2.13.2006

Stories From The Fam: The rest of the Brig story…

When I was writing the original story about my Dad’s family, I tried to find you a good link describing a “Red Line Brig”. I couldn’t find much of anything.

And so I present: Stories From My Dad…

It was 1968. I was in Pearl Harbor, attending school to learn how to build MK-14 and MK-16 torpedoes. My Dad got hurt in a sawpaper mill accident. It was actually only his arm that got chewed up, but it caused his first heart attack. I went home on leave and was told by his Dr. that if I could stay a little longer I could get my Dad out of the hospital and bring him home to die. The Dr. figured I might have a day with him.

I called back to Pearl Harbor, and talked to my executive officer (XO). He said, "fuck you Job, come back" to which I replied, "don't fuck me, fuck you” and I took the two days. As you know the shore patrol was waiting for me when I landed in Pearl Harbor. I was sent to the Brig for pre-mast confinement. It was called a Red Line Brig, that means that the prisoners were in their skivvies and walking on the Red Line, the only space a prisoner was allowed. The Red Line took you to the Head, the Galley, and of course to the Marines in charge. There was one Marine guarding us that was particularly sadistic. He really loved to push me off of the line, and then pound on me until I could get both of my feet back on the line. Try that when you are lying on the concrete on your back. It wasn’t long before myself and a couple of friends found that Marine. We beat him so bad that he was taken to the Hospital.

After about a week in the brig, they took me to my mast. First I had to go to the very XO that I had already pissed off and of course, he recommended that I get busted from Seaman to Seaman Apprentice, extra duty and fined $200 a month for two months. Next I went to the Captain (CO), his first words were “where have you been for the last 9 days?”, My reply was “with my Dad for two days and the other 7 in the brig.” It turned out that the XO had not told the CO that I was in the Brig. The CO only busted me to Seaman Apprentice and told me that I should have more respect for the XO. The CO dismissed me and I headed for the door, but he called me back and told me that there was a Seaman test in three days, and that I would be recommended. I took the test and made Seaman again.

A week later my Dad died and I had to go home again. When I returned to Pearl Harbor, they told me that I had missed too much school so, I would have to be set back to the next class. The Navy never lets anyone sit around, so they assigned me to sell donuts and coffee, at the school. Every morning for two months I had to deliver two donuts and a thermos of coffee to the CO and XO's office. I put my dick into every donut that XO ate. When I was graduating from school, the CO, XO and Master Chief were going through the ranks talking to every one and congratulating them. When the XO got to me he said to me “Can we let bygones be bygones Job?” I said “yes, because I am ahead.” He gave me a funny look, so I said, “I hope that you enjoyed everyone of those donuts”, the Master Chief started to laugh, and the XO gagged. Thank God I never ran into that XO again. Years later the guys in that class were still talking about the XO’s donuts.

Written by Dad Job