QUOTES

Famous Tunny quotes I heard from 1990-1993:

Last updated 23 Mar 98

1.

There is no job too small for the XO - EM1 Finch

2.

That's not my job - IC1 Takacs

3.

Mr Le: "Hey, Mr. Gardiner got his dolphins today."

Mr. Gardiner beams proudly

EM1 Williams, "Yeah, we heard the applause in the wardroom.. thought it was another Captain's mast.

4.

Brad Waite to ENS Pfaff, "Hey, Mr. Pfaff, want to do the back door thing?" (He was in maneuvering and wanted coffee)

5.

Lt. Bay at training, describing reactor plant valve operation in abnormal operating conditions, "Or, you could leave the valves open, basically you can do whatever you want as long as you have a reason."

6.

ENS Pfaff (before drills), "My goal today is to say no stupid things."

7.

EM3 Litzenberger, "Let's see, I have 1,382 days left. (pause) Unless I count today."

8.

ENS Pfaff after his first inport visit overseas (Korea), "Yeah, we were gonna go skiing, but once I got in the bar I knew that's where I belonged."

9.

Pfaff, "I wouldn't waste a rubber on Poulson anyway."

10.

EM1 Finch gives training, "The problem here is not with Nuclear power. The problem here is with your understanding of Nuclear Power."

11.

Unknown / traditional, "Liberty is secured continue until morale improves." Or, "Field day will continue until morale improves"

12.

ET2 Balsanek, describing his inport visit to San Diego the next day, "I didn't have any money, I looked around and I didn't know where I was, so I passed out in the grass."

 

13.

LT Portner (Engineering Officer) discussing reactor plant pump operation in abnormal operating conditions, "Just because there's a procedure for it in the RPM doesn't mean you have to do it that way."

14.

ETC Ross discussing reactor plant pump operation in abnormal operating conditions, "You don't have to be safe if you know what you're doing."

15.

LT Hughes (debriefing drills), "Just because the Captain tells you to do something doesn't mean you have to do it right then."

16.

EM1 Finch calibrating any E Divver, (This happened to me alot) I am doing some maintenance item, and it's not going as expected. Finch advises me to do something that I've already tried. I tell him, "No, that won't work because I've already tried it." And the famous lesson begins ---

Finch: "The only answer I require from you is 'Yes, Petty Officer Finch', is that clear?"

Me: "I am trying to tell you that I need to -"

(Finch interrupts) "Obviously, you failed to understand. The only answer I require from you is 'Yes, Petty Officer Finch', is that clear?"

"But I tried that, and-"

"Petty Officer Jordan, now listen to what I am telling you... The only answer I require from you is 'Yes, Petty Officer Finch', is that clear?"

This loop repeats itself until I realize that he isn't going to actually tell me anything else. Then I say, "YES, Petty Officer Finch".

Finch: "Thank you."

17.

When we would pull into port and begin senselessly cleaning or maintenance activities (instead of the alternative - beer and washing clothes), invariably squids begin bitching about it..."Why aren't we out of here already? We could have done this underway." Etc etc etc. After a while, you get tired of complaining* and accustomed to getting screwed out of recreational time. This becomes a twisted joke. We eventually re-worded the US Navy recruiting slogan, 'Join the Navy, See the world'...Instead, when we had to hang around and work we said, "Join the Navy, See the boat."

* Although I have heard more than one officer say a sailor isn't happy until he's complaining

  

 

A couple from ET2 (SS) Carsten Poulson: My Personal - "Rules to Max Lib's -or- Rules for Easier Life on Tunny"

1.

It is better to bag, than to be bagged.

2.

Scam as long, and as hard as you can.

3.

When surrounded by close minded khakis, act stupid.

4.

Don't ask questions you don't want answers to.

5.

If you wait long enough, eventually they will just give it to you.

6.

Guys who do it right, and do it quick, do it more often -or- Shitbirds get good deals.

7.

No remorse, the boat has none for you.

8.

"BZZZZZAK!!!"

Bowker- "Uh, Rain. What are you doing?"

Rainman- "Inserting a fuse."

"BZZZZZAK!!!"

Bowker- "Uhhh, you may want to deenergize it first."

 

 

 

 

One from QM1 (SS) David Marshall

1.

Many Tunny sailors in the 1987-1989 time frame will remember the high voiced junior officer, Ensign Roy Myron Bender. One time while coming to periscope depth. He was the JOD. He was on the periscope watching for nearby contacts and obstructions.

When the scope starts breaking out of the water the scope operator is to call out when the scope is, "Breaking!" Which Ensign Bender did, but when the scope finally came out of the water, he didn't say the required, "Scope is clear." In his high nasally voice, he said, "Scopes Broke!" The entire control room burst out in laughter. And they still maintained control. And brought the ship to the surface.

 

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