CV and mad panic behaviour

[Baggers]

Is that wise words from a submariner?

)  )  )  Unfortunately, no. I wanted to serve whilst in the RAN on subs but was too tall! 6ft and the limit was 5ft 10ins. Did spend time working in moored and dry docked subs. So I did the next best thing once all my 'Sparker' (communications, radio - morse, encryption, code breaking etc.) training was complete... small ships. So the bulk of my sea duty was patrol boats - crew of 18. My first stint though, as a 17 yr old was aboard a big ship - Guided Missile Destroyer - HMAS Brisbane... or 'The Flying 41' as she was known. You had to do this before training in those days.

Once ensconced on patrollies, a circumnavigation of Australia, stopping at little ports all the way around, was the highlight. Going through a major storm in Bass Straight, complete with 90 degree rolls, was a terrifying yet exhilarating experience. PTSD experiences were a low light (first ship/Asia/war zone). When you dip your navigation lights in the oggun (Naval term for the sea) you need a regular supply of clean durps (undies).

Ah, we ex military types love yapping on about our experiences! When we enjoy watching a game together sometime, don't get me started on my adventures in 'pusses' (Navy word for the Navy. Army - Pongos. Air Force - Blue Orchids).

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...egUIARC_AQ

[Gointocarlton]

)  )  )  Unfortunately, no. I wanted to serve whilst in the RAN on subs but was too tall! 6ft and the limit was 5ft 10ins. Did spend time working in moored and dry docked subs. So I did the next best thing once all my 'Sparker' (communications, radio - morse, encryption, code breaking etc.) training was complete... small ships. So the bulk of my sea duty was patrol boats - crew of 18. My first stint though, as a 17 yr old was aboard a big ship - Guided Missile Destroyer - HMAS Brisbane... or 'The Flying 41' as she was known. You had to do this before training in those days.

Once ensconced on patrollies, a circumnavigation of Australia, stopping at little ports all the way around, was the highlight. Going through a major storm in Bass Straight, complete with 90 degree rolls, was a terrifying yet exhilarating experience. PTSD experiences were a low light (first ship/Asia/war zone). When you dip your navigation lights in the oggun (Naval term for the sea) you need a regular supply of clean durps (undies).

Ah, we ex military types love yapping on about our experiences! When we enjoy watching a game together sometime, don't get me started on my adventures in 'pusses' (Navy word for the Navy. Army - Pongos. Air Force - Blue Orchids).

Love it, thanks for sharing.

[LP]

Once ensconced on patrollies, 

My very good friend was a sparky/radio operator on small patrol boats in Vietnam, spent much of his time after his tour in Holsworthy for various misdemeanours.

Listening to him it sounds like training in the navy was quite broad and first class back in those days, not sure it's the same now as it's all become very task specific with specialists for everything. He went on to be a big wig at Telstra before he retired, turns out knowing your way around navy comms was a great foundation for the public phone system. Lot's of his mates ended up as Telstra Lineys.

[Mav]

145 new cases in NSW, 51 of whom were infectious while in the community. Hard to see this turning around without the harshest of lockdowns.

On the other hand, the fact NSW has been able to avoid exponential growth is a testament to the efficacy of lockdowns and restrictions.

[Baggers]

My very good friend was a sparky/radio operator on small patrol boats in Vietnam, spent much of his time after his tour in Holsworthy for various misdemeanours.

Listening to him it sounds like training in the navy was quite broad and first class back in those days, not sure it's the same now as it's all become very task specific with specialists for everything. He went on to be a big wig at Telstra before he retired, turns out knowing your way around navy comms was a great foundation for the public phone system. Lot's of his mates ended up as Telstra Lineys.

Firstly, massive apologies for the off topic stuff.

Radio Operator (Sparker) was my branch. We were known as the 'elite' branch and the highest paid, non-commissioned rank. I know a good number of mates who went into telecommunications when they 'paid off' (discharged). My best mate and I both went into the media. Me, commercial radio, him commercial TV. I did think of AIr Traffic Controller until I found out about the stress!!!! I almost got a permanent job as the the communications dude in a lighthouse - would have loved that.

So your mate did a tour of Holsworthy, eh? Naughty boy. You had to really transgress to do a stint at that hell-hole! Unusual for a Sparker too... we were renowned for being the squeaky clean sailors, well we had to be as we had Top Secret clearance.

Back to Covid. Yep, well said, Wingman MAV. NSW does seem to have Covid in a 'holding pattern' at present. But you cannot see their lockdown being lifted for many weeks.

Conservative media opinion writers have a lot to answer for, for their early fear mongering, pseudo science and general ignorant cockheadedness around vaccines. Their backflip of late is somewhat infuriating. And let's not get started on SloMo's profound lack of vision and leadership.

[Mav]

The Sydney shock jocks are the biggest problem. 2GB’s Ben Fordham was a big supporter of Gladys but turned his guns on her when she announced the lockdown. Alan Jones has continued to attack the lockdown although Ray Hadley attacked both of them over their stances.

Lest we forget how much sway Alan Jones has (or at least had), IIRC a Labor PM (I think it was Rudd) sent the guy who he was about to name to the Defence Ministry to see Alan Jones to seek his advice on that portfolio. Obviously, it was less to seek advice than avoid excoriation, but it’s amazing that Labor felt it needed to pander to a right-wing shock jock. How much harder would it be for a conservative Premier when he could incite her base to turn on her.

[LP]

So your mate did a tour of Holsworthy, eh? Naughty boy.

Yes, he garnished a reputation for having occasional friendly disputes with superiors, oddly(maybe not) quite a few ended up good friends afterwards. They would have him charged but at the same time look after him, I suppose it's who you know. I've heard his former officers laud his ability, he had a bit of talent for diagnosing and predicting faults in systems, and would be used as a bit of a trouble-shooter on problems, but he will tell you the day to day on board would get the better of him and he'd blow off steam. Mind you, he was their boss at the time in post service careers!

To me his officers are an example of old world professionalism you don't see now, kyboshing Mitch Robinson is an example of a modern failure, and especially around this COVID stuff and politics. Nobody backtracks, corrects course or admits a blunder to fix their stuff ups, they just deny deny deny and push on even if it is to wider derision and oblivion.

[LP]

How much harder would it be for a conservative Premier when he could incite her base to turn on her.

Jones and his following, ironically a large proportion of which are older females, have no tolerance for females in command. But I'm afraid Gladys is only reinforcing those perceptions with an inability to take off in any positive direction.

Modern politicians do not want to make a mistake, they see mistakes as death, better to do nothing than to make a mistake, ............ but indecision is also deadly in certain circumstances.

[Baggers]

Jones and his following, ironically a large proportion of which are older females, have no tolerance for females in command. But I'm afraid Gladys is only reinforcing those perceptions with an inability to take off in any positive direction.

Modern politicians do not want to make a mistake, they see mistakes as death, better to do nothing than to make a mistake, ............ but indecision is also deadly in certain circumstances.

Spotted One... so sorry to hear of you contracting Covid. But I am confident that the staff at the San Diego Zoo will take good care of you.  ;D  ;D  ;D

[LP]

Spotted One... so sorry to hear of you contracting Covid. But I am confident that the staff at the San Diego Zoo will take good care of you.  ;D  ;D  ;D 

 Winter is coming!