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I have both keys!

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Contributed by: Bob Rotruck on 1/25/2007

THE LANDLOCKED SAILOR
By Bob Rotruck, CWO3, USN (ret)
Castle Rock, Colorado

Of the many things I have written about my Navy career, most have been comical or about the unique relationships you develop with fellow Navy personnel.

From 1973 to 1975, I was attached to the aircraft carrier, USS John F. Kennedy. I was assigned as the Electronic Data Systems (EDS) Division Officer under the Electronic Material Officer (EMO), who worked for the ship's Operations Officer. As a collateral duty, I was Assistant EMO.

When the ship was underway, the EMO and I ran split watches (shifts) in the EMO's office. He was on duty from 0700 to 1900 (7 p.m.) and I was on from 1700 to 0700 in the morning. Besides the EDS division, the EMO also had under his control the Electronic Communications, Radars, and Ship's Guided Missile Defense Systems.

One evening in 1974, the ship was off of the east coast doing some exercises and ringing out newly installed systems installed during a nine month overhaul period at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

I was at my desk about 0300 when one of the young technicians from the Radar shop came in as white as a ghost. "Mr. Rotruck," he exclaimed out of breath from running up many ship's ladders to the 03 level which is just below the flight deck. I asked him what the problem was and he cried out, "He has both keys!"

I asked what he was talking about. He said, "Petty Officer Smith (not his real name) has both keys to the missile fire control system." Navy shipboard fire control systems (missiles) require that two keys be placed into the missile launch control panel before a missile can be launched.

This is a safety measure to prevent an inadvertent firing of a powerful guided missile. I raced with the young man back to the missile control room to see Petty Officer Smith sitting at the control console.

He had a strange look in his eyes like he was in another place in time. I said, "Smith, what are you doing?"

He looked me in the eyes and said, "Somebody has to do something to stop all of this chaos!" I whispered to the young technician to go get the Master-at-Arms (MAA is the ship's version of police).

I asked Smith what he was going to do. He opened his hand to expose two shiny launch keys. I continued to talk to him in an effort to gain as much time as possible. Quickly, the MAAs burst into the space and took Smith into custody.

I confiscated the two keys and called the senior medical officer. They took Smith away to the dispensary.

The next day, we pulled into Pier 11 at Naval Station Norfolk. I saw Smith being escorted off of the ship wearing a straight jacket and in company with one of the medical officers.

Here was a darn good man that had succumbed to the rigors and tensions of being at sea and away from home. Nobody said it is an easy job!

Fair winds and smooth seas!

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Submitted By: Joseph Kirchmer

posted on 1/25/2007 @ 2:22:29 PM

Rated Story

Great story Bob!

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Bob Rotruck

Castle Rock , CO

Bob Rotruck has posted 60 stories and 2 comments since joining on 7/26/2006. Bob Rotruck 's average story rating is 4.89.

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