John Ritenour
CheckUr6
When I read this post, I became angry! I was in the NFO Pipeline , when I received the dreaded "(NAMI) Naval Aerospace Medical Institute Whammy" due to some bizarre medical problem with my balance. I was sent to SWOS against my wishes. So I "manned up" and decided to make the best of the hand I was dealt, My goal was to qualify ASAP, so I could transfer to another community more to my liking. My first day at SWOS, I was called a "FAWP" by one of the instructors, just because I was an aviation attrite. An AWP as I found out, is an Aviation Waste Product. The "F" in front of it, just made it more pejorative. I informed the instructor, that I was in SWOS to qualify, not to get in pissing games with immature individuals. I invited the instructor to accompany me to the skipper's office so he could repeat his comment. He declined. I didn't let some jerk with a poor attitude determine my attitude. I graduated from SWOS with Honors and then reported to my first command, a MSO. I was polite, professional and eager to get to work and qualify. My CO informed me (1) he had absolutely no use for aviation attrites no matter what the cause, (2) NROTC graduates were little better than the spawn of Satan . The 3rd strike came in the that he had short mans syndrome ( he being 5'6", me being 6'5", this was not a good scene.) Six months to the day I reported aboard, he SWO-Non Attained me, (despite the fact that I had been TAD for 35 days of that period). I received a FITREP that basically made me out to be only slightly better than an axe murderer. After being jerked around for about 10 additional months, my appeal of my FITREP was granted, and I received orders to another ship. Sadly, I was injured in a severe accident, and was on limited duty for another 08 months. I then reported to a third ship, where the CO was a clone of my first one. He too SWO-Non Attained me after a 6 month period. I again appealed my FITREP, and again I prevailed. But by that time I was an 03 with two years in grade. Too old to really be competitive in any community. I filled a gapped EDO (Engineering Duty Officer) billet and was eventually retired due to medical causes.
What I wouldn't have given for a chance to qualify. I can assure you that had I been allowed to serve a regular division officer tour with a "Normal CO" I wouldn't have complained about not being SWO Non Attained! I'd have been busting my tail - trying to complete my command at sea quals, working to become an EOOW (Engineering Officer of the Watch), asking to stand TAO watch under instruction , etc. Anything I could do to increase my value to the Navy. Instead, I became proficient at appealing FITREPS (a necessary in my case but certainly not career enhancing skill). Eighteen months at one command - I'd say your very damn fortunate. If I were you, I would go to your skipper and (1) Apologize for wasting his time and (2) ask for forgiveness due to your youth and immaturity. Contriteness can sometimes accomplish much! What I could've done with opportunities you are pissing/ have pissed away!
What I wouldn't have given for a chance to qualify. I can assure you that had I been allowed to serve a regular division officer tour with a "Normal CO" I wouldn't have complained about not being SWO Non Attained! I'd have been busting my tail - trying to complete my command at sea quals, working to become an EOOW (Engineering Officer of the Watch), asking to stand TAO watch under instruction , etc. Anything I could do to increase my value to the Navy. Instead, I became proficient at appealing FITREPS (a necessary in my case but certainly not career enhancing skill). Eighteen months at one command - I'd say your very damn fortunate. If I were you, I would go to your skipper and (1) Apologize for wasting his time and (2) ask for forgiveness due to your youth and immaturity. Contriteness can sometimes accomplish much! What I could've done with opportunities you are pissing/ have pissed away!
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