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Thanks for the link, Misty. Lots of interesting, though disturbing, info there. Perhaps the problems were always part of the service (as it is everywhere else...those with the power do tend to misuse said power), but I have to say that during the 80's and 90's it seemed to have become 'commonplace'. Careerism became rampant, and the backlash from such attitudes gave rise to the class LtCol. Hackworth so accurately tags as the 'perfumed princes'.

The saving thought though is that, for the most part, the folks I served with, regardless of what branch they were in, were the finest, most dedicated folks I have ever seen. We may have been a far cry from being 'PC' (there was a tendency to...hmmm..let's see...drink, curse, misuse tobacco products (I think it's in the manual that one must have a dip before touching a mortar tube)...and, well, pursue other...uh....oh heck, to be interested in those of the opposite sex), but when it came to the mission there was a commitment to not letting your camrades down that is virtually without equal in the civilian world. Being miserable wasn't exactly fun, but there was the camaraderie of being part of something so much larger than self.

It's hard to explain, I guess. But my youngest summed it up pretty well after he completed Air Assualt school last month, "It rained almost every day. We were always tired, aching, and worried about measuring up...but I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Good afternoon all from the beautiful and sunny(today, anyway) state of Washington....What a great thread...I really knew just about nothing about submarines, so this thread with its information and pictures, sure was interesting...

I would like to give a link to a wonderful on-line exhibit of a submarine....Now, I dont know how to do links, perhaps someone will do that for me...but I will give the website addy...its www.msichicago.org

This is the website for the wonderful Museum of Science and Industry, in Chicago...once on the website, if you click on 'Exhibits' on the right hand side of the home page, it will take you to another page, where, on the left hand side is a listing of their on line exhibits...

Click on the exhibit for the U-505...that is a german submarine...the online exhibit will give you a history of this sub, and pics of it as well...

Also visit other online exhibits from this museum, they are wonderful...

Should one visit Chicago, be sure to visit the Museum of Science and Industry, and a grand tour of the museum, and a chance to actually board the U505...the sub is out back of the museum, and daily , one can purchase tickets for a tour of the sub..before you actually board the sub, you will also be shown a movie about it and its capture...

Having myself, grown up in Chicago, and in my day, the museum being free, my parents took me and my little brother there several times a year...Its such huge museum, covering several acres, and it has such interesting exhibits, that one can visit it over and over and over again, and still not see everything that this museum has to offer...

But for todays Canteen theme, this museum website, with its grand online exhibit of the U-505 is appropriate...

Again, that website addy is www.msichicago.org....

Again, SnowBunny, you have worked so hard, and outdone yourself with this thread...thanks..