jelun

May your observance be significant.

Dummy Boy Loc: Michigan

Yes very true. Unfortunately, the sad sacks that orient their existence or their ability to "carry on" need a constant reinforcement that they did the right thing for the right reasons. I spent most of my time at sea in a submarine playing cat and mouse with the Russians. They knew we were there and if one their torpedo exercises happened to cause our hull some distress, what difference would it make...a splendid media event for the Russian Media and denial in the US that we were even there.

Now let's' go back to reading the Pentagon Papers....oh, and the Star Report. So many good reasons for a laugh today and thankful I didn't become part of the denial media machine.

rebob14

I took the same ride throughout the '60s".........but, I think, without the cinicism. It was a choice I was proud to make!!

Dummy Boy Loc: Michigan

The first boat I was on was the USS Plunger, which was a Thresher Class. As you might recall, the Thresher went down on it's maiden voyage due to a poor design of the ballast tank vents, they froze. I was part of the decommissioning crew, it was decommissioned in the same shipyard it was built: Mare Island. Different times for sure, the pressure from Russia throughout the late eighties was a Potemkin Village Show. Heck, Krivaks used to chase us into San Diego. My Captain (I used to be a phone talker in the Sail with the CO), Commander Large just ignored them. He always chased the Greenpeace goofballs though. "Ahead Flank": he would announce. The throttleman was busy making and logging those bell changes....

...In any event, my cynicism was a reflection following my departure. As much as I enjoyed being in the Navy (I spent 4 years in the reserves, after I left full time) I appreciated my freedom of speech the most. My last duty station taught me a lot about officers getting their feelings hurt, nothing worse than a female Lt. with a chip on her shoulder and a CO that allowed her to "torpedo" good training opportunities. I guess she thought our paper handling sk**ls were in need of improvement. I guess it was when I threatened to write Senator Glenn, I felt our reserve center was more interested in processing doughnuts and coffee than fulfilling our mission that really riled them up.

jelun

TY for serving, I suppose that is the deterrence we depend upon. I look forward to the day that we can have "drone" subs and not put lives at risk.
In the meantime, I see that we have to turn a day meant for honoring our DEAD vets into a contest about p***e; I guess that means one person has a greater sense of patriotism than another. Sigh.

Dummy Boy Loc: Michigan

Take a look at this article...about future development: I'm unwilling to give up military action to emotionless robots and drones. Eventually they'll turn on us, even if by the hand of the operator.

http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1386&doc_id=280629&itc=dn_analysis_element&&cid=nl.x.dn14.edt.aud.dn.20160530

jelun

If they are emotionless why would they turn on us?

Dummy Boy Loc: Michigan

The drones currently have to have a "driver". They are not autonomous.

jelun

So you are in the camp that believes our military will turn on us?
You think we are Libya?

Dummy Boy Loc: Michigan

PTSD, happens all the time.

rebob14

Hey, "Boy". First, I absolutely respect your sentiment and conclusions. You probably had a longer and less simple tour than I did. I got in at the advent of 2nd gen FBM's and, because Heimie had won, we got the proverbial blank check. Nonetheless, we had our own dose of miscalcution and lucky outcomes. My only point is that, after almost 50 yrs, I would, without hesitation, do it again! I really do believe that it made a big difference. Was it all imperfect and, at times, un-righteously mis-represented? Hell Yes!!! Was it the best response, using to the utmost what U.S. could bring? Yes, it certainly was and I'm still proud to have been included! .........Bob Kelleher.....RM1(SS)........Uss John Marshall SSBN611........1964-1969.

rebob14

P.S: Thank God I didn't have the female 1st louie experience!! Just sayin'.

jelun

You could be right, maybe that explains all of the conservative anger on OPP.