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From the forums

Time running out for E-5s close to 14 years

I don’t understand what the deal is. Making first class is not hard. I made it in nine years, in a cycle where advancement was only 2 percent (I’m a personnel specialist). I can’t see why anyone can’t make it in 14. This [high-year tenure] should have been in place a long time ago. At least in six more years, the days of the “old crusty” second class will be over — some might see this as a bad thing, but not me.

When/why did you decide to retire?

Here are some of the issues that either started me thinking about retirement or set the process into motion:

• When the base gym became the “facility wellness center.”

• When [enlisted surface warfare specialist qualification] became mandatory and they relaxed the requirements.

• When the Integrated Undersea Surveillance geeks got a warfare pin.

• The first time I heard we were “right-sizing”.

• The first time they changed “safety standdown” to “safety stand-up.”

• Sewing $20 worth of patches on a $10 set of coveralls.

• Total Quality Leadership, Total Quality Management and all that other touchy-feely crap.

Just to be fair, here are a few things that I do miss:

• Sunrises and sunsets at sea.

• More stars than you can imagine.

• The sound and smell of missile launches.

• The chiefs’ mess.

• The people. Not all — just most of the finest individuals our country has to offer.

Fixing swos

What changes must be made to the surface warfare officer community?

Less flight time

Cash crunch means more simulators for aviators. How prepared will you be?

minimal manning

Does your ship have enough sailors?

Medal of Honor

Only five people have been given the MoH in the current wars, all after death. Are today’s guidelines too strict?