I still have mine.

All right Walt! Pretty much all of my stuff is long gone.

V.

My reference library fills three bookcases, not counting encyclopaedias and my National Geographics. I still have most of my college textbooks.

I am envious...

V.

Actually, the official phrase is, "You ain't going to believe this, but no shit, I was there."
Semper Paratus.

Bunners

Maybe that was the navy - our's just began, 'This is no shit.'

*hugs...

V.

Grendelair might be doing the Marine or Seal version. Navy version is 'Now, this ain't no shit...'

*laughs...

V.

I still have my Blue Jacket's.
I still have my dress blues that were issued during Boot. And my sea bag.

And after 22 years of service, have I got some stories.

I have no doubt to that!

Hugs

V.

Here's the abridged version of how I ended up doing laps of the parade ground with two twenty litre drums of AFFF after being my usual quick-witted (gobshite) self at basic.

"I think you'll find that's called a 'deckhead' and not a ceiling, Mr Kearns."

"With all due respect, sir, you're a deckhead."

ROFL!!!! You didn't!... Oh forget it - of course you did.

V.

Gen dit, no shit. 12 clips on. The Safeguard rule is in force. This is no shit... XD

That shows you what people can live through. Humans are tougher than anyone wants to admit these days. I enjoy reading these accounts since I’ve not experienced anything like it in my lifetime.

people are very resilient... sometimes, however, it must be demonstrated to them...

V.

Talk about a flashback to Army Basic Training. We had a fair number of guys wigged out in Basic. I remember hitting the pool too. Standing on the edge of the pool then a Drill Sargent may or may not shove your ass in as they walked behind you. I had my Scuba diving cert so I took it in stride.

You learn how much your body can do that you didn't think it could.

And that is a fact...

V.

I still have my Blue Jackets Manual on my bookshelf. been nearly three decades since the last time I read it

and it's still a good book...

V.

United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps

Petty Officer Second Class, Groton Division

US Naval Submarine Base, Groton/New London

1985-1988

Thank you for your service...

V.

Sea Cadet Corps

I never served active duty. it's like explorer corps, but for the navy. 11-18 year olds get to see and live the navy life two weekends a month, and two weeks in summer. no pay. but it's one of the reasons I'm as screwed in the head as I am XD

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite.....ea_Cadet_Corps
www.seacadets.org

*chuckles...

V.

*smiles so big... somehow I just can't see you as a missile dog...

I had to work with a retired Colonel whose entire career in the Air Force was auditing missile sites... I shall not spew forth with my thoughts of this fellow...

V.

I was all set to go into the Navy to avoid the draft during Viet Nam. Just before I turned 18, Nixon did away with the draft. They pulled the numbers anyway and mine would have been #40. I would have been a ground pounder in a rice paddy. Anyway, my uncle and father were both old timers in the Navy. My dad did 17 years and my uncle did something north of 20. My dad was in the Seabees and my uncle was a diver. They were friends in the Navy but weren't related. They ended up marrying sisters and became in-laws. I have tons of their stories. I'm surprised my dad survived long enough to sire me.

Hang onto those stories Keefur - they are precious...

V.

You mean like the one where my Dad and uncle were in the Navy and lost a $300,000+ car?

yes yes yes... how wonderful could that have been?

V.

I'll write the story down for you some time.

Write it for everyone!!!

V.

Its always interesting looking back on the rougher times and how they've shaped us... Good thing that drill sergeant hadn't listened when your story was told over the radio..


I might hunt down a copy of the Bluejacket's Manual at some point in the future (and maybe the Manual of Seamanship for Boys and Seamen of the Royal Navy as well). might been an interesting read. I do have a blue book in my personal library though, The Complete Book Of Fighters, its thick enough to count as a makeshift cudgel.

I do believe I have a similar book somewhere in my meager collection.

*smiles...

and trust me, the older you get the more you look back...

V.

You aren't wrong, I started looking back as early as my mid-teens funnily enough, still very much do.

I'm always impressed by the personal recollections and bits of history that your stories like this provoke from your readers. This tale is no exception. Well done.

*hugs...

thank you...

V.

I still have my Dad's circa 1940. Two words: Marlinspike Seamanship

exactly... and the book didn't change that much when I went in - 1970.

Vix