I spoke with the senate majority leader Sen McConnell

Whodja

Whodja

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Feb 9, 2016
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A little levity to the waiting.

While at the airport in DC this week, I saw Sen McConnell. Not being shy (Marine), I asked Sen McConnell if he had any connections at USNA! He was nice but replied “No”. Back to the optimistic wait from admissions!
 
While you may have considered it jokingly, keep in mind USN and USNA take all Congressional inquiries very seriously, and you won’t make any friends if a Congressman’s office calls and asks why it’s taking so long.
 
From a Senate Armed Service hearing (I believe) many years ago . . .

"I understand why we have an Air Force . . . I understand why our Army has an Air Force . . . I even understand why our Navy needs an Air Force . . . but can you please explain to me why our Navy's Army needs an Air Force? . . ." . . . ;)
 
Similar experience 5 years ago. DS #2 was eyeballing USNA and NROTC scholarship. Went to the NASS. (Ultimately, he settled on NROTC, got the scholarship, but was medically DQed.)

Our Congressman lives down the street and we go to the same health club. The congressman was wearing a pair of USNA athletic shorts. My son asked him, "How does a guy get a pair of those shorts?"

One of those moments when a Dad cringes AND feels pride at the same time. The Congressman is the type of person who would appreciate a certain amount of cheekiness, given that everyone else is trying to kiss up.
 
Falcon A said:
From a Senate Armed Service hearing (I believe) many years ago . . .

"I understand why we have an Air Force . . . I understand why our Army has an Air Force . . . I even understand why our Navy needs an Air Force . . . but can you please explain to me why our Navy's Army needs an Air Force? . . ." . . . ;)
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Danger Close: Close Air Support is best delivered by the brothers (or sisters) of those infantry calling for it. That's why! Next question Senator?
 
Old Navy BGO said:
While you may have considered it jokingly, keep in mind USN and USNA take all Congressional inquiries very seriously, and you won’t make any friends if a Congressman’s office calls and asks why it’s taking so long.
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That was the extent of the brief encounter. No names mentioned and no nametag on my uniform. Posting only to lighten the tension on waiting. I’m very aware of the seriousness of congressional inquiries.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
While you may have considered it jokingly, keep in mind USN and USNA take all Congressional inquiries very seriously, and you won’t make any friends if a Congressman’s office calls and asks why it’s taking so long.
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All government agencies take congressional inquiries seriously, because congress has the, "power of the purse." That's probably the only reason why they take them seriously, but it's a good reason.
 
MMA19kid said:
All government agencies take congressional inquiries seriously, because congress has the, "power of the purse." That's probably the only reason why they take them seriously, but it's a good reason.
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Of course.. Even the most mundane , ridiculous inquiry send the Command to General Quarters, and has to reviewed up the Chain of Command. It turns into a real goat rope. When I was Legal Officer in my squadron, my favorite was the young Airman who sent a note to her Congressman that she was being held in the Brig against her will.... I wanted to respond "Most people in the Brig are being held against their will," but Skipper made me write a whole long explanation of the legal proceedings against her. That's why I always cringe whenever I hear someone mention contacting their Congressman.
 
I was TAD at the Coast Guard Senate Liaison Office and requests seemed pretty routine.
 
LineInTheSand said:
I was TAD at the Coast Guard Senate Liaison Office and requests seemed pretty routine.
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Of course, I would expect the "Senate Liaison Office" to take the inquiry in stride, thats what they do.....but at the individual operating command level, trust me...Sh!t hits the fan!
 
Old Navy BGO said:
LineInTheSand said:
I was TAD at the Coast Guard Senate Liaison Office and requests seemed pretty routine.
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Of course, I would expect the "Senate Liaison Office" to take the inquiry in stride, thats what they do.....but at the individual operating command level, trust me...Sh!t hits the fan!
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I had to craft the command response for a few of these when I was XO of an FF and thankfully, we had our ducks in a row for each of them.
 
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