I retired from the navy thirty-three years ago. I can’t believe it at times, doesn’t seem all that long ago. When I was doing that twenty, it did seem a lot longer. Well, the circumstances of time were quite a bit different.

I enjoy Facebook, although in the last few years that has gone downhill as far as the entertainment value. Like those “chatrooms” on AOL it has degenerated into a cesspool. Social media does bring out the worst in some folks. Humanity exposed!

This morning as I was scrolling along, some call that trolling, I saw a meme, there’s a new word we have all learned in the last few years, concerning drinking coffee in the navy. It was a contrast between old and new. The old being hot, black coffee and the new being a Latte. I found it amusing.

I read down through the comments, some funny, some mean and some just plain derogatory. I realize a lot has changed since “my time” in the Navy. The “good old days” as they are often portrayed. Things were harder then, the people tougher, the conditions harsher and it’s when sailors were sailors!

I heard all of that from the old timers when I was a new recruit. I heard that from every sailor that came to there “new” command. Their last duty station was always far stricter! Not only that, but the seas they sailed were always rougher. Oh, the sea stories I heard!

Things have changed. The uniforms have changed, they changed a few times during my time as well and were never welcomed. The old “rituals” are now called “hazing” and frowned upon. In my day they were tolerated. It was all tradition! But, much like patriotism today, viewed through a different lens. For some it was excessive.

The world has grown a lot smaller since I was sailing the seas. That is due to the availability of cell phone service internationally. If you pay for that, you can call, text, send pictures and all of that instantly these days. I had to find a pay phone, get my money changed and learn a new language before making a call. Just another circumstance of time.

Social sensibilities have shifted over the years. I was there for “don’t ask, don’t tell” and now, well, I really don’t know what the policy is. I have heard that hitting the beach, drinking alcohol to excess and starting fights is frowned upon. It isn’t a good thing to be a “sailor” these days.

I have no doubt our readiness is just as good as it always was. The sailors today will answer the call when and if needed. I have every confidence in their abilities. The uniforms they wear, the coffee or Latte they drink, and their social sensibilities will not affect that.

I was there when women were first allowed aboard ship. It was quite a shift in the social sensibilities. With that came the lessening of navy “traditions.” It is no surprise. The navy sailor I experienced that was the macho, alpha male. Hard drinking, tattoo getting, women chasing, tough guys! Today we call them chauvinists! I called them shipmate. Just the circumstance of time.