Читать книгу Adventures In Navyland - Joe Psy.D. Callihan - Страница 5

I had joined the Navy Reserve during a time of war. I was not drafted and therefore believed I was due a better consideration than someone who had to be drafted. This was my belief. Unfortunately I discovered the Navy Reserve did not necessarily share my belief.

One night while attending my weekly drill, a voice came over the intercom and made the following announcement: “The following report immediately to room 105.” Then the list of names began to be called. Much to my surprise I heard, “Seaman Apprentice Joseph Callihan.” What had I done? What can this be? These were questions I was asking myself as I went immediately to report in room 105.

Arriving, I found a room full of guys who were as confused as I was. What was going on? A 1^st Class Boiler Tender soon provided the answer. “How many in here want to be a Fireman?” he asked. Of the 30 of us, one idiot raised his hand. You see, Fireman was one of the worst jobs in the Navy. They worked in the belly of the ship, maintaining the boilers. It was very hot down there, and could get extremely hot in places like the Indian Ocean. Not a job to really desire, unless you wanted a taste of Hell on earth. Still, this one guy actually raised his hand.

The 1^st Class Boiler Tender (BT) went on to say, “Well, the Navy has a shortage of Firemen, and the last thirty people who signed up, and that means you, have volunteered to help fill those positions.

What did he say! I was enraged, how could they treat those who had voluntarily signed up (me), in such a callous way? Put those you had to draft there – not me! But what could I do? This is bad, I thought, especially as I am not mechanically inclined.

The next few weeks seemed to look worse for me, as well as the other 28 guys who had no interest in becoming a Fireman or Boiler Tender. The 1^st Class BT seemed to be aware of how we felt. For example, after handing out multiple guess questions on a test we needed to pass, he would say: “I’m sure everyone has studied really hard for this test.” When this would get a good laugh, he would continue by saying, “I’m sure everyone knows the answer to question number one is B.” Everyone would hurriedly mark the letter “B” on question one. “These questions are fairly simple, but if anyone has any questions about them, just ask me,” the 1^st Class BT would say.

So it began. A hand went up, “Yes, do you have a question?” “Yes, Number two, I know the answer, but I’m having trouble remembering it.” BT: “Let’s see, number two, Oh that one is easy, I’m sure you know the answer.” “Yes, I do,” the student would reply, “I’m just having trouble remembering it.” BT: “Take a look at “D,” doesn’t that look familiar? Does anyone else have any questions?” Immediately another hand rose, “Number three, I’m not sure what it is asking, I can’t understand the wording.” BT: “Let me see, number three, hum, I agree, that does look confusing.

I don’t know why they worded it that way, but take a look at “A,” don’t you think that’s what they had in mind?” Once again, we all rushed to mark “A” on question number three.

BT: “Now, are there anymore questions?” Another hand shot up. “Yes, what is your question?” “Number four, I know it, the answer is on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t seem to get it out.” BT: “O.K., number four, Oh you’re bound to know that one!” “I do, it’s right on the tip of my tongue!” BT: “Come on; take a look at “C,” does that look familiar?” You guessed it! Everyone raced their pencil to the letter “C” on question number four.

Watching with amusement, the 1^st Class BT said: “Now don’t all of you mark the same, miss a few every now and then, so we won’t get into trouble.” I was thankful for not having to fail the test. But I was not amused, as I realized what this could mean to me later. I could see myself being in the belly of a ship, and having someone shout the order to me: “Quick turn the “K” valve or we’re going to explode!” My reply, as I’m running for my life would be, “Guess what, I have no idea what a “K” valve is or looks like – Run! We’re going to explode!”

You can be sure I absolutely had no great desire to be a Fireman in the Navy. I looked at it this way, if abandon ship were ever to be sounded, it was unbelievable all you had to do to try and save your life. You would first have to climb up several ladders, as fast as you could, without falling if someone climbed over top of you. Then you had to run to the side of the ship, just so you could jump off. After doing that, you had to be able to hold your breath, while you attempted to float. Floating is something I’ve never been able to do to this day. Things were looking pretty bleak for me. The Navy Reserves did not seem to care.

This was a weakness I found in the Navy Reserve. They were more interested in getting points for sending people off as third class petty officers, than sending people properly trained to actually be third class petty officers. I hope by now that has been corrected.

But it is now time to really have some “fun,” as we go on to:

BOOT CAMP ADVENTURES at the Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois.