Capt. MJ - congrats on hitting the 5000 message mark!

Oh my - I had no idea. You all are very kind.

I think it really means I have way too many “my .02” to share.

I have always aspired to be a servant leader, and SAF allows me to feel like I can still contribute in that vein. I also learn a great deal from all of you, and eat way too much [emoji897][emoji897][emoji897][emoji897] when the exchanges get lively.
 
I was asking my wife if I could celebrate National Margarita Day today (yes, it is real... look it up). She said, "Uh.. No." Then I said, "But Capt MJ hit 5,000 posts today!" She said, "Game changer! Why didn't you say that in the first place? Start cutting the limes!"
 
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Glad to serve as a good reason for a worthy cause.
 
Congrats CAPT ! Always good info, and an enjoyable read. One of several here that keep me coming back !


Let’s have a party. MJ’s place tomorrow.

GREENLIGHT ! For a little levity here, does the rest of the Navy do greenlights , ie.. showing up at someone's (usually a senior officer), unannounced for an impromptu party ? It was a fairly common thing back in my VP days. My favorite was during a visit to NAS Signonella for a chain of command. I was on the Wing Staff, and the COC was my old squadron. After a nice wardroom dinner (with plenty of wine), someone had the brilliant idea that a bus load of us "visit" the Base Skipper (it was probably 10ish in the evening). Base Skipper and his wife were great sports, breaking out his stash of the local swill wine that filled old water bottles. I remember getting handed a 20 oz bottle of colored "Agua Mineral", thinking to myself that was a good thing since I had had enough to drink at dinner...then taking a big hit and realizing that it was cheap wine. Good times ! (This was way before cell phones, but I suspect that someone tipped the Base Skipper off that we were coming ...)
 
My mind also went to Red Light Green Light, but I decided against dragging another dusty sea story out of the sea chest. But - I have been part of a Greenlight on a 3-star, a great sport. He and his wife turned all the lights on, invited flag neighbors to potluck up, and the party was on. DH and I were also the recipients, and that was one for the memory books.
It’s a fading tradition, because of the linkage to overly festive consumption rates.
 
My mind also went to Red Light Green Light, but I decided against dragging another dusty sea story out of the sea chest. But - I have been part of a Greenlight on a 3-star, a great sport. He and his wife turned all the lights on, invited flag neighbors to potluck up, and the party was on. DH and I were also the recipients, and that was one for the memory books.
It’s a fading tradition, because of the linkage to overly festive consumption rates.
It was actually done at USNA my first class year, not sure how widespread but my company classmates and I did a bunch of them - mostly at the Company Officer (later a three star) and at our "USMC Rep", a Major who was assigned to answer any and all q's that we might have about the USMC. I think we Greenlighted Monday Night Football a few times with him and his wife. I never heard of the classes before us having this in m company so maybe it was an isolated thing.
 
It is great to have a collective of contributors to this forum...lead by CaptMJ...I’m going to have to do the math on the posting rate. Are we sure you are not an AI robot? :)

I remember when there was no SA forums and one of the few forums was CollegeConfidential...believe USNA1985 and myself (might be missing some others) were the frequent posters. However, it is nice to see the expansion of knowledgeable posters on SA forums...especially to load balance the replies to many questions/posts.

CaptMJ, thanks for sharing your wisdom, knowledge, AND sea stories with the community!

We did a green light on one of my skippers (pilot)...the CO’s wife was part of the planning...but CO did not know about it. It seems green lights are more common among the aviation community, but not really outside of that.
 
I cannot tell you all what these kind words from our SAF community have meant to me yesterday and today. I spent 6 hours yesterday at a canine oncologist getting the worst possible news for a beloved boxer who is otherwise vibrant and healthy, and as we struggle with what’s right for her this weekend, I am buoyed by SAF posts with good news, and knowing the ability to feel great joy is life’s counterpart to feeling great sadness.
 
I cannot tell you all what these kind words from our SAF community have meant to me yesterday and today. I spent 6 hours yesterday at a canine oncologist getting the worst possible news for a beloved boxer who is otherwise vibrant and healthy, and as we struggle with what’s right for her this weekend, I am buoyed by SAF posts with good news, and knowing the ability to feel great joy is life’s counterpart to feeling great sadness.

I’m sorry. A friend just lost his beloved French bulldog to cancer a few days ago.

I treasure my goldendoodle every day.

No happiness can relieve that sadness.
 
I strive daily to earn the loyalty shown to me by my boy Buster.

Thinking of him not being with me forever causes great stress.
 
I cannot tell you all what these kind words from our SAF community have meant to me yesterday and today. I spent 6 hours yesterday at a canine oncologist getting the worst possible news for a beloved boxer who is otherwise vibrant and healthy, and as we struggle with what’s right for her this weekend, I am buoyed by SAF posts with good news, and knowing the ability to feel great joy is life’s counterpart to feeling great sadness.

I am so sorry. I walked the same path with a beloved chocolate lab almost 4 years ago. I can say we had to make a different decision than we thought when the lab results came back. He spent the next 3 days eating all of the foods he was denied all of his life due to allergies that caused ear infections. Steak and eggs along the way too.

Take care of yourself and your beloved. I know my guy waits for me at the Rainbow Bridge.
 
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