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| PHILIPPINE SEA (June 12, 2015) Capt. William Koyama, commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, prepares to achieve his 4000th flight hour in an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 as it launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, CVW 5, are on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. George Washington will conduct a hull-swap with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) later this year after serving seven years as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Mai/Released) |
As she put it, "Dad, I can't just throw on a flight suit any more. I actually need to think about what I'm going to wear in the morning!"
Ah yes, the foibles and follies of "civvy street." Wearing mufti and all that, dontcha know? I had to adapt, millions of others have as well. Of course, the longer one stays employed by Uncle Sam in a uniformed capacity the harder it is to make the transition.
And boy howdy, no matter how you slice it, 11 years is a long time in the naval service.
From zipper suited sun goddess and member in good standing of the JOPA to Hinge Wife*. All in one day.
Congrats LUSH! Welcome to the "real" world.
And send your mother back soon, I suck at being a bachelor.
* Big Time became a "Hinge" on 01 March 2017.
I finished my second hitch and then I was only out of the Navy long enough to take my discharge paperwork across the hall and raise my right hand for the Naval Reserves.
ReplyDeleteAny consideration on her part of the Reserves?
The Nuke went into the Reserves, The WSO hasn't indicated any interest in that.
DeleteComing up on a similar decision myself. I meet retirement criteria in June. The problem is I don't know what I want to do when I "grow up". I don't want to not work, I think I'd check into dirt farm shortly thereafter if I did. But I'm tired of wiping people's butts in this job. Very tired.
ReplyDeleteSo best of luck, LUSH! Much like all aspects of life's decisions, you'll miss a lot of it, some you won't. I thought this Link from Instapundit yesterday was good advice.
Copy all. I have a similar decision to make in two years.
DeleteCongratulations, Lush. BTW you'll have to tell us how you got that call sign. Even after my short two your time in the army I was feeling melancholy about leaving. You gonna miss anything in the Navy?
ReplyDeleteI posted about that callsign. I just need to find it...
DeleteThanks Sarge
Delete:)
DeleteThere'll be that what if that will never quite go away.
ReplyDeleteIt will probably be a little more difficult because of the proximity to the most recent command.
Living in the former desert that's the San Joaquin Valley might also be an issue.
Then, there's being a mom of two small girls that can make up for all of the downsides.
Good luck, Erika.
After 24 years active and 19 on civvy street, I still miss certain aspects. But my Air Force is gone.
DeleteWelcome to CIVDIV where you can wear what you want, adopt any hair style you like, and quickly learn that people on the outside are really different. They don't understand "mission accomplishment" and the shipmate concept. They don't say yes sir and no sir. They don't do what you tell them to do if they don't want to. On the other hand you'll never again have to stand the duty on Christmas, or miss your children's birthdays because you are on deployment. But, trust me on this, you'll end up missing it more than you think you will.
ReplyDeleteAmen to all the above. Well said, Dave.
DeleteWhat Juvat said.
DeleteI wish her the best of luck. I think the saying is: Fair winds and following seas. Please keep us/me posted.
ReplyDeletePaul L. Quandt
Oh we will, we will.
Delete:)
To paraphrase the Word:
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a (grownup), I put away childlike things. And replaced them with other childlike things.
Life is far too hard to navigate without a sense of wonder, delight and possibility. True death begins with the demise of the childlike heart.
Best wishes Erika. Non permettere mai a prevalere gli adulti!
Sound wisdom.
DeleteI love it when you speak foreign.
Delete;)
Best O'luck Lush. Apparently the reserves aren't a bad deal. Decent money, still get to wear the uni, get promoted, still serve your country, etc. Although you still serve your country which includes possible mobilization, and with kids- uh- probably tougher to do as a mom.
ReplyDeleteShack.
DeleteWhat is her brother doing?
ReplyDeleteSoftware guy out in California. EA.
DeletePart of my "new guy welcome to the world of civilian aviation" in brief to former military new hires went something like "in your past life it was about the mission, in this life it's about the dollar." Quite a bit changes in the transition but the mentality is the biggie. Not particularly in a good way for those of us who had the privilege to serve; many, if not most, who didn't often don't understand. And Juvat, it takes sometime to break into the club of railbirds but I bet you could find something satisfying at Gillespie County Airport as a part time "get out of the house" gig. regards, Alemaster
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'll investigate.
DeleteYeah, Alemaster, I noticed that "all about the dollar" thing right away.
DeleteJuvat, we expect pictures, but you knew that.
Delete