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Originally Posted by Bubblehead Nuke
I will say, when I was cranking that second time, I had all the people I needed to sign off for me cornered. They could not hide, could not say that they did not have the time. I was the night crank and they came out to watch the movies... and I had them. It was like moths to a flame. And if they didn't want to talk to me then "No popcorn for them!"
About 2 weeks into it I had all my sigs and they would not give me a board. I cornered an LT and asked when he would hold my qual board. He decided to give me a board, on the mess desk, during movie time right NOW. In fact, he turned OFF the movie and announced that he was holding a sub qual board right then and there and he needed some people for the board.
That was a rough board as just about EVERYONE who was off watch took turns tormenting me. They were not amused by the interruption of the movie. It was a bloodbath.
The board lasted THROUGH the midwatch till breakfast.
I am proud to say that my qual sheet has almost EVERYONE who was sub qual'ed sign off on it. They ALL sat my board. It was a 'beat up a nuke night'. From the XO on down, someone had a question. Heck, half the time it was get this, show me that, the whole board roved the boat looking for things to beat me up on.
I still have that qual signoff sheet. 19 years after the fact. When I wonder if I can accomplish something I pull it out and look at it. It is still one of the proudest moments of my life. I can close my eyes and 'walk' the boat in my mind, remembering all the strangest details.
Sometimes I wonder why I got out....
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The nukes on both the Archerfish and the R.B. Russell never had to to crank. In my mind that worked for me because I will be quite frank here. The nukes bust their butts in many different qual aspects than the coners did. Next to the nukes only the A-div worked as hard. I remember the one question that we like to ask on a qual board was..."You are a molecule of sea water, now explain how you become carbon monoxide once inside the boat...?