photo #2151408

With all due respect to the other military services, when I was in the Navy for most of the 70's, it was entirely different from the rest. You get orders to a ship. You report, and check in. You're assigned berthing, and work center. You're immediately scheduled for indoctrination, where you learn the damage control, firefighting, general quarters, and nuclear, biological, and chemical response protocols. You're assigned a General Quarters station. You check in with disbursing, medical, and personnel. During this time period, you begin to get a "feel" from the crew. After getting introduced to your division, you begin to get to know people. The "Plan of The Day" came out at quarters every morning, stipulating uniform type, work schedule, and pertinent news. Drills to prepare for any contingency could/would/did occur at any time 24/7. If all stations weren't reported manned and ready fast enough, it happened again. Over and over. In port, or at sea. Ethnicity didn't matter. Backgrounds didn't matter. You had a job, you did it. Should it be required, yes, a man-to-man transfusion could happen, that's why our blood types were on our dog tags. We lived, worked, and functioned as a team. We didn't have the luxury of going AWOL in the middle of the Atlantic. We faced our situations, and learned how to properly communicate. Literally, there was no place to run. We shared heartaches with our shipmates after finding out about a "Dear John" letter. We celebrated good news when it was received from home. We became a finely honed machine, ready to give anything required for our shipmates and our families back home to remain safe. Narcissism was no where to be found. Good natured ribbing and picking was fine, and fighting rarely happened. Honesty was the ONLY policy. Liars, thieves, and malcontents represented most "man overboard" figures. You were secure in your job, and knew it well. They made sure. Maybe it IS time for mandatory military service. Boot camp at a minimum. Equity and equality. The road we're on isn't working. Don't thank me for my service, I'd rather you show me it mattered. So would those who gave their all, those who have served, and those currently serving. Branch irrespective. They're my brothers and sisters, too.