Month: May 2016

Bloggers note: As sometimes happen, I accidentally hit the “Publish” button long before the post is ready to publish. Thus, I have to start editing and “Update” and on and on and on. Thank you. I hope you all  have a nice day!

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Newly commissioned Navy Ensigns and Marine 2nd Lieutenants from the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2016 throw their midshipmen covers in the air at the end of their graduation and commissioning ceremony May 27 at the Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium. The U.S. Naval Academy commissioned 788 Ensigns into the U.S. Navy and 256 2nd Lieutenants into the U.S. Marine Corp. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Jonathan L. Correa.)

Okay, I ran a similar — actually, the same photo subject, before, only it was taken 11 years ago — picture before. It’s Memorial Day. We are supposed to memorialize our warriors who died in battle. We can do that. But we can also wish the best for our future Navy and Marine Corps officers.

Having served as a Navy enlisted man during the Viet Nam Era, I can also remind our future officers, don’t be a dick. Well, my name is Dick. But I mean don’t be an asshole or a horse’s ass.

Many of these officers suddenly find themselves in command over a certain number of enlisted people, from the most senior enlisted to the lowliest boot camp sailor. Some of these officers will prove to be great leaders. Others, who graduate from either Annapolis or from the various other college and service programs, should get out of the military as soon as possible.

One does not automatically take the reins of leadership just because they are commissioned as ensigns or second lieutenants. That is, just as becoming a petty officer does not automatically thrust the mantle of a great leader of men or women on any one person.

Most of the time during my short stint as a third- and second-class petty officer didn’t involve leading men. The times I did have to step in as a leader was mostly successful because, I mean, come on, it wasn’t like I was leading in battle. Still, for even the simplest of tasks, one must order someone to accomplish what can often meet with stubborn objection.

One time while serving on a Navy destroyer, for some reason, I was told to take a few less-senior sailors, who were already picked although they weren’t tasked by me, to install new “non-skid ladder safety treads” on the inclined ladder which we walked up and down from our berthing area up to the mess decks. These were treads fastened by screws on the inclined ladder that took us from our berthing area up to the mess decks or the forward head. We would also have to ascend another ladder to the main deck, but we were only told to do our treads. It was surprisingly simple.

The job took a little elbow grease, but other than that it was no problem. There might have been some other little j0bs around our berthing area. It wasn’t really difficult. I was never told to do a lot of jobs like “swabbing the deck.” Even when I was stationed at a Seabee training center, we had students who were on extra duty from punishment to clean the offices. I happened to be the senior petty officer around that day in our living area on the ship, so I was in charge. One of the guys in my division, who was I suppose an E-3, or Seaman, didn’t want to help out. He just flat out didn’t want to do it. I tried reasoning with him. That didn’t work. I could have just done the job by myself and the others. That just didn’t seem right. Finally, I had to threaten to “write him up,” which means filing a report which would likely send this young guy to  captain’s mast, or before the commanding officer, for what is called “Non-judicial punishment.” I happened to be the Legal Yeoman, or the person who handled the legal work and forms on the ship. So I knew very well how to write someone up. I would have charged him with Article 92 — failure to obey an order or regulation — of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice. Now this wouldn’t go on the guy’s permanent record, unless he decided to make a career of the Navy or if for some reason the Old Man (the CO) decided to refer this to a court-martial. That could be serious — think felony charge by the U.S. government.

So the dude was pissed off at me for threatening him but he ended up doing his task. He got over it.

Thus, I congratulate those who are graduating, either from college or high school, and for whatever reason want to join the military. If and when you may be called to lead men or women, just remember, don’t be a dick!