Why it's good to be in Naval Aviation?
The Camaraderie:
Our first stop on WESTPAC was Pearl. Two of our det's pilots went out to rent a car and came back with a Lincoln Town car, being the only ride the rental agency had left. We hit Waikiki that night making all the mandatory stops; the barefoot bar at the Hale Koa, Moose McGillicuddy's, and ending up at the Rose and Crown pub where we closed the place down. We then piled back into the Town Car for the ride back to Pearl. We had 9 people in that car. Four in the front, 5 in the back. I had never laughed so much as whenever we would pile into the car to go to the next destination.
The best part was that when we got back to the ship, the det OINC didn't want us all stumbling up the brow at the same time. So we put our heads together and hatched a cunning plan to ascend the brow at even increments (so as not to overload the guys standing watch on the quarterdeck). What we failed to recognize was that we were the only people on the pier at that hour of the morning and we were in full view of those same guys standing watch on the quarterdeck. Anyway, the OINC turns to me and says that I'll be the first up the brow and to make sure I don't embarrass the rest of the det by doing something stupid. So with an alcohol-induced hearty "aye-aye" I make my way up the brow in an even steady pace. I get to the top and I'm just about to ask permission to come aboard, when I sense a presence behind me. I turn around and all of the other 8 guys are standing there waiting their turn. So much for the cunning plan.
The epilogue to this story was that the next day was pictures for the cruisebook. We had to be on the flightdeck in whites at 7:30am. If you look at that picture today, it would be very easy to guess the players in this story. We are all squinting. Some even have their eyes closed. Lack of sleep, hangovers, and whites can combine into a very bright environment indeed.