United States Navy (2)

My First Helicopter Ride

November 15th, 2007

While on board the USS Forrestal during the 1982 Med cruise there were only two of us qualified to work on a particularly important system. We both worked 12 hours on and 12 hours off unless a problem arose which required both of us - we then worked as long as it took.

Our system required input from all the participating ships and aircraft in the battle group. On one occasion about four months into the deployment one of our cruisers wasn’t able to connect to the system and the only technician on-board the cruiser had used all his troubleshooting techniques to no avail.

I got the call to be on the flight deck to catch a helicopter to provide a tech assist, I was excited! I had never been on a helicopter before and my first one was going to be a (more…)

SI Speechless

November 11th, 2007

For the last 44 years the Notre Dame football program has enjoyed win after win over the Naval Academy. The table turned last Saturday when the Midshipmen upset the Fighting Irish in overtime. That in itself is a story worth more than oh by the way “Three and Out” 37 (more…)

Mixed Messages

October 29th, 2007

Grow up to be an Adult?

We attempt to teach our children, well most of us do, to grow up to be responsible adults. We attempt to choose our words carefully and to help them make sense out of the vast world around them. We don’t teach our children that a couch is actually called a stove, we don’t point to a deer and call it a bear. We understand that every action we (more…)

Hippocannabis Oath

October 6th, 2007

While I was visiting a Navy Recruiting Station in California about a year ago I met an applicant who told me one of his current medications prescribed by his doctor was marijuana. Up to that point he was the first person I met who had been prescribed the storied drug. He told me it was prescribed to help with his anxiety attacks. No, he did not qualify for the Navy, he had a few “issues”. For some reason, this morning, I remembered the encounter and it got me to thinking.

How many doctors are prescribed medical marijuana?

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2008 Military Pay Update

September 18th, 2007

Should have gotten around to posting this a few days ago, sorry for the delay! On September, 11th of all days the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee approved a spending bill of $459.6 billion for fiscal 2008. The bill included a number of reduced amounts proposed by the President for certain weapons programs but did increase the amount proposed for health care and a needed increase for military hospitals - overall a potential plus for military health care benefits. (more…)

Gun and a Bullet

August 31st, 2007

In order to join the United States military you are required to produce proof of citizenship or legal immigrant status, you must meet certain age requirements, provide background information for screening, meet minimum education requirements, be within a certain ban of weight depending on your height, you must score well on academic testing and pass a regiment of tests during your processing physical. (more…)

One with the Earth

August 16th, 2007

A few years ago I had the privilege of being the Chief Recruiter of Navy Recruiting District Phoenix. One of the many great things about the NRD is that within its territory was the Navajo Nation.

Navy Recruiting Station Flagstaff was one of the NRS’ that covered the Navajo Nation, we would make every attempt to place Sailors who were Navajo in Flagstaff. We were lucky enough to have two Navajos stationed there during my tour.

Before most Navajo would commit to joining the Navy they would complete a “Ceremony”. I am not the expert I should be on the process but from what I remember the Ceremony could be as long as 3 days encompassing rituals, meditation and spiritual healing - it is a very religious event.

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Well Said Marine

August 13th, 2007

Nothing I could add, this Marine says it all.

Semper Fi

Technorati Tags:marines, leadership, military, iraqi conflict

CPO Initiation-Transition a Decade Later

August 8th, 2007

My how time flies. I will be recalling the process for the first time from retirement, weird.

It has been about 10 years now that becoming a CPO has moved from an “initiation” to a “transition”. Here is a very brief look at some of the contrasts between then and now.

Now - After hearing of the list each CPO would make attempts to call each selectee and congratulate them.
Then - New slugs would call every CPO in the command to introduce themselves, the CPO would congratulate and share some small bit of advice.

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Even Admirals Can Learn

July 23rd, 2007

One day while working at US Navy Recruiting Headquarters I was asked to sit in a briefing with the Admiral and his COS of the British Navy Recruiting Command. They flew over to gain some ideas from us about how to recruit.

There was 6 of us in the conference room, 2 of which were female Captains.

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