Posted on 11/27/2008 2:15:57 AM PST by antiunion person
A man speaking broken English cried through the radio. Something about an attack. Shots fired. Grenades launched. Pirates.
Aboard the U.S.S. Peleliu, the officers in charge expected such distress calls. On that day, Aug. 8, the ship was stationed in the Gulf of Aden, a strip of water between Yemen and Somalia known among seafarers as Pirate Alley. The hijacking was 10 miles from the Peleliu, close enough for the ship to send out rescue teams.
Steering one vessel was Jonathan Johnston, a 24-year-old Navy lieutenant junior grade. He maneuvered toward the Gem of Kilakarai, the cargo ship from Singapore under attack by two boats full of Somali pirates. Within minutes, the pirates caved to threats from Johnston’s team and skulked off, toward the horizon. Johnston had commanded a mission that thwarted the attack, an achievement that would earn him the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. As much as he wanted to rejoice, to remind himself that being an officer in the Navy is about protecting people and saving lives, Johnston couldn’t.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.yahoo.com ...
It’s difficult to feel any sympathy. If you sign up you gotta go when they call you and do what they tell you to do. That’s the Military: if you don’t like it, be a civilian.
The pirates should have been pursued and destroyed.
Still a good job though.
He didn’t have a choice, he was sent to a naval academy which demands a commitment to the navy for several years after you graduate...
Granted the baseball money would be nice, but sailing the high seas chasing pirates would be an adventure like no other.
I don't think anyone held a gun to his head and forced him into the Academy. He knew it going in, and should expect to pay it back. I really get tired of these idiots who join the military, then whine when they get deployed. Stay the hell out and free up the slot for someone with responsibility and sense of duty.
Mr. Johnson...let me check...nope...my Give a Damn Meter ain’t moving for ya.
Shut-up and CTM.
> He didn’t have a choice, he was sent to a naval academy which demands a commitment to the navy for several years after you graduate...
The article says that he “accepted appointment” to the Naval Academy — which I interpret to mean that he could have said “no”.
I betcha the training he got was worth a small fortune, which would be why they would want him to commit for a couple years after getting out.
Presumably he applied to them? — they surely wouldn’t have had a Press Gang like the old British Navy had, getting him drunk then grabbing him off the street to serve in His Majesty’s Ships?
Anyrate, hunting pirates would be alot more fun than pro baseball. Still no sympathy from me: I almost wish I could trade places with him. Pirate hunting would be a HOOT!!
Huh?
> Huh?
Which part of that didn’t you understand?
FWIW I understood it and agreed with it.
By the way, the appointments to the service academies are sought after, and then granted with the intercession of a congressman. You do not have to accept - you are usually the one asking for admission.
(And it’s an honor to be chosen!)
Dial 1-8-0-0-C-R-Y-B-A-B-Y.
They leave no doubt to your commitment when you are signing.
However, the academies realize that a lot of kids don't fully comprehend nor the fortitude required to be an officer when first entering.
This is why the academies have no long term requirement until you begin you junior year; then, at that time, each have their own special commitment signing ceremony.
Well, pardon me, but I was trying to figure out the purpose of the story, thus “Huh?”
If one just reads the excerpt, it does not go into details about Johnson’s complaining about the length of his service.
Now, based upon reading the story further and others comments I think I understand better.
Okie Dokie?
> (And it’s an honor to be chosen!)
Thanks for confirming that — I was under the impression it worked that way. It’s the same with West Point, I think.
It seems to me that this young fellow wants to have the benefits of an excellent and prestigious education paid for by Uncle Sam, then have a pro baseball career, then presumably retire to a well-paid cushy job WITHOUT doing his part of the deal: to do his military service that comes as a condition of the excellent prestigious free education.
He had the good fortune to attend one of the best military academies in the world (presumably it was Annapolis? I’m guessing.) There are thousands of people who would give their left nut to have that on their Resume. And all he can do is moan about being in the Navy.
This makes him a selfish, petulant, sulky, spoiled brat. Possibly it also makes him a war wimp.
He needs to Cowboy Up and do his Service with pride. There are very few jobs that are more important than the one that he is doing right now. And none more honorable.
> Well, pardon me, but I was trying to figure out the purpose of the story, thus “Huh?”
Cheers mate — no offense intended! I wondered what part of my comment you hadn’t understood, so I could explain myself better. Now I understand that your “Huh?” was directed at the story — it’s not obvious from the excerpt what’s going on.
I think this young fellow is making a big mistake arguing his case in the media. Even if he manages to pressure the Navy into letting him go (or maybe even Obama?) he will lose alot of Respect from alot of folk for not doing this the right way.
I suspect he won’t be the first shirker to try and fail to wiggle out of his Navy commitments, and he probably won’t be the last.
If he would pay back the 1 million + $$ that the Navy invested in him I’d say “Play Ball”.. otherwise just STFU and kill pirates
10-4, mate:
I do like the notion of hunting pirates over baseball: can’t he stay in form by tossing hand grenades at these thugs?
Speaking of thugs, check out the story I just posted:
“Suspect Said He Planned to Rob Couple, Court Told
Man Charged in NW Slayings Stated He Torched Car, According to Documents”
Maybe we need our navy to prevent THESE a-holes from coming to the states, too.
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