There's only two ways to get one of these...

I know there are several of these out there - but this is only the third one I've seen in person - and this one is mine!!! This is the last piece of US Navy Diver desk candy that I'll ever need. It's not light - it's heavy. It's got both Underwater Construction Team Command Coins and the Ocean Facilities Program Coin. It's not small, it's big - and it will not fit in a box all that well. It's awesome!!! Just like the divers in the OFP - larger than life and always ready to do the impossible! This one was not a gift - I had to pay a pretty penny for it, but it did come from the hands of people who care - thank you all! When you go through dive school, your class shirt is a rite of passage. You cannot buy them (although you pay for them) - you earn them. And there is a saying that usually accompanies the wearing of the shirt - "there's only two ways to get one of these..." The two I've seen prior and this one were all earned - at least 20 years of service by each one of the owners. I'll let you use your imagination to come up with the second way. HOOYAH DEEP SEA!!!

Navy Memorial Reliefs

Some of the "Reliefs" at the Navy Memorial - lots of HOO-YAH in these select examples (and one with a ton of CAN-DO too)! Look at the caption on the float ring of the re-entry capsule - "UDT" - precursor frogs and UCTs. As I leave this chapter of my life and move on to another career, I will miss feeling the intense pride of being a part of the UCTs - part frog, part bee, and a whole lot of "I don't know the meaning of quit". If you haven't had the chance to see the Navy Memorial, here's some pictures to see some of the more intricate details (like UDT).

Old UCT Friends

I went to a retirement ceremony today for one of the UCT's finest. The ceremony brought several folks together that time and service to country have dispersed across the globe. I'll leave names off for security sake (damn identity thieves), but this crowd is pretty distinguished - decades worth of underwater construction just with these few individuals. It's hard to believe so much time has past and I am on the precipice of my own retirement. A lot of old memories got stirred today. Master Chief M - fair winds and following seas - but I'll be back to catch up with you (and I'm bringing my fishing equipment)!

Not "G" Rated - You have been warned

There is a distinct culture among US Navy Divers. Diving ain't easy - and it ain't for everyone. The Navy Museum has a small section displaying diving gear in the back corner (fitting place to put the rifraf). This is a close up of the previous picture. Divers always seem to have a blue and gold tshirt on with some saying that other divers before them have immortalized. One tshirt that stands out in my memory is one with a diver wearing a watch cap, suited up with the copper collar on, but no MK V helmet on yet. He has a cup of coffee in his hand and a smile on his face. The caption on the tshirt says "How about a good cup of shut the fuck up!!!" - a nice way of saying "get to work you sniveling piece of shit - if you want to complain go out and be a sillyvilian - if you want to be a Navy Diver, man up, jump in and turn two" The look on this little model's face and the way he is holding the lantern says what that tshirt has in writing. You can't be claustrophobic if you are going to be a diver. This must have sucked. Divers embrace suck. Oh and this guy is naked. Navy Divers do like running around naked - at least in the old days they did. Or when no one is looking. No one that can put you in the brig. As I am closing in on my retirement date (74 working days left, and if you take what leave I'll have left over before going on terminal, I'm really down to 58 working days) I smile remembering all the diving, camaraderie, and tshirts I had. I am proud that I contributed to the Diving culture and will always snicker that I drink coffee too (now GET TO WORK)!!!