How were you "Chopped?"
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ENJJPT is correct, BANANA BANANA, except insofar as the location. Sheppard AFB is situated just outside the city of Wichita Falls. Quite some distance from the DFW area if you have to drive it!
Spent several weeks there back in the mid-1980's and sometimes wonder whether the BX (the Colonial way to spell NAAFI
!) still sells those "Shuck Feppard" T-shirts.
Spent several weeks there back in the mid-1980's and sometimes wonder whether the BX (the Colonial way to spell NAAFI
!) still sells those "Shuck Feppard" T-shirts.
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well this is sought of on the same topic, I know of a bloke who was a C-130 pilot in the RNZAF in the 1970's who was "chopped" (probably better words to describe this action) for having a dump in his CO's cap after a night on the sauce!! 
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Annual Reports
Slightly off the pace, I recently requested and received copies of my Annual Confidential Reports Form S206 from my long since served time with the RN (FAA).
Back in the 60s, by way of annual debriefing, all a young jock received was a so called "flimsy" signed by one's Captain that said either: "Bloggs has conducted himself to my entire satisfaction", or "Bloggs has conducted himself to my satisfaction". If the former, no problems; if the latter then one's Annual Report contained some reported shortcomings. You didn't see the S206 but the senior officer signing off that form had to certify that he'd informed the subject officer of any adverse comment.
On reading these annual reports from around 40 years ago, I noted that all were complimentary save as to one. Then I recollected that, late one evening whilst in the grip of the grape, I'd given a certain Captain some frank and fearless advice. I heard no more - certainly my "flimsy" indicated all was well. Yet 38 years later, I was surprised to read for the first time that Captain ***** had been of the view that I lacked judgment, was immature and unreliable under pressure, given to irrational outbursts, had a problem with alcohol and showed no respect for senior officers. My scores reflected his comments. He'd even ticked the box saying he'd told me so - news to me when I read the document the other day for the first time.
Such an adverse report would undoubtedly have had career limiting implications had I remained in the RN. Thankfully, I left.
But how many other promising careers have been limited because of malice and cowardice on the part of senior officers who truly shafted their subordinates, and lacked the intestinal fortitude to look their juniors in the eye and say so?
Back in the 60s, by way of annual debriefing, all a young jock received was a so called "flimsy" signed by one's Captain that said either: "Bloggs has conducted himself to my entire satisfaction", or "Bloggs has conducted himself to my satisfaction". If the former, no problems; if the latter then one's Annual Report contained some reported shortcomings. You didn't see the S206 but the senior officer signing off that form had to certify that he'd informed the subject officer of any adverse comment.
On reading these annual reports from around 40 years ago, I noted that all were complimentary save as to one. Then I recollected that, late one evening whilst in the grip of the grape, I'd given a certain Captain some frank and fearless advice. I heard no more - certainly my "flimsy" indicated all was well. Yet 38 years later, I was surprised to read for the first time that Captain ***** had been of the view that I lacked judgment, was immature and unreliable under pressure, given to irrational outbursts, had a problem with alcohol and showed no respect for senior officers. My scores reflected his comments. He'd even ticked the box saying he'd told me so - news to me when I read the document the other day for the first time.
Such an adverse report would undoubtedly have had career limiting implications had I remained in the RN. Thankfully, I left.
But how many other promising careers have been limited because of malice and cowardice on the part of senior officers who truly shafted their subordinates, and lacked the intestinal fortitude to look their juniors in the eye and say so?
Last edited by Argus; 5th May 2004 at 09:58.
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Sooty!
I am amazed that nobody has yet mentioned Sooty! A certain President of the Naval Air Advisory Board (NAAB) and also Chief Instructor at RNAS Culdrose used to use a glove puppet of Sooty to deliver the bad news.
If Sooty appeared from below the desk during the interview you knew that you were going to be "chopped" - he never came out for just a Warning!
I always wondered why Sweep never made an appearance?
If Sooty appeared from below the desk during the interview you knew that you were going to be "chopped" - he never came out for just a Warning!
I always wondered why Sweep never made an appearance?
Nixor ut Ledo
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Argus,
Tried it once with an educator who was a total waste of skin. Wrote up a bad 1369 and then gave her the good news without leaving anything out. It shouldn't have come as a great surprise having spent most of the previous year bollocking her for a host of different reasons (no - it wasn't a personality clash. I really did try to help her out and bent over backwards but she just wasn't listening).
The result of the 1369 debrief was a host of tears. The stn cdr got the same treatment and he then tried to get me to change it. I refused. Then Group tried the same thing with the same result. At the end of the day there is probably still a very disgruntled ex (I hope) educator who still believes that she was right and dines out on the story.
After that I told people their faults but broke it to them a little more gently and probably pulled a few punches. The good 1369s/6442s were dead easy!
It don't pay to be too honest!!
Tried it once with an educator who was a total waste of skin. Wrote up a bad 1369 and then gave her the good news without leaving anything out. It shouldn't have come as a great surprise having spent most of the previous year bollocking her for a host of different reasons (no - it wasn't a personality clash. I really did try to help her out and bent over backwards but she just wasn't listening).
The result of the 1369 debrief was a host of tears. The stn cdr got the same treatment and he then tried to get me to change it. I refused. Then Group tried the same thing with the same result. At the end of the day there is probably still a very disgruntled ex (I hope) educator who still believes that she was right and dines out on the story.
After that I told people their faults but broke it to them a little more gently and probably pulled a few punches. The good 1369s/6442s were dead easy!
It don't pay to be too honest!!
Last edited by allan907; 6th May 2004 at 08:12.
Only ever so slightly off topic - I learnt that I was leaving Auntie Betty's Flying Club when a secretary from the Education Centre phoned me at home and said "I'm trying to arrange your resettlement course but I don't seem to have any details from you."
I took the hint.
I took the hint.
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Dan, not so much amusing but amazing!
I met one of my ex studes on the bus from the car park to the airport last year. He thanked me profusely by helping his flying career by chopping him, while a the same time pointing out that we were both in the same airline - but he was more senior.
I look forward to being his FO one day. Such is life!
I met one of my ex studes on the bus from the car park to the airport last year. He thanked me profusely by helping his flying career by chopping him, while a the same time pointing out that we were both in the same airline - but he was more senior.
I look forward to being his FO one day. Such is life!
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allan907
Try "oxygen thief"!
Hear what you say. If I'd been "counselled" on my perceived "shortcomings", I wouldn't have cause to complain.
Like most junior officers of the day, I had few dealings with the Captain - he was some remote figure that occasionally came to the Mess by invitation. As I recall the evening in question, it was a Taranto Night Mess Dinner. Well into our cups, I got into quite an argument with him over a burning social issue of the day – free love, I think, and jealousy was a curse then as it is now! I thought no more about it. The next time I spoke to him was when I left the Air Station about six months later on posting - and he didn't mention any adverse comments. Neither had my CO.
In those days, one was advised of one's "shortcomings" via a "heavy brief" from one's CO, usually conveyed with a smattering of the Anglo Saxon vernacular. In the absence of same, I didn't give the matter any further thought - until three weeks ago when I read the report!
His meanness of spirit didn't affect me as I decided to try my luck elsewhere. However, I wonder how many other careers were mangled because Captain ***** RN didn't like the individual concerned, and put the written boot in while sheltering behind a closed reporting system?
Incidentally, you can find out how to obtain RN Service Records at http://www.mod.uk/contacts/rn_records.htm There are links to RM, Army and RAF records.
Hear what you say. If I'd been "counselled" on my perceived "shortcomings", I wouldn't have cause to complain.
Like most junior officers of the day, I had few dealings with the Captain - he was some remote figure that occasionally came to the Mess by invitation. As I recall the evening in question, it was a Taranto Night Mess Dinner. Well into our cups, I got into quite an argument with him over a burning social issue of the day – free love, I think, and jealousy was a curse then as it is now! I thought no more about it. The next time I spoke to him was when I left the Air Station about six months later on posting - and he didn't mention any adverse comments. Neither had my CO.
In those days, one was advised of one's "shortcomings" via a "heavy brief" from one's CO, usually conveyed with a smattering of the Anglo Saxon vernacular. In the absence of same, I didn't give the matter any further thought - until three weeks ago when I read the report!
His meanness of spirit didn't affect me as I decided to try my luck elsewhere. However, I wonder how many other careers were mangled because Captain ***** RN didn't like the individual concerned, and put the written boot in while sheltering behind a closed reporting system?
Incidentally, you can find out how to obtain RN Service Records at http://www.mod.uk/contacts/rn_records.htm There are links to RM, Army and RAF records.
Last edited by Argus; 6th May 2004 at 00:36.
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I was chopped at Culdrose after failing the rotary conversion on the Hiller 12E.
Like many before and since, I had been struggling for a while and what was once thoroughly enjoyable was becoming a daily dread; the feeling of icy water reaching one's neck and not knowing how to swim. 'Failure in Airwork' was the term used, but the written comments of the instructor still ring: "xxxxx constantly yawns during my flight briefings. I didn't realise I was so boring" .
It was many years later that I learned that yawning is a reaction to stress. Maybe they teach instructors to recognise this sort of thing now.
Like many before and since, I had been struggling for a while and what was once thoroughly enjoyable was becoming a daily dread; the feeling of icy water reaching one's neck and not knowing how to swim. 'Failure in Airwork' was the term used, but the written comments of the instructor still ring: "xxxxx constantly yawns during my flight briefings. I didn't realise I was so boring" .
It was many years later that I learned that yawning is a reaction to stress. Maybe they teach instructors to recognise this sort of thing now.
