This snippet wanders to get to the point - so stay with me. In order to understand the nature of this IA, you have to have a loose understanding of my relationship w/ the various chains-of-command. First, I am under the administrative control of the Naval Academy. They are responsible for my regular administrative matters, as I still count against their numbers. Basically, I am on travel and for all intents and purposes, I still belong to them. Next, you have my operational boss, a group based out of Baghdad, JCCS-1. They are the ones who are administratively in charge of me in Iraq. They are akin to the wizard behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz. My interaction with them is limited to a few emails, and except for emails, I don't know who they are. In fact, I think the only time I have met my Navy boss is when he met my group at the airport in Baghdad. They assigned me to the Marines and are dedicated to the missions of man, equip, and train. Next, you have my tactical chain and that is 2/6 - they are the ones who tell me to jump and I and respond with "how high."
So, the synopsis of this dialogue is emphasizing the point that I am out here alone and unafraid. In fact, this is the point of IAs - you show up, drop off your sea bags and get to work. We are supposed to have certain skill sets and just operate.
Now, I'll get to my story. Yesterday, I got a call from the man behind the curtain, and they asked if I would mind taking a new EWO under my rudder and help train him. Blindly, I say sure, but I had to ask 2/6. This fact was lost on them ... at any rate, 2/6 is fine with it. So, who is this mystery man and why does he need my tutelage? This is the question of the day. I'll tell you what I do know: 1) He is an ENS who has never been to the fleet2 ) He graduated in May from some higher institution of learning 3) He failed out of Flight School 4) He is currently in transit to me. Wow, that is a whole lot to chew on! I'm doing my best to keep an open mind - there has got to be more to the story. If that really is the story - holy cow, we've got a lot of work to do. On one hand, it is very exciting to have this ENS/FNG, and on the other, I feel sorry for him. It should be very entertaining to see how this story develops. Let the hazing begin!
2 comments:
If you are enjoying the book I sent you.........then, don't let the FNG see everything in the PX on the first day!!
This NFG Ens, he/she's not your replacement, right? My understanding is that the Battalion relieving the 2/6 has their own internal EWO. Any idea where, with who, and for how long your apprentice will be posted? This sounds like the start of what you were relaying to us earlier ... newly graduating Ens's will be accepting orders to Iraq, their first "fleet" assignment, then following that tour will go on to surface, aviation, etc., like the Classes from the early to mid-70s. EVERYBODY went surface for the first two years, then on to flight school, etc. That policy screwed up many good officers' rotation schedules and set them up as selection board fodder.
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