I am an old Army infatryman so my experiences are on the ground (though my late uncle was a Silver Eagle).

I remember my discussion with my company motor sergeant one day when I told him a particulalry nasty job had to get done that day in the snow and mud in Germany. He didn’t like it but he would do it….just like the professional he was. So when we were drinking cups of coffee later outside our tool truck, SSG M turns to me and says, “You know sir, I think the Air Force and the Navy have the right idea.”

I responded, rather puzzled, “What do you mean, SSG M?”

He responded, “Well, the enlisted men all bust their butts all of the time so the officers can go out and get their asses shot off.”

He then dumped out th edregs of his coffee, gave me a sharp salute and walked away leaving a very chagrined and apoplectnd 1LT behind.

Learned a valuable lesson that day….one I hope I never forgot.

Un-put-down-able!

As the young enlisted and prior enlisted Men here have said, it is all about the TEAM, ain’t it? God, don’t those boys, and the JOs in charge of them, make us old guys look good?

Carry on, Men. Each of you wins a Super Bowl Ring of Gratitude, and a pat on the back for each of your philosophical contributions to this story, and for the service you rendered in saving one young man’s life somewhere on this planet by just serving in the United States Military. I wish there was more money in the till.

But that ain’t why you served, is it?

Press on, good CAPT.

Subsunk

Ok, the kid is on deck and all is well. Now for a question. You made reference to how expensive the drop tank was. Can you give us an idea of the cost. I for one would be happy to dump a $50K tank instead of trashing a 20M jet in a barricade.

Thanks for the peek into the world of a Naval Aviator.