Scott graduated from Navy Nuclear Power School on March 20th, 2012, class
1107, section 9, Machinist Mate Third Class, with distinction. We are
all so proud of him, and we went to Charleston to see his ceremony.
We flew in on Wednesday evening. Scott had finished his last comprehensive
exams that day, and Nancy, Tom, Megan (Scott's girlfriend) and Alli (Megan's
sister) had driven across country to bring Scott's car out to him. Here
are Alli, Megan, and Scott on King St. in Charleston.
That night we ate at Jim and Nick's BBQ. Here are Wade, Kimberly, Nancy,
Tom (Nancy's boyfriend), Alli, Megan, Scott, and Scott's friend and classmate
Zane.
Kimberly in front of Nick's.
The next day we slept in, and then went out and did some walking around
downtown ourselves. We had originally planned to eat dinner at this restaurant
(Slightly North of Broad), but decided to go for lunch instead, so we
could have dinner with the group. I know it doesn't look like it, but
neither of us had been drinking in this picture.
Scott then suggested we go out to Patriot's Point, where you can tour
a decommissioned aircraft carrier, cruiser, and submarine. The sub was
not available that day, but we toured around the aircraft carrier.
Here is the new bridge to the Isle of Palms that we came across.
Walking out the gangplank (oh, I just love all these naval words).
Scott demonstrating his newfound expertise.
The chicks are very impressed by this.
This is one batch of chocolate chip cookies to feed an aircraft carrier
full of people.
Triple-high bunks, pulled up so you can get between them. On subs, they
do "hot racking", so one person finishes their sleeping and
rolls up their bedroll, and another takes over that bunk and rolls out
their bedroll.
One of the fighters on the deck of the carrier.
Some other planes on display on the deck.
The superstructure that we climbed through.
Tom was an aviation ordnance specialist when he was in the service. Here
he is explaining the finer points of missile technology.
Scott and Megan.
A view across the river back to the Charleston skyline.
Inside the hangar deck with other planes on display.
Local wildlife seen on the way back from the ship.
That evening we went to Hyman's Seafood. Here we are waiting out front
for our table.
And Nancy and Tom with Scott.
Group shot after consuming massive quantities of seafood and alcohol.
Friday morning was the ceremony. Here is the color guard presenting the
colors.
It was held outdoors on the circle of the facility. Here is a crowd shot,
with the sailors all behind the seated guests at parade rest.
Class 1107, Section 9. Can you find him?
Sections 6-11 just before being seated.
The Class 1107 "choir" sang the National Anthem.
The Captain Fahs, the base commander, giving his address...
...followed by U.S. Congressman Tim Scott from South Carolina.
It was a carefully choreographed processional to get everyone through.
Here is Scott waiting his turn on the platform.
MM3 Scott Wooldridge graduates with distinction, third in his section.
Here he has received his certificate and is coming up to shake hands with
the commanding officer...
...and the Congressman...
...and other distinguished officers.
All done.
Most of the base is classified and off limits, but they set aside one
example dorm room so we could all see how they live.
Here is that (huge) dorm room.
Posing for a few portraits with a screw.
Scott and Megan.
That afternoon we had to go to Raising Cane's for chicken fingers. We
ate a whole month's worth of fried food in three days, but that's the
South for y'all.
And that evening we had dinner at the Morgan Creek Grill, over on the
Isle of Palms, with a lovely view of the water.
