Mailroom of Naval Aviation –A JO in the '70s

By CAPT Arne Nelson, USN (Ret.), LTM #4 / RW # 13762, President, NHASF

This column was tough to write. For inspiration, I scanned earlier editions of Rotor Review for fresh ideas (e.g., want a new idea, read an old book) in hopes my quarterly offerings had not become redundant. What I found is that there is just so much you can say about “donate and apply," and maintain a modicum of interest! Further, as I blew the dust off my flight hour logbook looking for ideas, the memories of JO “hijinks” swirled to the front of my brain’s highlight reel, a showcase of both highlights and struggles of a JO in the mailroom of Naval Aviation.

HM-12, April 1976. My large squadron goal was being recognized. HM-12’s Wardroom included about 25-30 LTJGs and another 30-35 LTs. Consequently, there was always the challenge of making your self known in a squadron of 90 officers. At least 35 or more were named DAVE…no kidding. If you hailed a shipmate whose name you couldn’t remember, you would just call out “Hey, DAVE,” and chances are he would stop and answer. Furthermore, there were only five great jobs available for a LT or LTJG in a squadron, in HM12 that was spread out over 65 young Naval Aviators. So, we were all working hard to be acknowledged.

King Crab

Before closing the bar one Saturday night (King Crab Night) at Oceana’s O Club, a small group of nuggets admired the fine artwork and spectacular framed photos decorating the club’s lobby and A-6 Bar. We imagined how perfectly this nifty NTU O Club jet artwork would enhance the aviation ambience of HM-12’s CO’s Office. We imagined our Skipper, slowly looking up from his desk after reading the message board, realizing that something was not quite right, and then, fully taking in the new artwork. We envisioned something like the equine scene in the movie, The Godfather. The Oceana O Club’s treasured F-14 art and the A-6 formation over Oceana hung directly across from his desk. Spring forward to Monday morning, FOD walkdown ends and over the hangar’s 1MC, “LTJG X (no names), LTJG Y, and LTJG Z, your presence is requested in the CO’s Office.”

The outcome of that meeting was that we speedily removed the two pieces from the CO’s Office and rehung them at the Oceana O Club before 11 a.m., thereby avoiding an inter-base range war. And we were never ever mistaken for being a Dave.

NHA Scholarship Fund - The Hat Trick

I was stationed at NAS Norfolk, during the sad time in Naval Aviation when brown shoes were stricken from uniform regulations (1976-1987). It was during a confused time when khakis were a summer-only uniform and ‘salt and peppers’ with a ‘hard hat’ (combo cover) were an alternative for tropical white long, leather flight jackets and squadron ball caps were considered flight gear, and like flight suits, were not allowed outside of the squadron/hangar, and never through the gate, before the one-stop rule. The winter blue uniform required a tie, wings, ribbons, and hard hat to leave the squadron area. Aviation greens were on again/off again and they were winter attire anyway.

As a "workaround," a second seasonally compatible hat, either a hard hat or garrison cover became an essential uniform piece. Ergo the Hat Trick! Depending upon the season and uniform, you needed a minimum of two hats. One to wear either on your head, or stuffed into your belt when you were out of the squadron spaces, and your spare, normally left in your in-basket.

That way, if the XO was looking for you to explain why you had not joined NHA this year, you could be at the NEX, memorizing the stereo gear. But because your #2 hat was still in the in-basket, you were covered by your wingman. “Gee, XO, he must be here; his hat is in his in-basket!”

The moral of this story is: Join NHA to keep the XO off your back and, apply and donate to the NHA Scholarship Fund. We are passing the hat!

About the Author

During the Gulf War, while in command of HC-4, Captain Nelson was the 1991 recipient of the Navy League of the United States Stephen F. Decatur Award for Operational Competence recognizing his superior excellence and competence in logistics operations.

SCHOLARSHIP SEASON IS OPEN!

The 2024 Application Season opened on 1 September 2024 and goes through 31 January 2025. Annually, fifteen scholarships are awarded from a pool of about sixty eligible applicants (officer, enlisted, and family members). For planning, our 2024-25 fundraising target is $100k (15 $5,000 scholarships, plus admin/IT costs and investment portfolio increase).

Our overall goal is to have selections made, approved, and announced at the annual NHA Symposium in May 2025. Most important for the application will continue to be a solid academic profile, with good grades in the toughest academic environment. Other attributes follow: athletics, school extracurriculars and community service. NHASF is still looking for the all-around great student, not different than the selections NHA has made going back to 1993.

What's Next

1. Reconstitute the NHASF Committee (finance, scholarships), finish by-laws, the operations manual, and finalize the succession plan.

2. Expand the award base to 20 awardees, e.g., 20 at $5000.

3. Add new corporate sponsors and memorial/legacy donors.

Categories for funding continue to show the generosity of both past and present donors, this year exceeding our fundraising goals for 2025. Our plan uses “landing spots” to generate the funds we need to meet the year’s targets and grow into the next year. Our sources of income have grown, particularly the investment income based upon some generous gifts in perpetuity made years ago. Here are the landing spots.

Since 1993, NHA Scholarships have been awarded to hundreds of the best and most fully qualified NHA affiliated Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel and their family members to help with the rising costs of higher education. I encourage you to look at our website https://www.nhascholarshipfund.org and our Scholarship Program.

As always, we will be asking for your help. Every donation is appreciated. See you at the Symposium, meanwhile keep your turns up and hands washed!

CAPT Arne Nelson, USN (Ret.)

The Big Iron

RW# 13,762 LTM# 4