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I am a veteran of the United States Navy! "The best damn seafaring war vessels in the world!" This was proven to me by the Singapore Navy, when I was part of a crew swap with one of their vessels.
I want to take a moment to share some thoughts from a veteran. Please know that these thoughts are just from me. I am pretty sure they are shared by other vets, but I have no proof. Also, they are all over the place, it is just how they are.
Yes, I served in the U.S. Navy. Trust me you are not the first person who's told me that joke about 100 sailors and 50 couples. Here's a clue, most of the Navy's ships now are integrated with men and women. Yes, my ship only had female officers, trust me, take them off that vessel and we would have had less crap going on. Nothing pissed me off more than walking behind one of them after they had sprayed their body spray after we had been at sea for 3 weeks.
Yes, we showered in salt-free water. We had top of the line filters. This isn't the 1700's.
I did learn how to fight fires out to sea and how to shore up a bulkhead (that's a wall) if flooding occurred at any time. If a fire broke out, guess who we called...us!
No, I did not get to hit golf balls off the ship. That's a bit of a myth.
Yes, there is such thing as Skype and such now. We did not have those luxuries back then. We had email at best. However, due to the method by which we got and sent emails, my then fiance and I had to number them so that we didn't read them out of order. I waited on email #12 to arrive for weeks, while #13,14,15 sat in my inbox. I planned a wedding that way.
Yes, food on the ship sucked by land standards. But when you've been out to sea for 6 weeks, it's amazing how great Chicken Tetrazzine tastes. What is Chicken Tetrazzine exactly, you ask? I don't know! And when I asked the MS (the cook) one night at mid-rashing (that's a meal that is served at midnight) he said, "I don't know."
Yes, I love old country, metal, and heavy metal music. It helps you get through the tough times. Pop music just doesn't get the job done.
Yes, I crossed the equator. Yes, I swam in the ocean down there. Yes, I drank some damn fine rum in the Caribbean. Yes, I met some amazing foreigners. Yes, I went on an excursion in the deserts of the UAE (look that one up yourself). No, they did not scream at us and throw blood on us. That actually happened in New York City while we were pulled into there for Fleet Week. No, camel doesn't taste that bad. Yes, I was scared over there.
Yes, I have shot and killed someone. His fishing vessel was in a restricted area, and we unloaded a LARGE amount of lead into his vessel, which sank to the bottom of the sea. Do I regret it? Hell no! You got your gas that year because of us. Yes, I fought terrorist. It sucks! Yes, I watched them get unhand-cuffed as we turned them over to Qatar! (That's the very reason I think that bastard country doesn't deserve the World Cup.)
Yes, things are weird over there. The Starbucks in Dubai looked the same, but the coffee was different.
No, I don't want to talk about the crazy shit that happened! Now, give me a few beers, and I might just start rambling. (I used to say that all the time when I was in the Navy. Funny, but true!)
No, I cannot fit in my uniform anymore. I'm fat! I was skinny! (Sickly skinny) No, I don't mind running with you, but I swear if you call it PT, I'll punch you in the throat.
No, I am not in a place where I feel I can stand with vets from the Vietnam War. Those dudes are heroes, I just did a job.
Yes, I served under George W. Bush! He was the best damn Commander-In-Chief I ever knew! And I'd serve for him again!!! Yes, he came to my ship. The man knew class and honor like no other, that's why he visited the USS Philippine Sea and its Wardogs!
I got out because I ended up at a dead-end base and it was a shitty deal. I regret on a regular basis getting out. No, I don't want to go into the reserves. And yes, I have looked into the Chaplain program. Honestly, I do not feel like God was telling me that was what I was supposed to do.
Yes, I used to cuss like a sailor. That way of explaining extensive foul language is a great example. Until you've been out to sea for 4 weeks with nothing to show for it than salty skivvies (that's underwear), then do not look down your pious nose at my choice of language back then.
I respect that you were going to go in the military when you got out of school, but some girl or thing kept you from it. I appreciate the attempt at empathy. I also do not mind hearing about your grandfather or uncle or cousin who once did or is serving now. I do expect you to tell them thank you for me.
Yes, I'm a Christian. Yes, I firmly believe God had me in the Navy. Yes, I regret some things I did while in the Navy. No, it isn't the stuff you'll ever understand.
No, I do not think I suffer from PTSD. Yes, I have times when I'm so angry or lonely that I can't explain it. No, helicopters or fireworks do not set me off into a fetal position. Those guys are hurting and they need our love and care.
Listen, I do not know how to react when you say "thank you." So if I smile and nod, just take it as the absolute best I can do at that moment. I still have some buddies serving, and it breaks my heart that they are serving for a freedom that allows people to do dumb shit like riot and loot. Yet, I know that they would say this, they would still do it, and they are!
It isn't a lifestyle for the weak at heart. But I'm so glad I did it!
Thank you for taking a moment to acknowledge my service. I am humble about it, mainly because it was just what needed to be done. However, some times I just need a pat on the back and a "thank you" to bring me back up to reality. I served in the best damn military in the whole world! I am proud of it! I am a veteran!