Being on the Vernon County was a learning experience.  I was fresh out of boot camp and was definitely wet behind the ears.  I never stood a mail buoy watch but I did go looking for the keys to the bow doors and relative grease.  We were performing a marriage to a causeway and BM2 Alberts sent me to the CO for the keys to the bow doors.  I went to the bridge and spoke with the captain and he sent me to the ships store as he had left them there.  Sk3 Davis sent me to after steering.  In after steering I was set straight by SN Pinkney. 
As I said it was a learning experience.  On another occasion we were coming into port to tie up alongside the Tom Green County at the buoys in San Diego, CA. Harbor.  My assignment was Line #2 (mind you I was new on board) a Big  pneumatic fender was required on this station and it was secured by station 2.  I was standing there waiting for instructions from BM2 Alberts to assist in securing the # 2 Line when he bellowed at me to throw the fender over the side. I said, What? and again he said to throw the fender over the side.  It was heavy but I was able to pick it up and drop it over the side.  He never told me to secure the  lines of the fender to a cleat.  Now we have an LCVP that is suppose to be assisting with the anchor detail chasing a fender  in San Diego Bay. 
I learned a lot on this ship for the short time I was there.

My duties were deck seaman, bow hook on an LCVP, Coxswain of an LCVP, first loader on a 3"50 gun mount, and  chipping and painting.  While in the shipyards we painted the sides of the ship and all troop spaces .  While spray painting the troop spaces I learned that you do not sit on a five gallon can of paint thinner.  I also learned that when you are chipping the sides of the ship you tie a line to your equipment or you may lose it over the side.  I was lucky I was able to fish my Air Compressed Hammer out of Davie Jones's Locker. 
 
My running mates were SN Harry Piaczynski. SN Frank Cruz, SN Rick Anaya, and a couple of other seaman who's name I can't recall..