THE LANDLOCKED SAILOR
By Bob Rotruck, CWO3, USN (ret)
Castle Rock, Colorado
In the fall of 1975, we were cruising aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS John F. Kennedy in the Mediterranean Sea. From a world turmoil stand point, it was pretty quiet and therefore, days, weeks, and months at sea got to be pretty routine. Of course, we had all kinds of drills, fake fires, fake battles, fake attacks on the ship, etc. etc. etc!
In my Electronics Data Systems Division, all was very quiet and routine. All of the computer systems were running 4.0 (pronounced four-oh) which on a four-oh scale is as about as good as it gets. It is very easy for boredom to settle in with eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, work. Did I mention: eat, sleep, and work?
In an effort to brighten up our days and nights (you never really knew which it was unless you walked out on a sponson or the flight deck to see if the sun was up or down), I broke out my trusty old guitar (I still have it). I took it up to the Naval Tactical Data Systems (NTDS) computer room. It was the largest space we had that would accommodate several people at a time unless we went down to the chow hall.
Several of my guys saw me in the passageway and heading for the NTDS compartment. The word quickly spread and about two more guitars showed up, along with about ten sailors. We were tuned up and began to rip into some good old Kingston Trio, Peter Paul and Mary, Limelighters, Judy Collins, and on and on. Surely some of my readers remember some of those names. I know I'm not that "old!"
Before we knew it, we had sung away the time with lots of tunes, jokes, sea stories (mostly lies), and just plain camaraderie. Rank or station meant nothing. We were just a bunch of sailors trying to break the monotony and tedium of being at sea for weeks on end, watching computer lights on front panels blink away.
It is amazing how those are the times we career sailors remember versus the bad times when every system seemed to breakdown at the same time. It was a time to relax, laugh, and reflect on happier times being at home with our loved ones. Yes, there was boredom, but fortunately there was camaraderie, friendship, fellowship, and smiles. We would occasionally sing a song that touched somebody's heart and a tear might slide down a cheek, but they were dried quickly by smiles and laughter.
There is no greater fraternity than your military friends and shipmates! Thanks for the memories!
Fair winds and smooth seas!