What a hoot! Took me back. Although I recall 'Strike' being pronounced 'strack' [probably from the German 'mitt stramm'-sharp] Thanks for the stroll down memory lane...

US Navy here - 1972-78, Former "squid" or more correctly "airdale" (since my job of working on A6 radar was always carrier based. Question for other squids or airdales out there:

The term "ge-dunk" did mean snack bar, that is true. But it was also used for one of the medals - I can't remember which one. When someone stayed out of trouble for 4 years, they got a good conduct medal/award. Was that the one that was called a ge-dunk medal, or was it a different one?

Although I recall 'Strike' being pronounced 'strack'...

Quite correct. I was in a strac (sp?) unit when stationed at Ft. Hood, TX. The reason I spelled it differently than you was because the letters were supposed to mean, "Strong Trained Ready around (the) Clock", which we weren't.

For those who are non-military being in a Strac unit wasn't all that special, like, say, Special Forces. All it meant was that I was in an armored unit which was supposedly prepared to deploy (huh?) within 48 hours. Most of such units were intended to respond to Soviet aggression in Europe, if needed. Maybe we were but I never found out. Lucky Soviets is all I have to say. Grrrr!

When someone stayed out of trouble for 4 years, they got a good conduct medal/award

The fact you can't recall the name of that medal, Rufus, strongly suggests you didn't get one, which further suggests you were a bad boy. Naughty, naughty

Quote: Cincinnatus wrote in post #5

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When someone stayed out of trouble for 4 years, they got a good conduct medal/award

The fact you can't recall the name of that medal, Rufus, strongly suggests you didn't get one, which further suggests you were a bad boy. Naughty, naughty

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March? Why does the Navy have to learn to march? Reminds me of a picture I saw of some Navy personnel with rifles. I wondered at the time if they were expecting pirates to board their ship.

Btw, Rufus, I have a son who is in the Navy. Currently he's stationed in Jacksonville, FL, but he just got orders for one of the Arab gulf states. Can't recall which one.

Quote: algernonpj wrote in post #7

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Quote: Rufus T Firefly wrote in post #6

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Quote: Cincinnatus wrote in post #5

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When someone stayed out of trouble for 4 years, they got a good conduct medal/award

The fact you can't recall the name of that medal, Rufus, strongly suggests you didn't get one, which further suggests you were a bad boy. Naughty, naughty

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LOL

Nah, I remembered. It was the "Good conduct" medal. But I think it was derided as the "gee-dunk" medal. (Since pretty much everyone got one)

But you may be right about one thing - I almost got thrown out before I even made it out of boot camp.

Turns out I can't march very well (think of the opening scenes of the old TV show "Gomer Pyle, USMC".)

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Were you marching to your own drummer (never saw Gomer Pyle)

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Quote: Cincinnatus wrote in post #8

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March? Why does the Navy have to learn to march? Reminds me of a picture I saw of some Navy personnel with rifles. I wondered at the time if they were expecting pirates to board their ship.

Btw, Rufus, I have a son who is in the Navy. Currently he's stationed in Jacksonville, FL, but he just got orders for one of the Arab gulf states. Can't recall which one.

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