I didn't make it a career but I went to mast for someone else's eff up but I played my part and deserved it. When it was all said and done, Captain gave me 20 days restriction (which I missed the only port in a 3 month span). Last day of restriction I do my final muster and head back to my shop. My chief comes and gets me, takes me to the captain's quarters. It's like 930 and the captain is in Scooby Doo pajamas and his academy shirt. I was absolutely terrified I was getting bounced. He says "Airman SoInSo, we have two options here. We can take this NJP, send it to NY and it will go on your record, thus you'll not make third class this cycle" etc etc. "Or, we can just put this here (shredder) and go about our business." I selected option B. He said the reason why he offered me that is when I was faced with the consequences of my actions (or lack of action), I could have lied and got away with it. But I told the truth and suffered the associated consequences. He told me the Navy needed more people like that. About a month later he pinned me for third and I'll never forget how satisfied he looked when he did it.

It's one of the regrets I have for not staying in, as it definitely changed my life. I felt like I owed it to him to at least see it through. I've tried to connect with my old captain for over a decade, just to say thank you again but can never find the guy. Either way, among all the distractions in recent months in regards to the Navy, this story put a smile on my face.

Pardon my Joe user name. It's literally the first thing I thought of when I made it....