Wednesday, March 11, 2009

I always wished I packed the gear to be a Naval Aviator

Unfortunately for me, I had a number of things going against me. First of which was a flaw in my eyesight (Far Sighted with astigmatism). I have thick glasses like the stereotypical egg head of the forties. I mean thick, magnifying glasses which pretty much disqualify me for anything.

A girlfriend from 20 years ago, said I looked "smart".

The other problem was a real case of the Can't-pay-attention-for-long-periods for anything educational. I'm still afflicted.

So with that, I became a search and rescue swimmer who looked for submarines. I was good at neither, but I had a good time of it.

The long winded point of all this is a link to "Tailspin's Tales", who gives us a look at a letter written to one of those fortunate fellers who is given a billet at both The Air Force Academy and Annapolis.

We used to say in 1984, Soldiers and Air Force personnel go on Pass or Leave. Sailors and Marines go on Liberty. You ain't partied until you go on Liberty with a Sailor or Marine.

Chicks' used to dig that. We partied a little too hard back in those days...

The author of that letter mentions this, "The hottest girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore."

Never made it to Singapore. But I have seen all that in Cannes, France.

2 comments:

Buck said...

I read that letter a year or so back... didn't Lex post it as well? But this bit is pure BS:

Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events.

We didn't/don't go to sea, true. But I did my one year remote tours (twice) and frequent TDYs as a radar installer and missed nearly as many "family events" as any Navy guy. And I'm sure SN1 would debate this point, as well. It's just an "apples and oranges" thing.

I've been to Singapore and you didn't miss a whole lot (IMHO), although it WAS cool to sit at Raffles' Long Bar for an evening. That was Numero Uno on MY list and I got satisfyingly (and expensively) drunk. I don't think I've ever had a better drinking experience where women weren't involved (I was on a biz trip; TSMP was back in Michigan)... ever. That place just oozes Brit Empire history, tradition, etc. Even back in the '90s, long after Singapore became its own nation.

Barco Sin Vela II said...

Hey Buck,
I always thought that I was home more than the Air Force types. Thiose folks get stationed somewhere over seas and then deploy for six months.

By the way, I was home for every christmas in my 21 years.

Thanks for writing.