So this whole situation with Chief Petty Officer Gallagher... [View all]

I'm a proud Navy veteran but I dont pretend to be anything other than just a veteran. I was me er put in a situation where I had guns pointed at me or had to poi t guys s at others...

I've been thinking about this whole issue and feel that the practice of establishing the standards for ongoing service and membership in the United States Navy should be established by the Navy....not by a civilian.

The Air Force, the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard are five equally important branches of the armed forces of the United States and they all have standards and traditions unique to those branches.

While traditions may vary between branches, one thing remains constant...

The Uniform Code of Military Justice and its process...is a process reserved to the military.

When I enlisted Ion the Navy i made a conscious decision to put my faith in the service and its traditions and regulations.

While I may have chafed occasionally at some of the rules and regulations imposed by the Navy...in the end I realised those rules and regulations were promulgated for good reason...to promulgate order and discipline.

I suspect my brothers and sisters, members of the other services might agree.

I dont claim to be a saint, but, I do know that the very basic values instilled into me, from the day I enlisted to the day I was discharged were...

Do your job.
Look out for your shipmate.
Protect the innocent.
Do not dishonour the service or your flag.


Sorry if I sound like I'm ranting or rambling
...this cuts to the bone for me.

The only real family I ever had in life were my shipmates...this situation is threatening to test that apart.