For my first shore duty assignment I went to a Joint Service Command in New Jersey. I was a LT (O-3).
About nine months after I arrived I was assigned to work on the annual Command picnic. A Marine Major and I were put in charge of the food. He happened to also be from eastern NC. I leaned over to him and whispered, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" He said, "Pig pickin'?" "Absolutely sir."
The picnic was held on nearby Naval Weapons Station, Earl, NJ. We had the local abattoir butterfly two medium pigs. We started the night before on the super cookers (giant charcoal grills).
The command was about half military and half civilian. Given all the side dishes, hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, etc., we provided everyone there, including family members, with two pounds of food and came in below budget. These Yankees hadn't ever seen anything like this before. We even surprised most of the military. The general was especially happy with the way everything went.
After that, the Major and I could do little wrong in the General's eyes.
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)