#198—The Weight We Carry

F-18 Launches off USS Ronald Reagan

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Thanks to those who commented on my last blog post, “What the Hell Did I Get Myself Into?” A few insights: I like to write. Am I a good writer? I don’t know … Like… Read more#198—The Weight We Carry

#197—What the Hell Did I Get Myself Into?

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) “I don’t know what I’ve been told …163 got a ‘hole lotta soul.Sound off … 1, 2.Sound off … 3, 4.Bring it on down now.1,2,3,4, 1,2Let’s go!” Ahh, the cadence of Company #163 marching from… Read more#197—What the Hell Did I Get Myself Into?

#182—Christmas Edition (2024)

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) I don’t know about ya’ll, but at this time of year, two things always cause me to put my life in perspective. One is the Christmas season—a time for joy, a time for family &… Read more#182—Christmas Edition (2024)

#167—The Navy Introduced Me to a Lot of “Firsts”

A-7 Corsair Ready for Launch

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Boot Camp What can I say that others haven’t said about “Boot Camp?” I joined the Navy at the tender young age of 18 and attended a “truncated” 6-week boot camp at Orlando RTC (Recruit… Read more#167—The Navy Introduced Me to a Lot of “Firsts”

#161—The “Pucker Factor”

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) According to Professor Google, the term, “Pucker Factor,” originated somewhere, sometime in the 60s. I never knew the term during my early elementary and junior high school years, though there were times when it would… Read more#161—The “Pucker Factor”

#153—The “Dream Sheet”

USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 underway Western Pacific 29 November 1970

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Your airman will make requests for their first duty station selection while at Basic Military Training (BMT). They will fill out a form, known as a “dream sheet,” to list their assignment preferences. They will… Read more#153—The “Dream Sheet”

#143—Flight Ops… Around the Clock

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) We weren’t at war… The “official” end of the Vietnam War was April 30, 1975. I’d reported aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), just thirty days prior. She was moored at North Island,… Read more#143—Flight Ops… Around the Clock

#133—A Veteran’s Christmas

First of all, Merry Christmas to all from Gainesville, Florida. If you don’t know where that is, it’s about 1½ hours from each coast, an hour south of Georgia, and two hours north of Orlando. Right smack dab in the… Read more#133—A Veteran’s Christmas

#132—The Navy That Stayed with Me Through the Years

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) My Navy “career” was a short four years. Actually, it was 3 Years, 11 Months, & 29 Days, But Who’s Counting? It may have been short, but during those formidable years, 1973-77, I learned a… Read more#132—The Navy That Stayed with Me Through the Years

#131—Japan Air Lines 747: Engine Out

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Naval Air Station, Agana, Guam – 1974 Oohhhh, baby. That’s it. “Ooh-Ga!” A little lower. “Ah-Ooh-Ga!” Don’t stop… “AHHH-OOOH-GAAA!” “Chet. Chet. Wake up, Chet.” “What the hell, Borne? I’m in the middle of a dream.”… Read more#131—Japan Air Lines 747: Engine Out