Think the Navy is tough. Think again.
I’m proposing a new recruiting poster for the type of sailor the new Navy is attracting.
It’s a new Navy, everybody knows that. Today’s wars are no longer fought with two battleships, side-by-side, taking blows at each other with sailors swinging from the masts and fighting with swords. That’s for Hollywood movies and historical archives. Today’s wars are high-tech and most sailors are trained like technicians and don’t even know the difference between rope and line.
Consider the following brief article and feel free to comment below with your thoughts on “The New Navy”.
Dying Traditions
Let’s look at Navy traditions for a moment, those are either gone or fading away, too. Navy Shellback Initiation (Wog day) is basically a joke. The scariest thing about my last wog day was the jollyroger flying next to the Union Jack, lol. It was also the toughest thing about the day. Wog day used to be a way for sailors to prove themselves while out to sea. This is a tradition that is dying in our generation.
But what about those traditions that died a long time ago. How many people know what a lubber’s hole is? Or why it’s called that? Experienced sailors would go up the Jacobs ladder to get to the crow’s nest instead of using the ladder on the mast and climbing through the hole in the bottom of the crow’s nest. This hole was called the lubber’s hole and was reserved for land lubbers and inexperienced sailors.
Some Traditions Belong in the History Books
How about flogging? The Navy’s History site has an interesting page on flogging in the Navy. I don’t know about you but I know a couple of sailors who could probably benefit from a good flogging.
Only kidding.
Sort of.
November 6th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Just wanted to comment on the articel about the caveman. First, let me say that I was upset when I saw the poster; not because of what it said, but because of the reference to the warfare device and combat action ribbon that the caveman is wearing. Why not put an ESWS on there or another device representative of the ship! Because of this, I think that the author of this article is not or was not a greenside corpsman. In today’s Navy, sailors are not just on ships but on the front lines with the Marines as well. We suffer tireless hours with work ups and deplyments, caring for our Marines, putting our lives on the line for others; while others sit on ships deploying missles from 10 miles away and rate the combat action ribbon. I understand that we all have our part in the fight on Terrorism, but give respect where respect is due. If you look at the total number of sailors who have died in the fight for worldwide peace, you will see that the overwhelming majority of them where corpsman serving with the Marine Corps. I agree that bootcamp needs to have a major facelift, but not at the expense my fellow greenside corpsman. Thank you.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
HM3,
I appreciate your comment and assure you that no disrespect is intended or should be inferred from the post. I’m sure if you bothered to look that closely at the warfare device you certainly took the time to read the article. I am a shipboard sailor and have to say that the corpsman on my boat don’t seem to care too much about their job. It’s not necessarily their fault, the red tape involved with getting anything major done is enough to frustrate them to the point where they just stop caring and their “shipmates” become numbers to them.
But all of that is neither here nor there, the article is about the Navy in general, not the corpsman rate. Why would you assume that the caveman is a corpsman? You know as well as I do that HM is not the only rate that can get that pin. Are corpsman the only ones risking their lives? Have you ever even been to a boat? Why do you think that the Navy is the only branch of service where a service member can get awarded the medal of honor outside of an actual conflict.
I understand Iraq and the GWOT in general are sensitive subjects but I’m a shipboard sailor and this is a shipboard blog. The article doesn’t even mention bootcamp. It talks about shipboard traditions like shellback initiation that have gone soft and even mentions flogging, which has completely gone away.
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:35 am
That poster you’ve so cleverly made up is completely disrespectful. I can’t understand why a sailor would make something so foolish up when civilians are doing the very same. Do you not feel like a part of something important? Do you really think it’s ok to put down the very branch of service you’re in?
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:57 am
Of course I feel like I’m a part of something important but that doesn’t mean that it’s without flaws. Yeah, the poster is cute and all of that but just like the previous commentor, I have to ask, did you actually read the article?
I’m in a branch of service where laziness is rewarded with time off and hard work is rewarded with harder work. Why? Because people know that they can’t get fired.
Traditions have gone away, too. Shellback initiation is a joke and the “kindler, gentler Navy” has taken over.
Of course I feel it’s ok to put down the Navy, why else would I do it? There are good things about the Navy but there are some things that are really wrong, as well. Me, I call a spade a spade, and if you’re a lazy p.o.s., I’ll call you that, too. Nothing would ever get fixed if people just sat by quietly.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Hey,
I’ve got one question for the smart ass that posted the poster with the caveman. Yes, the U.S. doesn’t fight wars in which ship go side by side and blast the hell out of each other, true, but who gives out most of the intelligence that is so desperate for the Army and Marines, THE NAVY!!!! Who flies planes almost 24/7 over in Iraq, with help from the Air Force, THE NAVY!!! You have a lot of balls stating that, I’ll give you that, but until you actually know what the Navy does, beside blasting the hell out of another ship, SHUT UP!!! As a future Navy recruit, I have learned of all the jobs, that are needed in this high tech combat style that the Marines, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard neglect to do. Hey why don’t you shoot of your mouth to some of the elite Navy personal, like the Navy SEALS or EODs, Explosive Ordnance Disposal or the SWCCs or Navy Divers. The Navy protects your freedom to say such an asinine comment. And another thing, what if we were to go to war with a country that did have a navy, just because those bastards over in the Middle East do not have a navy doesn’t mean a future enemy won’t. I am disgusted with that picture and invite you to put yourself in the shoes of a Sailor. Your life is still on the line and at home you’ve got an huge disappointment of a person posting a caveman in the ever “sacred” uniform you wear. Show this to a survivor or even a family member of one of the sailors killed on the U.S.S. Cole, see there reaction. ABSOLUTLY DISGUSTING!!!!!
December 7th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Laughing my ass off here:
a recruit just told off a first class. Oh wait, a future recruit. OMG that’s funny!
Uhh, who said that they don’t have a Navy. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/navy.htm. It’s a shitty Navy but still a Navy.
I don’t ever delete comments, except for porn and pill spam but yours was almost made an exception. Let me guess, you are in high school still?
I’m not going to comment on Matthew Malvitz’s comment any further.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Funny to insult someone who has always had a heart for the Navy. I don’t care if I told off a first-class, shows I’ve got balls, but I agree to disagree on the issue at hand. See the things is that your comments come at a bad time, WE ARE AT WAR, and I know that you are fully aware. The reason I visited the site was some smart-ass liberal posted your image on my locker, knowing that I plan to join the Navy and made sure that the entire highschool saw it. It hurt, he also preceded to post a picture of the Republican elephant with nazi and communist pictures all over it. Why, because he knows that the Navy is something I’ve dreamed of since I could understand the word career. So i was a extremely frustrated to see it was an actual website. Now for the qoutes above, when I said “…but until you actually know what the Navy does…..As a future Navy recruit…”, I was making a refrence to my uncle, who has devoted his life, since before I was born, and he has told me so much about the Navy. Not braging and saying that the Navy is the best, but telling me about his life in the Navy. And what you say and he says don’t match. He isn’t all Navy, he tried to presuade me once to joinn the Air Force. And as far as the other quote, “just because those bastards over in the Middle East do not have a navy”, was ment as a shitty Navy. I know of there little pissant Navy. Mabye the Navy isn’t tough, but really why should your career be tough? I’d rather have a challenging career. As far as disicpline and that sort of thing, you got me, I don’t know a damn thing about that. You can make fun of me all you want on your little website, fine by me, doesn’t hurt me a bit, but I’m sure a lot of [eople are upset at you, again I invite you to consider the families of the Cole attack.
December 12th, 2007 at 7:58 am
Nice to see you back, you do have balls to post pratically anonomously on a website. Maybe you should’ve invited your uncle to post since he, unlike you, may know what he’s talking about.
I never said the Navy wasn’t tough or challenging, I just said it wasn’t as hard as some people make it out to be. If you were ACTUALLY ever in the Navy, you’d understand that. I never mentioned the Cole and I’d appreciate it if you stop trying to speak for the families of that fine warship, you don’t understand anything right now. You are still in high school and got pissed because some kids made fun of you.
You know, come to think of it, this post IS FOR YOU. If you can’t handle a few “free speech” pictures on your locker, how the hell are you going to handle it when you get to your first ship and experience the good natured jokes that every booter experiences.
Mark, you need to lighten up and realize it’s not that serious or you are going to have a very tough time once you finally do join. It is very refreshing to see someone your age with so much pride but just a bit of advice, be careful with that and “Don’t try to describe the ocean if you’ve never seen it, don’t ever forget that you just may wind up being wrong”.
December 21st, 2007 at 5:32 am
OMFG I was laughing my ass off at that poster. I’d love to send a copy of to some my buddies, they have a few slackers in their divisions that look (and act) just like that.
Thats sub force humor there! lol
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 am
I think some of the folks who chimed in above need to get thier sarcasm and humor detectors recalibrated! I’m sensing some seriously OOC readings here!
For what it’s worth, I thought your poster was hilarious. I hope you don’t mind, but
I ganked your image, and put it into one of our divisional GMT training lectures.
Three out of four squids agree, your poster is full of WIN.
MM2 Kerwin, Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
“Mark, you need to lighten up and realize it’s not that serious”
Are you saying that all of this is just a joke? If so, it is a pretty sick joke. I don’t mind when people talk about how much better one branch of the military may be to another branch, but when you downright make fun of a branch, that is unacceptable in my opinion. I understand that their may be some things you don’t like about the Navy, that you think need to be changed. But nothing is perfect and nothing ever will be. I’m sorry the Navy doesn’t flog people anymore, or senselessly put our servicemen’s lives in danger by pulling up next to the enemy ships and blasting at eachother. Instead, we use our technology to win the war AND save lives.
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Yeah, it’s just a joke and of course I don’t think people should be flogged and I’m in a very technical rate in the Navy. I appreciate our technology and how advanced we are compared to other Navies of the world.
However, most of the people in the Navy are LAZY! They are a product of the new navy that is mentioned above.
As for making fun of a branch being “unacceptable” well, I think you need to find a different site to visit.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
LOL The only people who laugh when the see this are people who have acctualy been out on a deployment or in the shipyards or work ups! Its the funniest thing ever all these people taking offense to it, its not disrespectful its true, I joined the Navy looking forward to those experiances which I will now never get thanks to all the city slicker whimps who cant take alittle beatting in the name of good ol fashiond fun!! HOO YAH MIKE!!! lol keep up the good work!
February 6th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I have to say, at first site of that poster I was a bit offended. I am consistantly growing more and more agitated by the overall lack of support and pride toward our nations fighting forces. It should not matter whether or not you agree with those who have control over the armed forces actions or orders. Support should be given for those who are willing to sacrifice the ultimate price for thier country.
Then I read the article. I have to agree with you. Everything I considered to be the most memorable parts of my time in service is being taken away or can be punishable for disobeying an order. What we used to hold dear and used to separate the weak from the strong, or the capable from the incapable, is no longer there. I believe if the Navy was intended to be “kindler and gentler” our mothers would be issued with our seabags. At the time I enlisted I expected to have the crap beat out of me. I wanted the general military experience at the fullest. After all, that is what the Navy is, a military branch. A fighting force that protects and defends freedom and democracy around the world… for those who complain that this service is better catoring to the weak instead of weeding them out… God help us!
February 20th, 2008 at 6:21 am
Hey Mike… or rather PO1,
Well I wanted to give you kudos on your article and your poster. I thought it was hilarious. I’m not an ol’ salty dog but I have have been around the world twice and and been to several deployments. I’m a shellback (twice over) and I full heartedly know what you you’re talking about. Now I have to comment on these other comments. Ok first off. The poster is true. I don’t care who you are or what you do with the exception of maybe spec ops it is a lazy navy.
I’m a Dirt Sailor AKA green side corpsman HM3 (FMF) who’s dad was a Surface Warfare BMC and I’m about to enter the DIVE community. I was raised on all sorts of stories from my Dad about the “good ol’ Navy ” and for Matthew over there, unless you were around The Navy growing up, all they are is stories. We’re not the coolest, or the meanest, or the most high speed of them all. None of them are. If you think that the Marines are cool, then you’ve obviously never been with a marine unit. We’re not all like John Cena or Trained to be Snipers LOL. The Air Force or should I say Chair Force has it’s downs too (like the lacking the whole military thing). I mean every branch is unique. They’re a life style but they shouldn’t be your life. I don’t want people to misunderstand what I’m saying, I love my job and I love my Marines. I don’t LOVE the Navy. I have other ambitions and other dreams. The Navy is not the end of the road for me, for some it is.
If any of you get offended by this then you’re retarted.. I mean with all the other issues going on today THIS is what upset you? Someone’s attempt to bring humor to the table is what upset you?
People are so quick to jump to conclusions but they don’t take the time to analyze the situation. They don’t interpret or read. That’s why we have so many people in the Navy that don’t respect anything and are all so willing to talk back and question orders.
“Laughing my ass off here:
“…but until you actually know what the Navy does…..As a future Navy recruit…”
a recruit just told off a first class. Oh wait, a future recruit. OMG that’s funny!”
My Cousin and I, Also an HM3 (FMF) laughed our asses of at that
February 20th, 2008 at 6:22 am
“You’ll never be infantry”…..LOL
March 4th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
this kinder softer bitch ass navy is gettin on my last nerve, the pieces of shit that are gettin pushed out of boot now are gettin mouthier and mouthier. and that is unsat. cause as mouthy as they are they are pussies as well that dont respect rank or the chain of command, the navy isnt what it use to be.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:33 am
I think that this picture is hilarious. I will soon be on greenside after fmf and im not offended at the fmf pin.
as for E03 i wouldnt label the new recruits pussies without respect for rank or chain of command. Thats kinda ignorant. and as for Matthew S Malvitz. Being a sailor is diffrent from being a deper. These guys have cruised the oceans while you read about naval history and the diffrent classes of ships in a book. I mean really a soon to be recruit? Dont disrespect a first class you can learn alot from them
-corpsman up
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
this is SSSSOOOOOOOOO true the navy is made of MOSTLY (not all!!) lazy ass kids that had nowhere to go or couldnt cut it in school or were to lazy to try!!! However there are those that use it as a stepping stone or are really commited and take pride in themselves and their job!!! GOOD WORK!!!
“…but until you actually know what the Navy does…..As a future Navy recruit…”
“…….I don’t care if I told off a first-class, shows I’ve got balls….”
This dude is an ass hole hahahahha how do you tell the baker to make bread when you deliver news papers??? its not balls its disrespect idiot and the only reason you say any of this tough guy stuff is because your ass is hiding behind your computer not standing in front of anyone!!!!!! If your ass said any of this to me or even anyone who works for me as an SR, SA, or SN your ass would be grass!!!!!!! lose the chip on your shoulder or the navy will be hell for you!!!!
March 24th, 2008 at 12:36 am
honestly i really think that the poster is a little disrespectful. i know everyone has thier own opinions, but i also believe that some opinions should be kept to yourself. i have been in my DEP pool for nine months waiting for my corpsman posistion, and from seeing the poster and reading some of the comments i asked myslef..is it even worth it now?
everyday people ask me what the hell are u thinking, don’t go into the navy, thats dumb. the people in this country dont even support or respect thier men and women in the armed forces, but how are they supposed to if the Navy’s own sailors dont even believe????
March 24th, 2008 at 4:44 am
PLAIN AND SIMPLE. GET OUT OF THE NAVY IF YOU THINK IT IS SO DAMN EASY! GO JOIN THE MARINES! I DONT KNOW HOW YOU EVER BECAME A FIRST CLASS WITH AN ATTITUDE LIKE THAT TOWARDS THE NAVY! YOU ARE THE TYPE THAT ONLY STICK AROUND FOR A PAY CHECK. OH, BY THE WAY YOU WOULD NEVER CUT IT IN THE SAND BOX I BET.
March 24th, 2008 at 11:47 am
McDaniel, thanks for your comment but please try two things next time:
1. Focus on the post, not the author and
2. Learn how to use the shift key instead of the caps lock.
I’m not going to comment any further except to say that I have been to the sandbox (twice) and you don’t know one thing about me.
Marissa, I’m going to assume that the Navy isn’t going to be your first job. I never said I don’t believe in the Navy, only that the Navy is easier than our forefathers had it. There are a lot of whiners in the Navy, just like every other job out there and every other branch of service. I’m sure that the other jobs you’ve worked have had it’s share of people who complain over the smallest things, the Navy is the same way.
Re-read the article, re-read the comments, I don’t dis the Navy as a whole, only the traditions that have gone away due to a more politically correct society.
Don’t give up, your service in the Navy will be worth it if you make it worth! It’s up to you to decide if you want to be one of the whiners or one of the do’ers.
March 27th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
First I will comment that I am not sure what it is you do in or for the Navy neither do I care. I will say that the old tradition of shellbacking was to the extreme. There are still plenty of great traditions that most don’t know about or use. You are a senior sailor and should be working with the chiefs and other leaders to motivate your people. There is a lot of winning look at this post and I agree that some things have gotten to soft and we have too many huggers running around wearing crows but a public discrace of the branch is uncalled for. I assure you that as a recruiter most people arn’t smart enough to even get in the Navy and its up to us as first classes to train and mold them. Yeah they took away some good tools but improvise and overcome.
March 29th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Interesting post and interesting comments. I don’t know anything about the blue Navy. I only know about the green side. Today is actually my 4 year mark. I got my FMF pin on a year long deployment to Iraq. I don’t think it was terribly difficult, but it wasn’t given to me. I know what I’ve done in the Navy. I’ve worked for it. And I think I’ve done a good job. I was recently picked up for the Navy’s MECP program. I start nursing school in about 2 months.
I love the Navy, and I love everything that’s it’s done for me. But folks…this is just a picture that was edited with some computer software. The author is just venting about his opinions. Why is everyone so mad? He’s obviously been in a while and has seen things change over time. I don’t know what it was like in the Navy when he joined. I’ve only been for four years. I think it’s really funny that a “potential recruit” chimed in. Not that he doesn’t have the right to on an open blog. I just think it’s really funny that someone who isn’t/wasn’t in the Navy has such harsh comments to someone’s blog.
Folks…it’s just a picture. Relax. Life and the Navy will continue.:)
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I think it is interesting that the majority of the people that have commented here are thirds and below. I did read the article and I would agree with MM1 BUBP comments. I am going on my 7th year in now, been on two deployments and the box, now I’m a recruiter and the way I see it is that first classes like you are part of the problem. Those who you “lead” are following the example you set. So as you are disrespectful, patronizing, and misleading so they will be too. You want a better Navy, You want more respectful people but you choose to complain about it rather than doing something to promote change. Stop promoting the very issues you are complaining about. You’re expected to be a leader. What I will agree with is that it is a funny poster but only for those of us that have been in and can understand it. Yes, Yes I know freedom of speech of course it’s your right however I don’t think your looking at the larger picture. You are posting this on an open page for the public. The public doesn’t need to read your article, all they see is it’s a humorous picture that supports the anti military campaign. I encourage you to get on togetherweserved.com and send that to everyone. Listen to the responses you receive from some of the master chiefs. I will just say personally I hope to never serve with you. If you love the Navy you would help change it as I am trying to do by recruiting the right type of people, not knuckle dragging morons.
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
IC2, Thanks for that comment but I’m afraid you, just like some of the previous commentors, are guilty of commenting on the author and not the post. What change do you want me to lead? Do you want me to reinstate wog day, because that’s what the post was about. Oh, or how about the flogging mentioned, do you want me to bring that back as well.
As for togetherweserved.com, where do you think I got the picture? I didn’t make it myself.
Fact is, you don’t know me at all, you only know this blog. Yes, I am a first class but be assured you joined before I did. I respect what you are doing, trying to recruit the best people possible, it’s what you are suppposed to be doing. I bust my ass on the ship, I have ever since I joined and I’ve been rewarded for it. The sailors who work for me (also ICs) have always looked out for me by taking care of their jobs because I take care of them. Not once, not sometimes but always, no matter what. I could go on and on about leadership and what a real leader is and what it’s like to work for one but it would probably be wasted here because you’ve already made up your mind.
Your comment did offend me a little but hey, it’s a free country, right? And free speech is one of the things that we protect every day.
That’s the larger picture.
ET1(SW/AW)
April 4th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
That poster is the most disrespectful thing I’ve seen this week, and I have been browsing the web a lot lately. First, the Navy has a wide variety of technical fields that require intelligence and dedication. So easy a caveman can do it? Maybe you don’t respect your job or more than that, given that you are a supposed to be a sailor 24/7, your life! I am proud of being part of the world’s finest Navy!
And your post, well, even with all the respect I usually got for a Petty Officer First Class Of The Navy, I am really very dissapointed right know, and . Yes, yesterday’s Navy was tougher than today’s, but today’s Navy is smarter (except for NMCI, sure). As for loosing traditions, this can be experienced in every aspect of society, and in every country of the world. Even though, I have been part of the Navy for 9 months only, and everyday I learn something new about Navy traditions and culture. The Navy is by far, the most culture-rich organization I’ve had the opportunity to work for.
Maybe you would like to be in a battleship port side to starboard side battle, but the mission is being accomplished, the Navy warriors are winning the wars using the intelligence, the information, deterrence and being where it needs to be.
I would like to keep commenting on this one, but I need to go stand watch, that’s something that has not been changed, right?
April 17th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
lol, yeah ive only been in for about 10 months and will agree that the poster is funny. i’ve been disappointed in what i have experienced in the navy so far. it has been nothing from what i expected.
May 7th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I grew up in a Navy family. I spent 10 years on Active Duty with the Navy, half of that floating. I’ve been to the Persian Gulf twice. I’ve crossed the Equator 10 times, plus I’m a Bluenose, a Mossback and a Golden Dragon. Oh yeah, there was that SERE and Jungle Survival School in the PI. I was a darn good sailor, but a service-connected injury regrettably cut my career short.
The Navy HAS gone soft. You can try to dispute reality, but it doesn’t change reality. If you think the Navy today is tough, then you’ve obviously had it too easy, and have never seen REALLY tough.
I got a good chuckle from the DEPer who thought he could tell an E-6 the facts of life. Then I realized that this kid will probably get away with trying that at his first command. If he doesn’t get his sissy b@lls handed to him within the first two weeks, then it’ll be proof that the Navy has gone soft.
Today’s Navy isn’t a cohesive group of warriors, because there’s no warrior mentality. It’s a corporation where everyone has e to be careful not to hurt anyone’s feelings lest they start to cry and pee their pants.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:12 am
Mike,
I was just perusing the web looking for Navy related humor and ran across this.
I have eight years and some change in my Navy. I have served both in the surface fleet via two small boys and green side via a mobile comm unit. I have served both in combat systems as a DS type FC and now in OPS as an IT. I love my Navy and would not choose to be anywhere else. Hell, I just reenlisted for another five years.
I believe that our traditions are important. I personally have been guilty of disrespect as a junior sailor that would have gotten me flogged in an earlier time. I think that “fan room justice” should be allowed. I think that disallowing these practices has weakened good order and discipline in my Navy.
I have worked with people who are either too dumb or too lazy to do a simple task, like taking out the damned garbage. I have seen chiefs walk right by a junior sailor who is unshaven, unclean, unpolished, or simply wearing his jacket unzipped and not say a damned thing. I have seen a sailor who was unkempt before and been scared to say anything to them based on the fact that the sailor in question would refuse to follow an order to unf**k himself.
I am new to the first class mess and have resolved myself to fix, at least on a local level, some of the issues you mention.
As for the poster. We had that thing hanging in my comm shop. The sentiment is simple… We have some rocks out here in the fleet. I hesitate to tell a person that they are moronic if they have a serious problem with someone (Mike) stating his opinion based on the fact that everyone is entitled to an opinion; including the ones who disagree with Mike’s. I think it’s funny. Quit nuking it people! It’s not as if our ET1 here is saying that the Navy sucks, or that EVERYONE in the Navy is a rock. He is saying (I think) that we are shifting too far left of center in this politically correct society. We fear to hurt someone’s feelings by correcting them, or we DO correct them and are ignored. I say bring back tall sailing ships, rum rations, and a cat. Let the master-at-arms pull the cat from the bag a few times and see if we don’t have a change of heart. To my fellow sailors: The Navy is worth the time and energy to do our jobs right. To our future shipmates: Know that the men who have served and who are serving bought YOU the privilege to do the same. Show them some respect and they will undoubtedly do the same. To people who haven’t served in my Navy: Whether or not Dad, or your brother, or your uncle, Grandpa, Frank - the kid down the street, etc. have served has no bearing on this. If one of them came on here and complained about the poster, we would (I would at least) listen respectfully and go on my merry way. You have not, however served. That, in my humble opinion, precludes you from chastising an active duty sailor for playing a joke on (drum roll) HIMSELF!
It is no different then you talking smack about your sibling. You would SURELY be upset if you overheard someone else doing the same.
Okay (putting my soapbox away) now, I am sorry if I wasted your time. One way or another, this to Mike, keep putting silly stuff up to help me pass my time. It is a valuable service!
V/R
IT1 (SW) Jason W. Bond
May 30th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Wow, are you sure you’re not an ET?
Thanks for your comments Jason, they are greatly appreciated. I’ve been a little busy lately with some personal matters but you are right, I need to post more often.
June 9th, 2008 at 4:05 am
Nope, never was an ET. Worked on Link-11 as an FC though on board good ship Spruance.
I do tend to be long winded though.
V/R
IT1 (SW) J.W. Bond
June 12th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I’m going to start this off with stating I am a DEP recruit and I ship for RTC in one week, so I admit, I know very, very little on what goes on in the Navy.
Like others, I was intially offended. But then I read the article and realized that you are an expeirenced sailor and I guess I saw the humour in it.
Mainly, the entire point of my comment is this: I am a horribly lazy teenager [19yrs old]. I was in the lower ten percent of my class throughout highschool. I made it through one semester of college before being suspended for insufficient grades. I think I understand what you are saying about the lazy, whiny pricks. Its irritating. But I am striving hard to better myself. It is not for personal pride. Just betterment. It is an honor for me to be serving my country and I am determined to not be the lazy, smart-ass punk I have been.
Someday I wish to be in the DIVERS program, but as for right now I am signed up for AV.
Godspeed.
June 25th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I served from 1989 to 1993 and remember how things used to be. The picture is FUNNY. Its just a joke. There ARE lazy in the Navy. Just like there are lazy Marines (God forbid), lazy Airman and lazy people in the Army. The military is a microcosm of American society. Which has outstanding people and misfits. I am a Shell Back and I crossed on an aircraft carrier. (USS Independence CV-62). I got my ass beat but it was all in good fun. Hell, the supply officer was a wog and was down on all fours from reveille to taps just like the rest of us. And nobody whined or got hurt. Times have change. Some for the better and some for the worse. But my son, who’s in Nuke school now, grew up on my stories and will do the service proud. Let’s lighten up and do more to support our beloved service.
June 27th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Wow that matthew guy, what a character.
I know im late on commenting this acticle and all but i just wanted to put my 2 cents in.
i ship to bootcamp in 4 days and that poster really puts sand in my vagina.
i want that expert rifleman and pistol shot medal
July 6th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I loved the poster idea.. I was aboard the USS KITTY HAWK.. and WOG day was a joke.. ex.. When My father talks to me about what happen in the WOG days of 1965, he even has pictures to prove how bad WOG day was.. everyone was in their tighty whities in one.. What a trip..
July 6th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
The poster has to be viewed on more than one level. Remember, the humor in the “cave men” ads is partly their belief that “cave men” are a lot more hip and savvy than homo sapiens think they are. Also, though, the whole thing is about not taking ourself so seriously and trying to laugh at the absurdity we see everywhere, including the Navy, though we may love it dearly. I spent 22 years in Intel and if we hadn’t had some dark, off the wall humor, we’d've gone nuts. (Aside: When I started my career in 1980, beards were still allowed, although they had to be trimmed a little closer than poster boy’s!!) You can lighten up and still believe in (and practice) professionalism, military bearing, pride and all those good attributes.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
OS2 - LHA1 Tarrawa 88-92.
Have to agree that the future SR needs to mellloooowww. If he can’t take the caveman he’s in for a world of hurt. Personally, I think the guy looks more like a grunt or an air force pussy but that’s just me.
Good luck fellas. Glad you have the watch these days and not me.
Dave.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
HAHAHA I just found this website but I’ve seen the pic before around at my CMD. I think it’s hilarious!!! And it’s so true nowadays. I’ve been in over 6 yrs and am being medically discharged and let me tell you something…..I can’t wait to get out!!! I almost killed a fireman today for mouthing off to me. I have to agree these recruits coming out of boot camp are so much more cocky and disrespectful than I ever had the balls to be!!!!!! And for Matthew…..if you’re that offended by a simple picture don’t join the Navy!!! Cause as a female in a mostly male rate I never would have survived if I was as big a baby as you’re being about a few simple pics!!! I’ve heard things that would probably make you cry!!!! I’m proud that I’ve served I’m just not proud of what the Navy is becoming. Babying the $hit bags and letting them get away with almost murder is sad and unacceptable!!!! But I’m gonna get off my soap box now.
GM2 Blackburn U.S. Navy MAR2002-JUL2008
July 29th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
LMAO…. My chief MA actually has this picture in his offiice. And I totally agree that 90% of the recruits as booters atleast are a joke. Out on the smoke pit the other day an airman tried to tell me my cover was on wrong and to fix it now…. my brother is an RDC and i love the stories he tells me all the time….
July 29th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
MA1, it’s funny you said that. I had the same thing happen the other day in my cammies. Kids need to realize that they are just kids.