Tough Being Away for Six Months!!

Thought it was time to rerun an old Navy Blog from six years ago.

I loved my time in the Navy and would be the last person to ever run it down. However, today’s young sailors need to understand the navy is not a nine to five job! Sometimes, sailors go to sea, sometimes for long periods. When I was just seventeen I was shipped out to the China station where I spent the next two years. I was single but many of my shipmates were married. At least one had left behind an expectant wife. His child was almost two years old before he would meet him for the first time. In 1964 we sailed to join the 6th Canadian Submarine Squadron for a two year commission, again many married men were gone from home for the duration.

On the National news sometime ago a young sailor was being interview on the Halifax jetty. They were asking about his deployment to the Mediterranean on a six month NATO Mission. He stated on camera that it was really a tough tour. To be away from his family for so long would be really hard.. His wife also stated, its tough!!she said, he’s been away before but never for this long. I’m not sure what this young family expected from the navy? Did it never occur to them, the husband might sometimes be gone for long periods.  Did neither of them know the navy was about ships and going to sea?? I was so disappointed to listen to a sailor moaning about such a short tour. The navy is all about travel, and was the reason I joined all those years ago. Join the Navy and see the world. and indeed I have. From the Arctic ice to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. A wonderful part of my life that I have never for a moment regretted.  Suck it up you new young Tars, isn’t this why you joined .

God Bless and keep reading