Prey for DI?

[Brett327]

I'm having a hard time containing myself. You just flamed a former VF CO who mentioned, what many of the old-timers wonder constantly about, concerning the thought process of the current generation of active and prospective crop of Naval officers. And he used humor doing it, and yet you blast him for stating what he and many others truly believe. This thread speaks volumes of the difference between the old days and today. We talk about the way it used to be and get blasted for what we say, yet it is OK for the younger guys to denigrate us for saying something that concerns us. And you wonder why there are some who don't bother to post anymore. The disconnect and disrespect grows wider and greater. Am I reading more into this than I should, or am I completely off-base?

"Spike" and I had a nice conversation about this and all is well. The answer to your question is probably... yes.

We can have a discussion about the nature of things and why they change over time. From my perspective, it's not about who's right or wrong - things evolve and that's the nature of this business. I think where the tension comes from is that oftentimes when the old-timers tell us of the way it used to be, it comes with the implication (stated or otherwise) that "we" are all fucked up. This, naturally, creates an environment of hostility. Nobody likes being told that they're fucked up, particularly when they're just adhering to the current norms of their organization. That can elicit the desire to tell said "old-timer" to STFU - something I've certainly been guilty of.

Respect is a two way street. So, when the "old-timers" want to issue decrees about how things ought to be, they need to understand that things have changed and accept that. I want to hold my "elders" in high esteem and revere them for their accomplishments and experience. I find that increasingly difficult when all we ever hear from them is how fucked up we are.

So, it bears repeating - respect is a two way street. We all live and work in the organization we have. It ain't going back to the proverbial "good old days" and it may look entirely different when I'm retired in 10 years. That's the way it is, folks. A little understanding from both generations would go a long way.

 

[Renegade One]

Not at all. We all deal withour angst in different ways. In the end, OCS is just a game one plays as a price of admission to our little club.

Y'know...after much introspection...Brett pretty much says it best. "The price of admission" has probably gone up quite a bit since I got a ticket to "the show"...so my hat's well and truly off to those many of you who have it in your heart and mind to want to do this. OCS is pretty much a game to be played...but games are fun. Enjoy the process... "Club Membership" is WELL worth the price of admission. All the best to all of you...PRESS!

 

[robav8r]

Y'know...after much introspection...Brett pretty much says it best!

And that boys and girls is what we call "professionalism" amongst Naval Officers. Or, as Maverick was being debriefed, "better to extend and live to fight another day.". ;-)

 

[hlg6016]

Fire17 just keep your goal in mind and you will do fine.

 

[Renegade One]

I hope being part of the "new age" I can shed some light on this. ...Having been in some of these guys shoes 3 years ago, I know what these "kids" are feeling when they come on asking for info on OCS. It's not that they are any less prepared for OCS, or need the gouge more, just that they are used to getting it everyday, in everything they do, within a few seconds. Also they are scared because "I didn't know" doesn't work as well as an excuse when all info is available to everyone all the time.

Just my take.

Good post. The Force Is Strong In This One. Thanks.

 

[natheo]

Absolute Truth

Especially the last line. Good post indeed, at least in the eyes of this kid.

 

[LET73]

I think the farther we (certainly I) get from OCS, the easier it is to laugh at that kind of question--at least, until I remember the morning during indoc week when I noticed my shoe was untied and believed my DI would see it and roll me then and there. I do think the availability of gouge (good and bad) all over the internet makes it a lot easier to stress, though. Bring what the Navy tells you to bring, memorize what they suggest you memorize, and other than that, you'll get told what you need when you need to know it. The specifics are going to change over time, and the experience of one class is going to be different from the classes ahead and behind. Bottom line, if you want to make it through, you will.

 

[Renegade One]

I

Bottom line, if you want to make it through, you will.

My bottom line: I like your bottom line.

 

[zipmartin]

OK, I've had time to kool off, talk it over with a couple of guys, both old and current, and think it over. I probably over-reacted. But I was saying something that has crossed my mind more often than not. I will admit that it has been extremely hard at times, watching the Navy I truly enjoyed and loved, change to what it is now. Don't get me wrong. A lot of the change has been good, but some of it has me concerned. And I realize that many of you who are currently serving are also concerned. The PC nature of things and the "protect my career at the expense of everyone else" seems to be even more prevalent than when I served. When you younger guys get older and have kids that are grown, begin to wander off the beaten path, you'll understand what I'm talking about. You are concerned about the direction they're heading and you want to correct them before it's too late. That is how some of us view the Navy. Be it good or bad, it was our "family" for many years. We want only the best for it (you) and sometimes we might say something the wrong way when we are trying to voice our concern. For what it's worth, I'm with Spike when it comes to acknowledging there is absolutely NO WAY I would have been accepted into today's Navy. I thought the competition was hard when I joined, what with Viet Nam just having ended and the services starting to cut back, but it was nothing compared to what it is now. My hat is off to those who have made the grade now. I served at a much simpler time. For that I am truly thankful. Take this for what it's worth. Hopefully it makes some sense. Thanks for listening and THANK YOU for serving.

 

[Renegade One]

I think where the tension comes from is that oftentimes when the old-timers tell us of the way it used to be, it comes with the implication (stated or otherwise) that "we" are all fucked up. This, naturally, creates an environment of hostility. Nobody likes being told that they're fucked up, particularly when they're just adhering to the current norms of their organization.

Brett and the rest: So...you think this is something new? I'm pretty sure "Spuds" Ellyson told his peers sometime before his death in 1928: "These kids today...sure not like us! Can you believe these weenies from the Class of '26?!?"

And so goes the long and glorious drum roll of Naval Aviation. Welcome to the Second Century...but have a kind heart for those of us who served in the first. We were fucked up too...or so we were told.

Crap...I hope that comes out as light-hearted as I intended...