encore
Say What?
This newly commissioned Navy offi cer has an even more
diffi cult time than he expects making an appointment with
the executive offi cer on board the USS Hermitage.
I
n 1957, I was commissioned an
ensign in the U.S. Navy and assigned to
the USS Hermitage (LSD-34) in Little
Creek, Va., for temporary duty before fl ight
training in Pensacola, Fla. The Hermitage
was a new ship and the only air-conditioned
ship in the amphibious force.
As was customary for a new offi cer on
board, I needed to make an appointment
with the XO within 24 hours of reporting
for duty and present him my orders and ser-
vice jacket. Doing this would be somewhat
complicated, because the ship was to depart
for a training cruise in the morning and ev-
eryone would be very busy.
The next morning, an announcement
was made for all hands to prepare to get
under way, and I had received instructions
from the offi cer of the deck to report to the He repeated more emphatically, “See
bridge to observe procedures. me sometime.”
En route to the bridge, I had a chance Being my assertive self, I responded
meeting with the XO. As I rounded a sec- to him, “How about tomorrow morning
Tell Your Story
tion of deck fi lled with eight large exhaust after breakfast?”
blowers, the XO emerged from below Amidst the loud whir of exhaust blow-
a73 Submit your service-
related adventures (or
deck, and there we stood face-to-face. As a ers, he shouted, “How many times do I
mishaps) by e-mail to
10-day old ensign, I was overwhelmed by have to tell you, Ensign Saltzman? I said
encore@moaa.org, or
this chance meeting. this evening sometime!” mail them to Encore Edi-
“Commander,” I said, “I’m Ensign Saltz- Realizing my mistake, I turned several
tor, 201 N. Washington
man. I reported aboard last evening, and I shades of red and wondered if my fl edgling
St., Alexandria, VA 22314.
would like to make an appointment with naval career was already in jeopardy.
All submissions will be
considered for publication.
you to present my orders.” But, as my new boss walked away, I’m al-
He held out his hand and said, “Wel- most certain he had a smile on his face. MO
come aboard the Hermitage.”
I said, “Thank you, sir. When might I be
able to have an appointment with you?”
— Glenn Saltzman, Ph.D, is a retired Navy
Reserve captain. He and his wife, Ruth, live in
I thought he replied, “See me sometime.”
Twin Lakes, Ohio. For submission information,
“How about after lunch?” I asked. see page 18.
7 6 M I L I T A R Y O F F I C E R A P R I L 2 0 0 9 ILLUSTRATION: ELWOOD SMITH
AApr_encore.indd Sec1:
76pr_encore.indd Sec1:76 33/5/09 2:45:24 PM/5/09 2:45:24 PM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80