Post Game Passion: AFL 2019 Rd 6: Carlton vs. Hawthorn

[Baggers]

A mate was telling me that he was in similar studies and his superior kept telling him how well he was doing, one day he asked where he would end up if he kept doing well.
The answer was that he would be rewarded with a code breaking job in a bunker with no windows... he flunked his next test and transferred... ????

) ) he dodged a bullet! Once I qualified (got my ranking) I soon found myself as the comms guy (yep, only 1) on H.M.A.S. Bombard, in a one man tiny steel walled office that was located at the 'pointy end' of the patrol boat below the water line - on one side just 1/4" of steel separated my office from the oggin (sea). In rough seas... sending and receiving morse with my right hand, holding the spew bucket with my left. I could describe to you what the lining of your stomach looks like swirling around in a bucket of regurgitated Navy food... but it's close to lunch time. 

[LP]

My best friend was a Navy Radio Operator in Vietnam.

He has some interesting stories about being on the smaller support craft which is almost absent from the official records. You can read all you like about Destroyers, Aircraft Carriers and Air Support, but if you were on a boat that can go up river it's almost absent from the record. Of course the Aussies were officially not to be involved in marine or seal type activities apparently, but what were they going to do sit in a river delta and watch the war go by?

Did you hate the biscuits?

[Baggers]

My best friend was a Navy Radio Operator in Vietnam.

He has some interesting stories about being on the smaller support craft which is almost absent from the official records. You can read all you like about Destroyers, Aircraft Carriers and Air Support, but if you were on a boat that can go up river it's almost absent from the record. Of course the Aussies were officially not to be involved in marine or seal type activities apparently, but what were they going to do sit in a river delta and watch the war go by?

Did you hate the biscuits?

Wow, that's exactly what I was, Spotted One. In the Navy we were known as 'Sparkers.' In that ABCTV series 'Patrol Boat' the Sparker was the cat who emerged from the little metal dungeon from time to time with a message for the Skipper, XO or Coxswain... the insignia we wore was doves wings with a lightning bolt through them.

Our 'small craft' did heaps in the Asian theatre-of-war 60's and early 70s... patrol boats, landing craft, mine hunters and mine sweepers, sometimes survey boats were also deployed. Our reputation was second-to-none. On exercise we routinely gave the Yanks a hiding, always beat them, as did the Kiwis and Poms.

What really annoyed me, hurt actually, was finding out just last year all the entitlements I had for serving in a war zone... conveniently kept from us unless we asked. Thousands of dollars in psychiatrists, psychologists, medications and so on to deal with PTSD and PAD... out-of-pocket. Lost about 25 years of my life being mired in the effects of these disorders including years curled up in a useless lump of flesh with severe agoraphobia. I know I probably irritate many talking about this and bringing it up at every opportunity ...it's in an effort to create awareness so others don't lose such huge chunks of their lives - presently in deep discussion with a certain high profile law firm to create more public awareness as to what happens to returned service folks, or rather, what doesn't happen.

I'm one of the lucky ones - I'm still here, drug free (grog free!!!) and managing issues v. well, sh*t, almost normal (have no fear, that'll never happen)... not the case for many mates, though - so it's incumbent upon those of us who come through to speak up.

[DJC]

Great post Baggers and keep them coming!

My service was relatively benign and I have only recently started marching with the local RSL on ANZAC Day - mainly out of respect for my father, late brother and uncles who served and suffered.  We march a good 100 metres (with few in step) but I am always humbled by the applause from the onlookers ????

[Jack Burton]

Wow, that's exactly what I was, Spotted One. In the Navy we were known as 'Sparkers.' In that ABCTV series 'Patrol Boat' the Sparker was the cat who emerged from the little metal dungeon from time to time with a message for the Skipper, XO or Coxswain... the insignia we wore was doves wings with a lightning bolt through them.

Our 'small craft' did heaps in the Asian theatre-of-war 60's and early 70s... patrol boats, landing craft, mine hunters and mine sweepers, sometimes survey boats were also deployed. Our reputation was second-to-none. On exercise we routinely gave the Yanks a hiding, always beat them, as did the Kiwis and Poms.

What really annoyed me, hurt actually, was finding out just last year all the entitlements I had for serving in a war zone... conveniently kept from us unless we asked. Thousands of dollars in psychiatrists, psychologists, medications and so on to deal with PTSD and PAD... out-of-pocket. Lost about 25 years of my life being mired in the effects of these disorders including years curled up in a useless lump of flesh with severe agoraphobia. I know I probably irritate many talking about this and bringing it up at every opportunity ...it's in an effort to create awareness so others don't lose such huge chunks of their lives - presently in deep discussion with a certain high profile law firm to create more public awareness as to what happens to returned service folks, or rather, what doesn't happen.

I'm one of the lucky ones - I'm still here, drug free (grog free!!!) and managing issues v. well, sh*t, almost normal (have no fear, that'll never happen)... not the case for many mates, though - so it's incumbent upon those of us who come through to speak up.

Much respect Baggers, and thank you. Keep pushing your cause, I'm one of many who have no idea of what you guys went through, and I am 100% behind you guys getting the support, recognition and respect you deserve

[LP]

Great stuff Baggers, write about this crap anytime you like!

My mate spent periods in and out of Holdsworthy after returning, took him years to get sorted. All drink related.

In the end he ended high up in Telstra managing there faults system with the skills he learned, comms diagnostics, testing and reliability not drinking that is! But he was good at both! ;D

[northernblue]

Much respect Baggers, and thank you. Keep pushing your cause, I'm one of many who have no idea of what you guys went through, and I am 100% behind you guys getting the support, recognition and respect you deserve

Well spoken Jack.
Fire at will Baggers ????????

[bratblue]

Well spoken Baggers.

While I hope you remain both drug and grog free don't slip to pie free.

[sandsmere]

Much respect Baggers, and thank you. Keep pushing your cause, I'm one of many who have no idea of what you guys went through, and I am 100% behind you guys getting the support, recognition and respect you deserve

Thanks from me too Baggers.

I have a very good mate who came back from Vietnam in a mess and he has never fully recovered since.
He is OK, but not the same man by a long shot.

[Baggers]

Well spoken Baggers.

While I hope you remain both drug and grog free don't slip to pie free.

Not a chance, BB. Gee I laughed when I read that.