As a preface I need to say that I spent 12 years in the Navy during the Vietnam experience. I was a draftsman most of the time I was on active duty. Even though I was from time to time with in the combat zone, I was never "in country" or in harm's way. I was discharged from the Navy in 1976. Recently, I have been having dreams concerning my being called back to service at my present age, and I am 64!
In these dreams, typically, I go to bed in my own bed at home with my wife. However, I am waken by the sound of ship board noises and the sleeping compartment lights coming on. It is obvious that I am the new one on board ship as no one knows me. However, I know where my locker is located and all of my uniforms are neatly folded right where they should be along with some of my civilian clothes. Just as I used to do, I quickly go to the head (bathroom) where I shower and shave. During this time there is some small chat with the other sailors around me. While dressing, I learn that I am not the only new one on board ship, there are others that are new arrivals too.
While dressing, and without looking obvious, I check out my rating and see that it is exactly as it was when I was discharged DM2 (E5). After breakfast, I figured that I would learn something pretty fast as that is when everybody has to check in called "muster and quarters". No one seemed to know where I was suppose to be as was told to go to the Admin office on ship. The first strange thing that occured, as if just being on board ship wasn't strange enough, was that I knew exactly where that office was located.
When I arrived at the Admin Office, I spoke with a Personalman and I indentified myself to her with my military ID card which I don't remember receiving but there it was with my photo. We've been expecting you for several weeks. I then went along with this and asked if she had a copy of my orders...and she did. I don't know why that didn't surprise me, but it didn't. I did notice that on my orders I was given a large promotion from an E5 to E8 and I inquired about the promotion. She told me that she was getting to that and I was to report to the uniform shop on ship for my new uniforms. She also explained that I no longer would be staying in the enlisted compartment but my belongings were being moved to the Chief Petty Officer quarters. My stay there may be short as I was being considered for a position as a Commissioned Officer with a rank of Lieutenant Commander but that would need approval from BuPers.
I asked about my wife and her paperwork as a dependent. The personalman told me that had already been taken care of and that her photo was being taken this morning for her ID card. She also explained all the allotments that went to my wife before would be reactivated and ofcourse, she would get a lot more than before. Then I threw a curve to her and explained the woman I was married to previously had passed away and I had remarried. She looked through my records and told me of course, that info is right here and asked if the address I that was shown in my records was accurate. It was, and why this didn't surprise me I don't know.
When all of the personal items was done, I got down to the meat and potatoes of the matter and asked why I was on board ship. The personalman explained that I was requested by Admiral Johnson and I was part of his staff (Which I was when I was on active duty way back when). She told me that I was requested by him and the promotions was recommended by him. She also explained that I was the first of the Staff to arrive and that is why no one on board knew about me. She also told me that this was a major recall of nearly all veterans that were still alive and could still serve. She explained even with my arthritis disablility I could still serve as I will be primarily drawing plans for housing and barracks for those being recalled.
I went to the uniform shop and they were waiting for me. They had my new chief's uniform ready and not to my surprise it fit perfectly even with all the extra weight I had gained sinse the last time I was on active duty. Then I went to the office on board ship where I would be working and I knew exactly where it was. The office was the best equiped I have ever seen. The top of the line was everywhere, computer design (acad) had replaced the old hand drawing. There were several young active duty draftsmen working at their computer stations. They all stopped working and snapped to attention when I entered the office. They too, were expecting me. It seems that I was the last to know about this recall.
One female drafter approached me with a cup of coffee, with cream, just as I liked it. I thanked her and asked how long have they been expecting me? About 2 months she replied then added, we hope you get the commission.
It was at this point I woke up from my dream. I was laying in my bed and my wife was there. It was time to get up. Over a cup of coffee, I told her about the dream. She told me she knew I must have been dreaming as I was tossing and turning all night long.
I wonder if this dream has any meaning. What do you think?
In these dreams, typically, I go to bed in my own bed at home with my wife. However, I am waken by the sound of ship board noises and the sleeping compartment lights coming on. It is obvious that I am the new one on board ship as no one knows me. However, I know where my locker is located and all of my uniforms are neatly folded right where they should be along with some of my civilian clothes. Just as I used to do, I quickly go to the head (bathroom) where I shower and shave. During this time there is some small chat with the other sailors around me. While dressing, I learn that I am not the only new one on board ship, there are others that are new arrivals too.
While dressing, and without looking obvious, I check out my rating and see that it is exactly as it was when I was discharged DM2 (E5). After breakfast, I figured that I would learn something pretty fast as that is when everybody has to check in called "muster and quarters". No one seemed to know where I was suppose to be as was told to go to the Admin office on ship. The first strange thing that occured, as if just being on board ship wasn't strange enough, was that I knew exactly where that office was located.
When I arrived at the Admin Office, I spoke with a Personalman and I indentified myself to her with my military ID card which I don't remember receiving but there it was with my photo. We've been expecting you for several weeks. I then went along with this and asked if she had a copy of my orders...and she did. I don't know why that didn't surprise me, but it didn't. I did notice that on my orders I was given a large promotion from an E5 to E8 and I inquired about the promotion. She told me that she was getting to that and I was to report to the uniform shop on ship for my new uniforms. She also explained that I no longer would be staying in the enlisted compartment but my belongings were being moved to the Chief Petty Officer quarters. My stay there may be short as I was being considered for a position as a Commissioned Officer with a rank of Lieutenant Commander but that would need approval from BuPers.
I asked about my wife and her paperwork as a dependent. The personalman told me that had already been taken care of and that her photo was being taken this morning for her ID card. She also explained all the allotments that went to my wife before would be reactivated and ofcourse, she would get a lot more than before. Then I threw a curve to her and explained the woman I was married to previously had passed away and I had remarried. She looked through my records and told me of course, that info is right here and asked if the address I that was shown in my records was accurate. It was, and why this didn't surprise me I don't know.
When all of the personal items was done, I got down to the meat and potatoes of the matter and asked why I was on board ship. The personalman explained that I was requested by Admiral Johnson and I was part of his staff (Which I was when I was on active duty way back when). She told me that I was requested by him and the promotions was recommended by him. She also explained that I was the first of the Staff to arrive and that is why no one on board knew about me. She also told me that this was a major recall of nearly all veterans that were still alive and could still serve. She explained even with my arthritis disablility I could still serve as I will be primarily drawing plans for housing and barracks for those being recalled.
I went to the uniform shop and they were waiting for me. They had my new chief's uniform ready and not to my surprise it fit perfectly even with all the extra weight I had gained sinse the last time I was on active duty. Then I went to the office on board ship where I would be working and I knew exactly where it was. The office was the best equiped I have ever seen. The top of the line was everywhere, computer design (acad) had replaced the old hand drawing. There were several young active duty draftsmen working at their computer stations. They all stopped working and snapped to attention when I entered the office. They too, were expecting me. It seems that I was the last to know about this recall.
One female drafter approached me with a cup of coffee, with cream, just as I liked it. I thanked her and asked how long have they been expecting me? About 2 months she replied then added, we hope you get the commission.
It was at this point I woke up from my dream. I was laying in my bed and my wife was there. It was time to get up. Over a cup of coffee, I told her about the dream. She told me she knew I must have been dreaming as I was tossing and turning all night long.
I wonder if this dream has any meaning. What do you think?
posted by:
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Nevada
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