“Reality Check” — A New “Spiced” episode.
November 29th, 2011 | Navy | Posted by Mark Faram
When we last saw Josh and Greg in April, the Navy’s inseparable and loveable pot-smoking puppets had experienced a major hiccup in their friendship as outlined in Scoop Deck post here.
That came, of course, after Josh turned his best friend in for smoking spice. After that, Greg was kicked out of the Navy.
After a brief rehash of the previous episode, creator Geoff Breedwell picks up the story with Josh visiting the newly separated Greg.
This new message comes at a time when the Navy is cracking down hard on spice. There have been major busts on a few Navy ships. Those facts have Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SS/SW) Rick West riled up about the issue to the point he recently sent out a personal message to all the chiefs in the fleet urging them to keep up the pressure on their sailors by discussing the dangers and consequences of using Spice.
“This issue is not driven by money or manpower realities, but by extremely poor personal choices, an alarming lack of awareness, and perhaps a false sense of security,” West wrote. “This drug is consistently bad news to both the sailors using it and the shipmates they are letting down.”
Perhaps Breedwell read that message as much of what West wrote comes across in the witty and lighthearted clip.
As you can see, somethings when friends make bad choices — it requires friends to make tough decisions.
If you want to relive the entire saga from the start, it never hurts to review and think.
MCPON’s at it again…..
November 9th, 2010 | Navy | Posted by Mark Faram
For the third time, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SS/SW) Rick West has posted a video on the web, but has declined to add his voice to the mix.
Still, he gets his message across quite well by flashing a series of cards to his audience. This message? It was the safest year and summer for the Navy in the past decade.It starts out with a bit of symbolism that summer is now over as he seems to put away his baseball bats before picking up his flash cards to send his message.
It’s his third video posted on his Facebook page that used the same technique and apparently he thinks it’s working. He’s also good company, years ago, folk artist Bob Dylan used the same technique in his video rendition of his Subterranean Homesick Blues. That was followed by INXS, who used the idea in their video of Mediate.
Clearly MCPON got the same message my mother used to preach: “Actions speak louder than words.”
I just want to know one thing — what’s up with that Heisman move? I think THAT needs some more work!
August is Snipe Month
August 14th, 2009 | Historical Navy Personnel Ratings Ships The deckplates | Posted by Mark Faram
If you are a Navy snipe, then August is your month.
That’s because on Aug. 31, 1842, the first enlisted engineering ratings — fireman and coal heaver — were created.
Steam technology was in its early days at sea when the Navy built it’s second steam ship, the Fulton II, in 1837. And sailors would be needed to operate and maintain the boilers.
With the commissioning of the second Fulton, steam had entered the fleet to stay -- note the paddle-wheel -- a design that would dominate early sea going steam ships.
To man these new ships, Congress passed a law on on Aug. 31, 1842, establishing the two ratings. Those already skilled in steam and machinery skills would be enlisted as firemen. Those with no skills could join as a coal heaver.
Navy regulations dated Aug. 1, 1847, stated that no one would be enlisted as a fireman or coal heaver until he has passed a medical exam that attests to his “health and vigor” for the job.
Prospective firemen would also have to pass a practical exam given by “one or more engineer officers of the Navy upon their ability to manage fires properly with different kinds of fuel, and to use skillfully smiths tools in the repair and preservation of steam machinery and boilers.”
This establishment marked the beginning of enlisted engineering careers as sailors could enlist with no experience as coal heaver and progress to become firemen and eventually qualify as a third assistant engineer — the equivalent of a warrant officer position today.
AAARRRGGHH — Navy needs new “Old Tar”
July 29th, 2009 | Navy | Posted by Mark Faram
Is your master chief old? I mean really old? Well he or she just might rate an honor for that. The Surface Navy Association is searching for its next “Old Tar” — the active-duty enlisted sailor who has been Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualified for the longest.
The Navy Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin -- if you've had yours the longest -- you might rate an award.
According to NavAdmin message 224/09, applications will be accepted for anyone who earned their pin “equal to or later than Aug. 1, 1982″ — and has the paperwork to prove it. The award, created in 1996 by the Surface Navy Association is currently held by recently retired Command Master Chief Sammie L. Lymon.
There is one catch, however, submissions must be received by Friday, July 31 at the association’s headquarters — 2550 Huntington Avenue, Suite 202, Alexandria, Virginia 22303.
Navy counselors everywhere!
June 15th, 2009 | Personnel The deckplates | Posted by Mark Faram
Navy
Greetings from Chicago! Navy Times staff writer Mark Faram is at the 21st Annual Navy Career Counselor’s Symposium this week, getting the straight scoop on everything impacting your career.
Check back for news and blog items from the conference. If there’s anything you would like to have us find out while we’re here, just send an e-mail to mfaram@navytimes.com.