Painting Tins. No really...

What color should these tins be?

  • Candy green and white a la XS1

    Votes: 15 28.8%

  • Candy gold and white a la XS1

    Votes: 20 38.5%

  • Candy red and white a la XS2

    Votes: 17 32.7%
  • Total voters
    52
I retired in 1990. My retirement was, by my choosing, a non-event. If I had had my way it would have involved signing some documents in the Personnel Office and being on my way. I was volun-told there WILL be a retirement ceremony, so I opted for the minimum amount of fuss I could talk them into.

But I digress...

After my time I guess, but the whole challenge coin thing eludes me. It is apparently a Big Deal among military and law enforcement. Can someone explain the thinking behind that to me?
 
Downeaster said:
After my time I guess, but the whole challenge coin thing eludes me. It is apparently a Big Deal among military and law enforcement. Can someone explain the thinking behind that to me?
Click to expand...
They came along after my time also Paul, so I don't really know the history behind it either... other than it's considered an honor receiving one, so I accepted them in the spirit intended.

In my day it was either a letter of appreciation, a commendation letter, an incentive ride... or if you were really lucky, a promotion.

Not to piss off or hurt anyone's feelings, but in that context it kinda feels like .... well, never mind. I'll keep that thought to myself.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, I never really got into the whole challenge coin thing either. Letters of appreciation, incentive flights, yes....

I did have a couple of Chiefs hand me their Chief's coin during a handshake, which as I understand it is their way of showing respect, so that was kinda cool.
 
Ah. Then I'm not the only one...

Out of the 8 ribbons/medals I was "awarded" during my career, 3 have any meaning at all beyond being in the right place at the right time or not getting caught.

Rifle and Pistol Expert ribbons I earned. Beaucoup rounds down range with the 1911. Rifle Expert with the M14 was a breeze.

The third was my Navy Commendation Medal. That was awarded after a cast iron bitch of a tour in Iceland where I was kicked into the deep end of the pool after the Facilities Officer was MEDEVAC'd out. Electronics Maintenance, Command Budget, Facilities and Transportation all landed on my desk. I'd never even SEEN the budget process, much less created the annual budget request. They flopped a 2 inch thick binder of 132 column printout in front of me and said "You've got 30 days..." I spent the first two days spread out all over the conference room table scratching my head and saying WTF a lot. Headquarters in DC actually called me and congratulated me on submitting a budget that was approved first time around with only a couple of minor tweaks.

My "going away" gift was a Navy Achievement Medal. That was a fucking insult.
 
Downeaster said:
Ah. Then I'm not the only one...

Out of the 8 ribbons/medals I was "awarded" during my career, 3 have any meaning at all beyond being in the right place at the right time or not getting caught.

Rifle and Pistol Expert ribbons I earned. Beaucoup rounds down range with the 1911. Rifle Expert with the M14 was a breeze.

The third was my Navy Commendation Medal. That was awarded after a cast iron bitch of a tour in Iceland where I was kicked into the deep end of the pool after the Facilities Officer was MEDEVAC'd out. Electronics Maintenance, Command Budget, Facilities and Transportation all landed on my desk. I'd never even SEEN the budget process, much less created the annual budget request. They flopped a 2 inch thick binder of 132 column printout in front of me and said "You've got 30 days..." I spent the first two days spread out all over the conference room table scratching my head and saying WTF a lot. Headquarters in DC actually called me and congratulated me on submitting a budget that was approved first time around with only a couple of minor tweaks.

My "going away" gift was a Navy Achievement Medal. That was a fucking insult.
Click to expand...

I was stationed on Keflavik Naval Air Station in Iceland for a year 99-2000, supporting alert F-15's, KC-135's and C-130's.

I read the other day they shut the base (Station) down now?
 
Downeaster said:
Ah. Then I'm not the only one...

Out of the 8 ribbons/medals I was "awarded" during my career, 3 have any meaning at all beyond being in the right place at the right time or not getting caught.

Rifle and Pistol Expert ribbons I earned. Beaucoup rounds down range with the 1911. Rifle Expert with the M14 was a breeze.

The third was my Navy Commendation Medal. That was awarded after a cast iron bitch of a tour in Iceland where I was kicked into the deep end of the pool after the Facilities Officer was MEDEVAC'd out. Electronics Maintenance, Command Budget, Facilities and Transportation all landed on my desk. I'd never even SEEN the budget process, much less created the annual budget request. They flopped a 2 inch thick binder of 132 column printout in front of me and said "You've got 30 days..." I spent the first two days spread out all over the conference room table scratching my head and saying WTF a lot. Headquarters in DC actually called me and congratulated me on submitting a budget that was approved first time around with only a couple of minor tweaks.

My "going away" gift was a Navy Achievement Medal. That was a fucking insult.
Click to expand...
The corporate world generally gives far less appreciation. On my retirement day, after nearly 24 years, I was escorted off the property. They did a fine job of making me feel like a criminal.
 
Vincenthdfan said:
I was stationed on Keflavik Naval Air Station in Iceland for a year 99-2000, supporting alert F-15's, KC-135's and C-130's.

I read the other day they shut the base (Station) down now?
Click to expand...
Yup. I was part of the Naval Security Group. That entire command is history, along with all it's bases.

I was stationed at:

Clark Air Base, Philippines...gone. Mt. Pinatubo wiped it out.
Misawa Air Base, Japan. It's still there, but the NSG facility and antennas have been torn down.
NSG Activity Winter Harbor Maine. Gone. Shut down, torn down and reverted to the National Park Service.
Mobile Technical Unit, Naval Base Charleston, SC. Gone. Shut down, last I heard it was an Industrial Park.
NSG Activity, Kevlavik NATO Base, Iceland. Gone. Reverted back to the Icelanders, now Keflavik International Airport.
 
My latest award.
IMG_2427.jpeg

Any recognition is better than none.
 
Downeaster said:
Yup. I was part of the Naval Security Group. That entire command is history, along with all it's bases.

I was stationed at:

Clark Air Base, Philippines...gone. Mt. Pinatubo wiped it out.
Misawa Air Base, Japan. It's still there, but the NSG facility and antennas have been torn down.
NSG Activity Winter Harbor Maine. Gone. Shut down, torn down and reverted to the National Park Service.
Mobile Technical Unit, Naval Base Charleston, SC. Gone. Shut down, last I heard it was an Industrial Park.
NSG Activity, Kevlavik NATO Base, Iceland. Gone. Reverted back to the Icelanders, now Keflavik International Airport.
Click to expand...
Security schecurity, Do we really need it? Just kidding in reference to recent headlines. Thank you for your service.
 
46th Georgia said:
Security schecurity, Do we really need it? Just kidding in reference to recent headlines. Thank you for your service.
Click to expand...
Oh, the job is still getting done, it's just that what used to take an entire building full of equipment and an antenna 300 feet in diameter can now be done with a couple of satellites and equipment that will fit in a medium-sized suitcase.
 

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