from the ship, this will be our last installment of the Scuttlebutt. The Mass Communication Specialist staff will be finishing up our projects, and packing up their computers and printers. We thank you for following along with this voyage, and remind you that there will be more pictures posted in the coming weeks. After all of the pictures are reviewed and sorted, DVD's will be burned and passed out to all cadets and staff. For all units in Region 12, these will likely be given to the unit CO's at Pass in Review in September. They will be mailed as groups to other units, or individuals. ALL ASHORE THAT'S GOING ASHORE!