Got an email from occasional reader Steve, who was apparently in town for the graduation of the last OCS class in Pensacola. Sent along a neat pic from the Aviation Museum of 50 prospective ensigns.
Steve said that the commissioning speech was given by VADM Harvey, DCNO MPT&E. Said, “Gave a good speech with emphasis on noting the commitment that these young officers have made to their country in a time of war.”
Since he was at the museum anyway, he took a picture that took me back in time.
I wrote him back.
(T)hat Fisty plaque is definitely a trip down memory lane. I contracted for those things at Ben Martinez’ place in Alongapo. Brought three back to the ship. One for the Lemoore O’Club, one for the Ready Room, one for the ship. The fourth we left at the Cubi O’Club. That one is now in P-Cola.
Almost 20 years ago. Wow.
That seems like a really long time ago.
Funny… ol Lex’s name seems to have been photo-shopped a tad…
Damn shame that AOCS, now just OCS, is moving out of Pensacola and up to Newport. I mean really, that’s home of SWOS and black shoes.
I went through AOCS in 1985, Class 22-85. It’s like the guys that go through BUDS. You never, ever forget your AOCS class number.
Had the great fortune to take the family through the musuem in July. It is truly one of the least appreciated aviation venues in the United States. I’d put it up against the AF musuem at Wright Patt or the Smithsonian anyday.
I remember in CVW-2, when the f wasn’t there and they flew real airplanes. You know ones made from metal that could carry more bombs.
Of course, the A-7 still had a ways to go to match the A-6. Oh don’t forget we had tankers, too. Five of them wwearing Swordsman colors.
I’m older tha you are:-)
Lex,
Wow, LCDR “Goody” Goodwin…now RADM Goodwin! Just worked for him on ABE staff, and it’s hard to imagine him as a LCDR. Time does do strange things.
Nice pic of P-cola…reminded me of the day I was winged. Some things time doesn’t change.
Made it to the Museum a year ago this past month for our AOCS class’ 30 year reunion (arrgh). Friday night was spent at the “Cubi Bar”.
Totally cool.
What I remember of it…
Yeah – he photo-shopped it. Cheater.
What a neat piece of history there!
My last year in “college”…makes even me feel old…
Lex, do you remember the plaque your sister squadron made during the 89-90 cruise? I do.
I remember in CVW-2 when they flew real airplanes too, snarly oil spitting beasts with 13 foot props. Back then they were called the “Lightning bolt____ ____’s. They were colorful.
I remember when I was in AOCS. Graduation was on the parade field. We marched in perfect formation and executed the passing of Regimental orders, graduated a class, and then astounded the crowd with our awe inspiring pass in review (doing all this while bugs were flying up our noses).
These days I guess they go to a pretty museum and sit in Barc-O-Loungers and sip tea. What have they done to my Navy?
Oh for the good old days…
Nose
I vote for Nose to win the “Pointed Rhetorical Question of the Year.”
Nose is right. It was Spartan doing it in the Chapel from pews and being sworn the oath from an 0-6 fighter pilot that actually shot down Migs….
In that modern pic, there is enough bunting and background in the scene to remind me of the Mission Accomplished thing aboard Lincoln…
Of course, this is much better than the homogenized Shoe commissionings our future AOCS, er OCS , graduates will find in that leftist Yankee stronghold of RI…
b2