Posted by
Real Guy on Friday, September 01, 2006 3:49:56 PM
I like to collect sea stories. From time to time I will publish some here. I was in the Navy many years ago and still hang around Navy guys in my work (former, retired, and active).
Some sea stories have a nodding acquaintance with the truth and others are just good jokes or stories. An old joke is that the difference between a fairy tale and a sea story is that fairy tales start with "Once upon a time" and sea stories start with "This ain't no sh*t."
This one popped up again recently and I thought I'd share it. It was unattributed when I got it, so I want to extend my thanks to whoever wrote it.
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LUNCH AT THE OFFICER'S CLUB
One day, a Navy Captain went to the Officer's Club to eat lunch. When he entered the main dining room, he found the place was quite crowded. He did notice three Lieutenants sitting at a table with one empty chair, so he asked them if he could sit there. They promptly invited him to join them.
He ordered his lunch and engaged the Lieutenants in conversation as they ate. At one point, the Captain said, "In my career I have observed characteristics about officers that enable me to determine the source from which they were commissioned."
The Lieutenants were eager to hear about this and asked if he could tell them each how they had been commissioned.
The Captain turned to the Lieutenant on his left and said, "You came into the Navy through the Navy's Reserve Officer Training Corps."
The Lieutenant confirmed that was correct and asked how the Captain had noted this.
The Captain replied, "Well, Lieutenant, throughout our conversation you demonstrated that you have a strong academic background, but, so far, your military experience is somewhat limited."
The Captain then looked to the the Lieutenant on his right and said, "You came in through O.C.S. (Officer Candidate School) and have prior enlisted service."
The Lieutenant confirmed that this was correct and asked how the Captain had determined this.
The Captain said, "Again throughout the course of our conversation, you demonstrated that you have a fairly complete military background and a lot of common sense."
The third Lieutenant, seated across the table from the Captain, asked if he had determined the source of his commission.
The captain replied, "Yes, I have, Lieutenant. You were commissioned when you graduated from the United States Naval Academy.
The Lieutenant said, "That is correct, sir. And may I ask if you determined that by taking note of my high level of intelligence, precise military bearing, or some other superior quality that I have acquired and honed at the United States Naval Academy?"
The Captain replied, "No, Lieutenant, it wasn't any of that. I had simply taken note of your class ring while you were picking your nose."