I joined the Navy in February 1959 and was sent to Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill., for basic training. It was bitter cold and icy, and we were billeted in wartime wooden barracks where constant fire watches were posted.
On one unhappy night, I drew the fire watch duty from midnight to 0400. Usually, the worst parts of that watch were to keep warm, stay awake and alert. At about 0015, four of my company mates were carefully carrying a still-sleeping recruit, rack and all, toward the barracks shower area. The sleeping recruit was one who didn’t seem to think routine showers were necessary, so his mates were just helping change his thinking.
In about 60 seconds, the four helpful mates were back in their racks, fast asleep. Loud yelling was coming from the rain locker.
In what seemed like nothing flat, the Petty Officer (P.O.) of the watch was in my face wanting an explanation. I simply told him that this particular recruit hadn’t had a shower in a good, long while, and perhaps he thought this might be a good time to do it. After a few seconds, while I cringed about potential repercussions, the Watch P.O. smiled and said, “Carry on.”