New form for the Navy

in light of the new politically correct attitudes which are becoming the way the Navy operates, it is no surprise whatsoever that a new way to deal with mean people has become available. Enjoy:

November 25th 2012

A lot has happened since the last POOD was published. The Republican Party once again failed to dislodged Obama or Harry Reid. A sort of darkness has fallen over the US as we creep further and further towards outright socialism. But we still have a lot to be thankful for. Give me a few weeks and I will think of some of them. Oh, yeah. The Leansubmariner went over 50,000.

 Mister Mac

June 28th 2012… The one year anniversary of theleansubmariner

A year ago today, I started theleansubmariner. I think the circumstances at the time told me that I needed to do something that would help me keep my sanity. I had two job interviews today and I will be starting a part-time job at the one that has already offered me a place to work. I am pretty excited because the people in the location are pretty cool. It’s a gun shop. Does it get any better than that?

Thanks to all the people who helped us reach 37,000 hits this year. I am very much in debt to you. Mind the zombies (before they mind you). For the record, the shop where I will be working sells zombie ammor and targets. Really.

Mister Mac

May 6, 2012

Every once in a while, a mistake happens in even the best run organizations. My legal department and administrative staff both pointed out that a recent post on some of the Presidents achievements may contain a few “errors”.

http://theleansubmariner.com/2012/05/03/we-have-a-winner/

I countered that the list actually missed some of the most interesting things that have happened but in the interrest of fairness, I have added a stern warning to the original post. Thanks for your understanding. Our goal is to become the conservative alternative to John Stewert’s Daily Show so credibility must remain our watchword and our emblem of pride.

(Cheap diversionary tactic inserted here)

By the way, have you see the ALCOA eagles recently? Those babies are huge!!!

http://www.alcoa.com/locations/usa_davenport/en/info_page/eaglecam.asp

Mister Mac

April 24, 2012 Plan of the Day

The USS San Francisco SSN 711 was commissioned on this day in 1981. God Bless the crews who have sailed her and done their part to ensure our freedom.

April 3, 2012 Plan of the Day

Please visit the new business web site at:

http://bobmacpherson-speaker.info/index.html

Lots of good suggestions, lots of new content!

As of today, the web site hit 27,000 with 177 posts on the active pages (not counting Chaplains Call, and the other pages. The next two goals are 30,000 and of course trying to hit the 200 mark on posts.

Thanks for dropping by and for the encouragement.

Mister Mac

Theleansubmariner

February 17 Plan of the Day

February is a very busy month. Valentines Day, Black History Month, $5 Foot longs at Subway, and every sale under the sun to celebrate a made up holiday called “President’s Day”. It used to be that we just honored George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, but with 42 other Presidents who have all served us in one way or another, it just makes sense I suppose to honor them all with one specific day. But there is always one President who is missed. In fact, despite the millions of people who were living at the time of his Presidency, he not included in this special holiday.

That President of course took office on February 27 1862. That man was Jefferson Davis. He was inaugurated as the first (and only) President of the Confederate States of America. Alexander Stephens was inaugurated Vice President.

I know, trick question. But having just visited Fort Sumter this week for the first time, I was reminded how complex our country’s history really is.

January 25 Plan of the Day: Robert Burns Birthday

Welcome aboard to all of my friends from Site One.

What a great way to spend a cold winters day than to have some warm memories of one of the best times of our lives. Scotland was always a dream for me as a kid and frankly the reality outshined the dream. We were able to visit castles, the Loch Ness monster, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Sterling, and on and on. It was especially nice to be able to go to an international Clan Mac Gathering in Newtonmore. Topping it all off though was seeing the Edinburgh Tattoo on a Sunday night in the lower part of the castle grounds. My heart still beats a little quicker when I hear those pipes in my mind again.

January 22 Plan of the Day: Super Bowl is set

Well, its official, Giants versus Patriots. Nice job. The blog is still growing at over 20,000 views. Thanks for stopping by. More content is on the way!

Mister Mac

December 31st 2011 Plan of the Day: Bring on the First Footing!

I will freely admit that until I moved to Scotland for a short tour with the Navy, I had never really heard of First Footing. This is one of the practices that evolved from the earlier celebration of Hogmanay. The main reason I may not have heard of it is the fact that my family was Presbyterian and I can barely remember ever having any liquor in our house growing up. We only got one Christmas in Scotland but our neighbor Tom (a gentleman farmer who was trying to create a live exposition of sheep farming) shared the custom with us. He brough the coal and I had the whiskey waiting.  I can see where first footing might be a bit dangerous in come neighborhoods but it is really a nice custom to bring people together. So for those of you who read the Plan of the Day, here is your lump. I will be waiting patiently for my dram.

Scots’ Aye!

Mister Mac

December 27th: Its Kwanzaa time again!

I don’t know where the time has gone. It seems like only yesterday we were cleaning up the decorative mat with the symbols representing the seven days, empty ears of corn and other crops, the candle holder with seven candles, the communal cup and the red/black /green flags. Make sure you see today’s blog on 2042 for more information about the days ahead.

Also, I will be announcing the details for Gaelic Heritage 7 Day Festival in the very near future. I would like to have it in place before 2042 so may need some assistance.

Happy Holidays to all. Special Shout Out to Nancy  Pelosi (working tirelessly for the children) who is sweating it out at the  sun-drenched, beachside hotel at Historic Ka’upulehu in Kona on the island of  Hawaii. She is helping the Hawaiians by cheerfully handing over 10 thousand a night at the exclusive resort. Got to love our politicians… nothing but the finest for them!!!

Welcome to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu. Gloriously revitalised, this natural tropical paradise offers more than ever to explore – with a newly expanded Spa, beachfront dining, fashion boutiques and new Deluxe Suites, in addition to Jack Nicklaus signature golf. Set on the Big Island’s exclusive Kona-Kohala Coast, this showpiece oceanfront resort captures the essence of Hawaiian design, culture and tradition.

Aloha Nancy… see you in November

This just in… one of my crack reporters found out the real reason Ms. Pelosi came to Hawaii 

HILO, Hawaii — The Big Island has the highest number in the state of children who lived in poverty last year. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, 24.5 percent of Hawaii County’s children lived in poverty, which is a 6 percentage point increase over five years ago. West Hawaii Today (http://bit.ly/umAWBu) reported Wednesday the estimates also showed 18.3 percent of all county residents lived in poverty, compared to 11.1 percent statewide.

Yep, with Nancy, its always about the children.

December 3 Plan of the Day

It’s hard to believe that the weather for Central PA is as warm as it has been this week. The Christmas lights are up and the whole neighborhood is starting to look like Santa’s playground. I have joined a group called the Military Writers Association and have been enjoying reading about the success of so many others who have good stories to tell. My goal for next year is to finally finish the project I have been incubating for so many years and finalize the book.

The Military Writers group is pretty important in my mind since schools these days are barely teaching anything about such an important part of our national heritage. The country is probably starting to enter that phase called “war burnout” and the high level of respect for those fighting is already starting to erode. Having survived the end of the Viet Nam Era and its aftermath, I really hope the pendulum doesn’t swing back too far when it does swing. But the recorded histories from people who were there will be a basis for ensuring the truth is told for generations to come.  One of my greatest possessions is a volume from a series done at the end of World War 1. It is violent, gruesome and spell binding. But I truly believe that knowing about the worst of war ill help us to stay judicious about when we send our kids out to fight.

December 7th is coming. It’s hard to think about it already being 70 years ago. Pray hard for peace but stay prepared. That is the most important lesson I can think of.

Mister Mac

November 26 Plan of the Day

Its hard to believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone already and here we are facing the mad rush of pre-Christmas activities. This year will be a little different for my family since I no longer have a building to keep up, parts to manufacture, union friends to negotiate with, and incredibly incompetent bosses to suffer through. (Unless I count myself, but I still think I have some level of competence left over form my Navy days… I had great teachers)

I had an interesting interview last week with a company that seems to confirm my belief that its time to find other things to do. During one of the questioning sessions, one of the fellows asked me if I was sure I could take the pressures and strain of a manufacturing job. The other fellow asked me if I really was serious about taking on this much stress and pressure. (He didn’t qualify that question with the words “at your age” but it was fairly obvious)

I don’t hold it against them. Most of them have never been where the average boat sailor has been so has absolutely no idea what real stress and pressure are. They have probably never spent three days working to rebuild a diesel underway in a hostile environment. They have never tailed a Victor 3 for a month trying not to be noticed. And let’s not even talk about fires, flooding, and any number of life threatening events on a routine patrol or spec op.

Well, not really whining, actually just happy to have a great wife, pretty good health and I woke up on this side of the dirt again today. Today was also pretty special since I am starting to see a lot of my comrades from USSVI checking the blog out. Welcome aboard and I am grateful for your visits and feedback.

Have a great weekend and stop back often.

Mister Mac

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November 7 Plan of the Day

In celebration of the upcoming Veterans Day weekend, the National Parks Service is offering “free” days at all of the parks which are normally fee based.  http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm  Hopefully you will get a chance to stop by one of the parks after you have recognized those veterans who have made this country what it is today through their service.

Mister Mac

October 31st Plan of the Day

Happy Halloween

Over on Facebook, some old friends were lamenting the fact that so few kids made the rounds in their neighborhoods this year. Our doorbell never stopped ringing much to the dog’s delight! The only problem was the first round of people were all recent college grads who said trick or treat but the trick was that they would not occupy my lawn if I paid their student loans, gave them pre-paid Visa cards, and helped free some guy in Philly that killed a cop years back. Oh, and they wanted spaghetti Bolognese with organic garlic bread. There was also a guy with a tin foil hat saying that the Kennedy killing was all a CIA Military Industrialist covert action to suppress the Peruvian freedom movement. The second round of visitors were all from the Democrat Party asking for anything left in the refrigerator and my checking account. If I didn’t pay, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson would lead a group of people up and down my street protesting how much of an evil person I was. The last visit was from the ACLU telling me that I did not have enough Holiday Specific Decorations on my house which was a sure sign that I must be some kind of subversive Christian. They told me to expect my court subpoena in the morning.

Pretty scary, eh?

Oh, I forgot. Some guy in a limo pulled up and surrounded by some guys wearing clever Secret Service Disguises came to the door. I asked him what he wanted. He said “oh, nothing I can’t get if I really want it. I just wanted to let you know that the Federal Election Commssion has already certified my next term of office. I drove all the way down from DC just to see the look on your face. You have a nice sleep now Mister Mac. We’ll be seeing you real soon”. And they all loaded back into their limousines and sped off into the night.

As if I am going to be able to sleep tonight now………..

October 27th Plan of the Day

Earlier today on another web site, I read about an old tradition that was sponsored by the Navy League called Navy Day which occurred on October 27th. Sadly it ended in 1947. I believe it would be a great tradition to begin again. These are some examples of posters that accompanied the day:

                      

I have made a few changes to the site. Lean will now be under the Continuous Improvement tab.

As always, your feedback is appreciated.

October 24th Plan of the Day

As we head into the fall season, we are once again reminded of the achievements of our armed forces. We have participated in a number of defensive activities around the world in the Global War on Terrorism. Ship’s and submarines continue to play a major role in providing a force for freedom.  But some alarming developments are starting to surface. Competition for a shrinking federal budget is starting to heat up in Washington. From fleet size to caring for our active duty and retired members, the Navy is once again an attractive target for people who would rather buy votes than pay for the country’s security. The siren song of “peace” sounds so attractive after  long and protracted engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq. No one wants peace more than the men and women of the Armed Forces. But even as we consider drawing down (again) forces in the world are conspiring to make that drawdown a short-lived affair. As we leave Iraq, how soon will it be before chaos returns on a massive scale. Despite years of animosity, the Iranians stand to gain the most if they are able to use their influence. The Sunnis are weakened and the Shia are standing ready to welcome their brothers to the fight.

How many times will the United States have to learn the lessons associated with guarding freedom?

October 2nd Plan of the day

After a brief absence, theleansubmariner returns to active duty. I have been busy “exploring other options” as the saying goes and that has kept me quite busy. I finally did a story I have been wanting to do for a long time and it brought me a number of surprises about something that seemed so familiar. If you check out the Old Navy blog published today, you will get a chance to meet a few old salts who have been hanging on my office wall for years. Okay, not literally but certainly a likeness. The Blog will explain their story. Here is the background information:

The Old Navy”, photograph taken by Assistant Surgeon H.W. Whitaker,
U.S.N., on board USS Mohican at sea in the Pacific, 1888. The four
men, with a brief transcript of their services, are:
1. Gilbert H. Purdy, who is standing addressing the others. Purdy was born in 1828, and therefore was 60 years old when the picture was taken. He was a physically powerful man and was remarkably well preserved, as is shown by the photograph. He died December 24, 1912, at San Diego, California, at the age of 84, being at the time of his death the oldest man on the retired list of the Navy. During the Civil War he served as sergeant in Battery K, 4th U.S. Artillery, and as a seaman on board several Naval vessels. He, also, had the honor of serving under Admiral Dewey on the Olympia during the Spanish-American War. He was transferred to the retired list on February 7, 1900. Purdy served as captain of the hold on board the Mohican from May 25, 1885 to August 28, 1888.
2. David Ireland, seated with arms folded. Ireland was born in 1833, and was, therefore, 55 years old when the picture was taken. He first enlisted in the Navy on April 8, 1850, so he had seen 38 years of service … He served on many ships in all parts of the world and died at the Mare Island Hospital on January 16, 1894, aged 61 years. He served on board the Mohican from May 25, 1885, to November 20, 1890, as captain of the forecastle, seaman, and captain of the hold.
3. John King, seated on ditty box. King was born in England in 1834, so at the time the picture was taken was 54 years old. He followed the sea in merchant ships for a number of years before enlisting in the Navy, which he first did on April 9, 1875, he then being in his 42nd year. He was finally discharged on April 2, 1896, and admitted to the Naval Home at Philadelphia. He served on board the Mohican from May 25,
1885, to January 25, 1889, as chief gunner’s mate. The exact date of his death is not known.
4. John T. Griffith, seated with hands behind his head. Griffith was born at Albany, New York, December 25, 1826, being 62 years of age
when the picture was taken, and the oldest man of the group. The record of his first enlistment is not at hand, but he last enlisted on October 18, 1888, and was finally discharged on December 10, 1889. He served on board the Mohican as chief carpenter’s mate from June 3 to June 30, 1888. The date of his death is not known.
Caption from the “U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings”, Vol. 47, Number 215, January 1921. (as reproduced on a typescript filed with the
photograph).M US Navy photo # NH 2889 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.

September 15 Plan of the Day

Updates to the Chaplain’s Corner and Battle Stations today. I have been watching the “hits” and it appears we are closing in on 10,000 within the next week or so. Today is a significant day in US Navy and Marine Corps history. Landings at Peleliu and Inchon happened this day which made radical impacts on the respective wars being fought. Please remember to say a prayer for the people who died and those that are still missing from all of our conflicts. Never forget their sacrifices.

Mister Mac

September 11 Plan of the day

Taking a day to reflect today. Thinking about the unthinkable. Wishing the world could go back to a pre-9/11 state of mind but also knowing we never can. The military went to war, America went to the mall. Why did our leadership think that we would be so selfish and self-centered that we would not have supported an all out conflict to bring these animals to justice? Did that delay cost us ten years (and more) of unending conflict? Worst of all, has the endless war sapped us of the will to finish what we started?

Please say a prayer for those who were lost, those who have given their all since then, and those who are still out there doing their best to protect us. There is unfinished business. Don’t let the sadness and memorials distract us from the fact that there are people who attacked us and killed us without us being aware that we are at war. I don’t know a single person on our side who would not have happily done everything in their power to live for peace. But the people who did this live for a different kind of peace. No amount of political correctness can stop them from their goal. No smooth sweet offerings of harmony will do anything but give them time to find other ways to kill us. Negotiating with people who see you as less than a complete human is a waste of time and resources.

Until we see that this unending war will only end with the complete destruction of those who have started it and have pledged their lives to continue it. Remember 9 11? How can you forget the single largest proof that there are still people in this world who want to destroy our way of life, our freedom, and our future?

Mister Mac

September 2 Plan of the Day

Theleansubmariner will be taking a few days off to prepare for a journey next week. Its Labor Day weekend which is kind of ironic considering the jobs report that just came out this morning. I will be back in action next week. Please take time to enjoy the important things in life this weekend.

Mister Mac

August 27 Plan of the day

Suspend all normal ship’s activities.

In accordance with Naval Regulations, all watches are directed to keep a weather eye on conditions about the deck.

Keep all stores in their appropriate stowage locations until directed by the Officer of The Deck. Extra life lines will be hung and the smoking lamp is out in all upper and lower decks. Review the lifeboat assignments and ensure that all lower rated men are prepared to embark as assigned.

Any questions are directed to the Master at Arms and the duty Coxswain. Keep a fair eye out lads… it’s going to be a rough day.

August 17 Plan of the Day

Yesterday’s addition of “Battle Stations” seemed like it was pretty well received. I would encourage you to consider contacting your associations and organizations to reach out to our elected representatives and let them know that you are not in favor of weakening our military and especially the Navy. The future depends on us not letting our guard down. Feel free to link the post, re-copy  it as needed and spread it as far and wide as you are able to do.

One other note: The Chaplain’s corner has been updated today. Please stop by for some reflection time.

Thanks

Mac

August 14 Plan of the Day

I will be preaching this morning at the First Church of God in Elizabethtown PA this morning if you’d like to drop by and join us.  If you can’t make it, a preview of the message is in today’s Chaplain’s page. As always, thanks for stopping by and if you like what you see, feel free to bookmark us or better yet subscribe (its free).  Earlier this week, the site blew past 5000 hits and is still climbing. I appreciate you being a part of that success. I still haven’t hit Guido’s 4 million yet (paintballing seems to be pretty popular in America) but not too shabby for a month and a half I suppose.

For those of you who have served or still are, thanks for your contribution to our freedom and liberty. For those who have supported someone along the way, God Bless You as well.

Mr. Mac

August 11 Plan of the day

On this day in 1972, I was approaching the end of Boot Camp at Great Lakes Illinois. It had been a hard summer but we were all feeling pretty good about ourselves. Lean and trim, we were ready to go out and see the world. Also on this day in 1972, US combat troops left Viet Nam. If you get a chance, stop by the Chaplains Corner today. Thanks and have a great day.

August 6 Plan of the Day

Thanks for all the return visitors and those who are new. 4200 hits this morning and lots of new Facebook and Linked In connections. I am grateful to all who have taken the time to send in notes and welcome comments and suggestions. Today is the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and the blog for this day reflects the significance to so many who had relatives in the Pacific waiting for the invasion of Japan.

I would encourage you to take a few moments today and remember those who served, those who lost their lives, and the potential for further loss if something different had occurred.

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July 30th Plan of the Day

Another milestone for TLS… 3500 hits as of 1600 today!

Tomorrow (July 31) will be a day of rest but Monday August 1st will be the roll out of a different feature page. Have a great weekend and don’t forget to come back and visit us next week.

Mister Mac

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July 28th Plan of the Day

Today is the one month anniversary of theleansubmariner. I am very grateful for all the visitors and hope that you are finding something here that is useful to you (or maybe just bringing back some old memories). TLS is republished on Undersea Warfare News (28 JULY 11 is the latest edition) which means we are getting some collateral looks!

In the past five years I was working with a number of lean groups around the globe but one of the ones that surprised me was the prevalence of lean thinking in the armed services. Working with a group in North Carolina called the Institute for Defence and Business, I was able to interact with a number of military and civilian leaders who are leading lean efforts at their facilities. With the advent of tighter budgets, there can’t be any room for waste, even in the military. I believe we have barely scratched the surface on how lean principles and tools can help to make our armed forces even more efficient. I truly believe it will be part of the way the military withstands the budget wars that are now brewing.

More to come…

Mister Mac

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July 25th  Plan of the Day

With the hot weather, the crew (Angus and Rufus) are getting their walk between 0600-0715.

This will mean a revised schedule for publishing until the weather returns to a more reasonable temperature.

Also, this week is Vacation Bible School so I will be tied up in the evenings. Mail will be answered within 24 hours.

Have a great day!

Mister Mac

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When you are under the water for months at a time, often times the only connection between you and the world topside is the daily “newsletter” called the plan of the day. Over the course of many years, I saw some rather interesting ones. This is just an attempt to show you what to expect from the Plan of the Day

0630 Wake up oncoming watch

0645 Breakfast for the crew

0715 Commence Blogging

0745 Publish (travel schedule permitting)

0800 Commence Field Day

0900 Walk Angus and Rufus

1130 Lunch for the crew

1730 Dinner for the crew

1830 Read and answer correspondence

2130 Lights out