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I joined the crew
shortly after the boat's crew was consolidated and mission shifted from
"boomer" to "slow approach attack" boat.
The boat was in San
Diego doing "Middie-Ops" with Midshipmen (along with our sister Sam Huston
(SSN-609) during the summer of '81.
We pulled inport on the evening of July 3rd, and my section
had Duty that night. The next day, several guys of my Duty Section and
myself realized that we were "stranded" on SUBASE San Diego 'cause no buses
were running due to the holiday and they didn't have a car rental place on
base at that time. Being an SK, I knew that we had co-rented a utility truck
with the Supply Guys on the Huston. So, I "found" the keys to the Supply
Truck and we "liberated" it! Several of us piled in and split and headed for
the beach. We played volleyball, drank cases of beer, and watched a fireworks
display over the Ocean Beach pier- overall, we had a blast! Well, things were
OK until we tried to get back to the boat. We got stuck in the sand several
times and had to have some of the "locals" push us out. Finally, we made it
back to the boat around 2:00 AM.
The next morning, we were preparing to get underway and
had morning lines singled when the Supply Officer from the Sam Huston came by
for a "visit", along with his Captain. He wanted to know why "his" truck was
full of beach sand and beer cans were all over the bed and cabin of the truck!
Well, I did some quick tap dancing and ended-up with only a royal ass chewing,
but otherwise escaped unscathed. I never "gave up" the names of my cohorts
(and I forget their names now but I do know what they look like should I ever
run into them again!) despite XO Gray foaming at the mouth wanting to know. We
stood together then, and taught me a valuable lesson in life....
Next time I commit grand theft auto, clean the car out
BEFORE I return it!
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