SOB: Son of a Bos'n

November 2010 Recommendations

Bob — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:39:18 +0000

I’ve put together some listings of what my recommendations on the ballot measures impacting my part of Santa Clara County would be. I have also added one commenting on the statewide ballot initiatives.

You can check out the RLC of California’s endorsements.

Republican Liberty Caucus of California Endorsements

None of these lists are finalized, as they will be updated right up to the election, based on new information that may turn up.

That is one reason, among many, that I recommend you do not vote by mail. As a citizen of the United States of America. Demonstrate the fact that you are proud of your Right to Vote in a Secret Ballot, by voting at your neighborhood polling place on election day. That is what me and my family will be doing.

Underway Replenishment

Bob — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:26:48 +0000

Underway replenishment (UNREP) is common method for transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while under way. A classic image is this one of a supply ship servicing the USS Oriskany (CVA-34) and another ship at one time:

Aircraft carriers can also provide replenishment on a limited basis to their escorts.

Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, as shown here in some pictures I took from the flight deck of USS Oriskany while it was refueling the Waldron (DD-699).

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Van Cleef’s Three Guidelines for Staff Decision Making

Bob — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 22:26:02 +0000

Ask Yourself:

Is it good for my customers?

Is it legal and ethical?

Is it something I am willing to be accountable for?

If so, then don’t ask for permission. You already have it.

Van Cleef’s Two Guidelines for Getting Along at Work

Bob — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 22:24:53 +0000

Never lie to the boss.
Never let the boss be surprised.

Dear John

Bob — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:20:11 +0000

This past Memorial Day, I was reminded of a story I’ve told many times, about how war impacts people.

As an Electronics Technician, assigned to Dà Nang, Vietnam, I often worked on the radio and radar unit of the boats that routinely ran supplies up and down the rivers of Vietnam.

ET Shop - US Naval Support Activity, Dà Nang, Vietnam

That funny looking tower on the roof was used to test small craft radar units.

VC - hanging around the ET Shop

Of course, while working on the units, I talked to many of the crew members. One conversation stuck in my mind all these years.

Dà Nang - Small Craft Repair Facility (FCRF)

A petty officer, who was involuntarily assigned to Vietnam, told me that he had just received a “Dear John” letter from his wife. They had not been married long when the Navy sent him overseas, and she wasn’t able to deal with being alone. So, she found a new boy friend and told him that she was divorcing him “because he left her”. Some how, she blamed him for his being overseas. Unfortunately, this is and was not that unusual.

Just after that conversation, his boat was destroyed in a rocket attack, on February 27, 1969 at a place called the Bridge Ramp in DaNang. Twenty two sailors died and thirty eight were wounded. Unfortunately, the man who received the “Dear John” letter was one of those who died. I don’t know that I even knew his name, but I have never forgotten his story.