What are your stories? Officers, that means you too.

One of my all time favorite memories.

I was a 2Lt in Germany. When I reported in the Battery Commander told me that I was assigned as the Recognizance and Survey Officer, but not to worry about that there was a good NCO covering that section. He wanted me to make a home in the motor pool and get that squared away.

I’m a farm boy from Central Texas… I am in hog heaven. I am working in the maintenance shop, even put on coveralls and turned wrenches occasionally.

One day a runner comes down and tells me that I am to report to the Battalion Commander. I am anxious, what have I done…

I report to the colonel and am standing at parade rest in front of his desk. He starts into a tirade about me being seen in the motor pool in coveralls, having grease on my hands… I am scared to death. He gets up from his desk and comes around, pulling his pocket knife out of his pocket. He cut my 2Lt bar off my uniform. I am completely lost… what just happened?

About that the adjutant called the room to attention and read my promotion orders to 1Lt. While the colonel is giving me a hard time all of the other battalion officers had entered the room and were standing in the back.

Undoubtedly the most memorial promotion I’ve ever experienced. Thank you Sir.

Before I transitioned over to the Army...I remember sweeping up water puddles on the weather decks of the ship...before pulling in port. All the while, it was raining.

I did have to Brasso the entire engine room once as a Mid.