"Give Me BACK My Coin!"

Yesterday, after I got out of my conference in San Diego, I was driving off base and I recognized a former Shipmate of mine from when I was stationed in Great Lakes, IL. He pulls up next to me and I motion for him to pull into the nearest parking lot. He was VERY excited to see me and even more SURPRISED to see me as an officer that he didn't know WHAT to do! He saluted as we were driving and was laughing at the same time. Quite a moment!

We pull into the nearest parking lot and man... it was NICE to see a familiar face! Stan was my supervisor at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL when I was a Recruit Division Commander. I trained at least 3 or 4 recruit divisions while under his charge. He was my Leading Chief Petty Officer (and he was a Senior Chief back then... E-8). I noticed he was now a Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9 highest rank you can achieve as an enlisted man) and I was SO proud of him! I, on the other hand, had worked for him as a Petty Officer First Class (E-6, 2 paygrades junior to him at the time) and later on was selected for Chief Petty Officer (E-7) and was eventually selected as a Mustang Officer (Navy LDO) and immediately bypassed the ranks of E-8, Chief Warrant Officer 2, 3, 4 and 5 and put on O-1E (Ensign with prior enlisted service). Yesterday, when we met again, I was already wearing O-2E (Lieutenant Junior Grade) and he was SO, SO happy for me. :)

Proper military protocol does NOT allow for "hugs" in a parking lot between ANY military members but... we both thought... "Court-Martial us!" ;)

Anyway... we had a great talk. Towards the end, he mentioned how taken back he was at how much YOUNGER I looked than the LAST time he saw me (which would have been around... 5 years ago now?). But, since I told him I was a steady 172-175 lbs. back then and am now at 150, he wanted to know what had happened. "I'll SHOW you." was my response as we walked over to my car.

In the back seat, I had a backpack with all of my clothes for this trip, another backpack with papers, workout gear, etc. and an even larger duffel bag. This one was black in color, with gold "United States Navy" embroidered on the side (pretty official sounding, right?). I open it up and inside... there was a tiny blender, meal supplement/protein powder, multi-vitamins, wheat crackers, cherry tomatoes, salads that I had prepared in individual containers in advance, oranges, apples, bananas, rice crackers, and the list goes on and on.

We talked about health and fitness.

I have learned SO much these past few months and I felt compelled to share. So I did. And, at the end of my non-stop jabbering, he looked at me. Placed his hand in mine and handed me a Navy Challenge Coin as a gesture of true friendship. He went on to explain how he needed a change in his life with regards to his health and it had been weighing heavily on his mind (no pun intended). That I motivated him. And THAT. Felt GOOD. Felt beyond good.

I owe it to him to at least give you this sidebar on our history together... I remember we were at a promotion ceremony for a Chief Petty Officer who was getting advanced to Senior Chief. After the ceremony concluded, it was time for folks to line up and shake her hand to offer their congratulations. Customarily, senior personnel line up first then juniors follow. This day, I was standing next to Senior Chief (Stan) and I motioned with my hand for him to go first ("after you, Senior"). He says to me... (and I have never forgotten) "Petty Officer Garcia, you go first. You are already a Chief Petty Officer. You just aren't wearing it yet." Man... talk about an uplifting, motivational compliment. It felt great. Always wanted to repay the compliment.

And so at this point, what else was a man in my position to do but offer him the only thing of value that I COULD offer him at the time... one of my yummy salads! But, the look on his face... melting inside (I could tell). He was speechless (or maybe thinking "Give me BACK my coin!"). Ha!

No, he was very appreciative and we exchanged numbers and said "until next time, Shipmate.."

Both of us left grinning ear to ear.

A Note to the Children...

November 27, 2010

Hello Briana and Logan,

I only got to meet and speak with you both briefly about ten days ago. The occasion was my retirement from the Navy after 30 years of service.

Retiring from anything is a big deal. Friends, family and co-workers both current and from the past participate.

Retiring from the Navy too is a big deal but even more so as it has traditions that have been around for well over 200 years. These traditions are maintained as a sign of continuity with our shared past, respect for those who came before us, and reflect upon us who serve today and in the future. There are few organizations who adhere to this mindset during your time in it or as you exit its ranks after your service is completed. Hopefully, your own association with the Navy thus far in your lives has shown you some of what I speak of here.

But my retirement ceremony could not have happened or have been as well done if it wasn't for your father's efforts on my behalf.

First of all, he is a responsible person. Sure, there are many in the Navy, but he "took charge" of my event after only being in our shared unit here a short time.

And how he took charge! You could think this was easy, but it wasn't. These events are full of those traditions I mentioned above. But more importantly, is keeping those traditions and keeping the faith with them. It has to be in your heart and mind because it shows if it isn't.

That wasn't even close to being a problem for me with your father as he has it in his heart and mind. Similarly, we in the Navy call those who do well by all of us "Shipmates". The implication there is we share a special experience, not just the uniforms, but with usually sharing our professional responsibilities in close quarters or circumstances, often times quite difficult, that bond it's members tightly together. Even calling someone "Shipmate" is an open recognition of that bond and responsibility to each other.

Second, when you get a chance, take a closer look at you Dad and his own relationship with the Navy. You will determiner he himself has continued to grow within the Navy. This is not only evident via his moving up the ranks due to his hard work and work ethic, but by how his Shipmates view him too.

No matter what you do in life, if your peers appreciate you, you are doing it right and probably enjoying life yourself.

Thirdly, as I mentioned earlier, I only met you both briefly. But I do need to share an observation that I made and some of my guests made concerning the both of you, and that is that you comported yourselves in a way that belies your actual ages. Adults usually say that kids are "well behaved" when they see this. But in your cases, it is more, like you are ahead of your age group peers and more responsibly "adult" I guess.

The pride your Father has when he mentions your accomplishments is further proof of that. You are both doing well in school, athletics and in socializing with your fellow human beings, especially for at the age you are currently at.

Obviously, both your Mother and Father are shaping you well for your own futures. With your Father's responsibilities to our country and the Navy, your Mother had to take up a lot of additional responsibilities to you both that most families outside the military know nothing about. This reflects great credit upon her too.

In closing, I wanted to mention how much I appreciated your Father, my Shipmate's help recently. Through that interaction I got to see someone who is not only raising great kids, but is taking pride in it and enjoying it too. That is an awesome goal and achievement that someday you will understand even more and will want to emulate.

Briana and Logan, my best regards and wishes for your futures,

Charles B. Gillman
Captain, USN (Retired)