Like Father, Like Son?
I found an old photo of my Dad from 1945 - when he had just joined the Navy and was home for a bit. I scanned it and have cut it down to just show him.
I also found a shot me of me from Afghanistan in late 2004.
I put them side by side and noticed that we looked an awful lot alike (despite my Dad's being taken when he was much younger). I guess we both have that - "uh-oh" look on our faces, heh heh.
At least Dad has forgiven me for being a ground pounder (Army). Both sides of my family had previously left the plains of Iowa to serve exclusively in the Navy. We also have the tradition of starting out as enlisted men, then later getting commissions. My father left the Navy as an 0-3, but he warned me when I was selected for O-4 that he wasn't going to call me "sir"... ha!
posted by LTC John at 8:57 AM
10 Comments:
You're a chip off the old block, John! Our country is lucky to have had both of you in the service.
You were once enlisted swine? Sweet.
-- Uber Pig
I was an enlisted 11B - all the way up to E-5. Then fell from Grace,er, earned a commission...
well there's certainly no way he could disown you....unless he has a twin brother??
John,
This post hit me smack in the gut.
I retired recently as an E6 in the Navy, my dad did his time back in '53
He passed away 2 months ago and I had to go thru his stuff and found the photos that resembled mine. Give your dad a hug and talk to him
IS1
Major, my dad was Army in Korea, 139th FA, he finished as a battery commander and only an O2! Even when I hit O3, he also refused to relinquish his position. Now that I finally made O4, I might actually get some respect ;-).
I will have to dig up a photo of him and my Grandad from WWII and shop them together.
Best moment - calling dad to invite him up for my commissioning - he was unaware of my plan at the time. We did it at Ft. McHenry in Baltimore on a chilly November day.
You've seen my dad here before. He swore me in for my enlistment, he was there in uniform for my Basic Training graduation (he was an O4 then and we got a kick out of our Drill Sergeant having to salute him), he was at my OCS graduation and presented me with my BSM.
I think my best memory was when, as a young 2LT I was getting beat down trying to get a Signal system in. My Dad was my battalion commander and he came by to talk to me. I knew that no matter how much he yelled at me about getting the shots in he was still my Dad and still loved me. And he knew that I would never do anything to let him down.
We got the shots in.
I would have loved to have served with my dad...how great is that.
Well, not if he is an )-5 and yelling at you... I did get to have my Dad pin my 2LT bars on, however.
Haji-o-matic, Inner Prop was enlisted too.
I just think it is a natural thing to do 2-3 years enlisted before getting a commission. You have to have some idea of what you are doing before getting commissioned, right? "Those who would rule must first serve", etc., etc.
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