Watch Out They Are Watching

C077/K051  February 21 –April 25, 1990

I was not sure what to call this short remembrance. I guess the title fits. So, who got in trouble or had a person in their Company get in trouble when you were 100% sure nobody saw you?

So, we were marching back to our compartment one afternoon. We were on the sidewalk on the far east side of the divisions. I think we left training class, and the CC’s said, “RCPO, Take em home.” I guess maybe this was a planned situation.

So, we start off heading down the sidewalk. I am marching right behind my section leader, SR Stokes. One of the few names I do remember. Stokes was also going to Nuke school, and he was a brilliant guy. He was one of the older recruits, too, maybe 20.

He was my section leader, and we spent a good deal of time talking when we had the time. And, damn, he could shine a boondocker.

So, the day in question, we are marching like normal, and all of a sudden, Stokes starts to act up. He starts latterly bouncing up and down. He starts swinging his arms back and forth in a very exaggerated manner. I am like WTF! Do I break my military bearing to get him to stop?

The section leader next to him got hit a couple times by his prancing. I know it sounds funny, but that is what he was doing.
The guy was like, “Stokes knock it off.”

So, I chime in, “Knock it off, man.”

Stokes started messing around more.
We take a left at the north end of that sidewalk and head for Division 4. Now, he stops acting up and marches like normal. I was like, WTF, man??
I swear we were in our compartment for maybe a minute when we hear the door being kicked open. In enters Chief Engley and Petty Officer Adams.
“On the F-ing line Now!!!”
They look pissed, really pissed.
We all stand there at attention, scared because we did not know what was up. Well, most of the Company did not know.
“What have we told you from day one? Your military bearing is ALWAYS under inspection! No matter where you are, we know what you are doing!”

“Seaman Recruit Stokes, WTF were you thinking? In the lounge, SELF DESTRUCT BEGIN!!!”
Stokes is standing just to me left while getting yelled at. I think part of the hearing loss I have now is from that. Think the VA would buy that?

So, Stokes in the lounge Self Destructing. For those who do not know were as follows.

Start at 25 and do pushups, sit-ups, 8 counts, and I think leg lifts. After that, do 24 of each. Keep repeating until you get to zero. I think we had that phrase on our Company flag too, “Self Destruct BEGIN!”

Then again to my left, “Seaman Recruit (forget the name) POST.”

“Sir, SR reporting as ordered.”
“You are the new section leader, get his S out of here.”
Then the Company gets another lecture on military bearing.
It took a while for Stokes to finish. In the meantime, his gear was taken and placed near his new bunk.
We did find out later how Stokes was probably caught. One evening our RCPO was taken up to the Division roof and shown the secret by the Division MAA. It seemed that there were people watching companies all the time from there. A simple phone call and boom, your CC knew when you messed up.

The RCPO told the new section leader and me that afterward.
I guess Stokes went to Nuke A School. I did not see him after PIR. Heck, hardly saw anyone.