FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ INTEGRITY ~ 05 November 2023

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

 

INTEGRITY: THE HEART OF NAVY CORE VALUES
by a Submariner

The following essay was written by a young enlisted submariner as a disciplinary assignment after a Captain's Mast for taking a shortcut in a maintenance procedure. Both the author and his Commanding Officer have agreed to its publication.

Integrity is the heart and the very essence of each Navy Core Value, but more importantly, it is the foundation on which every aspect of submarine operations is built. Integrity must be the standard instilled within the innermost heart of every man who takes a submarine to the uttermost depths of the sea. It is integrity that bonds the crew of a submarine so tightly together that when faced with any circumstance, each individual can trust his shipmate to meet the needs of the moment. Integrity comes from within each man's heart and is revealed through his respect for the standards of conduct. As a submariner, it is my duty and responsibility to maintain the highest degree of integrity while serving my country with honor, courage, and commitment in the United States Navy.

When I think of the word "integrity" as a submariner, I think naturally of the phrase watertight integrity. When we shut the hatches, we value the assurance that no water is going to enter into the people tank, because those hatches have been inspected, both during PMS, and just before shutting them. As a member of the Auxiliary Division, I have been taught the importance of taking care of our hatches and ensuring the quality of their condition whenever we inspect and conduct maintenance on them. Every one of my shipmates' lives depends on my personal integrity in ensuring that our hatches are squared away. And even when they are rigged for dive, they are second-checked to guarantee their water-tightness.

I say all of this to illustrate the importance of integrity on a submarine. Every submariner is entrusted with the responsibility to operate this vessel of war according to the procedures established for each ship's system. This ensures the safety of our operation and our ability to complete each mission successfully. No matter how big or small the task I am entrusted with, one mistake could threaten the lives of every one of my shipmates. The procedures that we use today have been written through trial and error in the blood of submariners who have served before me. Following these procedures is not just a recommendation; it is our duty to use them. There is not always someone looking over my shoulder to make sure that I use required procedures to operate a system or conduct maintenance, nor should there need to be. It is only my personal integrity that guarantees I will accomplish an assigned task properly.

There is no room for compromise in the integrity of our word and deed. We are faced with important decisions every day of our lives. It is vital that we evaluate every detail of every situation before we make a decision. I have learned that rushing myself in that process usually results in poor judgment. When I rush to accomplish a job, I lose sight of both what is important and the possible consequences of my actions. The focus becomes only getting the job done by any means possible. Looking back at the mistake I made in attempting to accomplish PMS without a procedure, I see that the time I saved was not worth the compromise of my integrity. Trying to rush my work actually cost my shipmates and me more time and effort than if I had done it properly the first time, not to mention the consequences of my actions if something had gone wrong.

As a submarine sailor I must adhere to the Core Values of the Navy to maintain the military standards of responsibility, order, and discipline. I must have the Honor to deal rightly with all that is entrusted to me - to be loyal, obedient, and respectful to all those appointed over me and to accept my duty of service. I need to have the Courage to stand up for what is right, even when faced with adversity. Courage accompanied with honesty will guide me to the right decisions. I need to be committed to my responsibility and duties as I obey the orders given to me. Commitment requires self-discipline and a devotion to maintain the highest standards of integrity in my profession. An outstanding submarine crew is one that operates consciously as a team to protect the freedom of their country, while observing Core Values within their hearts. In closing, I would like to say that writing this essay has given me the opportunity to meditate on what it means to be a submariner. Integrity is the key essential of the submarine service. I believe we must focus on being consistent in word and deed to maintain our integrity with responsibility, order, and discipline. I have worked hard to build a reputation for being a trustworthy auxiliaryman, but it only takes one mistake to destroy the respect for my integrity that I worked so hard to gain. It is my duty to set the standard for integrity as a member of the Auxiliary Division, and as a submariner on board my ship. I do realize that I am not perfect and will make mistakes, but it is from those mistakes and the mistakes of others that we can learn and grow in our experiences throughout life. I thank God, the author of integrity, for the wisdom to discern its value and for showing the need to apply it to every area of my life.

 

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

It got up to 82, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It mostly meant that I didn’t have to cover my feet when I took my nap. LOL!

You have FROST on the ground!? Yikes. It’ll be a while till we have that stuff. Thank goodness. The leaves on our trees are still 99% green.

[radu]

82 isn’t too awful but heck, it’s November and it’s supposed to cool off. LOL

We’ve had frost every night since Halloween. Won’t have any the rest of the weeks since it’ll warm up again ..... until next weekend when another cold front comes through. Ridin’ that roller coaster.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Extra prayers for Israel...

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our G-d from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.

May HASHEM cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is Hashem, your G-d, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

G-d bless and keep your children safe, Alouette.

[luvie]

Nasty ol’ roller coaster. It never ends! At least your weather is more like fall than summer.

The first 3 days of next week here wiil be in the high 80s before dropping back into the 60s. THAT is NOT seasonal

[Kathy in Alaska]

Been under the weather since Friday morning...bad headache behind my eyes. I made it thru work, but barely got the music thread posted. So it’s rest the eyes, post a few, rest the eyes, post a few.

Sleeping for a straight 8 hours would be nice, but that’s not going to happen. LOL!

[radu]

We’ll have a couple of summer-like days the next week but not quite as hot as you’ll be. We’ll still be warmer than normal for this time of year.
What we need is rain and there’s only a small chance for it Thursday into Friday morning. Fires have been breaking out across the county the past few days - none real big but there have been enough of them the air is yucky.

[radu]

Your headache could be due to the lack of sleep you’ve had for so long. This week probably didn’t help, being short-handed and over-loaded with work.
Go to bed early tonight. Sleep and your health are more important than the thread. We don’t want you to get sick!

[luvie]

I hope that chance of . rain you’re supposed to get is bigger than they are saying. Reed was discussing fires he’s seeing in NC for the same reason. It’s dry as a bone there, too.

[radu]

I hope we get it at all. Initially we were going to get a little each day starting Monday but they’ve backed off since that initial forecast. It won’t be a very wet front to begin with so we probably won’t get anything here. The moisture will be leeched out before it gets this far east, as usual.
It is scary, scary dry here.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Sunday morning and ((HUGS)) to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

We had ribs for supper yesterday.

And yesterday at Comanche Lake:

How's everyone doing this morning?

[radu]

Howdy, E.G.C. ((HUGZ))

It looks like it was a splendid day yesterday and Gizmo certainly seemed to enjoy it.

[luvie]

I just pray that you don’t get any wildfires. As dry as it is, it would spread darn quick.

Stupid time change. I don’t know whether to go to bed now or wait an hour. Guess I’d better finish the show and compromise half way. See ya tomorrow!

[radu]

The fires we’ve had haven’t been huge like the one in Gatlinburg but they’ve been wildfires. It’s just been fortunate they were able to be contained and not get totally out of hand ..... so far. There was one yesterday just outside the little town at the bottom of the mountain that I drive through on the way to and from the museum. There was a hot spot still smoldering this morning when I went through. I could see the column of smoke.
It’s going to be windy next week and that’s definitely a concern. It was a little breezy the past two days and that was bad enough.

I’m not far behind ya on going to bed. Messed up sinuses haven’t allowed much sleep the past couple of nights and I’m beat.

Sleep well and be kind to your alarm in the morning.

[left that other site]

It was so warm (50’s) that my Autumn leather Jacket was sufficient.

No chaps, but definitely gloves! :-)

[ConorMacNessa]

Good Evening, Kathy!

***HUGS***



A Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours! Thank you very much for this evening's Sunday Chapel thread.

This is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad!

[ConorMacNessa]

"TAKE UP THY CROSS
AND FOLLOW ME"

"I Vow To Thee My Country"
Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
(Click)

"I VOW TO THEE, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace."

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!



Amazing Grace
(Click)
By John Newton

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.

[ConorMacNessa]

"GOD OF OUR FATHERS
Whose Almighty Hand"
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
(Click)

"HUMBLE YOURSELVES therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon Him;
for He careth for you."
_________________________(1 Peter 5:6-7 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR
TROOPS AND
OUR BELOVED NATION!

THE NAVY HYMN
"Eternal Father, Strong to Save"
United States Naval Academy Glee Club Tribute to Pearl Harbor
(Click)



The Marine Corps Verse:





A Blessed Lord's Day To You And Yours!

[radu]

Howdy, Conor!!!

It’s wonderful to “see” you again! I hope all’s well with you and the family these days.