tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19819986066422587842024-03-05T04:54:10.618-05:00The Navy's Grade 36 BureaucratOne-stop shopping for all your questions related to house hunting leave, FITREPs, EVALs, awards, and just about anything else the Navy bureaucracy can throw at you.Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comBlogger630125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-70154333804808319852017-10-14T12:00:00.000-04:002017-10-20T20:01:51.686-04:00Hello Hello, but I must go!It's been fun, but it's time to hang up the hat on this blog. I've met plenty of cool people through here, but of late it's harder to get motivated to write articles. Between spending more time with the family and work, and the lack of engagement I get through here, it's just not worth it for me to keep writing here. <br />
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So I'm done. I'll leave the blog up for a while, just in case I change my mind, but I doubt it. I'll keep writing at <a href="http://datechguyblog.com/" target="_blank">Da Tech Guy</a>, and I may start something new in the future, but as of now this is the last post.Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-20962766456575652912017-08-05T12:00:00.000-04:002017-08-05T12:00:10.087-04:00You can keep your draft(x-posted from <a href="http://datechguyblog.com/2017/08/05/you-can-keep-your-draft/" target="_blank">Da Tech Guy</a>)<br />
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No, not the NFL draft...that one where we take people and put them in the military. Well, most people anyway...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjJFMc7hyphenhyphenG22W6smx4obLhyf_fYR_oTxDT6Y1gnnf_SGiy5cWaqSywuZ8_2GdlK6jrrOVF8xWKAc9feMF15MJPrzH2LakJkrxa7_GTOBD0fNkEgF6tMv5Q2NcEK0Ko4aAUzlgQbxC7Xvn/s1600/womendraft.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="500" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjJFMc7hyphenhyphenG22W6smx4obLhyf_fYR_oTxDT6Y1gnnf_SGiy5cWaqSywuZ8_2GdlK6jrrOVF8xWKAc9feMF15MJPrzH2LakJkrxa7_GTOBD0fNkEgF6tMv5Q2NcEK0Ko4aAUzlgQbxC7Xvn/s320/womendraft.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dennis Laich seems to think bringing back the draft is a great idea, as he is quoted <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2017/07/25/bringing-back-the-draft/">saying so here in this Military Times article</a>. He argues that it will be cheaper (due to making pay cheaper), close the civil-military gap, and bring in talent from Ivy League and other places. I'm in the military and live it every day, and I personally think the draft (and the current Selective Service) should go away completely.<br />
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<b>You get what you pay for. </b> On the outside, you can pay conscripts less and plus up numbers, and you look like a more impressive fighting force. A lot of people marching in uniforms with guns might look cool on the outside, but history is replete with smaller, better trained forces beating larger ones, from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gaugamela">Alexander the Great</a> to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_invasion_of_Iraq">US invasion of Iraq</a>. If you want better soldiers and sailors, you have to pay for them. Training them is expensive, as is retaining them. If you want someone with special technical skills, such as cyber warfare, you pay even more. You won't keep these people in a draft-laden military because...<br />
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<b>No one wants to deal with draftees.</b> Back in the day, we drafted people to work aboard nuclear submarines. Smart people qualified on the reactor plant, but they didn't want to be there. So to express their displeasure and try to get separated from the Navy, they would simply walk back and SCRAM the reactor by flipping a switch that dropped a set of control rods and shutdown the reactor. Granted, our plants can recover from a SCRAM fairly quickly, but as you can imagine, that became a huge distraction. Any good leader wants to work with motivated people. Dealing with the unmotivated and the 9 to 5 clock punchers is one of the most frustrating parts of my day. A draftee military will suck more good leaders time to dealing with that issue, and it won't address...<br />
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<b>The civil-military divide doesn't matter.</b> I'll probably get hate mail for this, but it seriously doesn't. While I do appreciate my military discount and occasional free meal, it's certainly not why I joined. I simply don't expect most people to appreciate what I do or even understand it. More importantly, I do my job so that the average American can sleep safely at night, and would prefer they not worry about waking up to a <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1017321_red_dawn">Red Dawn scenario</a>. I also travel in uniform and gladly talk to people about what I do, something too many service members don't do because...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFWPzDX1vOzjQBKL0eNWtvpO6-a1E7lFlArupla80dVWG-IHNS3Ab0JzqClS892D1Kglr3B_0qx_1vqVJKH3XqdPHyPv-DQvSIegp0NcmJnWuuezjPVINmezinsdmw0L6epX8Oc9r1Z6k/s1600/topgun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFWPzDX1vOzjQBKL0eNWtvpO6-a1E7lFlArupla80dVWG-IHNS3Ab0JzqClS892D1Kglr3B_0qx_1vqVJKH3XqdPHyPv-DQvSIegp0NcmJnWuuezjPVINmezinsdmw0L6epX8Oc9r1Z6k/s320/topgun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Although some conversations end this way...</i><br />
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<b>We the military make the divide harder.</b> It's true. I saw someone once chastise a person for wishing them a <a href="http://www.mystatesman.com/news/opinion/lacz-please-don-wish-happy-memorial-day/44y15oc7H1znluy20bAwLJ/">Happy Memorial Day</a>. I get it, Memorial Day recognizes those that can't come home. But our military members are often pretty hard on civilians. We expect them to know our culture, forgetting that in boot camp or ROTC we once shared their cluelessness. I prefer to be encouraging and instructing, rather than hating on people. It's also not like they don't have challenges. I meet great Americans that work two jobs and go to night school to make ends meet, and they are often my heroes. And while some of my heroes are champions in industry...<br />
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<b>Some really smart people would suck in the military.</b> It's not to say the military doesn't have smart people. I'm often shocked at how bright so many of my young Sailors are. But plenty of smart people at Google, Facebook, IBM, Raytheon and other companies do great there, but would be horrible in a military environment. The military needs people that can straddle the line between thinking big strategy and managing the day-to-day human needs, where industry is often ok with people that are smart but have <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs">terrible people skills</a>.<br />
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I'm not sold on the draft. I think many have visions that it'll make the "nation better," but in reality our nation is pretty great. If we need to focus, perhaps fixing our broken education system or getting people more physically active would be a better goal.<br />
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A final thought: calling for the draft isn't a true conservative thing...it's quite socialistic in origin. Trying to start "universal national service" screams to me a universal jobs program. I'd rather we let our young people excel to the best of their ability and have freedom to choose employment, freedoms that other young men and women sacrifice for everyday.Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-4335539200293255072017-07-27T08:00:00.000-04:002017-07-27T08:00:38.732-04:00Getting Respect: Communicating WellYes, I note the irony of "communicating well" and posting this quite later than I wanted to...<br />
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What you learn quickly in any leadership position is that communication is hard. You may think you're crystal clear on something, only to have your Sailors go off half-cocked on something and bring on unintended consequences.<br />
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If you fail to communicate well, you will lose respect because you won't be able to get anything done except through individual effort. Sure, you might be the most capable technician, but if you're being paid to be a leader, you have to get people to carry out your will while you're not there. The only way to do that is good communication.<br />
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I am not the world's best communicator, not by any measure. I have learned some tricks though that I find help.<br />
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<b>WRITE IT DOWN.</b> Written word is powerful, and yet we often don't encourage enough writing because we're always "in a hurry." Sadly though, the written word often saves us a considerable amount of time. Ever wonder why Commander's Guidance is written and displayed throughout a command? It's because the written word is there, 24/7/365. Any Sailor that walks by will likely scan or read it. If you're smart and put the written word near where people gather (my favorite is by the copy machine), you'll be amazed at how often people will read it out of shear boredom.<br />
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<b>REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT.</b> You can't say it enough. I feel like a broken record most days, and yet even when I constantly repeat something, it seems there is still someone who doesn't get it. Before I speak at quarters or walk around my command, I often decide what points I'm going to hit and then tell myself to hit that point 3-4 times when I'm talking. It seems dumb, but when I do that I notice that it sticks longer with Sailors than if I casually mention something.<br />
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<b>CONNECT EVERYTHING.</b> Every time I make a decision, I always try to talk to Sailors about why what I decided fits within my Commander's Guidance. Whether it is tying something to your principles, your Captain's Guidance, or big Navy policy, we as humans like to make connections, however tenuous, so tying in what you say to something else helps it be remembered. It honestly makes me feel like an evil genius sometimes, but it works.<br />
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<b>BUILD ACTIVE LISTENERS. </b>We often have an image of a great speaker talking to his Sailors, spouting out wisdom that they greedily eat up. In reality, you're probably less like Patton and more just happy when you don't bumble your words and see anyone looking down at their smart phone. You can be a great communicator, but in today's world, it's hard for anyone to capture attention. So you have to build active listeners. I often ask people to both repeat what I said, and then to tell me what they are going to do next. This makes sure they both heard me and then understand where we are going.<br />
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Communicating well is hard. You will ALWAYS be struggling to communicate effectively with those around you. The more you communicate, and the more effectively you communicate, the better chance you'll have at earning and keeping respect in the long run.Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-77959350585387363112017-07-07T08:00:00.000-04:002017-07-07T08:00:12.182-04:00Getting Respect: Differentiating between peopleYou would think the phrase "I treat people all the same" would be a good mark of true equality, but when I hear someone say it, I shudder. You're not supposed to treat people the same. In fact, doing so is a key reason why junior personnel are losing respect for the chain of command.<br />
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Let's start with giving mentoring time. Personnel that have lots of problems tend to consume our time. You have to write counseling chits, which get stored in a binder. Then when you realize a Sailor isn't going to last, you have to bring in legal, which involves more paperwork. Then, since Sailors have rights, you have to give them time to talk to the defense legal people, even when it is painfully obvious that the Sailor is in the wrong. When it's all said and done, you've dumped a lot of time on a crappy Sailor, only to have them swear at you in a final form of disrespect on their way out the door.<br />
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Yup, been there, done that. And good leaders will continue to do this.<br />
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The trick is balance. Once you start going down a legal separation road with a Sailor, you have to start off-setting the time you spend with that person. I try to make sure I walk around more often, talk to more high performing Sailors, and focus on fixing their issues and helping them do better. It's not perfect, but it helps.<br />
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And to go back to the beginning, does this count as treating Sailors the same? Nope. You apply rules in the same fashion, but you spend more quality time with good Sailors, and try to limit the time you have to spend on Sailors that aren't contributing (and probably won't).<br />
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How about awards? Why do we hear people rail against the "awards by rank," yet we see very little to change it? It's because we treat people the same. And it's garbage. On my submarine I had a Second Class Petty Officer that was lazy. I mean, extremely lazy. The guy destroyed every program and collateral duty that he touched. Every time he turned over, whether it was a set of logs, the PMS program, or whatever, it was garbage.<br />
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He did one tour and was leaving the Navy. My engineer asked for his award writeup, and both the Chief and I said he wasn't getting one. The engineer darn near demanded it, and we both refused and said he was welcome to write it up. He didn't, and the petty officer detached with a CO's letter...which was far too nice for him.<br />
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Good leaders treat people differently. They give better workers more slack and leeway, plus they spend more time mentoring those people. While applying rules equally across people, they cautiously guard their time from the poor performers that will try and drain it whenever possible.<br />
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What this does is create continued incentive for people to do better. Most people don't want to let down the boss. They want the boss to be happy and to think they are doing good work. Even the saltiest among Sailors like being told they are doing a good job. Sailors are also incredibly competitive, and having better performers rewarded while poor performers get very little continues to incentivize good productivity.<br />
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If you're worried about respect, try sharing more time with good performers and less time with poor performers. The shift in attention will probably get you more than any demand you make concerning your collar device.Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-55815951416872676322017-07-05T08:00:00.000-04:002017-07-05T08:00:19.918-04:00Getting respect: Sometimes you just need to do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSurmXS_10o6ziNzdxPtDKobPKR8TDERjVnscDhhVjgoVQ4BkbtjhBrEa2NXZ6fclH-UPZlJJQuaX4FwAXHmKhhyphenhyphenckUZ9fD0FfgXXVV1_wJUBQjkm0wPIFnAkBKGL7_wPMeKmr6iqZikjr/s1600/respeck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSurmXS_10o6ziNzdxPtDKobPKR8TDERjVnscDhhVjgoVQ4BkbtjhBrEa2NXZ6fclH-UPZlJJQuaX4FwAXHmKhhyphenhyphenckUZ9fD0FfgXXVV1_wJUBQjkm0wPIFnAkBKGL7_wPMeKmr6iqZikjr/s320/respeck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last few months, I keep hearing about "respect," typically as in "someone is not respecting me as a (chief/division officer/naval officer/petty officer/whatever)." I am told that Millenials don't respect their chain of command, and that if we could only harken back to the old days, we would be far better for it.<br />
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To that I say, bullshit.<br />
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The reason Millenials (or any other generation) have a problem respecting their chain of command has nothing to do with their generation and everything to do with how leaders are earning that respect. I explained this in a long conversation over some beverages to a friend, where we focused less on what Millenials/Xenials/(insert stupid generation name here) expect, and more on the shortfalls of our current leaders. Together, we came up with three shortfalls:<br />
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- Leaders don't "do" anymore.<br />
- Leaders don't differentiate between people.<br />
- Leaders don't communicate well.<br />
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Let's tackle the first one. In general, leaders don't "do" anymore. And by "do," I mean actually perform actions that make something happen.<br />
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When I was going through nuclear prototype school, one of the requirements was to take a primary sample, where you sample the water that circulates directly around the reactor. It's a delicate process, because you have to be quick or else you get exposed longer to radionuclides than you might want. To make studying easier, the prototype had a replica sample sink in our training room that we could practice on. So I did, running through the procedure over and over again until I could do it fairly well.<br />
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I went to schedule time with our leading Engineering Laboratory Technician (ELT), who looked at me funny, but said we could do the midnight sample. So I showed up a bit before midnight, we did the sample, and with some corrections from him, I did OK. Afterwards, he told me that a lot of the students don't actually do a sample, they just sit back and watch a sample.<br />
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This wasn't the first time I would encounter this. At my various jobs, I would stick my hands in a motor generator for maintenance, put together Tomahawk missile packages, start the Auxiliary Power Unit on an EP-3, fight fires, build intelligence products, solder wires and shoot studs. As an officer, I didn't do these things often, because that wasn't my primary job. But since my Sailors did them, I made sure I did them at least once.<br />
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This does a few things for you. First, you get an appreciation for what your Sailors do. Ever clean a bilge before? It sucks. It's a tight space, smells horrible, and has all sorts of goop in it. I hated cleaning bilges, but I jumped in a few over the years, and I never forgot them. It made me appreciate when my Sailors did some nasty job, and I made sure to thank them after for it.<br />
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Second, you score points with your Sailors. I went on a midshipman cruise with three Naval Academy Midshipmen. Since it was my "Second Class" cruise, I was supposed to be experiencing being an enlisted Sailor, so I wore enlisted uniforms and ran around with my running mate. This experience included cleaning up oil in the torpedo room. The TMC was shocked to see a midshipman cleaning up his torpedo room, especially since the other mids were on the same cruise but not doing anything. After that day, I never had a problem getting help from anyone on the boat, since I was the midshipman that cleaned.<br />
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Your Sailors notice when you "do." You instantly break the stereotype of the leader that orders people around, but is otherwise incompetent. You don't even have to "do" very well. I'm not great with tools or good at cleaning, but I can do a decent job when I apply myself for an hour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQd5uB8uw3TnGkhMi6GbW9daJm2FwGhlZYKpP4QJ_PTOSeHSlKx6oIfd7zyW7Ks9PyePJKwmtWAJRqhJgp3ETOuoCL8rXb2giYZJHoEs9cNFnDAxaELG-3HTOqQRphI3EmWRDylDPDTTZj/s1600/leader.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQd5uB8uw3TnGkhMi6GbW9daJm2FwGhlZYKpP4QJ_PTOSeHSlKx6oIfd7zyW7Ks9PyePJKwmtWAJRqhJgp3ETOuoCL8rXb2giYZJHoEs9cNFnDAxaELG-3HTOqQRphI3EmWRDylDPDTTZj/s1600/leader.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From dilbert.com</td></tr>
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Now, you can't be "doing" all the time, because you're a leader, and you have things to...do. Like leave chits. And EVALs. And other sort of paperwork.<br />
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Guess what? Here's the second part of "do:" Do the easy things well. And do them quickly.<br />
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Leave chits are easy, and yet routinely people can't get them approved quickly. EVALs happen the same time every year, and yet every year people struggle to sign them and debrief them before the end of the month they are due. I've had people shocked when I simply read the chit brought to me and sign it that very minute (normally for something really simple). I just see no reason for paperwork to sit around a few days.<br />
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As a leader, your "doing" is often a lot of paperwork. Too many times you find excuses to not "do." You don't check NSIPS on a regular schedule for leave chits. You don't plan for EVALs. You routinely ignore what the boss puts out, then make everyone scramble because you can't meet deadlines.<br />
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And you are surprised when Sailors won't clean well, or do their jobs well, while you flounder at your own?<br />
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And you wonder why Sailors (both below and above you) don't respect you?<br />
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Part of it is because you simply can't "do."<br />
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So start doing. You'd be surprised how that changes things.Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-87650403558623581982017-04-29T09:36:00.004-04:002017-04-29T09:36:53.117-04:00Hey, NPC is updating pictures!So I was looking up uniform requirements, expecting to see the old black and white pictures that have been on NPC's website since...forever, when low and behold<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbXGNAXn-V0Yi6JOQFz_zHjZxWydGtVoPHVRU5mlXweiLTkMTJTKweKCa0JQ5BNhI2zf0f273Irgc3twmEm3tBMGWfp1pbJenv8djoj1uUb0ynOKlO19LbGPP-1A6a6FED9pz-Mb71_NK/s1600/NPCwebsite.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbXGNAXn-V0Yi6JOQFz_zHjZxWydGtVoPHVRU5mlXweiLTkMTJTKweKCa0JQ5BNhI2zf0f273Irgc3twmEm3tBMGWfp1pbJenv8djoj1uUb0ynOKlO19LbGPP-1A6a6FED9pz-Mb71_NK/s400/NPCwebsite.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not all are updated, but this is a good start. Well done NPC!Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-13880060592900022017-04-08T12:15:00.003-04:002017-04-08T12:15:26.730-04:00Trump's pivot to the Pacific<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeVVOdcX8zvLvcUYLY26cAC-3NaJcluGBmLZqwQHBKUsD6KghvtXRyMroV6rwSMHK4lChfb6L_bH_41rXzNXM54kZ1IyI_pJJhKTcW0NnBaa1Sh4VArbLlJW5chRJEnrcL2IqqAfFXzCN/s1600/babel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeVVOdcX8zvLvcUYLY26cAC-3NaJcluGBmLZqwQHBKUsD6KghvtXRyMroV6rwSMHK4lChfb6L_bH_41rXzNXM54kZ1IyI_pJJhKTcW0NnBaa1Sh4VArbLlJW5chRJEnrcL2IqqAfFXzCN/s320/babel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Perhaps we're really pivoting to the Pacific? <a href="http://datechguyblog.com/2017/04/08/trumps-pivot-to-the-pacific/" target="_blank">Check out my latest post at Da Tech Guy!</a>Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-20740574369848169122017-03-04T12:27:00.002-05:002017-03-04T12:27:34.090-05:00What an ADSEP board looks like<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyFwV4cPvwBMoFkRF3cI9fXvd5wgfaRIt4rASTKgEwRrziMBBSnoSFjiikaCUaVOmcwmJ-HBOZknLOcgliLLQUFxLh1VlULp_ojTcUatpLHoWsDlBSK4oS35wurYscQyTxIUbNruIp3u6/s1600/Knox_County_Courthouse_%2528Nebraska%2529_courtroom_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyFwV4cPvwBMoFkRF3cI9fXvd5wgfaRIt4rASTKgEwRrziMBBSnoSFjiikaCUaVOmcwmJ-HBOZknLOcgliLLQUFxLh1VlULp_ojTcUatpLHoWsDlBSK4oS35wurYscQyTxIUbNruIp3u6/s320/Knox_County_Courthouse_%2528Nebraska%2529_courtroom_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtroom photo, from Wikipedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This past week I sat on my first ever Administrative Separation (ADSEP) board. Having never been on an ADSEP board before, I wanted to share my experience to try and remove some of the myths out there about this process. Please note, I am NOT going to give any specifics on the people involved, as that is privacy act information.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
An ADSEP board is the Navy's way of giving a fair shake to a Sailor that got in trouble. Typically, you see them for offenses like positive urinalysis for drugs, physical fitness assessment failures, or other lower offenses where someone runs afoul of Navy rules, but it's not a violent offense that demands jail.<br />
<br />
The ADSEP process starts when a Sailor is either recommended for ADSEP processing by Captain's Mast or when an instruction mandates it (for example, <a href="https://doni.documentservices.dla.mil/Directives/06000%20Medical%20and%20Dental%20Services/06-100%20General%20Physical%20Fitness/6110.1J.pdf" target="_blank">the PFA</a>). The Sailor's command will pick at least three board members, arrange a location and send a letter that establishes the date and time of the board. The Sailor will have a defense attorney assigned by the local legal service office, and the government's case will be researched by a prosecutor from a legal office (but the two are separate).<br />
<br />
On the day of the board, the following people will be present:<br />
<br />
- The service member<br />
- Service member's defense (called "Counsel")<br />
- Government prosecutor (called "Recorder")<br />
- Someone taking minutes<br />
- Board members<br />
- Witnesses<br />
<br />
The Senior Member will read off a script (from <a href="http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/milpersman/1000/1900Separation/Documents/1910-516.pdf" target="_blank">MILPERSMAN 1910-516</a>) which walks everyone through the board. Rights are read, and the procedure is outlined. Then both sides question the board members to determine if they object to anyone on the board. Ideally, the convening authority has picked board members that don't really know the Sailor. After that, the Recorder and Counsel make opening statements and present evidence. Each side gets a chance to object to evidence, although hopefully this doesn't happen and should have been hashed out before the board.<br />
<br />
Since the board members have not seen the evidence, the Senior Member will likely dismiss the Sailor, Counsel and Recorder for some time while the members read through the evidence. Once they return, each side will present their case. Each side can call witnesses, and after each witness is examined and cross-examined, the board members can ask questions of them.<br />
<br />
Once that is complete, each side makes a final argument, then all except the board are dismissed. At that point the board members discuss the facts. They first discuss whether there is enough evidence to prove that the offense happened. Their level of proof is called "preponderance of evidence," meaning that as long as they are greater than 50% sure, then that is good enough.<br />
<br />
After that, they determine whether the circumstances merit separation. They use <a href="http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/milpersman/1000/1900Separation/Documents/1910-212.pdf" target="_blank">MILPERSMAN 1910-212</a> as a guideline, which says you consider:<br />
<br />
<b>a. The seriousness of the offense. </b><br />
<b>b. The likelihood of a recurrence. </b><br />
<b>c. Member’s potential for further service. </b><br />
<b>d. Member’s military record.</b><br />
<br />
The members then consider whether to recommend the member be kept in the reserves, although this is a recommendation and not a determination.<br />
<br />
Once complete, the Sailor, Counsel and Recorder come back in. The Senior Member reads off the results, and the board concludes.<br />
<br />
Having now sat on one, it's about as fair as you can get. I didn't know the person I sat the board for, didn't see the evidence until that day, and had all the correct procedures and pieces of information there to work with the board members and make a decision. I always worried that we were becoming a zero-defect Navy, but the ADSEP process showed me you can get a fair shake even if you screw up.<br />
<br />
<i>This post represents the views of the author and not the views of the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy or any other government agency.</i>Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-85633959067651987402017-02-17T07:23:00.001-05:002017-02-18T09:34:06.488-05:00Who it's really about<div dir="ltr">
To all my readers, thank you for the love and support shown over the last few days. Unfortunately, Rebecca didn't survive her surgery. After dwelling on it the past few days, I realized I might have missed a lesson.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="http://datechguyblog.com/2017/02/17/who-its-really-about/"><br />http://datechguyblog.com/2017/02/17/who-its-really-about/</a></div>
Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-59434294517691431162017-01-21T14:37:00.003-05:002017-01-21T14:37:45.503-05:00If you went to MSOC, you may be eligible for JPME creditSharing a helpful email.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Ladies and Gentlemen,</span><br />
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
We have gotten a truly overwhelming response to the initiative that gets partial JPME credit for graduating from <span class="il">MSOC</span>.
To make this easier for all, particularly OLP's Admin folks, please
read the following that addresses most of the questions we've received
via email and on the phone:</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1.
This applies to only those taking JPME I distance education through the
Naval War College. If you are taking distance ed from Air War College,
there is no transferable credit.</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2.
It applies only to those taking distance ed through the web enabled and
CD ROM methodologies. It does not apply to Fleet Seminar Program
students (including those at NPS).</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3. <span class="il">MSOC</span> counts toward distance ed JMO Blocks 4 & 5.</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">4. This initiative is grand-fathered back through <span class="il">MSOC</span> class 12-16, that is all classes in NWC Academic Year 2012/13 and later. These are all classes that began after 1 July 2012.</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">5. To get the <span class="il">MSOC</span>
credit, we need to create a profile for you in distance education's
data base. To do that, we need the the data in the attached document.
Please fill it out (minus PII: SSN and DoD number off ID card) and
e-mail back to me. Before you start JMO call OLP Admin <a href="tel:%28401%29%20841-3690" target="_blank" value="+14018413690">(401-841-3690</a>/3685) to provide SSN and DoD# over the phone and your record will be complete.</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">6. Because we are working to catch up several years worth of data, your records will not be ready until you are starting JMO.</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">7.
Call or e-mail me (NOT Admin) if you have questions, however, I do not
have the ability to change eligibility dates or add Fleet Seminar
Program students.</span></i></div>
Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-39377647602517353102017-01-14T12:39:00.002-05:002017-01-14T12:39:35.387-05:00Crosspost from Da tech guy: Our Broken Millenials<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIbYa2mfE_i-w3wzucGYMsbbuMfUuviudEUBXf9PXOxPdghWljNJ54MiCOjC431XxFzCoeyif5rOiY7zkdEMqA5hHexooITcxRjK1He_dA9-9S4tYwRrqa4NlqFm6Bk-HugvrQDM6jP6p/s1600/broken_family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIbYa2mfE_i-w3wzucGYMsbbuMfUuviudEUBXf9PXOxPdghWljNJ54MiCOjC431XxFzCoeyif5rOiY7zkdEMqA5hHexooITcxRjK1He_dA9-9S4tYwRrqa4NlqFm6Bk-HugvrQDM6jP6p/s320/broken_family.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
Millenials are doing worse compared to their parents. Is it the economy, or something else? I explore that topic here: <a href="http://datechguyblog.com/2017/01/14/our-broken-millenials/">http://datechguyblog.com/2017/01/14/our-broken-millenials/</a>Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-39396884739628585892017-01-11T10:04:00.001-05:002017-01-11T10:04:57.350-05:00Working on a book!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTdEWp0BaQzZCa2ZlRj3qPNDGkGoxDQs7HoGn8RRO3PePEXKciq0GaDSUmj9ra0LjguLDK4Cu0iKskneaySpcQcl-kfhy9kPnhkaCF_2FPHbZmftcy90YMYZY_GNDvLbCdtCuNuqh8i3q/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTdEWp0BaQzZCa2ZlRj3qPNDGkGoxDQs7HoGn8RRO3PePEXKciq0GaDSUmj9ra0LjguLDK4Cu0iKskneaySpcQcl-kfhy9kPnhkaCF_2FPHbZmftcy90YMYZY_GNDvLbCdtCuNuqh8i3q/s1600/book.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
My posting has been sporadic due to Christmas break (and I took more days than normal, gotta use up that leave balance!) but also because I'm working on a book, ideally part of a series on leadership. I'm on the ethics section, and wanted to share a small part of what I've written so far: <br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our moral compass is built slowly over time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You accumulate experiences, training and
guidance that tells you what is right and wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drastic changes are rare and easy to spot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Your moral compass is
more likely to suffer death by a thousand cuts than a sudden brittle
fracture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worse, you are heavily
influenced by those around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your
command climate permits questionable ethics, you'll be more likely to make poor
ethical decisions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Germany was a perfect
example of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recommend reading
Erik Larson's book "In The Garden of Beasts."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book shows the perspective of Germany
from the American ambassador, who watched it slowly decay over the reign of
Hitler as Chancellor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His daughter and
wife noticed that although the German's were nice people, slowly over time they
became increasingly harsh towards the Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One quote is particularly telling:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Coordination' occurred with astonishing speed, even in sectors of life
not directly targeted by specific laws, as Germans willingly placed themselves
under the sway of Nazi rule, a phenomenon that became known as
Selbtsgleichschaltung, or 'self-coordination.' Change came to Germany so
quickly and across such a wide front that German citizens who left the country
for business or travel returned to find everything around them altered, as if
they were characters in a horror movie who come back to find that people who
once were their friends, clients, patients, and customers have become different
in ways hard to discern.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Remember that these people started
off just like you and me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hitler's
desire to exterminate the Jews eventually crept into most of his soldiers, no
matter what their upbringing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, in
more blunt terms, you can't be a diamond in the mud, because at some point you
become just another mud covered diamond.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This isn't a defense
of Germany's actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can guard
ourselves from ethical problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
starts with properly identifying the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You won't face ethical dilemmas on some big scale, instead, it will be a
small ethical decisions on a day to day basis that you need to be constantly
getting right in order to maintain your moral compass.</span></div>
Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-71056055718887281702017-01-03T11:45:00.003-05:002017-01-03T11:51:32.284-05:00Your BAH is going away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipay9FbawPdfiFwjlOCaL7Xpay8rVpfkli8m_vRO-DHW3R2W9O28mxOjGY9MauJEfCOpQyme1KavESCRXq3RPX9IKmulozh7SeMorKD1ijQBD70niYdUBjl7yg-KpbiAtXczW5yGcOOt9Q/s1600/ndaa17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipay9FbawPdfiFwjlOCaL7Xpay8rVpfkli8m_vRO-DHW3R2W9O28mxOjGY9MauJEfCOpQyme1KavESCRXq3RPX9IKmulozh7SeMorKD1ijQBD70niYdUBjl7yg-KpbiAtXczW5yGcOOt9Q/s400/ndaa17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Yup, you heard me. The National Defense Authorization passed. You can read it here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20161128/CRPT-114HRPT-S2943.pdf">http://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20161128/CRPT-114HRPT-S2943.pdf</a><br />
<br />
Everyone seems focused on the 2.1% pay increase. I caught this note in the executive summary:<br />
<i><br />REPORTS ON A NEW SINGLE-SALARY PAY SYSTEM FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES (SEC 604) - Not later than March 1, 2017, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representative a report that sets forth a plan to implement a new pay system. The new pay structure described shall assume the repeal of the basic allowance for housing and basic allowance subsistence for members of the Armed Forces in favor of a single-salary pay system.</i><br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
And, if you search the document, here's what you find:<br />
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<i>The new pay structure described pursuant to subsection (b)(1) shall assume the repeal of the basic allowance for housing and basic allowance subsistence for members of the Armed Forces in favor of a single-salary pay system, and shall include the following:<br /><br />(1) A statement of pay comparability with the civilian sector adequate to effectively recruit and retain a high-quality All-Volunteer Force.<br /><br />(2) The level of pay necessary by grade and years of service to meet pay comparability as described in paragraph (1) in order to recruit and retain a high-quality All-Volunteer Force.<br /><br />(3) Necessary modifications to the military retirement system, including the retired pay multiplier, to ensure that members of the Armed Forces under the pay structure are situated similarly to where they would otherwise be under the military retirement system that will take effect on January 1, 2018, by reason part I of subtitle D of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 129 Stat. 842), and the amendments made by that part.</i><br />
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Done in the name of "retaining the best and brightest..." Except what it actually does is take away a tax exemption.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZZTwMV3K_PVjg5qtoS5GJYTh07yV7Kbf3taVOHpILwymaHC9wt-cKY79MaVNWYO4o8o4Ntya_aOwIaN6p5qRdmLfCNw2PoCULXP0Ch1DNyG6g-O2nJppOGp8WPMJ81aMln7Jk2pai35C/s1600/BAHrepeal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZZTwMV3K_PVjg5qtoS5GJYTh07yV7Kbf3taVOHpILwymaHC9wt-cKY79MaVNWYO4o8o4Ntya_aOwIaN6p5qRdmLfCNw2PoCULXP0Ch1DNyG6g-O2nJppOGp8WPMJ81aMln7Jk2pai35C/s400/BAHrepeal2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, doing some VERY basic math, you can see what the change is for a few people. I used dependent BAH in Norfolk, VA. Now, think about tax brackets, which I pull from the <a href="https://www.irs.com/articles/2016-federal-tax-rates-personal-exemptions-and-standard-deductions" target="_blank">IRS website</a>:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsIe82N2ejZGFbZyN3ZSglfCNSVLGTpkE_mPx6fQrNXLpLTTm6w9n-0bpVrWohahBbU-EAJ5VfyoaB4g0Y_fgBErbTpOC8qT_CumXU1dUXbJuOnWMI-1xrBLbAjVlzFAPy3y3b5TpUILl/s1600/taxrates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsIe82N2ejZGFbZyN3ZSglfCNSVLGTpkE_mPx6fQrNXLpLTTm6w9n-0bpVrWohahBbU-EAJ5VfyoaB4g0Y_fgBErbTpOC8qT_CumXU1dUXbJuOnWMI-1xrBLbAjVlzFAPy3y3b5TpUILl/s400/taxrates.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
Hmmm, notice anything? The E-6 filing jointly is now on the cusp of the next tax bracket. Assuming he gets a bonus or something like that, he pops over into the 25% bracket. An O-3 at 8 years is screwed. So is a Chief. <i>This legislation has the effect of pushing almost anyone with over 12 years in the military into, or nearly into, the 25% tax bracket. </i><br />
<br />
Apparently taxing people at a higher rate encourages retention in the alternate universe that Washington DC operates in.<br />
<br />
You should be <a href="http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/" target="_blank">contacting your Congressman</a> and encouraging them to remove this. This is a basic assault on your benefits disguised in a "fairness" doctrine.<br />
<br />
<i>This post represents the views of the author and not the views of the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy or any other government agency.</i> <br />
<i> </i><br />
<i></i>Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-58838796830025386772016-12-22T08:01:00.000-05:002016-12-22T08:08:11.058-05:00Now that we have ratings...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTMGrjaoMwmXsUWYwQdrBJ9pDYmsXYTrorQY3rJsELvOQyHdVG8lCZqRRC81NfwYTCvpGucZrIaWXeGdXNpmqRISxV0Q8Fy2pK22l1gteqe7gupG772yiOCkrNRgl4ipeg9HyCHSorNBO/s1600/darthvaderdeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTMGrjaoMwmXsUWYwQdrBJ9pDYmsXYTrorQY3rJsELvOQyHdVG8lCZqRRC81NfwYTCvpGucZrIaWXeGdXNpmqRISxV0Q8Fy2pK22l1gteqe7gupG772yiOCkrNRgl4ipeg9HyCHSorNBO/s320/darthvaderdeal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...can we refocus on technical training?<br />
<br />
While we can go back and forth about whether the rating removal was aimed at the word "man," or helping Sailors land civilian jobs, or some other reason, we missed that ratings were more than just a nice way to address ourselves. Enlisted ratings linked Sailors to a promotion exam, which required them (at least up to E-6) to be knowledgeable in their rating. The whole point of that was to keep our Sailors studying and staying sharp in their job.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
We have managed to erode that over time in the IWC, mainly by a lack of investment in training. The Navy is quickly becoming a hypocrite: on one hand, demanding more STEM-trained Sailors, while on the other providing less resources to build these Sailors or maintain their skills.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FAJ8WUGsYTGGvCKO5dhlRkirZ5mOTorAOHmKjkgJgJ06wJao8lOLY89VBOX3jDkmet1_wxh_4lkvOgGzvAWEdq72qfzfWwsb4ahUQHPpdZkSLzu5dGfdxR_rQMun1k1xPr485NqvqyRh/s1600/stempaying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FAJ8WUGsYTGGvCKO5dhlRkirZ5mOTorAOHmKjkgJgJ06wJao8lOLY89VBOX3jDkmet1_wxh_4lkvOgGzvAWEdq72qfzfWwsb4ahUQHPpdZkSLzu5dGfdxR_rQMun1k1xPr485NqvqyRh/s320/stempaying.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
For example, despite a Cyber Security Workforce (CSWF) instruction that wants CSWF members to have more technical certifications, the IT training pipeline no longer incorporates tests like Security+. Students are instead "encouraged" to use Navy COOL to pursue these certifications on their own time. <br />
<br />
Or what about CTMs? After first disestablishing the rate (leaving cryptologic equipment at the mercy of non-CT ratings like ETs and ATs), CTMs were then targeted by Sailor 2025, which sought to turn ratings into a series of block training events that would be pursued over a Sailor's career. Seems like a good idea, until you dig into the details. What ends up happening is that Sailors spend less time in school and end up with more on the job training. This increase in OJT doesn't come with an increased tour length at a command, so commands spend all that time training a CTM, only to have them transfer without spending a lot of time using that knowledge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqeNiVST_YLtkKLrfw7f4UqLpPZ3R5AzoZdK3xjiwR2ysrXgezswkjqowBLyJqVwXLDjiRrGt2lTDyvidyVMNbVQdFMynp_PDpbvy-5nRjkM1TEGRQA4qf9dqPUNF7xrgPENtj_aDGZL2/s1600/sailor2025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqeNiVST_YLtkKLrfw7f4UqLpPZ3R5AzoZdK3xjiwR2ysrXgezswkjqowBLyJqVwXLDjiRrGt2lTDyvidyVMNbVQdFMynp_PDpbvy-5nRjkM1TEGRQA4qf9dqPUNF7xrgPENtj_aDGZL2/s320/sailor2025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sailor 2025 is coming to a rating near you, just in case you thought it was a CTM problem.<br />
<br />
It gets worse because this assumes that all commands have a robust training program when in fact most commands aren't billeted for dedicated training in the first place. At NIOC Georgia, the training department is 150 people, covering everything from linguist annual refresher training to cyber certifications, but NIOC Georgia isn't billeted for a training officer. The other large NIOCs are likely no different. Had Sailor 2025 come with a plan to put more training resources at commands, I would have thought it genius. Sadly, it did not, so commands are forced to make do with few resources.<br />
<br />
Our officer training is by far the worst example of training cutbacks. Despite placing our Information Warfare officers in extremely technically demanding billets, we have cut down their initial training to only a few weeks. Think about it: our people leading cyber and SIGINT, running multi-million dollar systems, get less than 3 months of training. Contrast this to our nuclear trained officers, who get a YEAR of technical training before being allowed to qualify on their vessel's reactor plant.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-GensjCMu_vs4M7gNfKjE7kr5UPM6wIpD6FpRtN01fCICWSxdntywgu58jDD4xZeUcXX8DH04Xx6ekWeXmePsMoz1jg1lOEQbMSPEDS0SBGh0JS_bT-ov6ODUgF1AaRUe7aKly8PU0Yk/s1600/navynukeofficer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-GensjCMu_vs4M7gNfKjE7kr5UPM6wIpD6FpRtN01fCICWSxdntywgu58jDD4xZeUcXX8DH04Xx6ekWeXmePsMoz1jg1lOEQbMSPEDS0SBGh0JS_bT-ov6ODUgF1AaRUe7aKly8PU0Yk/s320/navynukeofficer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Navy's rating elimination was part of a plan that ultimately generalizes our Sailors too much at the younger levels. I'm all about broadening Sailor's horizons into the other IWC areas, but that should happen at the E7/O4 level, not as E1s and O1s. Sure, I want my 1810 LTs to be familiar with METOC, Intel and IP. I was familiar with them, having worked with each group during my time at Second Fleet and PACFLT staffs, but I was NOT (and still am not) an expert in any of those fields. My major contributions in both of those jobs was technical and very focused, which is what we expect of LTs. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1IEUdjkd3Mc3HZG3ceN4tGxJ-RXaMjVOCLNGuqLup2qYucA4SiDaGNrObWr_HKYxI7bG1Pb7WqWl-r1wjA4EzVDXibmMo1t0eHX3mjWzQ0SQjj8cK0EbJUJLeUdYZ7lhslb_3m-wa8d_/s1600/generalist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1IEUdjkd3Mc3HZG3ceN4tGxJ-RXaMjVOCLNGuqLup2qYucA4SiDaGNrObWr_HKYxI7bG1Pb7WqWl-r1wjA4EzVDXibmMo1t0eHX3mjWzQ0SQjj8cK0EbJUJLeUdYZ7lhslb_3m-wa8d_/s320/generalist.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Generalizing too early doesn't build interchangeable Sailors who can hop from one job to another with great flexibility; it instead builds Sailors who are mediocre at all things</b>. When our enemies actively pursue excellence in very specific weak areas, we have to be prepared to use strength. Mediocre Sailors will always struggle to exercise strength in their rating and warfare areas.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping that the rating re-introduction will spark a larger conversation about what we as a Navy will do to address a massive training gap before it becomes too late.<br /><br /><i>This post represents the views of the author and does not reflect the positions of the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy or any other governmental organization.</i>Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-29745715821998019272016-12-03T16:10:00.000-05:002016-12-03T16:10:28.886-05:00Guest blogging all over the placeSo it's been light here because I've been guest blogging a lot:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://datechguyblog.com/2016/12/03/trumps-china-call-is-a-deliberate-overreach/" target="_blank">Why Trump's call to Taiwan isn't random</a><br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
<a href="https://stationhypo.com/2016/11/18/the-future-of-iw-at-sea-guest-post/" target="_blank">The Future of IW at Sea</a>Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-30706858313104933962016-11-05T11:48:00.000-04:002016-11-05T11:48:21.481-04:00If I had to fix the VFW<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHh0U5FERbG_PIP1lPo9ow13yJUIJWXxazC5IuwtDf3Lye56a4e0hTmdA70SweSiyLHsBah9ejdY0aL6g4XjMZ4u8c9WkhHfS8HGIQFWtFKSI-XieSB5zxqkxHOQZ-YX51x-Abr8M50yl/s1600/640px-VFW_post_2408_Ypsilanti_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHh0U5FERbG_PIP1lPo9ow13yJUIJWXxazC5IuwtDf3Lye56a4e0hTmdA70SweSiyLHsBah9ejdY0aL6g4XjMZ4u8c9WkhHfS8HGIQFWtFKSI-XieSB5zxqkxHOQZ-YX51x-Abr8M50yl/s320/640px-VFW_post_2408_Ypsilanti_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used to drive by this all the time going to school. Image from wikipedia.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you follow my weekly article on <a href="http://datechguyblog.com/" target="_blank">Da Tech Guy</a>, my latest post is a bit of a rant about the VFW. And while I'm sort of picking on one organization, I could probably say the same things about more than a few other fraternal-order type organizations designed for veterans. Most of the them, like the VFW, are <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/19/younger-veterans-bypass-vfw-american-legion-for-se/" target="_blank">struggling</a> <a href="http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/07/local_american_legion_posts_re.html" target="_blank">for membership</a> and can't seem to figure out why. Even the <a href="http://www.duffelblog.com/2013/07/vfw-military-fakers/" target="_blank">Duffel Blog </a>makes fun of it.<br />
<br />
The VFW isn't unlike the NRA in terms of it's initial demographics, quick rise in popularity and then facing a membership and relevance challenge. But unlike the NRA, which adapted to it's environment, the <a href="http://www.vfw.org/" target="_blank">VFW</a>, <a href="http://www.legion.org/" target="_blank">American Legion</a>, <a href="https://www.ussvi.org/home.asp" target="_blank">Submarine Veterans</a> and others haven't. How could these organizations change to better recruit? I have some ideas. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
- Recruit members on active duty. Military members are easy to find. They have a distinctive haircut and manners about them. Junior enlisted don't stray far from most military bases. Despite knowing exactly where your base of new members resides, I've never once had a VFW member canvass our neighborhood. I've gotten Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, window salesmen and political hacks knocking on my door (and I like the first two and not the second two). <b>The VFW needs to be hitting the streets to recruit.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsX54RCs08xDfHXzwY1P0bMeAXlOWG2UzG0SQRDg1q6_K6R1u8eaTR1ZQyNGknsoe3PIcKAuJtumGa4f5dC7S_WmxjMBr-2AJjoGX3sz0YlfvD4KrVdkI8qVJZaTAJTEFfAoxqkOa860Af/s1600/recruiting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsX54RCs08xDfHXzwY1P0bMeAXlOWG2UzG0SQRDg1q6_K6R1u8eaTR1ZQyNGknsoe3PIcKAuJtumGa4f5dC7S_WmxjMBr-2AJjoGX3sz0YlfvD4KrVdkI8qVJZaTAJTEFfAoxqkOa860Af/s1600/recruiting.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Contrast this to the NRA. You can't walk into a gun store without seeing NRA signs and literature everywhere. Most store owners are members and bring up membership in conversation.<br />
<br />
- Actually use technology. The VFW finally has a decent website, and is on Facebook. But it's sort of a check in the box. Are they reaching out to new members through social media? Are they ready for the next big thing? This <a href="http://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-trends/" target="_blank">article lays out trends</a> that I see coming, but will likely take the VFW by surprise. <b>The VFW needs a media organization that looks professional and is adept with the latest technologies that our younger people use.</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUfE7eTrq3BuqxlKUNg73f0TT4f9kF0mggq7jW641NdmQlBHdvPi2-OMU_ViO9T_1W56sfFV7vN3THio5Mz28YPvnDdeJK_FNNXM1mFxGlSBI1Kj7Os1rERhq143jsxgfyPdcun4Ngtx4/s1600/snailmail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUfE7eTrq3BuqxlKUNg73f0TT4f9kF0mggq7jW641NdmQlBHdvPi2-OMU_ViO9T_1W56sfFV7vN3THio5Mz28YPvnDdeJK_FNNXM1mFxGlSBI1Kj7Os1rERhq143jsxgfyPdcun4Ngtx4/s1600/snailmail.jpg" /></a></div>
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If you go to the NRA, they had professionally <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/NRAVideos/playlists" target="_blank">produced podcasts and videos</a> up long ago. Their media machine is poised for whatever comes next.<br />
<br />
- Deliver focused messages. Women are too often ignored at the VFW. I think the organization is slowly realizing that women work as more than just nurses in war time. When I talk to female veterans that I serve with, none of them had a good experience with the VFW. If you plan to scrap 20-25% of eligible members, you're gonna have a membership problem. <b>The VFW has to develop a tailored message to women and other underrepresented groups.</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEd_XtCX-bMtcEq63gPsib4e5xjR_0dP2MOUoWEldGHmUkpuOi_V3s7cLcQWzNBEzTZwVIaffz0WEPLGy_0AHNfeL2kMD6AUwOPfnkGWNd3ljaWxPrps8SzP7U_g1wV5Jpbk1-G9hB3hd/s1600/outreach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEd_XtCX-bMtcEq63gPsib4e5xjR_0dP2MOUoWEldGHmUkpuOi_V3s7cLcQWzNBEzTZwVIaffz0WEPLGy_0AHNfeL2kMD6AUwOPfnkGWNd3ljaWxPrps8SzP7U_g1wV5Jpbk1-G9hB3hd/s320/outreach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A caveat to that. A tailored message doesn't mean you change your core beliefs, nor does it mean you cow-toe to the outreach mafia. It means you recognize that when you recruit people, you have your best chance recruiting when you use something that appeals to the potential member. One of those things is that <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131107094406.htm" target="_blank">people like other people that look like themselves</a>. You can try and fight that, or you can use that to your advantage. When I was recruiting new ushers for our church, rather than do the recruiting myself, I had a mix of ushers from all different backgrounds to help me, which increased our recruitment 10 fold from the previous year.<br />
<br />
The NRA has specific outreach for women and minorities. It builds media products, classes and programs designed to appeal to those groups. At the same time, the core message of gun rights isn't diluted by doing this. In fact, the growing membership brings a diversity of thinking to the group.<br />
<br />
- Actually decide on your core message. "What's the VFW do?" That's a darn good question, one asked by a lot of young veterans. The VFW marches in parades and has a hall you can rent. And drinks beer. I'm willing to bet they do a lot more, but we don't hear about it, I think in large part because they do a poor job of conveying their core message. <b>The VFW needs to develop a core message that repeats easily in media and within it's membership.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B3QCRKIT7XFIhClCvUdgvX3zkTG3yfT50zc8VcmxJGgxa5rU2Ht1-xVFD9XQvrpk55yd7mt0khsNT7W51mHemZ_eGafJsdYZEVXNIDrI5lQ5x2FRHcPbH8dB8x7N1zbJeB5pGTv0EvrS/s1600/missionstatement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B3QCRKIT7XFIhClCvUdgvX3zkTG3yfT50zc8VcmxJGgxa5rU2Ht1-xVFD9XQvrpk55yd7mt0khsNT7W51mHemZ_eGafJsdYZEVXNIDrI5lQ5x2FRHcPbH8dB8x7N1zbJeB5pGTv0EvrS/s320/missionstatement.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Contrast this to the NRA. Instantly people think "gun rights." Even the NRA's detractors know this. For any member, they know about shooting classes, Eddie Eagle and gun safety. It's right out there for all to see, no guessing involved.<br />
<br />
The VFW, American Legion and others can totally bounce back and become vibrant organizations again. However, that is going to require current members to really change how they think first before new members will sign on. I'm not holding my breath.<br />
<hr />
<i>This post is the view of the author and does not reflect the views of the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, National Rifle Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars or any other organization. </i><br />
<br />Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-34016301291912935612016-10-22T16:38:00.003-04:002016-10-22T16:38:44.014-04:00I got a chance to hear the FBI director speak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO-8ntdblYmAZBW5rgoAMXCAp3SntFPPugjqm8TO5Lj6owgT9LZC0GsI96GOR_wY6hGcdOT0sgAvheDFOLCRToYg98DtBwWAhyphenhyphena2uWwqTNLwaUUtb9fwUPOtD1fvDY00yJL8XEXGp57na/s1600/CGA_Comey_Podium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO-8ntdblYmAZBW5rgoAMXCAp3SntFPPugjqm8TO5Lj6owgT9LZC0GsI96GOR_wY6hGcdOT0sgAvheDFOLCRToYg98DtBwWAhyphenhyphena2uWwqTNLwaUUtb9fwUPOtD1fvDY00yJL8XEXGp57na/s320/CGA_Comey_Podium.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Enjoy my post <a href="http://datechguyblog.com/2016/10/22/listening-to-director-comey-firsthand/" target="_blank">here at Da Tech Guy</a>!Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-45009038384524455872016-10-11T21:32:00.002-04:002016-10-11T21:32:51.680-04:00Did you contribute to rating elimination?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQz_XU2Wo-9e0gjyK-uu9RXYZAvC45QGXyUK2GurBHFOvdcrVipL1AzrGaQJpoLeCWhaZ__tkGLMY8YKMLm7p5YSr1hE-nazexWuhd4U1TM_IVqFlMk3ThwLDtFBz_QAmhmzYxXRP5FR60/s1600/USMAPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQz_XU2Wo-9e0gjyK-uu9RXYZAvC45QGXyUK2GurBHFOvdcrVipL1AzrGaQJpoLeCWhaZ__tkGLMY8YKMLm7p5YSr1hE-nazexWuhd4U1TM_IVqFlMk3ThwLDtFBz_QAmhmzYxXRP5FR60/s320/USMAPS.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
The elimination of Navy ratings caught me, like most others, by surprise. I had heard that there was a move to <a href="http://navygrade36bureaucrat.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-brief-afternoon-with-cnp.html" target="_blank">add letters to the end of NECs </a>to capture the level of expertise, which would help bring better fit to our billets, which I thought was an excellent idea. The fact that this wasn't brought up makes me think that it was really a decision held at the highest levels. The lack of guidance we are getting from those at PERS is telling, because I honestly believe they are as surprised as we are.<br />
<br />
One reason that was brought up for the change was that Navy personnel struggle to integrate into civilian jobs when they leave the service. I'm surprised to hear this. The Navy, probably more than any other service, makes a pretty concerted effort to set you up for success outside the Navy. Let's look at what we do right:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
- <a href="https://usmap.netc.navy.mil/usmapss/static/navyRates.htm" target="_blank">USMAPS</a>. The Bureau of Labor allows you to count military service towards an apprenticeship. If you report your hours weekly, a process that takes you less time than what you spend arguing about the election with your Facebook friends, you eventually get all kinds of certifications finished. These certifications normally require 2000-10000 hours. If you imagine that every 2000 hours is about a years worth of work time, having to get a 10,000 hour certification after you get out of the Navy sets you back 5 years!<br />
<br />
If your Sailors aren't in USMAPS, they are doing it wrong. Period. There are no reasons to not sign up. It costs you nothing but 10 minutes a week. If you're a Division Officer, there are two ways to check on whether your Sailors are enrolled:<br />
<br />
1. Ask your USMAPS coordinator.<br />
2. Have someone with Admin Access in NSIPS to your UIC look them up under the USMAPS portions of CIMS.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuy8CJ4fXQi3C-Kc0lEHKKFJUULeZSFux9uOXPjRq59kep5LA9vK4RLNxq4hmHdFMNUnRJVWRz4hGjJCVp4ixO1fZuzC9SsaJdXqskv5W7dNLJhNuwsA1AHs2TuQwjFuEFBlHcmwcb6S9/s1600/ncpace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuy8CJ4fXQi3C-Kc0lEHKKFJUULeZSFux9uOXPjRq59kep5LA9vK4RLNxq4hmHdFMNUnRJVWRz4hGjJCVp4ixO1fZuzC9SsaJdXqskv5W7dNLJhNuwsA1AHs2TuQwjFuEFBlHcmwcb6S9/s320/ncpace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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- <a href="http://www.dlncpace.com/" target="_blank">NCPACE</a>. Whether on shore or underway, your Sailors can finish a degree. They can get credit through NCPACE and finish a degree easily. Unlike USMAPS, officers are eligible for this program as well.<br />
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- <a href="http://www.cool.navy.mil/" target="_blank">Navy COOL</a>. Want a credential like Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Manager, Certified Personal Trainer, or a variety of other certifications? Navy COOL will pay the cost of the exam. Combined with your knowledge and free resources you can get from your on-base library (or <a href="http://techbus.safaribooksonline.com/?uicode=dodnavy" target="_blank">Safari Books</a>), you can setup your resume to get a great job after the Navy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmKBb8F-c6K0BQNDphaso2h5r8M_60seJbk2nobfI2JqcAKUwTcIvdGHGUNhnhl8tPu8t9EwfHcpyLhZi1a0fSa7WKlyL-cYTaLaKmMU74oZkR0dZ4ayH3ZRu5NVHhmCYZi_hLASHcGUJ/s1600/mondays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmKBb8F-c6K0BQNDphaso2h5r8M_60seJbk2nobfI2JqcAKUwTcIvdGHGUNhnhl8tPu8t9EwfHcpyLhZi1a0fSa7WKlyL-cYTaLaKmMU74oZkR0dZ4ayH3ZRu5NVHhmCYZi_hLASHcGUJ/s320/mondays.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I view most complaints about "after Navy" integration.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The fact that these program exist, combined with plenty of others, make me skeptical about the whole "getting out of the Navy and struggling to integrate" argument. If you're lazy and never take advantage of any of these programs, then honestly you'd struggle to integrate into society no matter what the Navy does for you.<br />
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So please, participate in the programs that already exist, and stop making excuses that others pick up on to take away your ratings.Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-37838561537455525332016-10-04T17:18:00.000-04:002016-10-04T17:18:00.082-04:00The REAL reason behind Navy rating elimination<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeS83XjIL-98cSLfTPVvulBMnDLAczRUkW_KpRd-y2hSsFkloALSfZTWVFAQI1Tiol8Dxs6kNk0WIDWLk0n-t8np65C_4d5JksB75nA4O0QyU1q1WlrJCrevHH5qCTCD7VPqVVK-JJNMv/s1600/B640_meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeS83XjIL-98cSLfTPVvulBMnDLAczRUkW_KpRd-y2hSsFkloALSfZTWVFAQI1Tiol8Dxs6kNk0WIDWLk0n-t8np65C_4d5JksB75nA4O0QyU1q1WlrJCrevHH5qCTCD7VPqVVK-JJNMv/s400/B640_meme.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-47130206896513319332016-09-19T23:07:00.001-04:002016-09-19T23:07:11.824-04:00Punishment and behavior<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsWwdmqI5OzJoNUfZzxV3NCcRpa04VJ0ZE5q1QD44VXizQUhqAb8edwNYmgI1zU229IxOATS6WfEserKgPWClg3kpk4mLFvLQQ-Qwxn8mH0jKnVSNDvIIpOGrL_um80w2H1zjmWl2l9p9/s1600/gavel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsWwdmqI5OzJoNUfZzxV3NCcRpa04VJ0ZE5q1QD44VXizQUhqAb8edwNYmgI1zU229IxOATS6WfEserKgPWClg3kpk4mLFvLQQ-Qwxn8mH0jKnVSNDvIIpOGrL_um80w2H1zjmWl2l9p9/s320/gavel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two recent news items grated on my nerves:<br />
<br />
<div class="entry-title">
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ft. Gordon official arrested following child porn investigation</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://wjbf.com/2016/09/19/ft-gordon-official-arrested-following-child-porn-investigation/">http://wjbf.com/2016/09/19/ft-gordon-official-arrested-following-child-porn-investigation/</a><br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
<i>Strike Group Boss watched porn for hours on Navy computer</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2016/03/08/strike-group-boss-watched-porn-hours-navy-computer-report/81510180/">https://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2016/03/08/strike-group-boss-watched-porn-hours-navy-computer-report/81510180/</a><br />
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I'm not angered by the fact this happened. Unfortunately, you can never screen well enough to weed out behavior like this. The majority of our O-6 and above officers are great people that serve America honorably.<br />
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No, my problem is that these two people, along with countless others, <b>will never be properly punished</b>. They will get fired, but it is unlikely that they will lose benefits, rank or anything of that nature. For some reason, we're OK as a military protecting these people.<br />
<br />
Funny enough, how many times have you heard that you have to send a strong message at Captain's Mast? I've heard it plenty. That was the subject of more than a few debates at my Leadership school, where we talked about what was appropriate. There were plenty of people that believed a one-time offense, like a DUI, should be punished, but allow a Sailor to bounce back. There were others that were "One and your done." In all the talk, nobody once said "Well, we should just fire the guy and be done with it." <br />
<br />
Why am I so harsh on the above two officers? First, they've been in forever, so they know the rules. Second, their offenses were severe. And most importantly, they repeated them. It's not like they clicked a bad link once, or violated a rule that was minor. They committed a serious offense multiple times. I'm more forgiving to a guy who collides with a buoy...at the very least, it was a one time event.<br />
<br />
But the most we'll do is fire these two and give them a retirement. And we wonder why the Navy Times runs stories about double standards.<br />
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If you want to send a message, if these two are found guilty, tear them down to O-1 and give them a dishonorable discharge. You'll send a strong message about standards of behavior, and maybe restore some honor in the process.Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-70491254171677563822016-09-18T07:11:00.003-04:002016-09-18T07:11:48.145-04:00Going to see the Snowden movie?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4G1Af_ZIvrEcHQG_nlWteudktegOQ8b0rK5CVhbO_Ftta-fyFNeOjaQXKBgcN4VNtggwx7UFgcyaNh31PYzRgLCDj5GxClaYQw6EnrfTcpyKJRROqA7hrcP_AriCjAAgL_cqG6CIQbzE/s1600/hanging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4G1Af_ZIvrEcHQG_nlWteudktegOQ8b0rK5CVhbO_Ftta-fyFNeOjaQXKBgcN4VNtggwx7UFgcyaNh31PYzRgLCDj5GxClaYQw6EnrfTcpyKJRROqA7hrcP_AriCjAAgL_cqG6CIQbzE/s320/hanging.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Please tell me no. Snowden is still a traitor, no matter what Hollywood would have you think.<br />
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<a href="http://datechguyblog.com/2016/09/17/snowden-is-still-a-traitor-and-should-be-hanged/">http://datechguyblog.com/2016/09/17/snowden-is-still-a-traitor-and-should-be-hanged/</a>Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-2263845433572591822016-09-11T08:10:00.001-04:002016-09-11T08:10:27.339-04:00Da Tech Guy: Impact of Classified Disclosure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY6UgAffhSU1XgRPDg6Z4XfxSvzTNSrNfGG-dzBcmKBJ3eh7hc_7quggJZPSuyNNQB4SmqLgzN3X4MqLP6CU_I3Psuu8zFZn3Vr_OhjXVTOlYxVhagl6TYdG3HpmWTYCXV_uBu0b5OI-R/s1600/specialaccess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY6UgAffhSU1XgRPDg6Z4XfxSvzTNSrNfGG-dzBcmKBJ3eh7hc_7quggJZPSuyNNQB4SmqLgzN3X4MqLP6CU_I3Psuu8zFZn3Vr_OhjXVTOlYxVhagl6TYdG3HpmWTYCXV_uBu0b5OI-R/s320/specialaccess.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's hard to understand the impact of disclosing classified material when you're not read into those programs. So, to try and break it down, I use a lot of football analogies. Check out my post on Da Tech Guy's Blog:<br />
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<a href="http://datechguyblog.com/2016/09/10/the-impact-of-classified-disclosure/">http://datechguyblog.com/2016/09/10/the-impact-of-classified-disclosure/</a>Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-4930906845337620652016-09-06T23:36:00.000-04:002016-09-06T23:36:39.507-04:00Groton does artSo what do you do on Labor Day when the remnants of Hurricane Hermine threaten the eastern seaboard? In my case, you throw your kids into a car and go hunt down the 21 mini-submarines that are hiding throughout the Groton area.<br />
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Yes, Groton has mini-submarines in hiding, thanks to celebrating <a href="http://www.ctsubmarinecentury.com/" target="_blank">Connecticut's Submarine Century</a>. Since I didn't have anything better to do, this seemed like a fun hide-and-go-seek project on a lazy Monday.<br />
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Mini-Sub #1: Flashback to the 60's<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB-b5eqdwCpac6Rb946e5XrdSiHMenyiaOaAeoKXSHUVkypuQIZQMxkN_HlYLnAjBz1A_1tBv42m2RnjIU25CGipQAZnrJM1mwKdUinrGgLRQOj-R18r9r5e1Et1z292f6p7Zehs_Mp4Z/s1600/20160905_084908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB-b5eqdwCpac6Rb946e5XrdSiHMenyiaOaAeoKXSHUVkypuQIZQMxkN_HlYLnAjBz1A_1tBv42m2RnjIU25CGipQAZnrJM1mwKdUinrGgLRQOj-R18r9r5e1Et1z292f6p7Zehs_Mp4Z/s320/20160905_084908.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you hang around this submarine too long, you might fail your next urinalysis</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Submarine #1 was on the Indian Reservation most known for hosting <a href="https://www.foxwoods.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Foxwoods Casino</a>. After nearly running over a flock of turkeys, we managed to find this psychedelic submarine outside the <a href="http://www.pequotmuseum.org/default.aspx" target="_blank">Pequot Museum</a>.<br />
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Mini-Sub #2: Mystic in a drawing<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMprvLq_xzL99GJmH0FAW3c2AaF8w1oRx-Is7cosixBaKu4bdpMUQrxO4qdpKBbiWAw-cN5sI4tqN3vAaybrBGIiGPfPpnVE7GDVroOvahDWlEzz9u_AsfWaVpi-n7a74Jyj_6LMe-FYf4/s1600/20160905_091012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMprvLq_xzL99GJmH0FAW3c2AaF8w1oRx-Is7cosixBaKu4bdpMUQrxO4qdpKBbiWAw-cN5sI4tqN3vAaybrBGIiGPfPpnVE7GDVroOvahDWlEzz9u_AsfWaVpi-n7a74Jyj_6LMe-FYf4/s320/20160905_091012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But the credit union is closed on Labor Day...</td></tr>
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After a 15 minute drive, we found our next mini-sub at the entrance to the <a href="https://charteroak.org/?gclid=CPDSpcWo_M4CFcFehgodLpAPYw" target="_blank">local credit union</a>. Being a holiday (and 0830 in the morning), it was easy to bypass the non-existent traffic to snap some photos of this submarine highlighting the Mystic skyline.<br />
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Mini-Sub #3: Making me hungry<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivP_z2GDG49OWDLErEHf4lAn4hBmYsSwl41yqKvBFBOGUICa5NIDcE4t87c6NShGzyY4sBX92BTPYU-4AaAj8cLE6zD7VEOeDADLkVTVKjOMV7nasVluNTbE0Vik0lVxt0VCO7EwSXWa7f/s1600/20160905_092119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivP_z2GDG49OWDLErEHf4lAn4hBmYsSwl41yqKvBFBOGUICa5NIDcE4t87c6NShGzyY4sBX92BTPYU-4AaAj8cLE6zD7VEOeDADLkVTVKjOMV7nasVluNTbE0Vik0lVxt0VCO7EwSXWa7f/s320/20160905_092119.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But it's not even 1100 yet...</td></tr>
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Sponsored by none other than <a href="http://www.subway.com/en-us" target="_blank">Subway</a>, this mini-sub outside the <a href="http://www.mysticaquarium.org/" target="_blank">Mystic Aquarium</a> screamed lunch time. Luckily for me, it was only 0900 and I had eaten a decent breakfast.<br />
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Mini-Sub #4: Clowning around<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQhNt4chWOPxnxQIC4rySOOG8CzGWc39aa5B1QXATkyCxse9sJBo6IZTIMlFKOutEGKsT4Sivsbnbv4SqFPZ-ftN6hT8M2LLSvYv-xpZaZsMNu2ykdb_cDifskWnFockt_z47XNfVe3zK/s1600/20160905_093127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQhNt4chWOPxnxQIC4rySOOG8CzGWc39aa5B1QXATkyCxse9sJBo6IZTIMlFKOutEGKsT4Sivsbnbv4SqFPZ-ftN6hT8M2LLSvYv-xpZaZsMNu2ykdb_cDifskWnFockt_z47XNfVe3zK/s320/20160905_093127.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEMOOOOO!!!!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.mysticseaport.org/" target="_blank">Mystic Seaport</a>, one of our most popular attractions, hosted this cute rendition on a submarine. My kids loved it. The artist made some quips about blending in with nature and our current stealthy submarines. Me, I drank more coffee.<br />
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Mini-Sub #5: 'Merica<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZix4cWvAL54A8jJMIM0rlby-wxK1WySp2UmhBcUdhr-tTsDn_W19fgU5HHhB0LfMGsr7rea6THVF-T38YOR8lAyaDeqH3Z24Xbezo3eENwgFl-Js-oZ25EpRAc-QPtonIgt36w1hV4mCH/s1600/20160905_094301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZix4cWvAL54A8jJMIM0rlby-wxK1WySp2UmhBcUdhr-tTsDn_W19fgU5HHhB0LfMGsr7rea6THVF-T38YOR8lAyaDeqH3Z24Xbezo3eENwgFl-Js-oZ25EpRAc-QPtonIgt36w1hV4mCH/s320/20160905_094301.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But the flag is blowing the wrong way...</td></tr>
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Can you get anymore patriotic than a submarine sailing into the sunset with an American flag blowing in the wind? Nope. Not in Groton anyway. This mini-sub outside of <a href="http://www.banksquarebooks.com/" target="_blank">Bank Square Books</a> showed a pro-military spirit you wouldn't expect to find in the NorthEast.<br />
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Mini-Sub #6: Teenagers these days...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DwzBQliI6VT19giE1AWH2yP3ljQTWVrHc9AoPNl6KnJlcjdCh2uLlt8GOonjmt71DpWxynXWS-aXxdNgwgdQVcK8p3AKqLDlqQkJXpe-SYbb9cPH4xTSUjcbR-WcqRuAYMJrYacW-loi/s1600/20160905_095518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DwzBQliI6VT19giE1AWH2yP3ljQTWVrHc9AoPNl6KnJlcjdCh2uLlt8GOonjmt71DpWxynXWS-aXxdNgwgdQVcK8p3AKqLDlqQkJXpe-SYbb9cPH4xTSUjcbR-WcqRuAYMJrYacW-loi/s320/20160905_095518.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too busy making love to make art?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's been a while since I was in high school, but this mini-sub seemed to be everything I remember hating about artsy kids during that time.<br />
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Mini-Sub #7: The not-supposed-to-exist sub<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG3p63PEIzJTOVTDASxpHtShjEBEoqW1Mi2sXhfnJgWA0dD1wfK-6P1JKlJdC1idoKdqxE8JObUAQsfvRvX72N4fnC9bS91BKtp_94LG2WVC0qnVoVG76oD679XhRL7REXXnryGjPImcY/s1600/20160905_100513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG3p63PEIzJTOVTDASxpHtShjEBEoqW1Mi2sXhfnJgWA0dD1wfK-6P1JKlJdC1idoKdqxE8JObUAQsfvRvX72N4fnC9bS91BKtp_94LG2WVC0qnVoVG76oD679XhRL7REXXnryGjPImcY/s320/20160905_100513.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait, are you supposed to be here?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My printed map said this submarine didn't exist. The <a href="http://www.ctsubmarinecentury.com/ct-sub-trail-app/" target="_blank">application on my phone</a> said otherwise. Since I could actually touch this submarine, I chose to believe.<br />
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Mini-Sub #8: Flowery<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TvpbU331ILwHxV7L0dao3qJIjp4lw4-4sB1-wOG9n0Fog45GuWmtxdDRt2gZRiRCppB7_E0dMZH8n68a0wtDcBuwKkaUOmQLIkFCFz_dVSYkBQXwPvQFg7mXMWbl3HzVChJIpsceU6GN/s1600/20160905_101414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TvpbU331ILwHxV7L0dao3qJIjp4lw4-4sB1-wOG9n0Fog45GuWmtxdDRt2gZRiRCppB7_E0dMZH8n68a0wtDcBuwKkaUOmQLIkFCFz_dVSYkBQXwPvQFg7mXMWbl3HzVChJIpsceU6GN/s320/20160905_101414.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like a tatoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So the submarine outside the <a href="http://www.groton-ct.gov/library/" target="_blank">Groton Public Library</a> looked like something my Sailors would get tattooed on their arm. Or other parts of their body better suited for a .xxx domain.</div>
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Mini-Sub #9: The Razzle-Dazzle</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6C3oZ3R2PBFm9_EIjjV_51Ttv2WCoqhKt5I3hB4vHqZuV8ahJ5iNgcoyP7oQUGqPzxFeSH6ad1jd7AqyIUW1-1boD5f5LZslQSK8Gba-fQfBTg1t6o11qksIsn9NC6HmsRErUS10XieH/s1600/20160905_102439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6C3oZ3R2PBFm9_EIjjV_51Ttv2WCoqhKt5I3hB4vHqZuV8ahJ5iNgcoyP7oQUGqPzxFeSH6ad1jd7AqyIUW1-1boD5f5LZslQSK8Gba-fQfBTg1t6o11qksIsn9NC6HmsRErUS10XieH/s320/20160905_102439.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite the sidewalk pattern though</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Mad props to the artist of this submarine, who invoked previous <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dazzle_camouflage" target="_blank">Dazzle camouflage efforts</a> of World War One when painting this submarine.</div>
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Mini-Sub #10: 'Merica 2</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdUvuphAdCeBMci2BRnOPnW0wtmVqLX8uTyNDnj9LYzeonXSzSYjsEjQ2PaKi3FvCVshVTUNDpxfzAxBoVk-TMySWfmzYZiGFwfoEkuVpnYH9S4ZoI0cTbLUIKnyIvQUyaJ8UheIrn30j/s1600/20160905_103704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdUvuphAdCeBMci2BRnOPnW0wtmVqLX8uTyNDnj9LYzeonXSzSYjsEjQ2PaKi3FvCVshVTUNDpxfzAxBoVk-TMySWfmzYZiGFwfoEkuVpnYH9S4ZoI0cTbLUIKnyIvQUyaJ8UheIrn30j/s320/20160905_103704.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where does your piece of 'Merica fit in?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Even more American than mini-sub #5, this mini-sub in the <a href="http://averypoint.uconn.edu/" target="_blank">UCONN Avery Point</a> campus reminded me of Captain America's awesome shield as we walked up to it.</div>
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Mini-Sub #11: Commies at EB?</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r384Iutau_slRjBa0LFU48G7fhFwLE-gFMI5KGvbH-dMQL4yCkBGE0fP6sy9-vl8Bc-yFbmE5TWVje6jbbRAU8Db6TM0mMlyYm889Fxl_UMlE3VjDTwgfVo5Vsc0aZyyd_GOGKQgblH6/s1600/20160905_104920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r384Iutau_slRjBa0LFU48G7fhFwLE-gFMI5KGvbH-dMQL4yCkBGE0fP6sy9-vl8Bc-yFbmE5TWVje6jbbRAU8Db6TM0mMlyYm889Fxl_UMlE3VjDTwgfVo5Vsc0aZyyd_GOGKQgblH6/s320/20160905_104920.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why EB, why?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So this mini-sub is called "Evolution" and sits outside <a href="http://www.gdeb.com/" target="_blank">Electric Boat</a>. It is supposed to show the evolution of submarine design. It should scream America. So why in the heck does it have a picture of an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa-class_submarine" target="_blank">ALFA-class Russian Submarine</a> on the front? I don't get it.</div>
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Mini-Sub #12: Power Outage</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaJvqg2EcH0269RSYDHG5HPbYGNtmoYDzFJ64S9M2Hq5ca6cZvfkNghYirVmTYWl9U-jOX2uQINKL-_VSbnAdgwIH-7ah9fxWHkjTJzHMcb34uCy3lQCLAbcH7ZW28Zo9H6GLfcuMRWRx/s1600/20160905_110402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaJvqg2EcH0269RSYDHG5HPbYGNtmoYDzFJ64S9M2Hq5ca6cZvfkNghYirVmTYWl9U-jOX2uQINKL-_VSbnAdgwIH-7ah9fxWHkjTJzHMcb34uCy3lQCLAbcH7ZW28Zo9H6GLfcuMRWRx/s320/20160905_110402.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are the Great Green Navy, but we don't have sails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://www.grotonutilities.com/" target="_blank">Groton Electric</a> sponsored this mini-sub outside their headquarters. Pretty cool, except all the references to wind make me wonder if they are trying to push renewable energy on submarines.</div>
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Mini-Sub #13: Aquarium in a boat</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Zo0UomQ-rJKOg-4BMbwbd3jmbtiOX-yUwwmFR7Qyqa7gznoazN-lOWqHHgLizia3eLkkpG8aPi6NgIzI3iqJlCkr3UrR5oE_mTPPxbfJBJQZIKh6nQcPKWs6rwsDW1iXVVdqkn_K_35d/s1600/20160905_111554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Zo0UomQ-rJKOg-4BMbwbd3jmbtiOX-yUwwmFR7Qyqa7gznoazN-lOWqHHgLizia3eLkkpG8aPi6NgIzI3iqJlCkr3UrR5oE_mTPPxbfJBJQZIKh6nQcPKWs6rwsDW1iXVVdqkn_K_35d/s320/20160905_111554.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totally for the kids</td></tr>
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My kids loved this one, enough that they didn't notice my finger in the photo.</div>
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Mini-Sub #14: The Nautilus, not by the Nautilus</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sLyuzsAen9-NBgVkWl2zd0ZVOaawVNYUZTorbl_nxIgPcf73BRv65eadABw8y6ATr8m6I2hSncKyaR2L76itok4csRj2t_L2Sv8uMEiSiXs5AWF_b5AYC6hzqBRjJVaQGv0efUtHttYt/s1600/20160905_112546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sLyuzsAen9-NBgVkWl2zd0ZVOaawVNYUZTorbl_nxIgPcf73BRv65eadABw8y6ATr8m6I2hSncKyaR2L76itok4csRj2t_L2Sv8uMEiSiXs5AWF_b5AYC6hzqBRjJVaQGv0efUtHttYt/s320/20160905_112546.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jules Verne anyone?</td></tr>
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So this min-sub depicted a Nautilus. But it wasn't by the USS NAUTILUS. Weird.</div>
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Mini-Sub #15: An odd turtle</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDACR4nrGT3OTjwJ_Y2ztRtMz6rWqkhGM-80Dk45EFJXeUFl142mgk42nbMYITzFQmwQ3N2FNUFr68SeX8VAU3xIOLCdKPGLFXdo0fnm_eWTV3iTAFKeYpNjghZAXiODO83UAnzp2hmVM0/s1600/20160905_122247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDACR4nrGT3OTjwJ_Y2ztRtMz6rWqkhGM-80Dk45EFJXeUFl142mgk42nbMYITzFQmwQ3N2FNUFr68SeX8VAU3xIOLCdKPGLFXdo0fnm_eWTV3iTAFKeYpNjghZAXiODO83UAnzp2hmVM0/s320/20160905_122247.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were both odd</td></tr>
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This mock-up of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_(submersible)" target="_blank">TURTLE</a>, outside a <a href="https://www.fairviewct.org/" target="_blank">Senior Center</a> sponsored by the <a href="http://www.ioof.org/" target="_blank">Odd Fellows</a>, couldn't have been more appropriate.</div>
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Mini-Sub #16: Get qualified nub!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPanjRLOsXBmJhuujb2ft5xjbeVpsm9IT-gCg-zZERJcjhIMWcxXUxnHERjletd-GTsEeCQjifHwl0NY6LfQGcwYxYRkBfuQ_ti3crAN595fDCE_yqYgjfypSSWSaiKdP1Ktvas9M9Z0t/s1600/20160905_123547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPanjRLOsXBmJhuujb2ft5xjbeVpsm9IT-gCg-zZERJcjhIMWcxXUxnHERjletd-GTsEeCQjifHwl0NY6LfQGcwYxYRkBfuQ_ti3crAN595fDCE_yqYgjfypSSWSaiKdP1Ktvas9M9Z0t/s320/20160905_123547.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the retired NAUTILUS says you're not worthy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So outside the <a href="http://www.ussnautilus.org/" target="_blank">historic ship NAUTILUS</a> was a mini-sub not painted like a nautilus. But, it did have a set of dolphins on it, reminding all visitors that they needed to get qualified fast or risk being a dinq nub forever.</div>
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Mini-Sub #17: Is it really a surface ship?</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGoPJy9X-zKz_kb1ry9tPfZIJ3dPLUP2zOvAfFqwc4XyM9ixvmh12ChK6hUtkUXUlNVd08NN1CYX6DB1D1DSFSYT_01zGos95IvIWoEGBAkXlsuFQ9QZI57WPNvQAyGQ2T7uBrriGjML5/s1600/20160905_125727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGoPJy9X-zKz_kb1ry9tPfZIJ3dPLUP2zOvAfFqwc4XyM9ixvmh12ChK6hUtkUXUlNVd08NN1CYX6DB1D1DSFSYT_01zGos95IvIWoEGBAkXlsuFQ9QZI57WPNvQAyGQ2T7uBrriGjML5/s320/20160905_125727.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought the Coasties were escorts only?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Right outside Union Station, this mini-sub had surface ships...I mean, targets, painted all over it. What gives? Maybe it was a nod to New London hosting the<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Truxtun_(DDG-103)" target="_blank"> USS TRUXTUN</a> while she sheltered from the hurricane? Who knows.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TRjqrUmnTpQgSKIEZsJ94OON1jVUi8D8njMawkRq9gySAQxU7_OxMgXIn2yVvIfuBPVq9YtC9-wr_flZPzwzUfDns3qDWSiq-jTTp3U5eIyPnzC1fie-ZZw18hHBLnc8DIbq5wNQmUQs/s1600/20160905_125802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TRjqrUmnTpQgSKIEZsJ94OON1jVUi8D8njMawkRq9gySAQxU7_OxMgXIn2yVvIfuBPVq9YtC9-wr_flZPzwzUfDns3qDWSiq-jTTp3U5eIyPnzC1fie-ZZw18hHBLnc8DIbq5wNQmUQs/s320/20160905_125802.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously. How often do you see a DDG in New London?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Mini-Sub #18: The untouchable</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1OrLyHMRXMCXdKHI6R38zDzf6Lq4sO91ufC1dj4-v9iVhGKNI2ZdyNJKQA8eOMQbIBuxnxWyuPp_-DDp3skNNeluecIvJwhaU1yPR2fGfr8u6QduVle-JgQAjezdsPk-RtVaxZYfxBhl/s1600/20160905_132109%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1OrLyHMRXMCXdKHI6R38zDzf6Lq4sO91ufC1dj4-v9iVhGKNI2ZdyNJKQA8eOMQbIBuxnxWyuPp_-DDp3skNNeluecIvJwhaU1yPR2fGfr8u6QduVle-JgQAjezdsPk-RtVaxZYfxBhl/s320/20160905_132109%25280%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admire from a distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The local <a href="http://www.cocacolaofsene.com/contact_us.htm" target="_blank">Coca-Cola bottling plant</a> sponsored this mini-sub, and promptly put it behind a locked gate. Since I respect private property, and didn't want to teach my kids bad lessons, we photographed this one from a distance.</div>
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Mini-Sub #19: Under the sea!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDypREDbrLiuczjrv_-LsOwrc7vb9MISeYRXV__9KiiF-1nuCr3Nkk8kdxAq7A8fCHSjWtJq-a1SaTZ1ykxkEoRQtBQB1kHizMQIFkkXdAFf6gMg74RlR69Tj5bbeVXk6aK85r3TDA5DV/s1600/20160905_134118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDypREDbrLiuczjrv_-LsOwrc7vb9MISeYRXV__9KiiF-1nuCr3Nkk8kdxAq7A8fCHSjWtJq-a1SaTZ1ykxkEoRQtBQB1kHizMQIFkkXdAFf6gMg74RlR69Tj5bbeVXk6aK85r3TDA5DV/s320/20160905_134118.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They modeled the good looking guy with the trident after me :)</td></tr>
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Outside the <a href="http://www.childrensmuseumsect.org/" target="_blank">kid's museum in Niantic</a>, despite the drive my kids loved this submarine.</div>
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Mini-Sub #20: Too appropriate?</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBST41gLXRhfEGG1JJ7Q8pzwiTpOUJ9xhCcIBB2eLEv-Wbwz1_cZeMjrszyLRE_9nP7Qf3DlTIkCQ7cKALS1Nmi8VcO3kqll4C9Sf60n1rDCebJmkFSuFjo6-dzspfBCwtwKFya9Kb6Vrh/s1600/20160905_141017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBST41gLXRhfEGG1JJ7Q8pzwiTpOUJ9xhCcIBB2eLEv-Wbwz1_cZeMjrszyLRE_9nP7Qf3DlTIkCQ7cKALS1Nmi8VcO3kqll4C9Sf60n1rDCebJmkFSuFjo6-dzspfBCwtwKFya9Kb6Vrh/s320/20160905_141017.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Subliminal messaging?</td></tr>
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Yes, I know submariners like to party. And likely drink. But do we have to emphasize that?</div>
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Mini-Sub #21: We love submarines</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWm9EEfGHbzWmiAzTkSLw0sYJ1yaGC88yi3zKGiSdsK0D6LiBI5wVzp5Q7kBDuSR505wG4J8JqlSJFqabEwOP71kT6MxKg-cf6N85cNC9crUM8vnq8q5BZWsiai7w1WpASBaYsRY9E7td/s1600/20160905_152402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWm9EEfGHbzWmiAzTkSLw0sYJ1yaGC88yi3zKGiSdsK0D6LiBI5wVzp5Q7kBDuSR505wG4J8JqlSJFqabEwOP71kT6MxKg-cf6N85cNC9crUM8vnq8q5BZWsiai7w1WpASBaYsRY9E7td/s320/20160905_152402.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We <3 br="" submarines=""></3></td></tr>
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For the softer, squishier, cuter side of submarines, there is this mini-sub at the <a href="https://mohegansun.com/" target="_blank">Mohegan Sun Casino</a>.</div>
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An otherwise dreary Labor Day was spent rushing around like a spastic Pokemon Go player finding mini-submarines with my kids. And honestly, it was a blast.</div>
Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-73275436995909422062016-08-21T01:00:00.000-04:002016-08-21T01:00:18.701-04:00Have you had a crappy real estate agent?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://datechguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/mls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://datechguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/mls.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I definitely have, and I feel like most of them are crooks. Get my thoughts from my latest post on Da Tech Guy:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://datechguyblog.com/2016/08/20/a-robot-could-replace-your-crooked-real-estate-agent/">http://datechguyblog.com/2016/08/20/a-robot-could-replace-your-crooked-real-estate-agent/</a>Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981998606642258784.post-69768537460935815972016-08-20T07:32:00.001-04:002016-08-20T07:32:18.707-04:00Commissaries to Enhance Their Method of Calculating SavingsThis interesting piece hit my box yesterday.<br />
<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #cccccc; border: 2px solid #666; padding: 10px;">
The Defense Commissary Agency is forming a new approach to calculating
savings, aligning it more closely with private sector practice. This
better reflects what patrons experience daily with the products they
routinely buy in the geographic regions in which they routinely shop,
agency officials said.<br />
<br />
"We hear from our military families that they sometimes find lower
prices on selected items outside the gate," said Joseph H. Jeu, DeCA's
director and CEO. "For the first time through this new approach, we will
compare our prices with local grocers on a more frequent basis to
better inform our customers of potential cost savings over stores in
their nearby community."<br />
<br />
"Our approach to calculating savings will not impact the prices our
customers pay or the dollar benefit that they receive," he added. "There
will be no change to their out-of-pocket expense."<br />
<br />
Through this improved process, DeCA will calculate and monitor patron
savings more frequently than the current practice. Prices will be
compared with actual prices at local competitors surrounding each
commissary, as well, using a market basket of products that reflect what
patrons normally purchase.</blockquote>
Personally, when Sailors tell me they "routinely beat the commissary," what I find is that they purchase a lot of processed stuff (it's hard to call it food) from the center aisles. The minute you start buying meat, vegetables, fruit and dairy, the commissary suddenly becomes an outright bargain. It is good to see DeCA taking price seriously though, since <a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/us/military-update-senators-accept-plan-to-squeeze-commissary-benefit-1.347553">more than a few people </a>want to cut that benefit.Navy Grade 36 Bureaucrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334650247459367616noreply@blogger.com