5
by rolandson
My former dentist was a command duty commission naval officer, as opposed to a limited duty commission (a commission that doesn't include command of a warship as part of its purview) like a navy dentist or research scientist, which one with specialized education might pursue. He paid for college through a navy ROTC program. After college he did three years as a Naval Officer.
Many nights standing a late night "watch" on a ship gave him time to consider his future. Once done he went to dental school but remained a reserve officer. When he graduated dental school the navy wanted to make him a navy dentist. He said "no" and successfully petitioned to remain command track.
He rose to the rank of Captain (four stripes, one step below admiral). Commanded a few ships throughout his tenure, and eventually became #3 in the hierarchy of the Pacific Fleet.
During that period, he had a "football."
After he retired he wrote about how strange it was, looking back on being the only dentist on the planet with nuclear launch authority.
Scary thought. Good dentist, though he and my father, an orthodontist, argued about extracting my wisdom teeth. My dad won, I still have 'em...!
Subliterate Buffooery of the right...
Literate Ignorance of the left...
We Are So Screwed