Freelancing From a Battleship
I am super stoked about this next post. It is about a buddy of mine who is literally serving for the US Military on a friggin battleship. We all tend to make excuses like we don’t have time or I will get to it later….well what’s your excuse now?
A freelancer is defined as a self-employed worker who isn’t committed to one particular employer. Freelancers can work through agencies or company that provide a plethora of different jobs, alternatively, freelancing can involve associations or even websites such as Freelancer. But, what if I told you that anyone can become a freelancer? What if I said, that even people who work full-time jobs can do this job, and while it might sound unbelievable, it’s possible to freelance from anywhere… even a military ship. Yes you read correctly, a friggin military ship. His name is Emmanuel and he serves on the USS Ronald Reagan.
Freelancing offers the benefit of being able to work from anywhere in the world. Consequently, this benefit even extends to the middle of the ocean. However, working from the ocean is definitely not easy. Balancing life as a military member and a freelancer can offer a unique set of challenges. Military operations will always be a hurdle against freelance work. However, as long as you possess the drive, tenacity, and dedication, you can succeed from anywhere in the world (including the ocean).
Nevertheless, if you decide to freelance and happen to be in the military (or decide to join it eventually), here are a few concerns you’ll need to understand beforehand:
1. Job Availability
When you’re using military computers, there are certain limitations you must consider beforehand. First of all, military computers are low-grade equipment. Jobs like illustration, programming, web design, acting aren’t available due to the memory and graphical constraints along with poor internet connectivity. Secondly, Government computers aren’t able to handle the sort of memory intensive jobs these types of jobs require and you’ll be setting yourself up for failure if you take the offers. Finally, your availability is limited to jobs where you can upload diminutive packets of data that don’t require you to use Universal Serial Buses (USB) as using these will lock your computer.
2. Internet Hours
Ordinarily, having access to the internet is a privilege taken for granted. Consequently, we’ve been spoiled by the readily available 4G and free Wi-Fi provided by stores to the point that we forget this isn’t the case for everyone. In a ship there is only a certain amount of time when the internet is open for regular use. However, If you’re trying to do any sort of freelance work while underway, those hours are your best shot for success. Otherwise, you’re stuck with only a few white-listed pages such as Wikipedia and anything owned by Google (you can do searches, but not enter the sites).
3. Mercy of the Green Sheet
On a military ship, your schedule is dictated by various documents including the infamous “Green Sheet”. On a favorable day, the Green Sheet will not impact your workload and you’ll have a few hours after work to dedicate to writing. If you’re having a lousy day, expect to get little to none freelance work completed as you’ll be working past the regular hours (14 on a relaxed day). Your availability is always dependent on the Green Sheet. However, this is not the only enemy of freelancers on the ship, there are certainly worse things out there…
4. Bandwidth Condition
Bandwidth Conditions refer to a time when the internet is restricted beyond normal hours. It could be hours, or maybe even days, at times it can extend past a week without hearing or seeing anything about your families and friends. Sailors don’t know when these restrictions are going to be lifted and if you have a deadline to meet, expect a dock in your pay. Bandwidth Conditions affect everyone on the ship and while they’re normally not instituted, when they are applicable, it’s a nightmare. It’s important you never overreach your capabilities while underway.
5. Don’t Overextend Yourself
A key aspect for all hopeful freelancers who want to work from a ship is to never take on more than they can handle. Certain contracts offer more freedom than others and if you’re lucky, you’ll end up finding jobs that don’t interfere with one another. By spacing out your contracts you’ll allow yourself ample time to work on one job without scrambling to finish another. If you find yourself exceeding your workload capacity, it’s best to cut ties with the least profitable or more demanding ones as numerous smaller jobs can eventually yield equal or greater rewards in the long run.
6. Befriend Your Employer
A friendly working relationship with your employer will make your life incredibly easier. Finding a contract with a person you can “click” with will ultimately result in job that will provide satisfaction to both parties. Ensure you are as amicable and cordial as possible with everyone who’s a potential employer, but even this will not guarantee a positive working relationship. Additionally, If you find yourself butting heads with an employer, finish your job with them first and close out the contract. You’ll save yourself the heartbreak in the long run even if they do pay well.
7. Use Your Unique Experience to Fuel Your Work
Military members have the unique privilege of seeing the world through special lenses. From port visits to gun ranges, and even displays of artillery fire while underway, military members experience events that most regular civilians will never dream of witnessing. Using your unique experiences can help you write, and even inspire some of your other freelance work. But, do be careful of what you share with others.
8. Use Cautious Judgment When Writing
Sharing these unique experiences with others is amazing. However, there are stories and experiences that sailors aren’t allowed to share while freelancing. The military has specific rules on what can and can’t be said outside the military. If you break these rules, you risk not only losing your security clearance, your job and potentially your freedom. By being cautious, you’ll save yourself the eventual heartbreak. Keep the topics simple, and never discuss something that could be used against you in a court of law.
9. Write All the Time
Keep a notepad on you at all times. If you suddenly come up with an idea that sounds valuable, write it down. Stop whatever it is you’re doing at that moment and take notes of your thoughts. This will allow you to focus on later writings without having to scramble for inspiration. Furthermore, by allowing yourself to write at any given time, you’re also practicing the craft and reading the notes at a later point will allow you to edit them before typing.
Conclusively, it’s fair to say that freelancing from a ship is harder than most places in the world. Limited job availability, restricted internet access, insane working hours and a multitude of situations that can cause “Bandwidth Condition” are just a few of the hurdles a sailor faces when freelancing. But, by ensuring that you never bite off more than you can chew, you’ll always have a steady supply of work. Making friends with your bosses means that they’ll be more likely to work with your uncertain schedule and mysterious vanishings when Bandwidth Conditions are applicable.
Remember that you have unique experiences that most people will be interested in hearing, and you can provide a perspective that only 10% of the population will relate to. Exercising careful judgment means you’ll never land yourself in hot water or under investigation from the Navy Crimes Investigation Service, and by writing all the time you’ll always have a steady supply of materials for work. At the end of the day, freelancing is challenging work, but with some tenacity and dedication, you’ll always find success.