A young
ensign had nearly completed his first overseas tour of sea duty when he was
given an opportunity to display his ability at getting the ship under way. With
a stream of crisp commands, he had the decks buzzing with men and soon, the
ship had left port and was streaming out of the channel.
The
ensign's efficiency has been remarkable. In fact, the deck was abuzz with talk
that he had set a new record for getting a destroyer under way.
The ensign
glowed at his accomplishment and was not all surprised when another seaman
approached him with a message from the captain.
He was,
however, a bit surprised to find that it was a radio message, and he was even
more surprised when he read, "My personal congratulations upon completing
your underway preparation exercise according to the book and with amazing
speed. In your haste, however, you have overlooked one of the unwritten rules
-- make sure the captain is aboard before getting under way."
