Was just reminded of a bosun's mate we knew in Scotland. Don't know why.
His attention to detail, maybe.
The missile techs had to learn to drive the cranes used to put missiles on and off the submarines alongside the tender. They gained a seaman boatswain's mate. Call him Monte to protect the innocent.
Monte qualified all the stations for a missile move. He was good at most of them. So when we were scheduled to move a missile onto a boat that was going through a weapons inspection, the MT leading petty officer assigned him to being topside on the submarine to receive the missile.
They got started. The area was roped off for security, the adapter loaded and bolted to the tube, tools inventoried, procedures checked. Monte had a lot to do, so they usually just taped the button down on his headset and he broadcast continuously.
They were just about ready to lift the missile out of the magazine when one of the inspectors came into the area, the Full Bird Captain in charge of the inspection team.
Monte: Excuse me, sir, we're about to bring the missile over.
Captain: That's fine, that's what i'm here fore.
M: Yes, sir, but safety rules require everyone in the area have on safety shoes and a hard hat.
C: I'll be fine.
M: I'm sure you will, sir, because we're not moving the missile until you leave or are properly dressed.
C: I'm not actually part of the missile move, just observing.
M: If you're observing from inside the area, you have to have hard hat and safety shoes.
I was on the phones for the emergency firefighting team. Monte started off polite and respectful. As the Captain kept refusing to obey the rules put down by the Admiral, he got louder, terse, and his Puerto Rican accent came on strong. I also heard the MT LPO giggling at his station, as his phones were also taped open.
M: Sir, we're not bringing the missile down with you here, like that.
C: Well, I'm not leaving until the missile comes down.
M: Then we gonna be here a while.
C: Look Petty Officer, you do your job, I'll do mine.
M: BOSUN SEAMAN, JACKASS! And I AM doing my job!
About this time, the skipper of the submarine, a Commander, runs up outside the area, having been alerted by the boat's phone talker that there was a little problem.
Skipper: It's okay! I authorize him to be in the area!
M: (turns to Skipper) WRONG, Dickhead! This motherfucker has to have hard hat and safety shoes and that's the ADMIRAL'S rule!
Also, about the time he shouted 'jackass,' the LPO yanked off his phones and started running. I heard 'Leavingthearea!' then he made VERY good time down five decks and the brow.
LPO: I relieve you.
M: These idiots-
LPO: It's okay. Man the magazine (as far from the inspection as he could possibly be moved).
M: But this guy-
LPO: I'll take care of it. (Phones shift)
C: Well, I'm glad you sent him away.
L: Yes, sir, it was very wrong of him to disrespect you like that.
C: So, we can get on with the move, now?
L: Yes, sir, as soon as you leave or get safety shoes and a hard hat.
C: I thought we established-
L: He was disrespectful. He wasn't wrong.
Ten minutes later, the Captain stormed out. A first class petty officer on the team came up to observe topside.
Monte also maintained he did nothing wrong. We had to point out, "Dude, it's really, really wrong to call a Captain a dickhead."
That's when he lost it, screaming at us, "I CALLED THE COMMANDER A DICKHEAD AND THE CAPTAIN A MOTHERFUCKER! GET IT FUCKING RIGHT!"
For a wonder, nothing ever came of this. I expect the Captain complained, but maybe someone asked if his dignity was worth explaining his actions at Monte's captain's mast.
Or else either the Commodore or our Weps told him to pack sand. But respectfully, I'm sure.