Mostly, we ( #Navy) went south every winter. I was decades before I had to spend a cold winter at home.
Here's when, we only got as far as #Bermuda ... you have no idea the hardships.. Hot all day, sand in your shoes. This is Horseshoe Beach, BTW. A public beach. They even allow Sailors
Today, 11 Nov, we remember those who served, those who fought, and those who died in service, for their country. #RememberThem
I come from a long line of military members, I'll stand in the cold, at the local cenotaph in the village, beginning after 10:30 am.
It might snow, it looks like it?
Well, the service is over, at atiny #HRM park in #MoserRiver , a tiny village on a river, by the same name. Folks asked why I don't wear my medals? Well, for one, I don't carry them around, and other than identifying me as a veteran, my medals bear no semblance to those veterans who fought or died.
I recognized a guest speaker. I sailed with him. Then another, behind me. It took forever to remember their names. One didn't remember me.. yet. We sailed on Skeena, Ottawa & Athabaskan. #Navy
My creative time: 5am, here's what flashed through my head years after it happened.
There was once a very senior officer, who had been in the Navy since he and Jack Sparrow signed on... he just pulled he plug and retired. (you can do that, it's no surprise)
In a busy operational unit, this position could not be vacant. Instantly, the next rank down, working in a role of CoS (Chief Of Staff), was made 'acting' until a qualified replacement could be found.
Over a year passed. A suitable replacement simply was not available at such a high rank. So, the acting lacking officer filled the role spectacularly. He was every bit as competent as his former boss, skilled in the job, and things could not have functioned without him.
There was a provision, to promote the individual for the role, acting promotion, and with it the pay! But no one did? He worked tirelessly doing the boss' job, without the reward.
The guy filled the role, did the job of the rank, and a provision exists to promote and pay him for that role, but the real #Leadership didn't do it?
Many of the personal losses we suffered, were just senior people who were fed up by poor decisions at the top. Navy headquarters are 1500 kms from the ships? That's how they know what is best for those on the coasts?
I have no idea what is going on now, but I know there are shortages. They existed when I retired...
There were mistakes made, IMO (In My Opinion), losing good people, who were not recognized for their efforts.
I didn't know about the actual promotion with pay, for filling positions (for long periods of time). I might have asked why it didn't apply to me as well?
The Man Managers, again, more than 1500 kms from those they managed, let good people leave early by their poor decision making.
They gave up 2 people in one.
Myself, and my replacement.
I often wonder? What if they had recognized key players?
( I'd still be retired now, but 10 years later. I know two others who would have stayed too, and were needed. )
When I took my new role, my boss retired, and left me running both positions. I didn't expect the pay for two jobs, but the higher one would have been swell?
We all quit instead. Some would have stayed, if noticed?
I was thinking about the decision makers in key roles.
They ruined the #Navy, IMO .