This is sad news! I signed contracts to be an OT with great electronics scores and a suggestion that electronics could happen after my first tour. During boot camp the rate split and I landed on the analysis side of the house. Jerry was my first watch officer, and I really lucked out. He took the time to explain that staying ahead of quals was the best thing I could do, so I did. After talking with some of the M's I dropped a chit to cross rate. My sup initialed it (Thanks Bobby Ray!), but the chief took great pleasure in disapproving it out of hand. Jerry took the time to look up my ASVAB scores and over-rode the chief. 11 Weeks later I left for A school to become an M.
Just about everything good in my career followed getting electronics training - even after the rating was erased. His understated but thorough leadership in that single event was the absolute key in my career. I had the opportunity to work for him when he was at COSP on some special projects, and he was genuinely please to see me working in maintenance. It was an my honor to serve an officer with his level of integrity. Thanks just doesn't measure up but I'll always be grateful. Farewell and following seas sir!
