Humor in Uniform – How to Get a Choice Posting

A “SCOUTING” MISSION

Memories of My Delightful Navy Days

By

VIKRAM KARVE

This happened 15 years ago – in the year 2001 – when I was appointed in the premier Naval Dockyard at Mumbai. 

An officer came into my office.

Though I had never served with him on a ship or ashore – I knew the officer since we had done our training together.

He was roughly of my seniority – one course senior – but then – I had gained maximum seniority in my Sub Lieutenant’s courses.

I asked him to be seated – and – I ordered a cup of tea for him.

He sat down – he smiled at me – and then – he started looking up at the wall behind me.

I observed that he was looking at the “Honour Board” – on which were displayed the names and tenures of all incumbents of the office I was presently occupying.

With disappointment writ on his face – he asked me: “You have spent not even 2 years here...?”

“Yes...” I said, “in fact I have been here for exactly one year and seven months – to be precise.”

“Okay...” he said, “thanks for the tea. Sorry – if I disturbed you in your work.”

Then – the officer left my office.

I was perplexed as to why he had visited me.

In the evening – while I was sitting with my family by the sea at the Navy Officers’ Institute – I saw the same officer who had come to my office in the morning.

I called him over for a drink.

He had a sip of Whisky Soda – and then – he said: “You must be wondering why I came to your office in the morning...?”

“Yes...” I said, “I was quite perplexed by your sudden visit...”

“Actually I am posted at Delhi in Naval Headquarters (NHQ) – and – I have been in Delhi for over 5 years – so now – I am due for a transfer. 

I want a transfer to Mumbai – but DOP said that there was no suitable billet vacant in Mumbai – so – they were likely to transfer me to Vizag. 

So – I used some “pull” through my boss – and – the DOP said that if I could tell him a suitable billet in Mumbai where an officer had already spent more than 3 years – he would transfer me to that billet in Mumbai – and he would move that officer out of Mumbai – to Delhi – probably do a mutual transfer. 

So – my boss sent me on a “scouting” mission...” he said to me.

“But why are you targeting me...?” I asked.

“Someone told me that you had spent a long time in Mumbai – so – I wanted to personally find out – but then – I saw that you have not even spent 2 years in Mumbai – but don’t worry – keep this just between you and me – I have found out that one officer “XXX” is sitting in Mumbai for more 5 years – so – I will have him moved out of Mumbai – and I will move into his appointment...” he said.

3 months later – “XXX” was on his way to Delhi – and – the “scouting” mission officer from NHQ joined us in Mumbai.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

This story is a revised version of my blog post A “SCOUTING” MISSION posted online in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve Blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/05/humor-in-uniform-scouting-mission.html