I must be mistaken.

USS Scott DDG 995 Feb 91 – Jan 92

Early one crisp Saturday morning, I was walking down the pier to my ship, USS Scotts DDG995. I had duty this particular Saturday, causing me to wake up early to drive from my apartment in this specific early fall morning. It was a little chilly out, so naturally, I put on my jacket from the technical college I went to.
After the drive to the base and finding a spot in the farthest parking lot near the destroyer piers, I began my walk to my ship. It was probably around 6:30 am, since I had to be onboard by 8:00 am and being late was not an option. Besides, I had to change and enjoy an excellent Navy breakfast.

For such an early part of the day, the pier was full of activity. There were probably half a dozen ships tied up to the pier, among them were two Destroyer tenders with 1500 sailors on each.

 As I made my way down the pier, I heard footsteps next to me. I glanced over to my left and saw a young Lt.

I was about to say, “Good Morning Sir,” But he gave me a quick salute and said, “Good morning, sir.” Here is the rub, I was only a Third Class Petty Officer at the time.

He must have deduced from my jacket that I had to be an officer since I went to MIT. Yes, I said, MIT. I seriously went to MIT, well, not that one, but I did go to one. Our school, colors were even the same at the real MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The school I went to was the Morrison Institute of Technology, a small engineering technical college in Illinois.

I laughed to myself because of the encounter. Later that day, I was on the pier with a group of my shipmates. I forget what we were doing, but as we were walking, I saw that same Lt approaching us. The sailors I was with each saluted him and addressed him.
When it was my turn, I snapped off a crisp salute, with a commanding, “Good Afternoon Sir!”

He obviously recognized me because his reply was far from military. He did not return my salute and instead replied, “Yeah, whatever.” As he shook his head. 

I laughed after he passed, and the guys with me asked me WTF was that about?


I told them about the morning encounter. They laughed with me.

So, be careful when making assumptions.