sure your orders receive an endorsement reflecting the inadequate  BOQ. Each  command  has  instructions that  outline  the  procedure  for  requesting  permission to   reside   in   civilian   housing   in   lieu   of   inadequate BOQ.   For further information, refer to OPNAVINST 11103.1.    This instruction establishes Navy bachelor housing policy. ADJUSTING TO LIFE ABOARD SHIP You will have to adjust to life aboard ship.   One adjustment will be the limited space you will have to stow personal belongings.  You will also have to learn the layout of the ship, when and where to report for quarters, and new names and faces. STOWING PERSONAL BELONGINGS Your room will have a safe in which you can stow your  valuables.    Obtain  the  combination  to  the  safe from the security manager.  Set a new combination on the safe using the printed instructions, if available, or follow the advice of an officer experienced in setting combinations.  Try the new combination several times with the safe open. Write  the  combination  on  a  piece  of  paper  and place  it  in  a  sealed  envelope.    On  the  outside  of  the envelope,  write  your  name,  your  stateroom  number, and  the  location  of  the  safe  within  the  stateroom. Give   the   envelope   to   the   security   manager. The security manager will only open your safe in case of an emergency. After   getting   settled,   remove   any   unnecessary baggage from your stateroom.  We suggest you keep a small  travel  bag,  one  suitcase,  and  perhaps  a  duffel bag  or  folding  nylon  bag. Ask  the  supply  officer about available stowage facilities for the rest of your baggage. GETTING ACQUAINTED Find   out   what   time   and   where   to   report   for quarters and general quarters; also, find out where to go for drills and what your duties are. Obtain  copies  of  the   Booklet  of  General  Plans, General   Information   Book   (for   newer   constructed ships, the title is  Ship Information Book), and  Ship’s Organization   and   Regulations   Manual. Also   get copies   of   the   fleet   regulations,   type   commander’s directives,  squadron  commander’s  directives,  and  a roster of the officers aboard.   Start studying! One of the best ways to get acquainted with your ship is to go through the ship from stem to stern and from  top  to  bottom.     You  can  ask  questions  freely without embarrassment while you are new.  After you have been aboard a few months, you may feel foolish if   you   ask   questions   regarding   things   you   should know.   Nevertheless, do not hesitate to ask. Learn  the  names  of  your  fellow  officers  and  the enlisted  personnel  on  board.     Address  your  seniors and  subordinates  properly;  for  example,  say,  “Good morning,   Commander   Door”   or   “Good   morning, Senior   Chief   Boate.” This   common   courtesy   is important. GOING ASHORE Do   not   be   too   eager   to   go   ashore   after   first reporting. Spend   a   few   days   getting   oriented. Knowing your environment will be very helpful. Customarily,   heads   of   departments   request permission  for  personnel  to  leave  the  ship  from  the executive  officer;  junior  officers  request  permission from the head of the department, and, in some cases, from the executive officer.   Find out from whom you obtain the necessary permission. When you request permission to leave the ship, do not  ask  permission  to  go  on  liberty;  simply  request permission to leave the ship.   Report to the OOD that you have permission to leave the ship, and remember the salutes required when leaving a ship.   If you have a shore address and phone number, make sure they are on  file  in  the  ship’s  office.    You  may  wear  civilian clothing when going ashore. Remember  the  custom  of  juniors  getting  into boats  first  and  getting  out  last.     If  a  boat  becomes crowded and you are the junior, get out and catch the next one.   Remember also that seniors are given the more  desirable  seats.    Boats  leave  on  time;  so  get  a copy of the boat schedule. ASSUMING YOUR DUTIES If you report to a ship, your first assignments will probably be as a junior division officer and a junior watch officer.   The sooner you qualify as OOD, both in  port  and  under  way,  or  as  duty  officer  for  your particular department, the better.   Such qualifications are important steps in your career.   You can be sure if you do not qualify, your career will not go far. You   will   remain   in   an   “on   watch   but   under instruction” status until you do qualify.  You can count 3-4