-- To send off 2013, here's the official SUBFOR propaganda video looking back at the last year:
-- And here's a link to a fairly long (33 minute) video that seems to be mostly raw interviews from the sea trials of USS Minnesota (SSN 783) that took place last May. It's interesting if you haven't seen a lot of footage from the inside of a Virginia-class boat. The boat just shifted her homeport to Groton.
-- ADM Kinnaird McKee, who took over Naval Reactors from ADM Rickover (and was the Admiral I interviewed with), passed away on December 30th. Sailor, Rest Your Oar.
-- Here's a link to the results of the FY15 Major Command selection board that I neglected to post back in November.
-- We're going to start capping four tubes on each of our 14 operational SSBNs next year to meet the requirements of the New START treaty. It's expected to be done by 2018.
-- Lastly, if you find yourself in Charleston next month, there will be a four day event marking the 150th anniversary of the first successful submarine attack, by CSS H. L. Hunley against USS Housatonic.
That's quite the frooty Chop.
ReplyDeleteAnd, he'll know where all the pogy bait is stashed.
ReplyDeleteWho came up with this BULL SHIT?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteSo the gals take a year off and then go to shore duty.
Some dude somewhere is taking up the slack.
ReplyDeleteThat sail looked pretty banged up. What's up with that?
"So the gals take a year off and then go to shore duty." anon 8:58 pm
ReplyDeleteHere is a little thought experiment for you. Asasume an all girl navy, and when any girl takes her year off (per baby), another girl has to take her place.
Is it difficult to imagine the turmoil and hissy fits?
The 'bullshit' was concocted by a reasonably intelligent person who acknowledges that female attrition is higher than male attrition in large part due to females having a higher priority on raising a family.
ReplyDeleteSo in order to remove a barrier of entry to the upper ranks as a choice between career or family, they instituted a policy where you can take a period of time to start a family.
It's worth noting that during this time, the women don't get paid and they still have to meet career milestones in order to stay competitive for promotion. In other words, an officer who does it to milk extra shore duty is less likely to get selected for advancement or screen the next career milestone.
In other words, it is yet another special privilege to accommodate those who shouldn't be in the military . . . period. It's bad enough with faggots prancing around like they're in the Castro district, and now this.
ReplyDeleteSo tell me Sugar Britches, who gets shafted with an extra bone-us when li'l Suzy homemaker decides to take a year at home?
good grief. Do you have any idea how stupid you sound? I'm thinking, no.
ReplyDeleteThe sabbatical program is open to men and women, and it is not a new program.
ReplyDeleteWHO uses the sabbatical program???
ReplyDeleteSpeaking the truth often sounds "stupid" to those with low capacity for comprehension.
The sabbatical program was talked about/piloted at least 4 years ago. it is not a new thing - I remember the NAVADMIN from when I was a CCC and I've been out for over 3 years.
ReplyDeleteWHO uses it? People who want to finish graduate school. It's the only way to use it and not wind up losing your job down the road because promotions stopped.
I figure someone on this blog could probably help me out, but I'm a submariner on the hunt for the olive sweaters permitted to be worn over coveralls underway.
ReplyDeleteI've been told that these are VERY hard to find, and that seems to be correct. Is THIS (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Military-Acrylic-5-Button-Style-Tactical-Sweater-/130848019629?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160) the correct sweater?
If your command is dictating what can/can't be worn with coveralls UNDERWAY, you've got more problems than you know.
ReplyDeleteI've also wanted one just for old school community pride's sake.
ReplyDeleteLook at Army thrift shops. Just make sure it's wool and not acrylic. Not for some reg shit, but because acrylic burns easily in case you find yourself as a rapid responder to a fire.
Anon @ 0818 -
ReplyDeleteAn officer that uses the program is rolled back in YG to maintain competitiveness for promotion and milestones. Both men and women have used the program and have promoted once back in the system. I don't really think to classify it as "a way to milk more shore duty" is very accurate. They don't receive full pay during that time - unless thou are working another job in the side that's not great.
Am I the only one who read this and thought we somehow shorted ourselves some pay raises?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=121503&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Jacob, this is the one you want:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Military-Sweater-100-Wool-Army-Brown-Pullover-Very-Good-Cond-Army-Surplus-/350854306347?pt=US_CSA_MC_Sweaters&var=&hash=item51b08bda2b
What an amazing coincidence that the picture that comes up above is a black female.
ReplyDeleteEven more so when you consider that she is actually down in the presentation.
You can't make this up.
so what are you saying? That the Navy is trying to promote diversity? That's just nuts!
ReplyDeleteIf you think it's the Navy simply trying to promote diversity, then you're the one that's just nuts.
ReplyDeleteThere are 40 billets a year for Career Intermission Pilot Program, open to men and women. Underutilized program in that only 20 used last year. Can still succeed. First Pilot selected for Major Command that used program in past. Program trying to keep quality Sailors that want to start a family, get a grad education (not in uniform), etc.
ReplyDeleteFemale friendly program design but open to both genders.
if not just promoting diversity, than what else are they promoting? Seriously, I'm at loss as to what else it could be.
ReplyDeleteif they're not just promoting diversity, what else is it? Seriously, I'm at a loss as to what else it could be.
ReplyDelete"if they're not just promoting diversity, what else is it? Seriously, I'm at a loss as to what else it could be."
ReplyDeleteIf the Navy was SIMPLY trying to promote diversity, then not EVERY photo, video, and brochure would have diversity as its central theme.
If the Navy was SIMPLY trying to promote diversity, then they would stop having the Admiral-de-jure do a two-hour photo op for the 1,827th female to qualify as a Surface Line Officer (a bit of hyperbole, since I don't know that 1,827 women have so qualified).
If the Navy was SIMPLY trying to promote diversity, then the Navy wouldn't have had a CNO who proclaimed that diversity was the #1 goal instead of something more mundane--like warfighting ability.
Diversity is undoubtedly important, but so are a lot of other things. That's why priorities need to be set. But the Navy's priorities are being skewed by people who profit from the diversity industry. And those profiteers effectively are handicapping the Navy and many of the people they claim to represent. At this point in the Navy's history, if I were "diverse", I'd be pretty tired of being judged on my diversity factor rather than my competence, effort, and results.
The latest submarine thriller, "The killing Depths", includes an SSN with ample diversity. Who wants to bet on the next hit sub movie?
ReplyDeleteBased on the review he gives it, Vigilis apparently thinks it could very well be the next Red October.
"So in order to remove a barrier of entry to the upper ranks as a choice between career or family, they instituted a policy where you can take a period of time to start a family".
ReplyDeleteSo what happens to the family after the program?