Site RepsThanks to JC for fowarding a June 10 2004 e-mail from Tom Patocka acknowledges our Site Reps, the front-line, in-the-trenches men and women tht like the World War II vets have received little appreciation for a job and serviced often above and beyond.Tom as you can read was in WESTPAC-Guam, Kevin [Bradley] in EASPAC-HI, and Stan [The NCP Man Wassel] served everywhere but the North Pole I htink. --bh Stan & Kevin, Just wanted to pass on an E-mail that I had sent to my people the other day (below). Although it is addressed to them, it pertains to you two also. You may ask how? Let me explain. How I do my job as the Lead Tech is based on my past experiences, all from being a Radioman and dealing with NAVCOMPARS, etc. I remember when I first arrived on Guam in April of 79', I was very very green (not even a Tadpole yet); hell, I couldn't even spell RM let alone know what one was! Shortly after I arrived here, I met Stan and began what now has been a 25 year friendship. In 80', I met Kevin when he came out for an upgrade thus began another long friendship. That started it all! Well, over the years, you two have "always" answered my dumbassed questions and/or pointed me in the right direction as to where to look for the answers. You were patient in explaining to me to how NAVCOMPARS worked, what was happening and should be happening with messages, how to research problems, etc. I know I asked a lot of dumb questions and was a pain in the butt on many occasions. However, after drilling things into my thick head, you were able to teach me. Many a time, I actually was able "to see the light!" I have taken all this on board and use it in my everyday dealings as the NCTS Guam Rome Research Corp (RRC) FMC Lead Tech. When I am asked questions by my folks, I remember back to when I was asking you guys questions and how you responded to me. From those experiences, I know and appreciate, to take the time to explain in depth the "what/why/when/where/how" of messaging. I find myself mentally going back to when I was a Ship Shore OP, CVDT OP, FLT CNT Sup, TWS, TWO, FLT CNT LPO, MSG CNT LPO, NAVCOMPARS LPO and Pseudo Site Rep when I explain things. I truly think my folks get a much better understanding of a situation from learning how Naval communications evolved and how it should be accomplished. Yes, I give a lot of analogies, and your names do come up often when I am discussing how NAVCOMPARS worked and how messaging is supposed to work. I have 18 people that work for me, only two of them ever dealt with message traffic prior to the start up. We basically took 18 people off the street, stealing them from GTA, GPA, IT&E, MCV and Game Works and made Radiomen out of them. They are not IT's, they are Radiomen! They have performed extremely well, outshining the Navy all of the way. They are eager to learn, willing to do the job and do it very well. We had some learning curves, but things have worked out very well. They do the work, I don't. I just provide guidance and direction. However, without the knowledge that you two have provided me over the years, this would have never happened. For without your imparting of knowledge, I would not have had the background and would never have been in the position to take this job. I can never tell you what a great influence you have been on me and how much knowledge you have provided me with over the years. The success of my people is the direct result of your willingness to teach and guide me over the years! I thank you! The Navy, nor CNCTC, never acknowledged the importance of the NAVCOMPARS Site Reps, nor the tremendous support they provided. I for one, always looked up to you guys as being the experts, I knew and understood how extremely valuable you were, not only to me, but to Naval Communications as a whole. I thank you both for being my mentors and am very proud to call you my friends! CUL, Tadpole (not so green any more!) From: Patocka, Thomas - CON - TECH CONTROL Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 9:33 AM Subject: BRAVO ZULU for 1,500,000 + !!!!!!!!!!! To All FMC Personnel, Congratulations! You have passed the 1,500,000 message mark during this past month! As of 2359Z/31 May 04, a total of 1,591,918 messages have been processed by the RRC FMC since we took over from the Navy on 01 Jul 03. This is a very significant achievement and a very impressive total for a Commsta the size of Guam. Each of you can be proud of this accomplishment. Your hard work in processing this amount of traffic is greatly appreciated by me. Your efforts, work and support significantly contribute to the overall mission of providing GENSER message traffic support to the Fleet! You, as civilians contractors, are in a unique position whereas you provide direct, real time and real world support to US Naval and Marine Corps forces during a war time environment. You do make a difference, your efforts and work are extremely important and do have a direct effect on the war on terrorism! Bravo Zulu to all, keep up the good work! I am proud to work with such a fine group of people! V/R, Tom Patocka RRC FMC Lead Tech & AIG/CAD MANAGER NCTS GU DSN (315) 355-5018 patockat@nctsguam.navy.mil patockat@nctsguam.navy.smil.mil |