One time at a military ball, we sat across from a MAJ Hook. My husband leaned over and whispered, "I bet it was a long seven years as CPT Hook." I nearly spit my wine across the table.
Some names and ranks just go together. And some you just get so used to hearing that it feels weird when they change. But a promotion is a wonderful thing, even if we have to learn a new title. So I guess we'll just have to get used to calling the sweetest woman on the planet MAJ Patti now.
Congrats on your promotion, MAJ Patti!
Posted by Sarah at July 5, 2005 10:05 AM | TrackBackYou got to love that dry humor.
Posted by: CaliValleyGirl at July 5, 2005 11:41 AMCongrats to Maj. Patti!!
Thanks for letting us know Sarah! I often wonder how they are doing! That's just wonderful!
Posted by: Tammi at July 5, 2005 01:31 PMWhat great news and I ditto Tammi's comment. Heya to Tim, hope you all doing great.
Posted by: toni at July 5, 2005 05:59 PMCongratulations to Maj. Patti! Also, Tim, I sure miss your blog, but I'm happy that the two of you are together.
Sarah's Mom
Posted by: Nancy at July 6, 2005 05:22 AMOne of my detailer in the Navy was LT Coldiron. When he reported to his first ship, with orders in hand to be the communications officer, the CO said, nope, with a name like that, you're going to Engineering.
When a ship has it's plant shut down, it's in "coldiron" status...usually when pierside (on purpose), but a few times it has been known to happen at the most inopportune moment while underway. Then we just usally said the ship "dropped the load."
Another one of those names that just had to be a job....Larry generally was always in Engineering during his sea tours.
Posted by: Curt at July 6, 2005 03:40 PMOne of my detailers in the Navy was LT Coldiron. When he reported to his first ship, with orders in hand to be the communications officer, the CO said, nope, with a name like that, you're going to Engineering.
When a ship has it's plant shut down, it's in "coldiron" status...usually when pierside (on purpose), but a few times it has been known to happen at the most inopportune moment while underway. Then we just usally said the ship "dropped the load."
Another one of those names that just had to be a job....Larry generally was always in Engineering during his sea tours.
Posted by: Curt at July 6, 2005 04:16 PMYears ago I had a shipmate named Randy Pinson. His wife kept urging him to get a commission. Nope, my friend would say, "No way am I ever going to be 'Ensign Pinson'".
Posted by: 74 at July 6, 2005 06:00 PMI used to know a Lieutenant Major. It was so glaringly obvious what he would be called as he was promoted that it didn't even really merit comment. I remember hoping at the time that he would one day become Major General Major.
Posted by: Tony B at July 6, 2005 06:56 PMI once saw a CPT Marvel in line at a Post Bank in Germany... It took all of my will not to laugh in his face (I was a mere E-4)... He saw my smile and seemed to have a good sense of humor about it.
Posted by: Stu Clark at July 6, 2005 08:18 PMWhat's in a name?
Then there was US Army LT Manteufell who ruined a hectare of kartofel with his tanks in West Germany during Reforger.
The old farmer came out to bitch LT Manteufell out. In the middle of his screaming at the young LT, the farmer saw his nametag.
The old man's eyes bugged out and he looked the LT over closely. He then came to attention and saluted the LT.
The PLT got a fresh hot dinner as well.
Posted by: red river at July 6, 2005 09:56 PMCongratulations, Major! I'd probably never have started blogging if I hadn't needed a Blogger account to wish you a non-anonymous "Welcome home." I'm glad to hear things are still going well for you.
Posted by: Bill Faith at July 6, 2005 11:57 PMWhen I was serving at the AF Military Personnel
Center, one of the Assigments Officers (same as navy detailer) had a slot to fill in Saudi Arabia.
He had 5 roughly equivalent candidates so naturally he selected Captain Lawrence.
At our local post there is a Maj Frank Burns - he says he gets a LOT of ribbing for that
Posted by: kc2ixe at July 7, 2005 01:39 PMIn my days with the 3rd ACR, I served with a John Hancock, a SGT Pepper, and a SGT Slaughter.
Posted by: Guido at July 7, 2005 06:18 PMCaptain Marvel wasn't the only superhero in the Army... I also knew of a Captain Justice.
One friend of mine, an X-ray tech, told me of one instance where he was calling the next person in line, a Sergeant (E-5) Major. At the same time, there was a Sergeant Major (E-9) waiting his turn. Not sure how much was embellishment, but my friend describing it made it sound reminiscent of "Who's on First".
Posted by: malclave at July 7, 2005 09:47 PMWhen I was CO of B Troop, 2/10 Cavalry in the 7ID at Camp Kaiser, Korea (1968-70), one of my young buck (E5)sergeant's last name was Major.
Posted by: Piper17 at July 8, 2005 03:58 PM