(Power) Respectful
adjective
- feeling or showing deference and respect.
adjective
- causing someone to lose their dignity and the respect of others.
This is my 10# Steering Wheel.
Crunched out another 100 with it today.
I feel it.
Crunched out another 100 with it today.
I feel it.
*********
Hiking notes:
I'm testing pots and food one meal at a time at home right now.
Back to friendships: (this one is long)
A day that will live in infamy for me is when John and Marty wore each others moccasins by proxy on the USS Kitty Hawk in overhaul.
We all were in the same "Pit of Despair" when it came to what the "jobs" entailed in a Shipyard Overhaul of a Naval Weapon called a Carrier.
My role was to put Lipstick on the Pig and get her ready for dating.
Each sailor had to have some reason to come to work each day and I was the conductor of the orchestra. Make it sound good.
I, at the time, was the "Supervisor" or "Buffer" as I explained to my team at all of our first meetings.
I took the time to describe that my job was to "buff and polish" their requests to the superiors so that "Chits" could be approved
(with most of them awaiting trial of some sort, that was a stretch and I was Pinocchio - and YOU have potential! But I meant it.)
AND
"Buffer" the anger and blasts that the superiors have with my "team" as we try our best to solve a complex work schedule with a bunch of rag tag men all seemingly finding their way together in the same proximity of life.
I encouraged each of them to be themselves, do their best, make mistakes BUT let me know they made the mistake BEFORE someone else does. Very important on Team Tokarczyk.
When I spoke with them the first time, I painted story's with metaphor(s) to get my requests and behavior from them.
This way, objects unrelated to what we were going though, skewed how the information was received AND breakthrough in communication was either formed or I confused the hell out of them. If the second outcome happened, we could then "walk step by step" to accomplishment in understanding.
Levels of "their" understanding were quickly revealed and I could then move forward with placing them into the structure of task that was best suited for my newest "Team Convert" until their career took it's turn by the direction they set previously to meeting me.
I had enough "tasks" to keep 50 always busy.
(150 on duty days).
I had no control nor cared to have control of what they did away from work or previously at work until they were placed in my domain of care. It was slated to become a Nuclear Carrier for all concerned. (that was scrapped ... thank God)
There was protocol in all things related to work and I cared that they remained safe.
Once in my care: My rules. Forget the others who controlled you while you resided on the USS Kitty Hawk or anywhere else the Navy had them before. I did not care. This was here and now.
Old places can add experience and blessings for sure but under the process of what was all new to others, second rodeo for me, success depended upon all buying in to how it was to be done.
For me, for mine and MY Task(s) at that day and time .... All new "employee's" get one thing ... Clean Slate: Day 1.
With that: My protection.
Mess it up. You are on your own.
Follow the rules, I'll back you.
IF their past "others" still wanted to interfere with their "NEW" existence on the Kitty Hawk, I had no time for that or those H.S. or Corporate type actions.
"Those others" now were interfering my my work load and my schedule of events to accomplish with my team.
H.S. ended when we all raised our hands and said "I will protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, so help me God!"
I DID NOT play games and I respected their freedoms given up as they "should" respect mine.
Needless to say, I quickly learned a lot of names, faces and places on the vessel. Superiors quickly found out who I was and who "they themselves" were not supervising because my work force was being harassed. All the way up the chain, change happened.
Each one of my men were there to perform work each day, on time, in the uniform of the day and in order. I made it that way.
Our Military Appearance each day baffled the Chain of Command and my guys loved being a part of the game. They did it for me.
We all had a sly, impish smile. We all had been busted at one time or another for something and Captains Mast was an experience that few get to live thru ... some of us more than thrice.
Then, I had others that did not get in trouble and did not go before the Captain and any Mast and were placed as my 2nd in command and as key workers in the shop.
We all had to work together.
I just helped by sharing some "keys" that kept the brass off my ass.
Each one's service record told me the full tale and I had time to make that information work to both individually and further, to all of our advantages.
Those that find them selves in trouble just need a few "keys" to unlock their potentials. If some that figure out how to work it better and not get in as much trouble by doing so, within the rules, then share the knowledge. I did to those in my control that could handle the responsibility that comes with dancing on edges.
Yes, some of my dogs bit me for trying to feed them good info.
Law of averages. I'm ok with it and did handle each as it was with the FULL backing of the U.C.M.J. which I had to study for my career. Play by the rules and keep self "to" the rules.
No one can argue the rules then.
Supervisor / Manager / Director Entrapment.
I do it and it has cost me employment in my distant past.
Still worth it.
Hollywood made movies about it. How the misfits and rag tags out perform the elite. Yep. I lived a military story like that.
Bosses don't like being called out, no matter how high up an Admiral or Appointed Pentagon Director is.
Not sure how it all happened but it was better when I left.
I am an ass and I don't put up with much from those that "should" know better and be my example to follow.
I'd been in too many overhauls at this point in my career to have a college puke with gold bars on his collar whom was in charge of me not understand how it works.
2nd grade desks are small so that we are not inclined to go back to 2nd grade. I just made sure that they understood that and would not digress when I needed their support above me.
Time is money. Schedules need to be met.
Most of the "Elite" were on their first overhaul and the glamour of the enormous size of the project(s).
Like rebuild of Jet Elevator 3 ... just one of hundreds of jobs I managed. I was tired of "games".
Back to the group ...
Word on the street with my guys was: I do unannounced inspections too. It made my team aware. They covered for each other. Eventually, they covered for me too. They got their perks. We all worked to get the job done.
After the first one tried to cross me, many more mouths spread word and ears then heard the word on how that was not going to work.
EM1 "2-Car-Sick" was a name one could not only not pronounce but one that they did not want to encounter. Unless on the team.
Duty days: Many more misfits not wanting to stay overnight on watch or do clean up. Disappearing. There are lots of places to hide on a carrier after hours. One thing for certain, a sailor always seems to find their rack when tired. My Dad's wisdom.
Asses like me arrange to meet them there with a Master at Arms who is not happy either to escort the "Houdini" back to the area that needed to be taken care of. A long walk from the Barracks on base to the Dry Dock with me talking to them as I'm now late to go home. Hopefully they make a difference when they get back to their normal workshop and different supervisor.
Oh yeah, I had to work as a "work duty" supervisor of Felons awaiting deportation to Federal Prisons Stateside while I served on Guam. It was one of those "Lottery" type of jobs that eat up one's life for a month tour.
Where could they go?
Yeah, lots of jungle and then ocean. I had a good border set to keep them contained, lol.
Picking up trash on the roadside and in parking lots.
No games. Frisk "Everyone" (Male) when they were returned for the night to their assigned cages which were inspected daily.
Just a months worth of "Collateral Duty" that happens when one advances in the military. Odd skills learned that sometimes were needed to own and use in odd moments of life.
I play by the rules and the rules allow you to win.
Even against the Highest Levels in any industry.
Here's the background on one story of those times:
John - Self proclaimed (and could be backed) Large, Overly muscular, Philly Mob Knee cap breaker who is tired of being a sailor and is making way too much money part time than full time on the ship. A trouble maker waiting for his sentence to arrive from D.C. so that he can be let go and made free in the City that he is from or is currently employed under the table from.
Good Spaghetti served above those tables I'm told.
One of my other "waiting for their end" workers was a part time chef there and another a waiter.
Leave the gun, take the Cannoli.
Marty - my 2nd in command
(Intelligent IC2 African American Man and good friend).
Unsuspecting of what is to transpire with only his better knowledge of "John's" past within the Electrical Division than I.
He knows he is to become John's newest, closest, immediate supervisor. We talk and I understood his fear.
(False Evidence Appearing Real. lol)
A day that will live in infamy for me is when John and Marty wore each others moccasins by proxy on the USS Kitty Hawk in overhaul.
We all were in the same "Pit of Despair" when it came to what the "jobs" entailed in a Shipyard Overhaul of a Naval Weapon called a Carrier.
My role was to put Lipstick on the Pig and get her ready for dating.
Each sailor had to have some reason to come to work each day and I was the conductor of the orchestra. Make it sound good.
I, at the time, was the "Supervisor" or "Buffer" as I explained to my team at all of our first meetings.
I took the time to describe that my job was to "buff and polish" their requests to the superiors so that "Chits" could be approved
(with most of them awaiting trial of some sort, that was a stretch and I was Pinocchio - and YOU have potential! But I meant it.)
AND
"Buffer" the anger and blasts that the superiors have with my "team" as we try our best to solve a complex work schedule with a bunch of rag tag men all seemingly finding their way together in the same proximity of life.
I encouraged each of them to be themselves, do their best, make mistakes BUT let me know they made the mistake BEFORE someone else does. Very important on Team Tokarczyk.
When I spoke with them the first time, I painted story's with metaphor(s) to get my requests and behavior from them.
This way, objects unrelated to what we were going though, skewed how the information was received AND breakthrough in communication was either formed or I confused the hell out of them. If the second outcome happened, we could then "walk step by step" to accomplishment in understanding.
Levels of "their" understanding were quickly revealed and I could then move forward with placing them into the structure of task that was best suited for my newest "Team Convert" until their career took it's turn by the direction they set previously to meeting me.
I had enough "tasks" to keep 50 always busy.
(150 on duty days).
I had no control nor cared to have control of what they did away from work or previously at work until they were placed in my domain of care. It was slated to become a Nuclear Carrier for all concerned. (that was scrapped ... thank God)
There was protocol in all things related to work and I cared that they remained safe.
Once in my care: My rules. Forget the others who controlled you while you resided on the USS Kitty Hawk or anywhere else the Navy had them before. I did not care. This was here and now.
Old places can add experience and blessings for sure but under the process of what was all new to others, second rodeo for me, success depended upon all buying in to how it was to be done.
For me, for mine and MY Task(s) at that day and time .... All new "employee's" get one thing ... Clean Slate: Day 1.
With that: My protection.
Mess it up. You are on your own.
Follow the rules, I'll back you.
IF their past "others" still wanted to interfere with their "NEW" existence on the Kitty Hawk, I had no time for that or those H.S. or Corporate type actions.
"Those others" now were interfering my my work load and my schedule of events to accomplish with my team.
H.S. ended when we all raised our hands and said "I will protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, so help me God!"
I DID NOT play games and I respected their freedoms given up as they "should" respect mine.
Needless to say, I quickly learned a lot of names, faces and places on the vessel. Superiors quickly found out who I was and who "they themselves" were not supervising because my work force was being harassed. All the way up the chain, change happened.
Each one of my men were there to perform work each day, on time, in the uniform of the day and in order. I made it that way.
Our Military Appearance each day baffled the Chain of Command and my guys loved being a part of the game. They did it for me.
We all had a sly, impish smile. We all had been busted at one time or another for something and Captains Mast was an experience that few get to live thru ... some of us more than thrice.
Then, I had others that did not get in trouble and did not go before the Captain and any Mast and were placed as my 2nd in command and as key workers in the shop.
We all had to work together.
I just helped by sharing some "keys" that kept the brass off my ass.
Each one's service record told me the full tale and I had time to make that information work to both individually and further, to all of our advantages.
Those that find them selves in trouble just need a few "keys" to unlock their potentials. If some that figure out how to work it better and not get in as much trouble by doing so, within the rules, then share the knowledge. I did to those in my control that could handle the responsibility that comes with dancing on edges.
Yes, some of my dogs bit me for trying to feed them good info.
Law of averages. I'm ok with it and did handle each as it was with the FULL backing of the U.C.M.J. which I had to study for my career. Play by the rules and keep self "to" the rules.
No one can argue the rules then.
Supervisor / Manager / Director Entrapment.
I do it and it has cost me employment in my distant past.
Still worth it.
Hollywood made movies about it. How the misfits and rag tags out perform the elite. Yep. I lived a military story like that.
Bosses don't like being called out, no matter how high up an Admiral or Appointed Pentagon Director is.
Not sure how it all happened but it was better when I left.
I am an ass and I don't put up with much from those that "should" know better and be my example to follow.
I'd been in too many overhauls at this point in my career to have a college puke with gold bars on his collar whom was in charge of me not understand how it works.
2nd grade desks are small so that we are not inclined to go back to 2nd grade. I just made sure that they understood that and would not digress when I needed their support above me.
Time is money. Schedules need to be met.
Most of the "Elite" were on their first overhaul and the glamour of the enormous size of the project(s).
Like rebuild of Jet Elevator 3 ... just one of hundreds of jobs I managed. I was tired of "games".
Back to the group ...
Word on the street with my guys was: I do unannounced inspections too. It made my team aware. They covered for each other. Eventually, they covered for me too. They got their perks. We all worked to get the job done.
After the first one tried to cross me, many more mouths spread word and ears then heard the word on how that was not going to work.
EM1 "2-Car-Sick" was a name one could not only not pronounce but one that they did not want to encounter. Unless on the team.
Duty days: Many more misfits not wanting to stay overnight on watch or do clean up. Disappearing. There are lots of places to hide on a carrier after hours. One thing for certain, a sailor always seems to find their rack when tired. My Dad's wisdom.
Asses like me arrange to meet them there with a Master at Arms who is not happy either to escort the "Houdini" back to the area that needed to be taken care of. A long walk from the Barracks on base to the Dry Dock with me talking to them as I'm now late to go home. Hopefully they make a difference when they get back to their normal workshop and different supervisor.
Oh yeah, I had to work as a "work duty" supervisor of Felons awaiting deportation to Federal Prisons Stateside while I served on Guam. It was one of those "Lottery" type of jobs that eat up one's life for a month tour.
Where could they go?
Yeah, lots of jungle and then ocean. I had a good border set to keep them contained, lol.
Picking up trash on the roadside and in parking lots.
No games. Frisk "Everyone" (Male) when they were returned for the night to their assigned cages which were inspected daily.
Just a months worth of "Collateral Duty" that happens when one advances in the military. Odd skills learned that sometimes were needed to own and use in odd moments of life.
I play by the rules and the rules allow you to win.
Even against the Highest Levels in any industry.
Here's the background on one story of those times:
John - Self proclaimed (and could be backed) Large, Overly muscular, Philly Mob Knee cap breaker who is tired of being a sailor and is making way too much money part time than full time on the ship. A trouble maker waiting for his sentence to arrive from D.C. so that he can be let go and made free in the City that he is from or is currently employed under the table from.
Good Spaghetti served above those tables I'm told.
One of my other "waiting for their end" workers was a part time chef there and another a waiter.
Leave the gun, take the Cannoli.
Marty - my 2nd in command
(Intelligent IC2 African American Man and good friend).
Unsuspecting of what is to transpire with only his better knowledge of "John's" past within the Electrical Division than I.
He knows he is to become John's newest, closest, immediate supervisor. We talk and I understood his fear.
(False Evidence Appearing Real. lol)
Workplace: Philly Shipyard. USS Kitty Hawk
(Pre: Dessert Storm)
Job this day: - Dead copper removal in elevator shafts, workplace compartments, overheads, in tight spaces and the throughout the entire level just below the flight deck and the well deck below all "THAT" which is above the engineering and weapons departments. (Much more than anyone should care to know but you get the picture)
Lesson: Compromise and Friendships
Somehow, people are people and want to help other people.
I'm from the Snow Belt near Buffalo, NY.
WE can and DO work for each other IF we can wear each others moccasins for a spell.
(Pre: Dessert Storm)
Job this day: - Dead copper removal in elevator shafts, workplace compartments, overheads, in tight spaces and the throughout the entire level just below the flight deck and the well deck below all "THAT" which is above the engineering and weapons departments. (Much more than anyone should care to know but you get the picture)
Lesson: Compromise and Friendships
Somehow, people are people and want to help other people.
I'm from the Snow Belt near Buffalo, NY.
WE can and DO work for each other IF we can wear each others moccasins for a spell.
Now, I was not privy to the pasts of my workers. Personal Pasts.
Their personal pasts of interactions with each other on the Kitty were not of my concern. Groups of hate existed.
If you care to know more of it's spirituous past, HERE's the skinny.
On a ship of 5000, it makes it difficult to know anyone.
None of them but the Universe conspired to do me well while I served aboard her decks.
Difference?
As the Divisional Career Counselor, I was privy to their service records and had them available at my very first meeting with my new subordinates. Priceless.
We talked about the NOW.
Shipyard Work sucked, stunk and was uncomfortable to do or care to do. Exhaustion and dehydration needed constant monitoring.
Lead Poisoning and Asbestos
(you see the ads on TV for Mesothelioma - I prevented it for my men in Philly and men /women crews when in Japan).
We talked about the nearest future coming up in their life and I was interested in how they planned on pulling it off. I could learn from them because I was leaving when the time arrived for me to do so too ... and they shared because we both arrived on solid ground as two men wearing pants put on one leg at a time in that moment.
Yes, my stripes made them their boss but I still farted too.
We then talked about the past and how it helped or hindered the nearest future(s) for them.
I shared how I managed to overcome my fuck ups and how I'll continue building myself to get away from that moniker.
Staying in or getting out of the Navy, it did not matter because their future was their future, not mine and talking with each of them that way opened the door to frank candid conversations.
No B.S.
Once my newest member understood that I didn't care if they liked or disliked the Navy or the Schitty Kitty, they found that I cared if they showed up for work on time in a "New" or as close to new set of dungaree's that they could find.
I would personally purchase the Shirt, T-shirt, Gilligan's Hat or Jeans (or all 4) because it was that important to me that they "help" me accomplish the goal of "messing" with all the heads in charge.
Agreement with grin usually always happened. And it worked.
Pop Tall, Each Morning, All In A Row - LOOKING GOOD!
50 in overhaul and clean. We impressed. Like in Stripes. :)
I then provided for the member a locker to keep the uniform clean as the job was a real suck ass one with filth involved every minute of the operation. I also provided all the correct equipment and PPE with instructions on how to use them whether they heard it or not.
Break structure, Meal Structure, training , Time off for Life, ... etc was all planned according to something my # 2 could manage. Structure. I covered for them and they covered for me.
It worked splendidly for me.
All my team were informed of what the rules were and each had an idea of what the full scope of the task was and more importantly, their role of ownership in the task to help make it a success.
Accountability and responsibility. I held them to it as well.
From the new school recruit to the salty veteran with a tude and issues. Humans, when talked to as a human, will be human too.
No matter the background or social status. No B.S.
No time for B.S. Straight Shooting. Nip it in the Bud ... quickly.
Reminders of the rules happened as new members appeared and old team members just one day did not show up as the "Needs of the Navy" renders supervisors wanting manpower sometimes.
My crew of over 50 "Cracker Jack" misfits, dwindled to 8 by the time I was released from it's clutches.
Set up to fail and I succeeded, and it cost me some mind with emotion at times. V.A. disability is monitoring it now.
Watch the movie 12 O'clock High if you care to see who and how I modeled my Leadership and my impossible work flow and angry crew. The movie was 2 full days of a 2 week class I was required to attend.
The LMET class was a Navy Failure overall from what they taught back then.
The link I have here is a 2006 Students Guide PDF updated version. I hope they corrected the things that made others not understand how to make it work.
I took the information and model to heart and I succeeded at it.
All of the LMET class helped me along the way.
If a leader cares ... it takes something from each of them and goes with those they care for.
I never got to see the "versions" of new men that left the service from my shops. I did get the sincere handshakes and eye contact from a many a wayward lad though. I bonded with each.
Let me rephrase that, I did have to be at both the court martial and supervisory visit for (1) one in my care while he was placed in the Philly Naval Brig before he was to be returned to New Jersey.
He thought he was playing me.
I played along until he apologized from his heart.
My superiors were furious with me in giving a verbal statement of the subjects work performance while under my care and that it was positive. My superiors had been working for years to have him removed. He was a known pathological liar.
I gave him a clean slate. Day 1.
His past caught him and we both knew it was not my fault.
My faith in him had me go over an edge with him at a difficult time in his life and mine. No one else was there. We had to talk.
It was MY ritual with all of those under my care.
I followed thru with my word for me, and did my part.
That made all the difference in the team.
Each one was someones little boy or pissed off teenager ... like myself.
Streets or Fields.
Creeks or Rail Yards.
Schools of Learning.
Even though I met this young man gone late in his time on the Kitty, I helped him the most look at family and life a different way.
Me? A country kid who was lost too?
Along the way, I learned to go out of my way to help out a tough city Latino punk and he worked for me for a time.
Brief but it was a time.
I gave the same 2000% to all of my workers.
Yep, seems that me, the supervisor, caring even for one's uniform and would pay out of his pocket to help a man change his outward appearance and that this begins to be a seed of change in one's life.
It was not for the needs of the Navy, it was for the needs of his soul.
Even with him playing me and taking all 4 items because I offered.
His showing up at muster, pop tall, like the others planted an odd seed. He looked around at the others of "KNOWN" reputation all listening to the "CRAZY" EM1 with the funny last name.
Too late to change the past but hopefully each one got a "glimpse" of a different way to view reality and how life was arriving in their lap. By "Their" thoughts and "their" choices.
Same techniques recently helped me with a wayward KY teen. That is a different story though and one I'll share soon.
My advice: (the best I can remember it)
I would say to each new arrival: "Your job is to make sure I do not hear your name mentioned from others above me and all of us.
As for my Peers and your old "co-workers" ("cow-orkers" is what I would say) - let them know to talk to me if they are not supportive of your actions for me and my workload during the day.
If you do not understand, I'll paint a picture ... "
and by using names we were familiar with as an example I discussed "how" I expected them to represent "OUR" shop(s) and "OUR" workload.
They then "Owned" their responsibility at the task.
Tasks and ownership's changed as the workload had to.
Learning was always considered to keep each member "engaged".
Bored trouble makers find more trouble. Busy tasked "owners" take pride in even the minuscule of tasks if at a minimum, verbally rewarded. Even if done not quite correctly, acknowledge the try.
Offer the correction and give a new deadline even with the rolling of the eyes of the reprimanded.
Learning was a requirement and not an option.
Proper procedure was explained.
I had to live up or man up to covering it all thus keeping us all in harmony. I was accountable to my word and my name.
IF my way was followed, I would accept their "mishaps in learning" and would back them 2000% "IF" moments needed that type of support.
IF my ways were not followed and a Maverick decided to continue bucking an biting the hand that was trying to help: that was to be seen because each performance was different. My children and wife know how I can be when provoked to exert control over a moment.
Each one of my crew had their weakness to exploit (which I pointed out) and we discussed success principles that would help them overcome those weaknesses with a plan during their time under my care, supervision and tutelage. Even with which ever way their life was to go forward, they had somewhat of a plan.
Team Tokarczyk.
I'm honored that my name made it to a class in Naval N.I.S. school.
Apparently I did something that was noteworthy enough to be studied. I'm also honored that a Naval Officer accepted it as their new last name too via their association with my daughter. Another Story but not mine to tell.
So, what happened that day with Marty and John?
John left our conversation that first day convinced I understood where he was coming from.
I, name dropped a few of the families that I dined with in Napoli and Brooklyn. How the influential Italians took this Polish son of an immigrant into their home and treated him like family. Including protection in both Napoli and NYC.
When we shook hands, he then pointed at the door behind me which lead directly to the catwalk and the Final Aft Stairs to the Flight Deck on the Kitty (Port Side) if anyone has a model of the ship or a picture. Yep, that hallway for Damage Control stand by.
It was my first office.
He pointed at the door and said, "If you are here when I arrive tomorrow, stand on that cat walk and look to the parking lot.
You'll understand."
I said I would be there getting ready for morning muster.
When John reported into Marty for direction of what to do next, Marty could not turn White or a whiter shade of pale.
John did as asked. No questions or barter.
I found out afterwards that Marthy had to gather himself before he began directing John to work. John worked as part of the team every day until he was discharged with a Big Chicken Dinner even though his last few weeks were remarkably different than his previous 3 years on the Shitty Kitty.
The "TEAM" seemed to work differently too after that day. Less bitching and more production as all of them liked spending time in the City that John was released to. I'm not sure what he said but it was all between them and Big John. At least it was nice until my crew was flushed and refilled.
That remarkable first day, Marty came back to me at the end asking this one question: "What did you say to him?"
"Who?" I asked knowingly with a grin.
"JOHN!" he exclaimed!
"Why? Do I need to talk to him already?"
I asked sternly concerned.
"NO! That's the problem. What did you say to him?"
Marty continued in bewilderment.
I informed my friend that I asked John to seek him out at: (Compartment and level in Yellow paint with Black Lettering like seen on NCIS ... lol)
And I also asked John to protect you (Marty) for me.
Some guys are not cooperating under your care and John's skills and assistance could be of service to us. We needed some muscle but by gesture alone. Let the other workers know to just do their jobs and do their best.
John was good at what he did. He also was good at removing the Generator type copper cables with years of heat that was needed to be removed along a few hallways. Actually caught him leaving the Kitty with a smile one day. It was priceless.
Seriously, that day, I asked John if he knew who IC2 Marty was and he answered he did. I then asked him to help.
That was all he was waiting for with a lot of other supervisors. Being "told" worked against his grain.
Who could have guessed?
I also told Marty that John got the same talk that ALL the guys got.
His was tailored to him just as Marty's was tailored to Marty.
Their personal pasts of interactions with each other on the Kitty were not of my concern. Groups of hate existed.
If you care to know more of it's spirituous past, HERE's the skinny.
On a ship of 5000, it makes it difficult to know anyone.
None of them but the Universe conspired to do me well while I served aboard her decks.
Difference?
As the Divisional Career Counselor, I was privy to their service records and had them available at my very first meeting with my new subordinates. Priceless.
We talked about the NOW.
Shipyard Work sucked, stunk and was uncomfortable to do or care to do. Exhaustion and dehydration needed constant monitoring.
Lead Poisoning and Asbestos
(you see the ads on TV for Mesothelioma - I prevented it for my men in Philly and men /women crews when in Japan).
We talked about the nearest future coming up in their life and I was interested in how they planned on pulling it off. I could learn from them because I was leaving when the time arrived for me to do so too ... and they shared because we both arrived on solid ground as two men wearing pants put on one leg at a time in that moment.
Yes, my stripes made them their boss but I still farted too.
We then talked about the past and how it helped or hindered the nearest future(s) for them.
I shared how I managed to overcome my fuck ups and how I'll continue building myself to get away from that moniker.
Staying in or getting out of the Navy, it did not matter because their future was their future, not mine and talking with each of them that way opened the door to frank candid conversations.
No B.S.
Once my newest member understood that I didn't care if they liked or disliked the Navy or the Schitty Kitty, they found that I cared if they showed up for work on time in a "New" or as close to new set of dungaree's that they could find.
I would personally purchase the Shirt, T-shirt, Gilligan's Hat or Jeans (or all 4) because it was that important to me that they "help" me accomplish the goal of "messing" with all the heads in charge.
Agreement with grin usually always happened. And it worked.
Pop Tall, Each Morning, All In A Row - LOOKING GOOD!
50 in overhaul and clean. We impressed. Like in Stripes. :)
I then provided for the member a locker to keep the uniform clean as the job was a real suck ass one with filth involved every minute of the operation. I also provided all the correct equipment and PPE with instructions on how to use them whether they heard it or not.
Break structure, Meal Structure, training , Time off for Life, ... etc was all planned according to something my # 2 could manage. Structure. I covered for them and they covered for me.
It worked splendidly for me.
All my team were informed of what the rules were and each had an idea of what the full scope of the task was and more importantly, their role of ownership in the task to help make it a success.
Accountability and responsibility. I held them to it as well.
From the new school recruit to the salty veteran with a tude and issues. Humans, when talked to as a human, will be human too.
No matter the background or social status. No B.S.
No time for B.S. Straight Shooting. Nip it in the Bud ... quickly.
Reminders of the rules happened as new members appeared and old team members just one day did not show up as the "Needs of the Navy" renders supervisors wanting manpower sometimes.
My crew of over 50 "Cracker Jack" misfits, dwindled to 8 by the time I was released from it's clutches.
Set up to fail and I succeeded, and it cost me some mind with emotion at times. V.A. disability is monitoring it now.
Watch the movie 12 O'clock High if you care to see who and how I modeled my Leadership and my impossible work flow and angry crew. The movie was 2 full days of a 2 week class I was required to attend.
The LMET class was a Navy Failure overall from what they taught back then.
The link I have here is a 2006 Students Guide PDF updated version. I hope they corrected the things that made others not understand how to make it work.
I took the information and model to heart and I succeeded at it.
All of the LMET class helped me along the way.
If a leader cares ... it takes something from each of them and goes with those they care for.
I never got to see the "versions" of new men that left the service from my shops. I did get the sincere handshakes and eye contact from a many a wayward lad though. I bonded with each.
Let me rephrase that, I did have to be at both the court martial and supervisory visit for (1) one in my care while he was placed in the Philly Naval Brig before he was to be returned to New Jersey.
He thought he was playing me.
I played along until he apologized from his heart.
My superiors were furious with me in giving a verbal statement of the subjects work performance while under my care and that it was positive. My superiors had been working for years to have him removed. He was a known pathological liar.
I gave him a clean slate. Day 1.
His past caught him and we both knew it was not my fault.
My faith in him had me go over an edge with him at a difficult time in his life and mine. No one else was there. We had to talk.
It was MY ritual with all of those under my care.
I followed thru with my word for me, and did my part.
That made all the difference in the team.
Each one was someones little boy or pissed off teenager ... like myself.
Streets or Fields.
Creeks or Rail Yards.
Schools of Learning.
Even though I met this young man gone late in his time on the Kitty, I helped him the most look at family and life a different way.
Me? A country kid who was lost too?
Along the way, I learned to go out of my way to help out a tough city Latino punk and he worked for me for a time.
Brief but it was a time.
I gave the same 2000% to all of my workers.
Yep, seems that me, the supervisor, caring even for one's uniform and would pay out of his pocket to help a man change his outward appearance and that this begins to be a seed of change in one's life.
It was not for the needs of the Navy, it was for the needs of his soul.
Even with him playing me and taking all 4 items because I offered.
His showing up at muster, pop tall, like the others planted an odd seed. He looked around at the others of "KNOWN" reputation all listening to the "CRAZY" EM1 with the funny last name.
Too late to change the past but hopefully each one got a "glimpse" of a different way to view reality and how life was arriving in their lap. By "Their" thoughts and "their" choices.
Same techniques recently helped me with a wayward KY teen. That is a different story though and one I'll share soon.
My advice: (the best I can remember it)
I would say to each new arrival: "Your job is to make sure I do not hear your name mentioned from others above me and all of us.
As for my Peers and your old "co-workers" ("cow-orkers" is what I would say) - let them know to talk to me if they are not supportive of your actions for me and my workload during the day.
If you do not understand, I'll paint a picture ... "
and by using names we were familiar with as an example I discussed "how" I expected them to represent "OUR" shop(s) and "OUR" workload.
They then "Owned" their responsibility at the task.
Tasks and ownership's changed as the workload had to.
Learning was always considered to keep each member "engaged".
Bored trouble makers find more trouble. Busy tasked "owners" take pride in even the minuscule of tasks if at a minimum, verbally rewarded. Even if done not quite correctly, acknowledge the try.
Offer the correction and give a new deadline even with the rolling of the eyes of the reprimanded.
Learning was a requirement and not an option.
Proper procedure was explained.
I had to live up or man up to covering it all thus keeping us all in harmony. I was accountable to my word and my name.
IF my way was followed, I would accept their "mishaps in learning" and would back them 2000% "IF" moments needed that type of support.
IF my ways were not followed and a Maverick decided to continue bucking an biting the hand that was trying to help: that was to be seen because each performance was different. My children and wife know how I can be when provoked to exert control over a moment.
Each one of my crew had their weakness to exploit (which I pointed out) and we discussed success principles that would help them overcome those weaknesses with a plan during their time under my care, supervision and tutelage. Even with which ever way their life was to go forward, they had somewhat of a plan.
Team Tokarczyk.
I'm honored that my name made it to a class in Naval N.I.S. school.
Apparently I did something that was noteworthy enough to be studied. I'm also honored that a Naval Officer accepted it as their new last name too via their association with my daughter. Another Story but not mine to tell.
So, what happened that day with Marty and John?
John left our conversation that first day convinced I understood where he was coming from.
I, name dropped a few of the families that I dined with in Napoli and Brooklyn. How the influential Italians took this Polish son of an immigrant into their home and treated him like family. Including protection in both Napoli and NYC.
When we shook hands, he then pointed at the door behind me which lead directly to the catwalk and the Final Aft Stairs to the Flight Deck on the Kitty (Port Side) if anyone has a model of the ship or a picture. Yep, that hallway for Damage Control stand by.
It was my first office.
He pointed at the door and said, "If you are here when I arrive tomorrow, stand on that cat walk and look to the parking lot.
You'll understand."
I said I would be there getting ready for morning muster.
When John reported into Marty for direction of what to do next, Marty could not turn White or a whiter shade of pale.
John did as asked. No questions or barter.
I found out afterwards that Marthy had to gather himself before he began directing John to work. John worked as part of the team every day until he was discharged with a Big Chicken Dinner even though his last few weeks were remarkably different than his previous 3 years on the Shitty Kitty.
The "TEAM" seemed to work differently too after that day. Less bitching and more production as all of them liked spending time in the City that John was released to. I'm not sure what he said but it was all between them and Big John. At least it was nice until my crew was flushed and refilled.
That remarkable first day, Marty came back to me at the end asking this one question: "What did you say to him?"
"Who?" I asked knowingly with a grin.
"JOHN!" he exclaimed!
"Why? Do I need to talk to him already?"
I asked sternly concerned.
"NO! That's the problem. What did you say to him?"
Marty continued in bewilderment.
I informed my friend that I asked John to seek him out at: (Compartment and level in Yellow paint with Black Lettering like seen on NCIS ... lol)
And I also asked John to protect you (Marty) for me.
Some guys are not cooperating under your care and John's skills and assistance could be of service to us. We needed some muscle but by gesture alone. Let the other workers know to just do their jobs and do their best.
John was good at what he did. He also was good at removing the Generator type copper cables with years of heat that was needed to be removed along a few hallways. Actually caught him leaving the Kitty with a smile one day. It was priceless.
Seriously, that day, I asked John if he knew who IC2 Marty was and he answered he did. I then asked him to help.
That was all he was waiting for with a lot of other supervisors. Being "told" worked against his grain.
Who could have guessed?
I also told Marty that John got the same talk that ALL the guys got.
His was tailored to him just as Marty's was tailored to Marty.
You (as a collective) each see me as you have. I've not changed.
You all make me change with your descriptions of what you know from our first meetings and each are correct yet none are correct.
He (John) does not know who I know, just as I don't know who you know or he knows for that matter.
I trust he says what he says is true and work with it within our guidelines.
And I was rewarded with John obeying his EGO when I responded to his self proclamation of his ties with the Philly Mob with the classic: "Awe Come on, You're Schittin' Me!?"
;)
John, being a man of his word, backed up his by arriving the next day on time for muster in clean uniform of the day (Blackened out Stripes) while being dropped off at the end of the pier by a limo.
His girlfriend got out the other side of the car, walked around the back and opened the door for him. Stilettos, tight skirt and all.
John stepped out, pulled the wad of bills out of his pocket (like the one he "showed" me the previous day) and gave her a few with a kiss.
You all make me change with your descriptions of what you know from our first meetings and each are correct yet none are correct.
He (John) does not know who I know, just as I don't know who you know or he knows for that matter.
I trust he says what he says is true and work with it within our guidelines.
And I was rewarded with John obeying his EGO when I responded to his self proclamation of his ties with the Philly Mob with the classic: "Awe Come on, You're Schittin' Me!?"
;)
John, being a man of his word, backed up his by arriving the next day on time for muster in clean uniform of the day (Blackened out Stripes) while being dropped off at the end of the pier by a limo.
His girlfriend got out the other side of the car, walked around the back and opened the door for him. Stilettos, tight skirt and all.
John stepped out, pulled the wad of bills out of his pocket (like the one he "showed" me the previous day) and gave her a few with a kiss.
He smiled up at me from the doorway to my office (which was a walkway to the flight deck at the time) and waved.
I saluted back and we are friends.
If in Philly, I have protection.
He wasn't schittin me.
I was kinda wise when I was 29 years old.
My Dad taught me how to talk like I could play cards.
I'm thankful I got out of the USN at that age.
Any longer would have made me a pissed off old man.
Shoot, that's right. I was becoming a pissed off old man.
What happened? lol
Zu Zu's Petals.
Oh look, that's right!
The USS Boulder is there in Philly awaiting razor blade auction.
Maybe I'll visit for gratitude and thankfulness as both Auras and moments in my time past were major in my life's formation and to sincerely thank both allowing me to live. Or not.
Universally Protected by Source, the Mafia, our Laws both home and abroad & our Constitution which I gave my young lifetime for, trying to fulfill a request of my Grandmother.
I was full of questions when young. (Imagine that)
I asked one day when we sat on her front porch in Buffalo, which was in the direct landing and take off for the Buffalo Airport, near the manhole cover in the street that my Father had destroyed once with a 1/4 stick of dynamite (known as a Rail Road warning marker) ... I asked ... "How do I become Polish if no one will teach me the language?"
She looked me in the eyes and said: "You will not need to know. Become an American!" she told me.
So I did.
I had to learn from both edges.
Nuclear Ties to Family Ties in Italy and NYC.
As for living in the middle, I believe Native Americans know how to.
Living on this mountainside makes me feel closer to the Native Americans.
More on all of that later.
Moving Forward,
I saluted back and we are friends.
If in Philly, I have protection.
He wasn't schittin me.
I was kinda wise when I was 29 years old.
My Dad taught me how to talk like I could play cards.
I'm thankful I got out of the USN at that age.
Any longer would have made me a pissed off old man.
Shoot, that's right. I was becoming a pissed off old man.
What happened? lol
Zu Zu's Petals.
Oh look, that's right!
The USS Boulder is there in Philly awaiting razor blade auction.
Maybe I'll visit for gratitude and thankfulness as both Auras and moments in my time past were major in my life's formation and to sincerely thank both allowing me to live. Or not.
Universally Protected by Source, the Mafia, our Laws both home and abroad & our Constitution which I gave my young lifetime for, trying to fulfill a request of my Grandmother.
I was full of questions when young. (Imagine that)
I asked one day when we sat on her front porch in Buffalo, which was in the direct landing and take off for the Buffalo Airport, near the manhole cover in the street that my Father had destroyed once with a 1/4 stick of dynamite (known as a Rail Road warning marker) ... I asked ... "How do I become Polish if no one will teach me the language?"
She looked me in the eyes and said: "You will not need to know. Become an American!" she told me.
So I did.
I had to learn from both edges.
Nuclear Ties to Family Ties in Italy and NYC.
As for living in the middle, I believe Native Americans know how to.
Living on this mountainside makes me feel closer to the Native Americans.
More on all of that later.
Moving Forward,
~ Kindle.
