Ok, folks - this is (as we say) a "no shitter". It really happened, and it is the funniest thing I ever saw in my life. It's a sea story, except it happened on land.

We were inport Yokosuka (Tokyo Bay) Japan. The sub was inport for a few days, and the squids were out in town getting hammered, or in the Yokosuka barracks getting hammered. Specifically, most Tunny sailors had rooms on the sixth floor of the Yokosuka enlisted barracks. There is a 'recreation room' there, which includes a television and VCR, and some pool tables (or maybe only one pool table) - regardless, it's about 30 guys drinking beer and watching TV and it's not that exciting.

So, I come into the room and say 'hi' and here comes IC1(SS) Royal Vichi running up to me. He says "Hey, Tom, watch this!" and runs toward the window. Royal opens the window and JUMPS out.

Maybe you know the barracks in Yokosuka... There's no balcony - nothing. It's a straight drop to the ground. Six floors nonstop.

 I am panicked. I run to the window and look down, fully expecting to see his contorted, twitching body on the ground.

Instead I find Royal smiling at me, hanging from the window ledge by his fingertips. He looks up at me and says, "What do ya think?" Still looking down at him, I say, "That's the greatest ****ing thing I have ever seen."

He pulled himself back into the room and described what he did: When he hopped out of the window, he twisted himself while falling so he was facing the building, and then on the way down he extended his arms and grabbed the window ledge. That's balls. He asked if I wanted to see it again, I replied "Oh hell yes", and he repeated the jump.

 Royal Vichi, I salute you.