Today, on Tuesday, May 7th, Alpha company was on utility. Usually, this means that cadets spend a few hours cleaning before getting a day of much-needed rest. This was not the case today because TSSOM was taking on supplies, which we call stores. Stores were met with mixed anticipation in the Alpha berthing because although the arrival of stores meant the delivery of pallets of ice cream, everyone knew how much work shuttling food off the pallets and into the depths of the ship would entail. Will the grueling hours in the mandatory Sodexo conga line justify an ice cream cone later in the day? We’ll just have to find out. I doubt my full faith in the ice cream flavor choices of the stewards will be disappointed.  

To the relief of many, the ice cream cascade was brought to a brief end to conduct a fire drill. With our life jackets donned and our immersion suits in hand, everyone formed up on the deck of the ship to await the good news from our Captain that his imaginary fire in the 01-deck laundry room had been extinguished by the brave members of our emergency squad. Hopefully next time I’ll remember to check the lint trap… 

Neither drills nor ice cream can quell the excitement of any of the freshmen, each of us eager to begin our journey to New York and then Florida. Alas, the Captain delivered news this morning that the ship may be delayed leaving port. Until then, in Castine we will stay, longing for the ocean and our ice cream. 

Post by: Cooper Parlee, 4/C MSE5, Alpha Company

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