Humor in Uniform
LIFE AT SEA
STORY OF THE “INDISPENSABLE” SAILOR
A Spoof
By
VIKRAM KARVE
This story happened 30 years ago – in the 1980’s – on a frontline warship.
PROLOGUE
There is a saying:
“No one is indispensable”
However – in the 1980’s – with the induction of new ships with modern weapons/equipment and sophisticated propulsion systems – I observed that – on many state-of-the-art warships – there were a number of Sailors – especially in the Technical Branches – mainly Artificers – who were considered “indispensable”.
Whether these individuals were genuinely indispensable or not – I do not know – and I suspect not.
But the fact of the matter was that the Captain and Head of Department (HOD) wanted that particular “indispensable” Sailor on board the ship during his one year tenure – so that their tenures passed without a hiccup – especially on that crucial weapon system handled by the “indispensable” Sailor.
In fact – the Captain/HOD often got the transfers of these “indispensable” Sailors cancelled – and – I remember a case of “poaching” of an “indispensable” Sailor too – which resulted in an ugly exchange of correspondence, including signals, between the two rival ships involved.
Another offshoot was that these “indispensable” Sailors acquired immense “expert power” – and sometimes this “expert power” overwhelmed “position power”.
And – thanks to their “expert power” – these “indispensable” Sailors sometimes developed a tendency to “bullshit”
Here is the hilarious story of one such “indispensable” Sailor called “P”
STORY OF THE “INDISPENSABLE” SAILOR – A Spoof by Vikram Karve
“P” – THE “INDISPENSABLE” CHIEF PETTY OFFICER (CPO)
On our ship we had a Chief Petty Officer – an Artificer – let’s call him “P”.
“P” was a part of the commissioning crew.
“P” had remained on the ship continuously without break for more than Seven years.
Every time P’s transfer came – the incumbent Captain would get P’s transfer cancelled.
Every Captain wanted “P” to remain on board during his tenure – since P was “indispensable”.
“P” was indispensable – since he was a specialist on a key weapon system.
With increasing years of experience – “P” gained more and more expertise – and soon – “P” was the unsurpassed expert on the system in the entire Navy.
Every Captain knew that with “P” on board – it would be “smooth sailing” as far as that crucial weapon system was concerned.
So every new Captain ensured that – during his command tenure – “P” was kept on board the ship.
It was a Catch-22 situation.
The more “P” served at sea on board the ship – the more “P” yearned to go for an appointment ashore.
But conversely – the more “P” served on board this frontline warship – he acquired more and more “specialist expertise” – and he became even more “indispensable” – and his chances of going ashore became lesser and lesser.
So – as “P” served more and more on board our frontline warship on the sophisticated weapon system – “P” became more and more “indispensable” – and his chances of being posted out from the ship kept on diminishing – since every new Captain wanted him on board during his own tenure.
“P” was fed up.
Seven continuous years at sea were taking its toll on his health.
And also – his family life was adversely affected.
One day – suddenly – his transfer order came
“P” was delighted when he got his transfer order to a training establishment ashore as an instructor.
But unfortunately – the incoming new Captain got P’s transfer cancelled.
“P” complained against the cancellation of his transfer – saying that he had served seven long years continuously on a frontline warship – and he desperately wanted to go ashore.
I took Chief Petty Officer “P” to meet the new Captain.
I told the Captain that “P” had completed 7 years on this ship.
The Captain looked at “P” – and then – the Captain personally assured “P”:
“You don’t worry.
You just remain on the ship for my tenure.
The moment my transfer comes – I will see to it that you are transferred to some good place ashore.
In fact – I will get you a choice transfer to a good shore establishment of your choice...”
Despite the Captain’s assurance – “P” seemed dejected.
This meant another year on board this ship – it would be 8 continuous years of “sea-time” away from family – with no hope that it would end – even after this sea tenure was over
When I tried to commiserate with him – “P” said cynically to me:
“Forget it, Sir.
Every Captain says the same thing.
Captains come and go – all of you Officers come and go.
But – I am destined to remain stuck in this “hellhole” forever...”
THE BULLSHITTER XO (Executive Officer)
A few days later a new XO (second-in-command) arrived n board ship.
The new XO was a hot-shot “spit and polish” Commander.
He had spent most of his time on training ships and shore establishments (stone frigates) – and – a long “chairborne” tenure behind a desk – pushing files – in the “Northern Naval Command” (Naval Headquarters) – from where he had arrived on board ship for his “criteria” sea appointment.
The new XO boasted that he was going to “kick us into shape”.
On the very first day of sailing – I was summoned to his cabin.
The XO was seated in his chair.
The “indispensable” Chief Petty Officer “P” was standing in front of the XO
“P” was not standing at “attention” – which was proper form for sailors – when standing in front of an officer – especially a senior officer like the XO
However – “P” was standing in his usual casual manner – wearing his peak cap at a rakish angle – in the manner of a famous Admiral.
“P” had the cavalier bearing of a sailor who has been at sea for a long time.
The “Master-at-Arms” was standing behind “P”
The XO shouted at me:
“I was taking rounds of the ship – and your Chief “P” was moving around in a slovenly manner in the alleyway.
This sailor – your sailor Chief “P” – he was almost nude – the bugger was dressed in a bloody filthy skimpy lungi – and even his bloody lungi was at “half-mast”...”
“Sir – I was going for my bath …” “P” interrupted.
“You Shut Up...!!!” the XO shouted furiously at “P”.
Then – the XO turned to me – and he said to me:
“The bugger did not even bother to salute me.
Your sailor – Chief “P” – he intentionally did not salute me…”
Again – “P” interrupted – and he said to the XO:
“Sir – in this ship we don’t salute below decks…”
This infuriated the XO
The XO stood up to his full height.
First – the XO looked menacingly at “P” for some time.
Then – the XO shouted at “P”:
“Don’t you bloody try to bullshit me – and you don’t try to act smart with me.
I have sorted out many funny chaps like you...” the XO said angrily to “P”.
“Sir – why are you threatening at me...? I told you that in this ship we do not salute below decks...” “P” pleaded with the XO.
On hearing this – the XO glowered at “P” for some time.
Then – the XO roared furiously – the XO shouted at Chief “P”:
“If you misbehave with me – I will throw you out of this ship...”
“P” (a Chief Petty Officer) looked at the “XO” (a Commander) squarely in the eye.
Looking straight into the XO’s eyes – “P” said to the “XO”:
“Sir – if you get me transferred out of this ship – I will give you a grand party in a 5-Star hotel...”
I almost burst out laughing – but I controlled myself.
In order to prevent the situation from deteriorating further and leading to an aggravated offence – I quickly removed my Chief Petty Officer “P” from the XO’s cabin.
Such juicy “galley news” spreads fast – especially at sea – and – in a few hours – the whole ship knew about the incident.
From then on – the “XO” would scrupulously avoid “P”.
However – whenever their paths crossed – with tongue-in-cheek – Chief Petty Officer “P” would taunt the “XO”:
“XO Sir – when are you throwing me out of this ship...?”
EPILOGUE
I learnt three lessons from this story:
1. Some individuals are “indispensable” – especially those who have “expert power”.
2. As a Military Officer – sometimes – you will have to resort to “Bullshit”.
“Bullshitting” is considered “officership” – an essential part of Officer Like Qualities (OLQ).
But – there are limits to “bullshit” – beyond which – “bullshit” can boomerang.
Yes – if you cross the limit – your “bullshit” can boomerang and fly back right into your face.
3. If you want to have a comfortable life and long tenures – you must try to become “indispensable”.
That is how some officers manage to spend long tenures in choicest stations like Delhi, Mumbai, their home-station etc.
Some officers even managed to get their “sea-time” waived citing their “indispensability” due to their so-called “expertise”.
You will find many such “indispensable” “experts” sitting comfortably for many years in Delhi – and other preferred peace stations – while their counterparts keep slogging it out at sea and in the field.
So – Dear Reader – the “Moral of the Story” is:
As a Naval/Military Officer – you must “Bullshit” your subordinates
But – you must know that there are “Limits” to “Bullshit”
And – beyond these Limits – “Bullshit” can Boomerang – especially with “Experts”
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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 fictional 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 is an abridged updated extract of my story FEAR – THE GREATEST MOTIVATOR First Posted in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Blog on 29 July 2013 by Vikram Karve at 7/29/2013 12:52:00 PM in this blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/07/fear-is-greatest-motivator.html and revised versions posted by me later at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/02/humor-in-uniform-bullshit-can-boomerang.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/09/humor-in-uniform-indispensable-sailor.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/01/humor-in-uniform-limits-to-bullshit.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/05/bullshit-humor-in-uniform-story-from-my.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/10/humor-in-uniform-how-to-bullshit.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/01/humor-in-uniform-life-at-sea-how-to.html
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