On the USS MERRILL (DD 976) in port San Diego, moored starboard side to pier 7 (as usual), I heard the 1MC, All hands stand clear port side torpedo tubes while firing air slugs I look at the CTRSN standing next to me and ask, Have you completed your Air Slug Recovery PQS yet?...and it began. I sent him to the Bosuns locker and they appropriately outfitted him in battle dress with flash gear, harness, kapok, hard hat, double eye protection, double ear protection, safety line, whistle, and a boat hook. As instructed, he stationed himself on the 01 weather deck immediately above the port side torpedo tubes with the entire area sectioned off. Now he was on display. He was given further instructions to listen for the torpedo tubes to train into firing position (remember double hearing protection?) and then count to three and get ready. At the count of three the tubes would fire the air slug and as soon as it was fired, he needed to get the boat hook over the side to snag the air slug. But he shouldnt worry if he missed the slug. If he missed, he was to blow the whistle with three long blasts and three short blasts to let the Motor Whale Boat crew to launch and recover the slug from the water. When that first air slug went off, the look on his face was amazing! He looked at me and I motioned to the whistle in his mouth and without missing a beat, there it was....three long and three short....I heard an eruption of laughter and applause. As I turned around I saw about 50 crew members gathered with cameras in hand on the port side quarterdeck area and about another 50 on the flight deck. Standing in front of the group is my Division Officer. He walked passed me and went to talk to the CTRSN. He told him, Son (he called everybody son), you know you dont have to do this right? The CTRSN replied, I know Sir, but I want to do my part, I want to get as many quals completed as possible. The DivOff restated, No, really, you DONT have to do this. When he replied, I CAN do this sir! the DivOff put his hands in the air and walked back to the crowd. As he walked by me he said, Give him 5 minutes and then shut it down. Aye Sir.... I have to say, when I approached the CTRSN after about 5 minutes and blew and air slug in his face while explaining what he was doing, I saw the transformation of education, realization, amazement, bewilderment, and finally laughter on his face. He laughed at himself and while he was bent over laughing, he got an ovation with cheers and high fives from more than half the crew that was now gathered to observe.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:24:16 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015