My mother recently went through her collection of photographs and four two that I had given her back when I was still active duty in the Navy. Although less than perfect quality, I thought I’d share them with all of you.
Awarded Surface Warfare Officer Pin, February 1985
The photograph at right was taken in February, 1985, in the Wardroom of USS Moinester (FF 1097) on the occasion of my being awarded the Surface Warfare Officer pin (otherwise known as “water wings”). I’m on the right, with the newly awarded pin on my chest, and shaking my hand is CDR O. K. Evans, Moinester‘s Captain. Behind me are three of my fellow officers: LT Mike Chaloux, 1st Lieutenant (just visible behind my ear); LT Pete Leenhouts, Operations Officer; and, partially visible at the right edge, LTJG Don Shirey, Navigation & Administration Officer (and one of the original Delta Squad!). The uniform we’re wearing is the old Winter Blue outfit, (known as the “Johnny Cash” uniform) which has since been discontinued in favor of the Service Dress Khaki uniform for officers and the new Navy Service Uniform for enlisted.
United States Navy Surface Warfare Officer badge (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Qualification as a Surface Warfare Officer is one of the major milestones of a junior officer’s career in the surface fleet. Besides the formal training received at the Surface Warfare Officer School Basic Course in Newport, RI, a candidate for SWO must complete an extensive program demonstrating practical knowledge of ship-handling, engineering, damage control, tactics, operations–pretty much everything about a surface ship. In addition, a SWO candidate must have qualifed as an Officer of the Deck underway and as a Combat Information Center Watch Officer. Finally, the candidate must be approved by a board of experienced Surface Warfare Officers, usually headed by the Captain.
Entering Palermo, September 1985
This photograph was taken on Moinester‘s helicopter flight deck as we were entering the port of Palermo, Italy, in September of 1985 during a Sixth Fleet deployment. Unfortunately, it’s a rather fuzzy Polaroid shot. I’m on the left, standing with LTJG Doug Cundiff, Supply Corps, the ship’s Disbursing Officer. It was common to wear a dress uniform when on deck entering or leaving a foreign port, so we’re wearing Summer White (known as the “Good Humor” uniform). Unlike the Winter Blue uniform, Summer White is still around, although Service Dress Khaki often replaces it.
