RI NATS ROOKIE BILL G. SAYS :

Wer hat die hunde raus gelessen?

What a nice time I had; and I was in a unique situation, being new to the game I was fully prepared. I had EVERYTHING; I knew EVERYTHING and EVERYTHING worked on the bench. It all worked fairly well at the lake too. Did just what it was supposed to do. Standing toe to toe with the Bacon Makers: I sank. Hit and run cruiser tactics: I survived. But I had traveled a long way and wanted to fight so I did the pit bull thing with the cruiser. Bad tactics!

Outnumbered as the Allied Fleet was I figured to go expendable in the first battle. Got prop washed to death close to shore. Couldn't get away. Later that week I altered my battery arrangement to a more practical configuration. My fault for following instructions I suppose. One magazine jam. Switched the gun out with one of the others I made and that one lasted the rest of the NATS. That's all for the failures I suffered through.

I feel changed by the experience. On the social side we are a bunch of overgrown kids playing with our toy boats, joking with each other, sharing stories, helping each other out if we need stuff or assistance before battle. But when the timer starts and the CD calls a start to the battle it's deadly serious. Your best buddy from five minutes before is now out to destroy all of that excellent work you both did in the pits. 100% Pure Adrenaline! Excellent!

The site was terrific for crowd control. The bridge to the Pits and Battle Area limited access and the innocent bystanders were easily spotted on their way in. The food was great. The site was for the birds in other ways. Those Canadian amphibious units have got to go.

Nobody lost a ship. Where's my Stanley Phillips screwdriver? I found a lot of new friends. The Motel from Hell was run by Goof Troopers. Laura was sick for three days and I didn't catch it.

Young Tuttle, Nathan B. and CD Steve needed stuff and I was able to help them out (I have EVERYTHING, I'm A Rookie). Carl and I made a coiled magazine. Nate G. and I did pump testing.

So, I sank three times, Survived two battles and one campaign and the cruiser is still seaworthy. Learned a lot. Thanks again to Don Fisher and Steve Andrews and to all the rest of you. I hope to see you all again soon.

Lt. JG Wm. Garthaffner

11th Naval Combat Fleet

Master: USS Houston