Roger that, I was long gone from OTCP when the fight went down, but I hung out with their DI alot, an awesome dude, and we were at the florabama on a saturday night when he got the call telling him about his candidates :icon_nav_
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Relationship with DI post OCS (frat or not frat?)
- Thread starter JD81
- Start date
Roger that, I was long gone from OTCP when the fight went down, but I hung out with their DI alot, an awesome dude, and we were at the florabama on a saturday night when he got the call telling him about his candidates :icon_nav_
Really? Back in the day no one I knew hung with their former DI, or any DI for that matter. Wasn't like there was hard feelings or anything petty. Everyone comes to respect the job they had to do. I had some fun and interesting conversations with the Chief DI and some of the others when a candio. But aside from returning a friendly salute and briefly asking how their day was going or what their latest class was like, you never spent time with them after commissioning. Is this the kindler gentler Navy or what? Is this common?
Dont know if its common but I hung out a quite few times after OCS with my DI and a few others, there was actually about 5 or 6 of us SNA's/SNFO's that kicked around with 2 or 3 of them, they are awesome guys. I was stashed at the gym so I saw them most everyday I was working, just got to be friends that way I guess.
How is this not frat? I'm not trying to call you out, specifically, JoshDavid, I'm asking the question as someone who never went through the OCS "experience." Don't get me wrong, every time I'm in Norfolk I look up my old Det chief and try to at least have lunch with him, but regularly booming w/ some DIs out in town seems like crossing the line. Or am I completely misunderstanding the posts?
I don't know if I'd call JoshDavid's experience straight up Frat, but I know we got a speech from our DI that after the commissioning ceremony, they'd disappear for the rest of the day while we packed up and gtfo. He said it was to just make things easier and to avoid the fraternization that may occur.
Next time I saw my DI after first salute was a week later when the next class commissioned at the museum and he came up with a "Good morning, sir!" and a salute (he had his smokey cover on inside for the ceremony) and I almost looked behind me to see who the fvck he was talking to.
I remember as a candio drinking at a bar with a bunch of chiefs (it was unofficial, they showed up to the bar we were at, just happened to end up drinking together), but we never officially hung out with staff before or after that.
Professional barrier is good, but nothing wrong with "hanging out" with an old DI for a bit. Now, you start hugging each other, buying each other drinks and singing karaoke duets....there's a problem.
MasterBates
Well-Known Member
I went SCUBA diving with my DI a couple times when I was in API, but it was a group/athletic thing.
It wasn't like we were running around crazy with these guys but maybe a total of 4 times in my 6 months there I would catch up with them at a bar for a beer or 4. Guess quite possibly it was frat, but wouldnt playing b-ball at the gym with them be as well? We never thought anything of it and niether did they, and like I said I saw them more than anyone probably because I was stashed at the gym and thats where they would come to workout so I got to know them in a different manner I suppose.
/end threadjack I mistakenly started
/end threadjack I mistakenly started
I'd go visit my DI post OCS to get his perspective on things. I really respected the guy and wanted to glean as much knowledge as possible from him. Did the same with my class CPO. Both of them came to my wedding. I didn't really consider it frat, as I saw them both not as friends but as mentors.
Drinking buddies=frat. Now, when you eventually have some troopers to lead, you need to go and spend time with them in the squadron spaces and show them that you care. If they invite you to a party, go to it, have 1 drink, and excuse yourself shortly after due to a prior committment. It is just as awkward for them as it is for you and they do not want you there to see them act like idiots, just like you do not want them to see you act like an idiot.
The single best reason to avoid frat. The entire post is well said.
Common sense rule--if it is a scenario where you feel as if first names would be appropriate, it is. If not, just proceed with caution. Example--catching up on "Bosses night" or at the SNCO club to reminisce for a couple drinks, okay. Arranging to go to the clubs or to a movie later, not okay. I group working out together as okay, as long as you are professional while you're doing it. Obviously club sports and such present some opportunity for blurring lines, so you have to be wary.
I too agree. When I was in, the IP’s and enlisted guys attached to 44 were pretty familiar with one another. After all we trained the new pilots and the ground crews together. We’d all learned whom you could rely on. So, many times I’d get “Steve, I’m going TAD for a few weeks, do me a favor stop at the house while I’m gone and check on my wife and kids.” Or maybe “Steve could you pick up my car at the shop and bring it back to the hangar.” I’d have needs too while I was TAD, it was like a sort of a “favor pool.” We all looked out for one another. (I do hope it’s that way today.)
In fact in Yuma while on det in the 60’s the O’s ‘and E’s ate breakfast and lunch together. (Breakfast was really fun at 4 in the morning
, had to fly early while it was cool. The stubby winged “Tinker Toy” had problems when it got really hot in the afternoon. Short wingspan and all) Good food, good camaraderie and sometimes the meal resembled the food fight scene in “Animal House” and, I’m not kidding. Same on the boat, the ready room was open for all while on the det. We would get movies some grub, relax and generally have a good time. There also was the “I’m buy’n you a beer after work! Meet my at the “Happy Hour Lounge.” However, when we all went to work, it was business as usual.
Steve