Checklist For Newly-Arrived, I.T. Navy Enlisted

1. Spend an hour typing instructions on using boot-up CD-ROMS, (the R, or Readable, not W, or RW, writeable type) with de-fragging, anti-viral, anti-malware, anti-spyware software. Make a stack of 50 CD-ROMS and 50 instructional print-outs, once every six months, to give to all the department L.P.O.'s, or leading petty officers. Put a reminder on it with your name, rank, rating, department email address, and phone contact information in case anyone needs assistance. This will help you save time so you can respond to your other (hopefully non-viral) trouble calls.

2. Create an Access database (Microsoft) with a follow-up field, to be checked twice per day (beginning and ending your work shift). Have you followed up to see if all Help Desk trouble calls were resolved twice per day, every single day? Did you prioritize for the highest ranking officers to get assistance first, and notify your chain of command regarding any delays for them to be operable?

3. Fiber Optics & Hot Melt Connectors:

Have you received training in running, and creating fiber optic (hot melt) connectors? This will help you to trouble shoot issues related to:

-Reversed connector tips to the CPU, or cracked fiber optic cabling that requires replacement

You may need to check fiber optic cabling for a giant, clear, or non-fuzzy, eyeball shape at the end of the cable, prior to the hot melt connectors. You may need to repolish the end, a couple more times.

Light should be able to travel from both ends. Hold the fiber optic cabling tip towards a bright light source, and check the cabling end for this, as the first step. If sent to run fiber optic cabling, bring a partner, a stiff rod/stick about two yardsticks long, twist ties, to run the cabling without breaking/cracking it, bright flashlights, two ladders, and all polishing, hot melt connector tools.

4. Printer Problems:

-Reboot the print server terminal/CPU
-Check supplies (toner/ink jet levels, paper jams and paper levels)
-Reboot the actual printer
-Reload, or select the proper printer driver on the CPU, or laptop
-Reboot the CPU, or laptop
-Does the CPU/laptop recognize the selected printer and have the appropriate printer driver?

5. Are you signed up for your CCNA exam training with CTU Online, or at the local community college with a Cisco-approved program?

6. When entering any officer's office:

There is a protocol to the number of times you should knock on their door, three times, and not too loudly. After being allowed entry, you should take three, standard-sized steps from the doorway, towards the officer. Then, without getting too close, or touching them, introduce yourself using sir/ma'am and state the reason you are there. Be ready to return later, when it's most convenient for the officer.

Remember to explain quickly, professionally/kindly and clearly what caused the technical problem, how it may be prevented in the future, and whether it has been completely resolved. Never blame any users, or write down user error on the trouble call. Consider upgrading the RAM/random access memory sticks, and/or microprocessor chip for the officer's CPU. Those things are to be blamed, and addressed, if you're at a loss of what to write down on your Help Desk ticket. Remember, the equipment, cabling or software was at fault, not the person.

7. For password lock-outs:

After a certain number of attempts at logging into the network or a standalone node/CPU/laptop, there may be a password lock-out. This is common. For the officers, show up in person, to reset their password and patiently guide them through changing it. Have them login with their new password successfully before going to do the rest of your trouble calls for the day. Have their secretary, assistant or them sign the trouble ticket after writing down, "Password reset."

For some non-enlisted, as long as they're comfortable with you, this can be done remotely/over the phone. Try to show up in person, as they may be uncomfortable attempting this remotely with you. Sometimes people will need to show you in person, or the error message will flash too quickly on their screen to describe the problem.

You may need to go there and press the pause button, in time, to read the error message. As part of OJT, or on the job training, always be ready to call your training supervisor with any questions, even in the middle of a trouble call. They can guide you on trouble shooting over the phone and help you remotely. You may need their help locating which network drives have the right print driver for the computer user, for instance.

8. Always see if you can help organize the office, storage room, and volunteer for all the menial tasks. Treat the civilian staff and the command's guests professionally. Never be known as too important to roll your sleeves up and perform the required duties, including cleaning the mops.

9. If you've run out of work, ask your training supervisors if they can assign you to any projects or educational opportunities.

10. Get extra uniforms, at the uniform shop, for inspections. It's best to always have ten to fourteen uniforms, inspection-ready, for work. Learn how to properly launder, steam iron and put in the appropriate military creases for your uniforms. Invest in an ironing board, a steam iron with auto shut off, retractable cord and non-stick, rust-proof ironing surface.

Clean the iron's bottom before each use with a water-soaked washcloth. The holes on the bottom of the iron should also be cleaned out, before each use, to prevent staining. On your clothes, use a water spray bottle, on the mist setting first, and then lightly mist on the Niagara brand starch spray. Keep the starch bottle at least five inches away from the clothes. Try to use light to medium starch on your uniforms. Lightly starch the uniform and then use medium starch for your military creases.

For your casual clothing, on/off base, try to wear conservative outfits, that are plain, modest, machine washable, lint and wrinkle-free. Always hang up your uniforms with coated hangers, and rust-proofed clips. Plastic suit jacket hangers with rubber patches for grip are excellent. The wire hangers from the dry cleaners may stain the whites, so try to use your own coated hangers there. Every day, set out the inspection-ready, complete outfit with shoes, belt, and socks for the next day. Prepare your gym/workout bag with clothing, toiletries, water bottle, snacks and meals, the evening beforehand.

11. If you encounter people who want to pry, stalk or interrogate you about your classified work, remember to deflect their questions with phrases such as, "I'm sorry, but I'm not the actual person who knows about/handles that." Then, change the subject to questions about them, or their background. Try to stay calm, friendly, with a smile on your face. Engage them in conversation to find out who they are, what they do, and where they're from, for your command supervisors.

Get their contact information and notice identification details, such as their vehicle description, and license plates. People may mention their previous, unconfirmed security clearance, or pretend they have a right to know classified information about your work. Remember to be polite and focus the conversation back on who they are, not anything classified about your work. Some people may have a very strong, negative reaction to your classified military service. Try to blend in with the locals/civilians as much as possible, when leaving base. Always try to bring a few, trustworthy friends along with you, on and off base, for personal safety. Depending upon the area, a group of four people, minimally, is ideal.

The people who become abusive towards you, and/or criminally stalkers, may be in a position of trust, such as a higher-ranking coworker, personal associate, chaplain, professor, teacher, counselor, medical professional, attorney or in law enforcement. They may be alcoholics, drug addicts, gambling addicts, sex addicts, pedophiles or poly-addicts. If you notice verbal/psychological/physical and/or sexual abuse in their behaviors, be wary of them.

They may try to lie, intimidate, alienate/socially isolate, coerce, control or harass you, in order to get classified information from you, or to make an example out of you also. The type of people who do these things usually have a hidden agenda, beyond enjoying violence, such as participation in drug cartels, organized crime rings, and/or terrorism. They like to manipulate people, distort facts, and create unnecessary drama, in order to feel a false sense of power. They tend to look outside of themselves for validation and need others to strike their egos (narcissism). Their moods tend to be extremely unpredictable, like Jekyll and Hyde. They usually have a history of having poor impulse control, worsened by their drug/alcohol/gambling/sexual/raping/molesting addiction(s).