Part of a post at EIP…
And a new hat…
That’s a new pic (but it’s the same ol’ me) and features one of my FAVORITE tee shirts. Back to hats, though, and we’re decidedly short on suitable USAF chapeaux, what with our inventory of hats we wore during our career bein’ shabby and not suitable for public appearances, given they’re over 25 years old. So today we happened to encounter a gentleman who was selling LOTS of military ball caps in the promenade o’ the Cannon Airplane Patch BX. There’s a short story behind the hat and it goes like this… Said gentleman stopping me in the promenade and sayin’…
Gentleman: Sir? Wait a moment… Oh, that must be a different USS Mason. The original MASON had an all-black crew, the first such in the Navy.
Me: (Wearing my USS Mason ball cap) Yessir, I know. This MASON was my son’s first Department Head ride, which is where I got the hat. And I’m aware of the history behind the name, there bein’ a tribute to the original MASON in the ward room. (And because I’ve done my homework)
G: Your son is Navy… career Navy, still serving?
Me: Yessir, on both counts.
G: Annapolis?
Me: No sir, Rot-Cee, Mustang. He’s also an embarrassment to the fam’bly, seein’ as how he’s a Squid and his grandfather, father, and older brother before him were ALL Air Force.
G: Be careful now, I’m a Squid.
Followed by laughter all around. So we bought the hat… I mean, how could we not? The crest on the hat is the old Air Force Communications Command (AFCC)’s emblem, which is where I spent the final five years of my career. I spent a total of seven years with AFCC, which is about a third of my career. I spent more time with Air Defense Command… like 12 years, and three years with USAF Security Service… but AFCC gave me the foundation for my civilian career, to which I owe them a tremendous debt and my enduring loyalty.
So. We’re now able to fly an appropriate flag when we go out in public.
It remains to be seen how SN2 will take this… but he KNOWS what an embarrassment he is. 
Good to see you representing the old service. Now if I could get me a SAC ball cap, that I would wear. Or an 8th Tactical Fighter Wing ball cap. (Not that 8th Wing crap. Thank you very much.)
Strong words regarding SN2. I’d fight back with my progeny, but the JOPA outnumbers me, significantly. But I bides me time I does. I bides me time.
You want me to pick up a SAC hat for ya? They had ‘em, strangely enough. That guy MIGHT still be there today, but he’s one of those vendors that come and go, not a permanent sort. Then again, a quick google shopping search turned up all sorts o’ SAC caps…
As the old saying goes, `if you want to get ahead, get a hat`
Never heard that one before, Hogday, but I filed it away for future reference.
Looking good Buck, as always. I’ve often wondered how one son goes one way and everyone else in the family went the other. Must make some conversations more interesting than others…
SN2 takes it hard when the three of us get together… but The Boy gives as good as he gets.
We Navy vets can joke about the AF, and lord knows how we tease our fellow Navy shipmates for their “union” choices*, but we all belong to the best military the world has seen. The US Military, IMHO, is the organization that is most reponsible for world peace between great powers since 1945.
* Helo pilots in the wardroom, explaining what foreplay is for a SWO: ” Six hours of begging”. ‘rimshot’