MasterBates
Well-Known Member
Why do you think I was in a hurry to get home?
It's obvious that it's not a real uniform - it's meant to be an amalgamation.I like that the first line of that is "No symbol is more sacred in American life right now than the military uniform," and the picture above it is a uniform that's a complete soup sandwich.
Way to play Martyr...What was easily the WORST welcome home, was the squadrons duty driver blew me off, and I walked home 6 miles from Jax international.
If you have one or two flying home early prior to translant/pac. Dont forget them. I had no US money, ATM card didn't work, and my govt travel card was turned off by an admin fuckup.
Welcome home indeed.
Sent via my HTC EVO 4G
I think the varied responses in this thread show why you need to do multiple things. Are the single officers going to care? Apparently not that much. Are the signs important to an 18yr old AN? Maybe. And if that's what it takes to make that AN feel good then it's worth the effort. There are plenty of different groups that get captured in a homecoming ceremony, JOs being just a portion of them. I think the important thing is to do something to show the deployed sailors that you care, you recognize that they're back, and that their sacrifices (even if they are part of the job) are worthwhile and important. I get the salty JO "it's all part of the job, i don't need a celebration" thing, but as MB's experience can testify to, it's easy for that to lack of interest in a celebration to become apathy on the part of the squadron where guys come home from cruise and it's like no cared.In the 80s and 90s, as a young Naval Aviator returning from deployments, all of the hoohah and celebration was an inconvenience and was wasted on me. Now, the thought of returning from a much different deployment in the Army, at the age of 47, solicits a much different feeling. The signs, ribbons and ceremony aren't just for the returning service members. It also gives the families a chance to show that they care. Families all have their personal way to say to the one they love, "I am so glad you are home!", but they often miss out on the part that says, "Thank you for YOUR sacrifices and service." Maybe I am putting too much meaning on it, but I think that is what all of the ceremony and public celebration is about. At least it is for me.
We do this in the National Guard for deployments just like the Navy does, but the feeling is more personal. You can feel it in the air. Upon return, the guys you deployed with become more of a family. Even the guys you couldn't stand while deployed, were still there next to you (in the bunker, during that 0200 medevac launch, etc...). When other parts of our unit come home while we are already at home, we go out to the hangar floor! Not because we have to, but because we want to, we know we should, and maybe even we feel a need to do it.
Each person feels differently about the welcome home stuff. I know I am in the minority, but I like it.
Do you guys or the sailors really care at all about this stuff? Is it a waste of time and energy, or worthwhile?
That stock photo is ridiculous. Did they just go to a mil surplus store, buy a bunch of shit, and randomly assemble it?
I stated it as an example of how the squadron can fuck away easy shit.. Like sending a duty driver to pick up someone flying in not with the main airlift.Way to play Martyr...
How can you be sure they forgot? Maybe they thought something else was more important, like a pizza run?I stated it as an example of how the squadron can fuck away easy shit.. Like sending a duty driver to pick up someone flying in not with the main airlift.
I like that the first line of that is "No symbol is more sacred in American life right now than the military uniform," and the picture above it is a uniform that's a complete soup sandwich.
That said, I definitely agree with the article. It's like Representative Giffords getting shot in the head and being called a hero afterwards. Is she really? Shouldn't we really be celebrating the doctors who were able to allow her to make her recovery?
Volunteering to put up with 6-12 months of crappy working conditions doesn't make us heroes, it just makes us dedicated workers. I also agree that it's always awkward when someone "thanks me for my service." I never know what to say back to that.
My fleet squadron was det based and a long cruise homecoming was always a a big deal. Everyone who was in the hangar was expected to welcome the det back. Homeguard birds went out to the ship to help bring everyone back so no one road the boat in. Families were in the hangar eagerly waiting. All the families were hosted in the wardroom while waiting. We got them bagels, coffee, and donuts to while away the time. We broke out the big flag for the hangar and got the det a cake and some beers. Homeguard folks were standing by to wash the motors and offload the birds so all the det had to do was shut down, get hugs, listen to the CO talk for 5min, and then go home. All in all, it was a pretty classy event that wasn't too much trouble to set up and let the guys know that the squadron gave a shit.
For one of our homecomings the entire VACAPES area was completely fogged in. The det was supposed to fly off at 0800. The ship ended up tying up to the pier at 1500. We sent over 3-4 duty vans from the seawall squadrons and picked up the det from the ship. The vans then drove on the flightline right up to the hangar just like we'd planned for the helos. Duty section went and stood integrity watch on the ship so there was nothing for the det to worry about.
On the other hand, if you came home from our forward deployed det it kind of varied as to who met you at the airport. We had been in the practice of sending large groups of people that all came home at the same time, so the CO and those folks friends would come to the airport to welcome them home. The large groups changed to a a few folks at a time, so usually it was just peoples' families and friends waiting for them. On my 2P cruise the CO and my old OIC were there to shake my hand and welcome me home. On my HAC cruise it was just my wife, but that was OK because she was the only person I really wanted to see.