Services For the Dead

The War Between the States had ended in April 1865, 58 years before the Service manual I have in my collection was printed. May of 1927 (four years later) the roll call was getting smaller and smaller. Just as they had for every year since 1874, The Post Adjutant was tasked with calling that […]

Bluejackets Manual, eighteenth edition, 1968 (Third Printing, September 1969)

I’m sure I have mentioned it before but I have a modest collection of Bluejackets Manuals dating back to the early 1900’s. I started out with my Grandfather Parkin’s manuals from the Second World War. From that time, I have added them as I find them in old book stores, sea ports, and Army Navy […]

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (and they still don’t like him very much!)

What is your favorite birthday memory of all time? Was it a special trip or maybe something you had hoped for all year? I don’t remember the year that I first got my favorite birthday present, but I do remember what is was. It was the year I found out that I shared the same […]

The Terrible Twos

We were never blessed with children but one thing we learned very early in life from others that did: There really is a lot to be said for the phenomenon called “The Terrible Twos”. This is that time when a sweet little creature born just a short 24 months before turns into Satan’s spawn. The […]

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you!

I don’t think it’s a good idea to reveal too much about yourself on a blog. I mean, after all, there may come a day when you are compelled to run for a political office or at least accept an appointment from an elected official. But recently, I feel actually very compelled to make a […]

Happy Anniversary Kansas Cosmosphere

In all of our travels, we have seen some amazing sights and been to some fascinating places. I keep a journal that lists the more than 650 cities and places we have visited in our long journey. Along the way have been some very big surprises. One of my favorite places that exemplifies “Surprise” is […]

Acts of Desperation

May of 1942 was a desperate time for the Allies in the South Pacific. Japanese expansion had been literally unchecked for the first six months of the war. It was only the bravery of the outmatched men of the Navy, Army and Marines that stood between the Japanese and the land down under. This was […]

Thanks for your service … sucker

What an evil way to start a blog. I will admit it that I am very distressed to do something with so much emotion attached to it. Frankly, it’s taken me a few hours to digest the thing that caused me to even consider writing this. But there are some times when you are compelled […]

No wonder the bust went packing…

I have highlighted a bit about character and leadership recently in theleansubmariner. Its been refreshing to see the support from so many readers but I have also received my share of criticism for trying to put a smiley face on bad behavior. Fair enough. When reading someone else‘s opinions it can be easy to chip […]

In the beginning…

“The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Chinese Proverb When I started this small blog over ten months ago, I really only had two goals. The first was to have an outlet where I could share stories about two of my favorite subjects (lean manufacturing and submarines). Today marks […]