I had a very low draft number in 1970, so I signed up for the Navy and Air Force waiting lists. Those recruiters told me they had more than a year backlog of volunteers.
3 days before Thanksgiving, the Navy recruiter called me. He had a man who did not want to enlist because Thanksgiving and his birthday were coming up. Could I be there tomorrow?
YES!!! I enlisted 2 days before Thanksgiving, and enjoyed the best Thanksgiving dinner ever as an E-1 in a holding company at RTC. The meal was so good, and the fellowship was so strong, I stayed around for 19 more Thanksgiving dinners.
I always made sure to stand duty on Thanksgiving, for my own personal benefit, and to "show the flag" of fellowship with our newest shipmates. Thanksgiving dinner in the Navy is just so good!
It was the best job I ever had! Despite the sleep deprivation and lack of autonomy, I am so thankful to have served. Never, before or since, have I worked at anything nearly as important, with people I could trust with my life.
CDR Salamander, by your leave sir, I am not at all sure this is the time or place, but after Thanksgiving dinner, with 2 sheets to the wind, and sipping my third (is that a mixed metaphor?), here goes:
Earlier this year, I found my Recruit Company Commander on the internet.
He was confined to a hospital bed in his living room in Florida.
His wife answered the phone, he did not remember me, but I remembered him.
He was the first adult I ever trusted.
To paraphrase Dr. Suess, "He meant what he said and he said what he meant, BM1 was faithful, 100%"
When we did not measure up as a recruit company, RCC accepted responsibility, "Men, we just have to work harder."
When we did measure up, or sometimes exceeded, he gave us all the credit.
He was only 26 at the time, he was a mature adult, and he was there all the time.
He was there when we turned in for the night, he was there when we woke up.
He was there to wake us in the middle of the night for discipline drills.
There was one Saturday, when I stood quarterdeck watch, and he was not there.
He sacrificed liberty, and his home-life, to prepare us for the fleet.
BM1 also showed us how to stash an entire 6-pack in a peacoat, and he warned us not to do it.
Years later, when any of my men returned from court, I always told them, "Whatever it is you didn't do, don't get caught not doing it again.."
Good day to remember that, despite our many challenges and own goals, we live in the most blessed nation on earth. I’m grateful for the thoughtful community Sal has brought together here on the Porch.
A good day to pause our complaints and appreciate what we and our previous gens built. As a young and relatively self centered kid, at least I can remember the great Thanksgiving meals I shared aboard ship, after taking duty from those who wanted to be home with family.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, and thank you sincerely, for all you did. Nothing can diminish the pride and satisfaction of having served, and continuing the tradition!
In my Navy career, though I volunteered twice for billets that could/would have put me at the pointy end of the spear, I have yet to be fired at in anger (we’ll see how bad crime gets in my retirement). Two shipboard tours, then a career of fixing and building ships.. That probably makes me more grateful for the people who did find themselves in grave danger than those who never left civvie street will ever understand. Saluting all the trigger pullers.
late to the porch today. we all have our own reasons to give thanks. Here, thanks to the good Commander, for information, insight, inspiration, 'n entertainment. BZ, Sir.
Despite all the distractions, there are those on watch engaged in the most intense antiair war since WWII...
"The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Hudner shot down several attack drones over the Red Sea that were launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen early Thursday morning local time, according to U.S. Central Command."
They deserve a whole heap of Thanks and BZ's!
In Dec. 1954, two gents, Brown and Hudner, demonstrated that the USN of the day didn't need any modern 'narratives'...
They deserve a whole heap of Thanks for their Sacrifice and Legacy.
Wouldn't be surprised if the ship ends up with both the "E" and the golden anchor. Pulling together for a no-shit mission and its subsequent accomplishment does a lot for a command and even turns a few dirtbags into sailors.
Happy Thanksgiving, Sal and to the men and women who serve and have served!
Happy Thanksgiving to CDR Salamander, we are thankful for your leadership!
Holiday routine today - holiday for some, routine for others.
Thanksgiving Day, 1970
I had a very low draft number in 1970, so I signed up for the Navy and Air Force waiting lists. Those recruiters told me they had more than a year backlog of volunteers.
3 days before Thanksgiving, the Navy recruiter called me. He had a man who did not want to enlist because Thanksgiving and his birthday were coming up. Could I be there tomorrow?
YES!!! I enlisted 2 days before Thanksgiving, and enjoyed the best Thanksgiving dinner ever as an E-1 in a holding company at RTC. The meal was so good, and the fellowship was so strong, I stayed around for 19 more Thanksgiving dinners.
I always made sure to stand duty on Thanksgiving, for my own personal benefit, and to "show the flag" of fellowship with our newest shipmates. Thanksgiving dinner in the Navy is just so good!
Good job, sailor.
It was the best job I ever had! Despite the sleep deprivation and lack of autonomy, I am so thankful to have served. Never, before or since, have I worked at anything nearly as important, with people I could trust with my life.
CDR Salamander, by your leave sir, I am not at all sure this is the time or place, but after Thanksgiving dinner, with 2 sheets to the wind, and sipping my third (is that a mixed metaphor?), here goes:
Earlier this year, I found my Recruit Company Commander on the internet.
He was confined to a hospital bed in his living room in Florida.
His wife answered the phone, he did not remember me, but I remembered him.
He was the first adult I ever trusted.
To paraphrase Dr. Suess, "He meant what he said and he said what he meant, BM1 was faithful, 100%"
When we did not measure up as a recruit company, RCC accepted responsibility, "Men, we just have to work harder."
When we did measure up, or sometimes exceeded, he gave us all the credit.
He was only 26 at the time, he was a mature adult, and he was there all the time.
He was there when we turned in for the night, he was there when we woke up.
He was there to wake us in the middle of the night for discipline drills.
There was one Saturday, when I stood quarterdeck watch, and he was not there.
He sacrificed liberty, and his home-life, to prepare us for the fleet.
BM1 also showed us how to stash an entire 6-pack in a peacoat, and he warned us not to do it.
Years later, when any of my men returned from court, I always told them, "Whatever it is you didn't do, don't get caught not doing it again.."
To our ships at sea...
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Good day to remember that, despite our many challenges and own goals, we live in the most blessed nation on earth. I’m grateful for the thoughtful community Sal has brought together here on the Porch.
Thank you CDR. Blessings on you and your family, and everyone at sea this morning.
Happy Thanksgiving to the porch and all those at sea.
Hope you and yours have a wonderful thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving, Sal, & to all.
Sweepers sweepers man your brooms.
Holiday routine for all hands.
Happy Thanksgiving Front Porch Peeps!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you CDR, and all of you!!
A good day to pause our complaints and appreciate what we and our previous gens built. As a young and relatively self centered kid, at least I can remember the great Thanksgiving meals I shared aboard ship, after taking duty from those who wanted to be home with family.
Blessings to all!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, and thank you sincerely, for all you did. Nothing can diminish the pride and satisfaction of having served, and continuing the tradition!
Amen.
In my Navy career, though I volunteered twice for billets that could/would have put me at the pointy end of the spear, I have yet to be fired at in anger (we’ll see how bad crime gets in my retirement). Two shipboard tours, then a career of fixing and building ships.. That probably makes me more grateful for the people who did find themselves in grave danger than those who never left civvie street will ever understand. Saluting all the trigger pullers.
A very Happy Thanksgiving to the good CDR and all of the porch!
late to the porch today. we all have our own reasons to give thanks. Here, thanks to the good Commander, for information, insight, inspiration, 'n entertainment. BZ, Sir.
We need to both appreciate those who work on holidays, and minimize demands on them. Avoid holiday shopping if you can.
Just think of all those deployed who are avoiding that holiday shopping! 🤪
Despite all the distractions, there are those on watch engaged in the most intense antiair war since WWII...
"The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Hudner shot down several attack drones over the Red Sea that were launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen early Thursday morning local time, according to U.S. Central Command."
They deserve a whole heap of Thanks and BZ's!
In Dec. 1954, two gents, Brown and Hudner, demonstrated that the USN of the day didn't need any modern 'narratives'...
They deserve a whole heap of Thanks for their Sacrifice and Legacy.
https://youtu.be/G6Z912lMf0c?si=tMKHiI-iF-WL7H5u
Wouldn't be surprised if the ship ends up with both the "E" and the golden anchor. Pulling together for a no-shit mission and its subsequent accomplishment does a lot for a command and even turns a few dirtbags into sailors.