That MSC bunch has “simplified” the heck out of that whole Naval supply problem. A couple of guys who work for me when they are “off tour” are sea going helicopter mechanics. They go out six weeks at a time to keep the choppers running on the “vertrep” ships. It seems the current version of a supply ship is a combo of all five of the old categories. Not big fuel and not big ammo but everything else on one ship. Reefers, small arms ammo, parts, fresh groceries, underpants——everything a carrier group runs out of and they move it all by helicopter. Except they rig a line to move the occasional heavy things.
One of the things the guys like about the duty is they make frequent port calls to buy fresh veggies. Gives them opportunities to snag neat trophies. And they think it’s cool to bring me sample money, which I nail on the wall here at the shop, to show me where they’ve been. I think they still owe me an Iranian dollar?
SpyNavy
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)