Summer Creases
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (78761)
United States
June 25, 2022 9:32am CST
I was responding to another post and in one of my responses I was reminded of a term I first heard when I was in the navy.
Summer creases.
We were having a uniform inspection one morning, and in the navy you always kept an "inspection ready" uniform in your locker for just such occasions, which I always thought was counterintuitive to the idea of the "inspection," since you put on your "regular rags" after the inspection was over.
In any event, we had a guy named Doogan who was our division screw up. He tried everything he could to get kicked out, but they just kept him. Probably a reverse psychology kind of thing.
He showed up for the inspection in what looked like a uniform he had slept in for days.
The Master Chief got to him and told him, "I like your summer creases, shipmate."
"Pardon?" Doogan asked.
"Some are here, some are there..."
Regardless of our intended composure standing at attention for the inspection, none of us were able to maintain our composure after that comment—although we were instantly called back to attention.
10 people like this
8 responses
@lovebuglena (43077)
• Staten Island, New York
25 Jun 22
So the navy doesn't tolerate wrinkles in uniforms?
Was the guy ever kicked out?
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43077)
• Staten Island, New York
25 Jun 22
@porwest Speaking of wrinkles, hubby bought this dress shirt that is meant to be wrinkled. It's a design. He wore it to a party and his aunt came up to him, asking him why he didn't iron his shirt. 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156157)
• United States
26 Jun 22
My father was in the Navy. Where did you travel to?
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@LindaOHio (156157)
• United States
27 Jun 22
@porwest My BIL stayed in for the required 20 (?) years and collected his pension. The Navy hosted a Star Trek Convention? And you were in dry dock for a year and a half? What did you do all day? What was your "job"?
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@porwest (78761)
• United States
28 Jun 22
@LindaOHio My dad was retired navy. He was in for 23 years and retired as a chief.
Yeah, we were the USS Enterprise, so I guess the convention made sense on some level. It was definitely an interesting experience. Those people are "for real," let me tell you.
As for my job in the navy it was many fold. We chipped and grinded spaces, repainted, refurbished. There were many things to do. While my primary job was a Ship's Serviceman, which manned ship's laundry, barber shops and ship's stores and vending machines, I only did a little bit of that. I spent quite a bit of time in ops for reasons better left unsaid.
I did run two ship's stores during my time and was in charge of the second swing in the laundry for a little while.
I had a lot of different roles.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
26 Jun 22
Unfortunately nowhere. lol. I met up with my ship, the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), in 1992 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock company where it was a few years already into a major overhaul. When I reported for duty she wasn't even in the water, but propped on massive wooden blocks in dry dock. About a year and a half in we actually moved into Pier 11 North at Norfolk Naval Air Station and began doing sea trials and flight deck recertifications—that took us out to sea but not to any ports around the world.
We did go to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for Fleet Week where we also hosted a Star Trek convention—which was interesting to say the least. Met James Doohan during that. Interesting guy. He played Scotty on the original series.
My experience was still fun and fulfilling though, although I had planned to stay in, at the last minute I decided four years was enough and left the navy to pursue other interests.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56302)
• Philippines
2 Jul 22
That's an indirect insult from his Master chief. I presume.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
5 Jul 22
@Nakitakona Not sure I am picking up on what you are trying to say, honestly. lol
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@Nakitakona (56302)
• Philippines
5 Jul 22
@porwest Can anyone compliment a wrong deed for that matter?
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@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
25 Jun 22
What you mean you laughed at the misfortune of another person
Oh dear.
The holier than thou brigade shall down their noses look at you now Jim
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
25 Jun 22
If you knew Doogan you would fully understand. The guy was a complete buffoon, but all of his own making. He wasn't quite Klinger from MASH, but his attitude was similar. He wanted out so bad but they just wouldn't kick him out. I think sometimes we might have kept him around just for the entertainment value alone. The guy was hilarious the antics to try to get kicked out.
I should write about him more one day.
1 person likes this
@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
25 Jun 22
@porwest
Yes you should write about him some more.
Here in the UK the best way to get kicked out was to touch someone up lol
It wouldn't work now
The British Army let gay guys and girls join up so I reckon touching up will be normal enough
I could rejoin
I can still stand to attention
