Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Website

You can check out my website at http://www.therealnavy.com/ I enjoyed a great career in the Navy. I have: served in a submarine, aboard ship, had a couple of tours flying in electronic reconnaissance aircraft, been in command of a Navy shore site, several Flag staff tours, a stint on the Joint Staff and was Secretary Rumsfeld's Staff Director for the Detainee Task Force following the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Number One Son

This is our son Michael. He's a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin (National Champion Longhorns). This photo is about 18 months old. His dreads are a bit longer today. He's had the dreads for about 5 years now. The lady in the sunglasses is my great wife (nearly 28 years of wedded bliss). We had an awesome trip to Austin for his graduation. It was a surreal event. A Chinese American girl was the valedictorian and she titled her speech "I HAVE A DREAM". Hard to believe she didn't realize that Martin Luther King had already done that. Even harder to believe that the UT staff had not vetted her speech. #1 son is still in Austin. It's a great city just chock full of great people. They keep Austin "weird".

My life would be easier if...

I have been pondering this question and don't know if I really know the answer. I live a pretty uncomplicated life. Good job. Great wife. Super kids. A wonderful dog. Beautiful and very comfortable house.

Looks like I really ought to concentrate on making someone else's life a little bit easier.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Baggage - lots of it

Let me say that I am carrying a lot of Navy baggage. I remain connected to the Navy from my very first day at the MEPS in St Louis, Missouri. Carry that through bootcamp in San Diego, California and a succession of great assignments in the Navy (Monterey, CA; San Angelo, TX, Misawa, JA; Newport, RI, San Diego, CA; Atsugi, JA; Barbers Pt, HI; Monterey, CA; Washington DC; Yokosuka, JA; Corry Station, FL and Washington DC). I can't let any of it go. I carry memories, lessons learned and friendships from each command with me to this very day. I can honestly say that I have maintained contact with a Shipmate from each and every place I have been. You can't let that baggage go.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

First Post

Starting off the new year with a blogspot and a commitment to post at least 365 times over the coming year. At the end of the year, I hope to have something worthy of keeping and sharing with others who have an interest in making the Navy and her Sailors better.

Cast off all lines and let's get this baby underway.