ORIGINAL: Treetop64
My god...
After reading many of the occupations you all have or had, I feel depressingly substandard. [8|]
Job: Not saying...
Age: 41
Residence: Redwood City, California
Family: None whatsoever
Education: College dropout
Work: No way...
Favorite Quote: See sig below
Reading: The Siege of Leningrad - David Glantz
Treetop64 -
In August of 1992 I was the Maintenance Chief for Charlie Company, 3rd Light Armored Vehicle Battalion. While based in 29 Palms California, we were currently on a six month deployment to Camp Schwab, Okinawa Japan. Our deployment had been very challenging and difficult. Our arrival coincided with preparation for a major command inspection - called FASMO. I have forgotten what the acronym stood for, but essentially it determined two things:
1) Were Marine Corps maintenance procedures being implemented and followed regarding the 26 LAV's forward deployed at Okinawa.
2) Were we combat ready.
The FASMO Team came from Headquarters, Marine Corps. They were
serious heavy hitters, and a "no" to either of the two questions above would result in the immediate relief of the company maintenance chief (me) or my commanding officer (Captain Pollard), with a consequent impact on our respective careers.
With our arrival on Okinawa in May, we inherited a group of vehicles that had, due to political considerations, been inactive and infrequently left the concrete ramp. Live fire rarely occurred, and entailed firing into the side of a hill - no targets. After systematically going through the vehicles, I found that most had not been driven off base for a test road march for some time, that the gunners optical sights were not bore sighted with the 25mm chain gun - the sight linkages were often way out of whack; and I was not sure that all of the M242 Chain Guns would function correctly. And I had serious doubts about the reliability of the vehicles if road marched for any serious distance.
All of this did not happen overnight - and was the result of years of political restrictions (the Okinawans did not appreciate having our armored vehicles roaming about the island) and a general sense of lethargy.
And: All of this was irrelevant. It was May, the FSMO Team would arrive in mid August. The guiding thougt was "To Err was Human; To Forgive Divine - neither of which was Marine Corps Policy". Immediate action was called for.
Fortunately there were a number of positive points:
Captain Pollard was a First Class leader of men and not only backed me 100 percent, but helped to provide excellent planning and guidance for the long haul. We worked ourselves (leadership by example) and the troops
hard; any time I began to feel badly about a six day work week rotation, I remembered that failure was not an option. The troops measured up and were absolutely outstanding.
And: I made sure that I did my bible lesson study first (about 30 minutes) each morning - it was hard to find someplace quiet to read and to lock out the sense of pressure and fear, but turning to God on a daily basis not only kept me on an even keel, but kept us moving in the right direction.
The very low operational tempo worked in our favor; we had 90 percent ramp time to do the work.
As maintenance records were spotty, we went with the highest (and thus most comprehensive) level of scheduled maintenance - an annual service for each vehicle.
To keep it short - it came together. We not only did well, we received a "Noteworthy" grade - one level higher than "Outstanding".
We were very tired but jubilant. I began planning the next steps to improve our vehicular reliability.
Suddenly - I was summoned (along with several other senior enlisted Marines) to see the Commanding General USMC Okinawa. And was informed that I would have to retire within six months - part of President Clinton's Reduction in Force Plan.
I felt like I had been kicked in the teeth. There was no appeal possible. I chose to retire as quickly as possible. I later asked myself, would I have still put my heart and soul into the the FASMO preparation if I had known about RIF in advance? Yes. Of course,
I was a professional, surrounded by professionals who were counting on me.
Once out, and after taking off the uniform for the last time, I felt like I had lost my identity, that all that meant anything at all to me had been taken away. It was very difficult - as many on this forum have experienced.
Eventually time and experience proved me wrong. All of the training, work ethic, honor and integrity are still there. What needed to change
was my way of thinking. If you had told me that driving a school bus with 40 plus children onboard would give me everything I ever hoped for, I would not have believed you. But it has. The Marine Corps / Army / Navy / Coast Guard / Airforce are outstanding finishing schools, however that time has passed in my life.
I would also like to note, that although I was long gone by the time of the 2003 Iraq war, my friend and fellow Marine, Greg Giles (Lifer) faced a
far more difficult and dangerous situation as a Company Maintenance Chief, while supporting combat operations in Iraq. While I am not privy to the details, there is no doubt in my mind that he Measured Up to the standard that the Corps expects. And for that, he will
always have my respect.
Treetop64, our job, regardless if - for me - a maintenance chief, construction site clean up guy (that required a
significant attitude adjustment!) or bus driver is to be the best we can be. The most thorough, professional, reliable man on that team. Sadly, it does not seem to take much to stand out from one's fellow workers. You - your attitude, reliability and work ethic - determines how important your contribution is. Not the job title.
It was a gradual process for me to realize how good I had it; but it only gets better as each day goes by. I love my job - it would be more accurate to say that I am hopelessly stuck on the awesome kids that I spend my day with. Not to mention a First Class Wife, time to pursue swimming, nights free and weekends to play AE. And Beautiful Colorado Summers in the mountains, reading good books with exceptional people.
But - I had to do it a step at a time, learning to get the most out of every road bump that life put in my way. Things happen, that are beyond our control. What we do control is our response and - especially - how we think. Every challenge was the next rung in the ladder, and opened the door to to the next opportunity. Obstacles in life are there to be overcome.
I know that you are a good man. Never be ashamed about what you do in life. Never fall from a standard or expectation of exellence in all that you do.
We are blessed to have you with us.
Mac
