Come answer a question, share a laugh, encourage one another, and bring me a TimTam! |
Who was that person in your life that gave you the inspiration to pursue in life what you wanted to eventually do? Can be anything that inspired you. Dennis Offutt EMCM(SS) (RIP): He was the E Division Chief Petty Officer (CPO, also known as the LPO) when I reported aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. His mannerisms, he way of leading people caused me to try harder. I was a third class Petty Officer (E-4), during my first Off Crew Period. I planned on doing my required time and leaving the Navy. I had no desire or thought of re-enlisting, no desire to do more than was necessary. Off-Crews are periods of relaxation, especially when you're in Hawaii! Early during the off-crew period, he asked me how the courses for advancement to E-5 were going. I told him I wasn't working on them since I didn't plan on advancing to E-5 before discharge. He just quietly said, "When everyone leaves at the completion of training today (we were usually done with training by 11, just in time to catch the 11:15 ferry to the other side. Miss that, and you were stuck until 12:30! Perish the thought!), you won't have liberty then, until those courses are done. That meant I had to remain there until 4 each day! Yes, he was there every day until 4 also. Everyone else would be at the beach by 12:30 or so, while I was stuck in the office. Did this motivate me? You betcha! Jim Dorrell |