On Saluting...

I’ve been surrounded by Marines this week. Well, not entirely. But certainly more than usual. Marines are very proper. They always render an appropriate greeting accompanied by a crisp salute. Textbook perfection. Every single one of them. When we drove in this morning, the gate guard’s salute prompted me to say, “That’s why I couldn’t hack it in the Navy. The saluting.”

Really? I resigned from the Navy because I didn’t like to salute? Not exactly. The saluting represents all the military customs and courtesies that I struggled with. I was always stressed out. Always on the alert when out and about such as walking from my car in the parking lot into a building, looking for someone I needed to salute or making sure I returned any salutes given to me. Requesting permission to come aboard or go ashore. Addressing everyone properly. Sir, ma’am, chief… To sit down to a meal in the wardroom, I was required to know who was the most senior person present at that moment and then ask permission to join the mess before sitting down. Same thing when it was time to leave the table.

No don’t get me wrong. I believe in these traditions, in the necessity of maintaining respect up and down the ranks. But I was always sure that I was going to screw it up, get in trouble. I like rules. I like it when people follow the rules. But I don’t like getting in trouble. Which was bound to happen anytime if I did it wrong. I don’t like living in constant fear of getting it wrong. Is it a lack of self-esteem in my abilities? Perhaps. Something else? Could be. I have noticed a similar sensation when serving the Eucharist during Mass. It’s important to be reverent and respectful. But to a lot of other people it is VERY IMPORTANT to do it JUST RIGHT. Or so I think. I guess I could be wrong. But in any case, that’s the way it seems to me. And so when I am serving, I am in constant fear that I’m going to screw up and get in trouble.

Yesterday Ron and I went to see the USS North Carolina battleship in Wilmington. It was a great tour. There was hardly anyone else there so for the most part, we had the place to ourselves. We did not have the kids with us either so we were able to take our time, walking around, and seeing it all. I definitely got my workout going up and down all those ladders. And miracle of miracles, I only banged my knee on the ladder once! That was one of many memories of my time onboard ship that I was able to relive yesterday. There were lots of things I didn’t like about the Navy and about being aboard ship. But there were also lots of things I did like. I liked the teamwork, camaraderie, and family. I loved being a Division Officer and taking care of my guys.

So being on the ship, which smelled just like a ship and seeing things again like the ladders, the hatches, the mess decks, the berthing, the engine room… it was nice. I took lots of pictures of things that reminded me of “back then” since I doubt I took many pictures of it at the time. At the time it probably didn’t seem so significant. Now that time has passed, these things help bring back memories and all the little details that were part of my daily life for 3 years.

Maybe when we get home from all our travels, I’ll dig out the old pictures I’ve got from those days and get them scanned in. I’ve already been scanning in some pictures from the high school years. That’s a whole ‘nother trip down memory lane…