Well, really, the scuppers ran green with sea dye marker mixed in salt water.

In summary, I am now a Trusty Shellback. I even had a bit part in the ceremony: after we'd been approved by Davy Jones, my "pod" of about twenty had to be presented to King Neptune and Queen Amphirite. We knelt, and His Neptunic Majesty asked if anyone would speak for the group. I said I would. "Why have you come before Us?" "Your Majesty, we seek permission to cross your domain." "And why do you think you are worthy of this boon?" "Your Majesty, we have had the taint of the landlubber clensed from us by Your loyal shellbacks, and Your minister Davy Jones has recommended us to your domain." "Arise then, trusty shellbacks all, and have your names entered on the Royal Rolls!"

As we were waiting in line to get our names recorded, Capt K_ asked if I'd been briefed on that conversation. "No, sir, but it seemed appropriate at the time." And another little bit gets added to my legend…

Also of course, my reputation preceded me. We were asked questions of tactics during the trials. The guy in front of me was asked the maximum effective range of a M-16A2 against a point target. I was asked to describe the function of the seeker head on a Sidewinder missile. They were suitably impressed when I answered it. Luckily I'd read an article about the Sidewinder in American Heritage of Invention and Technology magazine a few years ago. (The IR detector is fixed, while a spinning mirror flashes the target's heat spot onto the director once each revolution; the missile steers towards whatever angle the mirror is at when it reflects the heat spot.) And coming up with intellegible answers while facing into a fire hose added to the challenge.

Anyway, the ship's captain is now signing all our certificates, suitable for framing when we get back to garrison.

Now, we've got a Steel Beach party starting on the flight deck. The swim call was cancelled on account of high seas. While I'm not worried about swimming in 15' swells, the waves would make the shark snipers ineffective.

Posted by: Boviate at 08:36 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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