After my vacation and returning aboard ship, I was ready to assume my new position and start life back up! Things were busy as things 'ramped up.' The days were filled with the creation of policies and procedure, 'choosing' the staff, setting schedules, both for the students and the 'instructors.' As I grew 'shorter' my life became busier and filled my days and nights! Life was good!
The vacation and the trip home quickly became a memory as time was filled with 'new' responsibilities and demands. Along with all the 'worries' that came with the job, I also had the added 'pressure' of my upcoming date of [permanent] departure, sure I was getting out and returning to civilian life. All the while the reasons why I should extend continued, but I remained resolved that I was 'getting out.'
There was although one other 'concern' that plagued me ~ between me and 'freedom' there was another 'trip' to sea looming on the horizon for me. Right after the stay in the shipyard for 'refurb' came the period of workups. Having been through workups before, it was not something I was looking forward to, or wanted to be a part of! Another 'trip' to see and the workups just did not 'fit' into my plans nor desires, some way I had to get out of it. Getting out early wasn't an option so it seemed the 'trip' was my destiny and in my future.
Not one to be quiet though, and fortunately having some friends that even though they were senior officers, I could talk to them openly and honestly. So I made my 'concerns' known to them. A good thing too! So one officer, Lt. Breland, indicated that there was the potential for me to catch a temporary assignment 'shore side' and thus avoid the trip to sea and work ups. To say the least, I was 'all in' and began investigating ways to make this potential a reality!
Now Lt. Breland was one of my 'biggest fans,' but he was also the main person 'behind' the plan to get me to extend on board for a year and be the system administrator. After all, it was his 'project' for the time and he was ultimately responsible for the success of the new system The fact he was willing to impart this information to me was in some ways surprising, but the fact he did caused me to admire him more for it. As much as he wanted me to stay, he also became one of the person's the most behind me to see my realize my dreams and goals of not going to sea again.
The final decision maker though was my boss, Commander Loy, also fortunately a good friend. Though there were specific regulations regarding fraternization between enlisted and commissioned officers, these were essentially ignored and were careful to not 'step over any lines' for it to become an issue! After several months and working closely together, Commander Loy and myself, had become pretty close friends, even going out drinking a time or two. So I wasn't 'too worried' about him accepting and approving the temporary assignment ashore, there was always the possibility!
The Indoctrination Division is a part of the Executive Department, which I had been assigned to for my entire time on board ship, almost four years. As the Department Head, Commander Loy was my 'big boss.' On the schedule while the ship was in the shipyard for rehab was the refurbishing of the Executive Department berthing and head. So being an administrative department and the fact that many people were otherwise distracted - vacations, schooling and such, there were not a great many people to oversee and supervise the project. Seeing my chance, I 'jumped' on it, but not without a wager!
The wager being, I would oversee and manage the refurbishing of the spaces, in exchange for the completion of the job, as required, I would get orders for temporary orders ashore [to Houston] thus avoiding 'workups' and another trip to sea! Even though the stringent requirements were made known to me, I still made the wager and it was accepted. It was, to say the least the source of a joke during the course of the project and my remainder of time aboard ship. Determined not to 'miss out' on this deal, I did all I could and all that was necessary to complete the job and collect on my wager. Almost daily, Commander Loy, was 'by' to check with me on the status of the project. Almost always with good natured goading of the 'impossibility' of completion of the task, and my loss of the wager. The loss of the wage would mean my staying aboard ship for another trip to sea and the 'enjoyment' of work ups! Determined not to lose the wager, I 'pulled' every trick and favor owed to me to ensure its 'success.'
It all did not occur without some stress and worry though! The biggest actually coming the night before my target date to ensure the wager was done! On this night, one task remained to be completed - having the head painted and labeled according to policy. The whole day, I had been 'sweating' how I was going to accomplish this. In the end, I did though and all for the price of a case of beer!
Realizing things were at the 11th hour and 'failure' loomed before me, I 'stressed' in trying to come up with a solution to the problem. A trip to the compartments with Commander Loy that day did not do much for my spirits as I was assured I was apt to 'fail' and lose the wager! Not to be dissuaded, I thought until I came up with what I hoped would be the solution! What I needed was someone with an air sprayer and in the Navy, that equated to a Boatswain mate!
The 'I' Division staff was comprised of essentially one person from each department on the ship, so I 'had' a boatswain mate - on 'my' staff! Problem was, it was his night off and he was all ready home and doing no telling what at 9 o'clock at night. If nothing else, maybe he could 'hook me up with another boatswain's mate who was on board ship that night. So I called and 'pleaded' my case and my need for him to come in and see to this final step of the task for me. After several moments of hearing my 'pleas,' he consented to see that it was done in the time needed, but for a price! Well of course naturally, I did not expect if for free! So as I fretted on the price this was going to cost me, we bartered back and forth for a few. In the end, agreeing on a case of beer! To say the least, I was shocked, I was figuring, and willing to pay at least $100 to see it done! A case of beer? Gladly, no problem, a done deal!
Though sweating it, I 'gave in' to the words and assurance of Petty Officer Reavis, that would be done as needed, and called it a night and went to my slumber. Upon awakening the next morning though, like a kid on Christmas morning, I flew from my rack and went to see - fully expecting to find the job 'undone.' You might imagine my surprise and joy when I entered to see the most wonderful 'Christmas gift' I have ever received! A fresh coat of paint complete with all the required labeling on the fixtures and pipes! Now, as then, I am not sure which gleamed brighter, the new coat of paint or my smile!
With one final walk through to inspect everything, I made my way to the shower and to start the day. Today which was to begin with a visit at 0800 sharp to Commander Loy's office. His words to me as I stood in his officer were 'is it done?' With pride, and to his seeming amazement, I stated it was and that I would be awaiting his inspection. He indicated that he would be to the space shortly and I departed his office to make my way there and stand by for his inspection.
Awaiting his arrival, I made my way through the space one more time for my final inspection, looking for anything that might be pointed out to me and cause me to 'fail' the inspection. There was none that I could find.
When Commander Loy entered the space, with all formality and respect 'expected' of a senior officer, I snapped to attention and stated that I was standing by for his inspection! After acknowledging my presence and statement, I began escorting him through the space pointing out the things that needed to be there! Though the mood was 'playful' with joking of my 'imminent' failure, I awaited him to point out any one thing which would indicate 'failure' I still maintained all the formality the situation dictated, trying to appear confident and assured all things would 'pass' his inspection. We finished the inspection and the 'moment' never came! The space passed! And I won the wager! As he turned to go, he told me of when to be in his office to pickup my orders for the temporary duty that guaranteed I would not be going to sea again, or enduring workups!
Still with a couple of days before my departure, I moved through the task of 'shutting down' 'I' Division, and collecting and packing my things in anticipation of my departure to go ashore, a little shorter, I would be completing my time as a shore sailor!
The Indoctrination Division is a part of the Executive Department, which I had been assigned to for my entire time on board ship, almost four years. As the Department Head, Commander Loy was my 'big boss.' On the schedule while the ship was in the shipyard for rehab was the refurbishing of the Executive Department berthing and head. So being an administrative department and the fact that many people were otherwise distracted - vacations, schooling and such, there were not a great many people to oversee and supervise the project. Seeing my chance, I 'jumped' on it, but not without a wager!
The wager being, I would oversee and manage the refurbishing of the spaces, in exchange for the completion of the job, as required, I would get orders for temporary orders ashore [to Houston] thus avoiding 'workups' and another trip to sea! Even though the stringent requirements were made known to me, I still made the wager and it was accepted. It was, to say the least the source of a joke during the course of the project and my remainder of time aboard ship. Determined not to 'miss out' on this deal, I did all I could and all that was necessary to complete the job and collect on my wager. Almost daily, Commander Loy, was 'by' to check with me on the status of the project. Almost always with good natured goading of the 'impossibility' of completion of the task, and my loss of the wager. The loss of the wage would mean my staying aboard ship for another trip to sea and the 'enjoyment' of work ups! Determined not to lose the wager, I 'pulled' every trick and favor owed to me to ensure its 'success.'
It all did not occur without some stress and worry though! The biggest actually coming the night before my target date to ensure the wager was done! On this night, one task remained to be completed - having the head painted and labeled according to policy. The whole day, I had been 'sweating' how I was going to accomplish this. In the end, I did though and all for the price of a case of beer!
Realizing things were at the 11th hour and 'failure' loomed before me, I 'stressed' in trying to come up with a solution to the problem. A trip to the compartments with Commander Loy that day did not do much for my spirits as I was assured I was apt to 'fail' and lose the wager! Not to be dissuaded, I thought until I came up with what I hoped would be the solution! What I needed was someone with an air sprayer and in the Navy, that equated to a Boatswain mate!
The 'I' Division staff was comprised of essentially one person from each department on the ship, so I 'had' a boatswain mate - on 'my' staff! Problem was, it was his night off and he was all ready home and doing no telling what at 9 o'clock at night. If nothing else, maybe he could 'hook me up with another boatswain's mate who was on board ship that night. So I called and 'pleaded' my case and my need for him to come in and see to this final step of the task for me. After several moments of hearing my 'pleas,' he consented to see that it was done in the time needed, but for a price! Well of course naturally, I did not expect if for free! So as I fretted on the price this was going to cost me, we bartered back and forth for a few. In the end, agreeing on a case of beer! To say the least, I was shocked, I was figuring, and willing to pay at least $100 to see it done! A case of beer? Gladly, no problem, a done deal!
Though sweating it, I 'gave in' to the words and assurance of Petty Officer Reavis, that would be done as needed, and called it a night and went to my slumber. Upon awakening the next morning though, like a kid on Christmas morning, I flew from my rack and went to see - fully expecting to find the job 'undone.' You might imagine my surprise and joy when I entered to see the most wonderful 'Christmas gift' I have ever received! A fresh coat of paint complete with all the required labeling on the fixtures and pipes! Now, as then, I am not sure which gleamed brighter, the new coat of paint or my smile!
With one final walk through to inspect everything, I made my way to the shower and to start the day. Today which was to begin with a visit at 0800 sharp to Commander Loy's office. His words to me as I stood in his officer were 'is it done?' With pride, and to his seeming amazement, I stated it was and that I would be awaiting his inspection. He indicated that he would be to the space shortly and I departed his office to make my way there and stand by for his inspection.
Awaiting his arrival, I made my way through the space one more time for my final inspection, looking for anything that might be pointed out to me and cause me to 'fail' the inspection. There was none that I could find.
When Commander Loy entered the space, with all formality and respect 'expected' of a senior officer, I snapped to attention and stated that I was standing by for his inspection! After acknowledging my presence and statement, I began escorting him through the space pointing out the things that needed to be there! Though the mood was 'playful' with joking of my 'imminent' failure, I awaited him to point out any one thing which would indicate 'failure' I still maintained all the formality the situation dictated, trying to appear confident and assured all things would 'pass' his inspection. We finished the inspection and the 'moment' never came! The space passed! And I won the wager! As he turned to go, he told me of when to be in his office to pickup my orders for the temporary duty that guaranteed I would not be going to sea again, or enduring workups!
Still with a couple of days before my departure, I moved through the task of 'shutting down' 'I' Division, and collecting and packing my things in anticipation of my departure to go ashore, a little shorter, I would be completing my time as a shore sailor!
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