Today's Navy or your Grandfather's

[wink]

There was a lot of hate and discontent on the part of the USAF studs that were going through in 1996, they just started sending all of the AF Nav stud's through in April and I got there in June. That discontent went up the chain because several Nav stud's failed out because of the O course, a new thing for the USAF (messed their projected production numbers). I think that was the final impetus to getting rid of the requirement that you pass O course.

So it was a part of API in the 90's? Back in the day, it was part of AOCS and was required to pass. We ran it, on average for for the entire program, 3 times a week. In the beginning it was every day. I guys the ROTC and USNA guys did it in API. It should be a part of OCS anyway. They are 90 day wonders anyway. Give them a real challenge.

 

[insanebikerboy]

It should be part of OCS just as boxing (or some form of martial art) should be part of API.

Other than just learning how to stand in there and take a lick, I don't think 6 weeks is enough time to learn a martial art/boxing and actually be able to apply it effectively. I've done jiu-jitsu for quite awhile and most people need a good bit of practice to be able to do the moves properly and to a level where they actually work.

 

[PropStop]

Other than just learning how to stand in there and take a lick, I don't think 6 weeks is enough time to learn a martial art/boxing and actually be able to apply it effectively. I've done jiu-jitsu for quite awhile and most people need a good bit of practice to be able to do the moves properly and to a level where they actually work.

You're correct, but like you said, learning to take a lick is important. I did karate for several years and I discovered what it's like to take a hit - and i've been hit really hard. At first I'd be totally paralyzed, now I know what to expect, I don't fear it (maybe I even like it a little). This goes beyond just taking a punch or kick, this is about taking physical trauma and not shutting down. There is something to be said about martial spirit too.

Martial arts should be part of the Navy just as it is part of the Marine Corps. While a squid is highly unlikely to need those skills, the building of martial spirit is part of being a warrior. Why does a YN need to be a warrior? Because s/he joined the friggen MILITARY!!!

 

[WheelsUpHeelsUp]

I love it...46 votes and the poll is tied. Keep it coming...good thread guys.

I can't vote, "my" Navy was from 69 - 91 and I doubt I could hack it now. Sure, I remember Filipino stewards and dispersing clerks. Blacks held standard traditional rates by then. Hell, my "first" chief was black. I liked him, he was an alcoholic but I liked him anyway, he gave encouragement. I also remember getting ripped off for $140.00 from one but that's for another thread.
As a young 3rd class I can remember going to the front of "THE" line in the Med as Shore Patrol. It stood for "Sure Pussy" that day. Squadron mates stuck together ashore black and white alike. Olongapo was a different story with "The Jungle" bar section.

A4's made mention of the "Suzi Wong" club in HK, never heard of it! Next thing he'll tell you is about catching ferries drunk as shit. I wouldn't know about those either.

No Waves aboard a carrier, can't imagine it. Face it, nitrogen bottles, A/C axle jacks, main mounts, power cords, jenny hoses and carts, IMRL gear was HEAVY. I was small but could more than carry my weight, literally. Most split tails couldn't I'm sure, guess who has to pick up the slack on already long 20 hour days? Time moves forward to the early 80's. I get my ass REAMED for having a new female help wash an airplane, pull chocks ect. That night she had a miscarriage, it was NOT on the check in sheet if she was preggars or not so why should I ask? Besides, I'm sure it would cause tons of other problems afloat.

"Gays", don't ask??? no it was on them NOT to tell and it worked just fine. A ship was a floating blood bank when it was needed and it sometimes was. Who here would take blood from a known homosexual? Again, the silent Man Overboard call if one was pestered.

Obviously there are pluses and minuses with each Navy generation. More money today but I think we had more expectations and yes, even freedoms.

 

[WheelsUpHeelsUp]

This thread has certainly brought back some old memories.

One thing I have noticed is that these conversation are not much different than what I heard in the 70's countless times from old salts.....'this ain't my Navy anymore'.

No doubt you youngsters will be saying it in a few years.

Civvies and beards on liberty, no way! Admiral Elmo fixed that for all of us. Most of the "Old Salts" at that time weren't real fond of him but I was.

 

[WheelsUpHeelsUp]

Yum!!! It colors your cup and colors your teeth. If you need cream and sugar, you're a sissy.

One of my B/Ns would NOT go flyin' without a cup of Navy Joe, a cigarette, and a chocolate covered doughnut. He was a warrior before we called ourselves "warriors" .....

Breakfast of champions!

 

[WheelsUpHeelsUp]

Oh yeah, and tetracycline cured everything bad, not just acne

Avoid the line and keep a clean medical record............kiss your favorite Pecker Checkers ass, buy him lots and lots of San Miguel!

 

[bunk22]

Other than just learning how to stand in there and take a lick, I don't think 6 weeks is enough time to learn a martial art/boxing and actually be able to apply it effectively. I've done jiu-jitsu for quite awhile and most people need a good bit of practice to be able to do the moves properly and to a level where they actually work.

Agreed, it would take to long and there isn't time during 6 weeks of API. Good ground fighting would be BJJ but even a week of instruction doesn't amount to much of anything.

 

[MasterBates]

Well said Prop.

I wish I had ANY combat training besides fighting my (old) aircraft. I would rather have had it and not needed it, than need it some day and not have it.

 

[bunk22]

Well said Prop.

I wish I had ANY combat training besides fighting my (old) aircraft. I would rather have had it and not needed it, than need it some day and not have it.

Then learn. I've rolled quite a bit in the past...learning BJJ and Judo. The Navy often offers free lessons depending on where you go. I know the Lynx in Virginia Beach offers BJJ and Thai boxing. Maybe not specifically designed for a certain purpose but better than nothing right?

 

[Catmando]

... As long as one is healthy (no bad knees, ankles, shoulders), any young male in their early 20's should be able to pass it...

“Should” be able to pass it - but a number never did pass the O-Course and they just disappeared to other places, as A4s indicated.

I was fortunate. Even though I had a “bad knee” (football injury) and the Navy really needed pilots at the time, I still had to jump through a number of hoops and finally get a special written waiver from a specialist for my knee, before they would allow me to join the Navy.
Still, although I never had a blazing time, the O-Course was never a major obstacle D pun intended) for me. (But I absolutely hated the “sand mountain” the Marine DI’s made us run up and down until we literally dropped!)

A number of years later, an over-eager flight surgeon tried to ground me permanently for that bad knee. But a little luck and some trickery overruled him, fortunately :icon_wink. And today, that knee is made of surgical titanium, making it now mostly worthless for any Obstacle course.....but it works fine for just about anything else.

 

[bunk22]

Second day of API, I tripped at the very end of the cross country course and tore up my left knee. Had knee surgery 2 months later. Had to run the O course 6 months after surgery. It was painful but being young, certainly helped.

 

[phrogpilot73]

During workups for my first deployment, we did the pilot's protective course at SOTG. It involved over 1000 rounds of 9mm in less than a week. Capped off by an obstacle course/shooting event in full flight gear & chicken plates. The first obstacle was an 8 foot wall. Try as I might, I couldn't get over it (although a woman in my squadron did). I got alot of flak about it, until they factored in the time credits for shooting accuracy and I came in second place for the entire course.

 

[A4sForever]

.....Try as I might, I couldn't get over it although a woman in my squadron did...I got alot of flak about it...

I weep for the future of Marine Aviation while involved in a pilot's protective course at SOTG (now, WTF is THAT?? ) ... but at least you are honest.

That's something, for sure ....

 

[phrogpilot73]

I weep for the future of Marine Aviation while involved in a pilot's protective course at SOTG (now, WTF is THAT?? ) ... but at least you are honest.

That's something, for sure ....

SOTG is Special Operations Training Group. Truth be told, I'm 5'6" and she was over 6 feet (which had something to do with it). However, she couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with her pistol OR rifle. Came back Winchester after hitting a whopping three targets. I came back after hitting every one with rounds to spare. Which is more lethal?? Fuck the wall.