My Unexpected Journey: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Allow me to share with you the story of my exhilarating trip to reach my first assigned command in the middle of the Thanksgiving festivities. This isn't just an ordinary narrative - it's a riveting account of how important it is to have a plan, and the adrenaline rush you feel when that plan changes unexpectedly. It's also about how the relationships we form today might unexpectedly come to our rescue in the future.
After graduating from high school, I immediately joined the Navy. This new chapter of my life began with three months of intense boot camp, followed by the Navy's specialized "A School" where I trained as a machinist. Both of these were on separate military bases in Great Lakes, Illinois.
A view of the US Navy Boot Camp base across from the training facilities
The "A School" was a three-month long program that started right after boot camp with no break to visit family. Graduating from the program offered a brief period of rest before being assigned to a command, a chance to rekindle ties with our families. However, the school's administrators had warned us against making travel arrangements. The course had weekly performance assessments. A low score could result in having to extend your time at the school.
Graduation Day for MR "A" School
As it would happen, I graduated on time -- mere days before Thanksgiving! I was given a plane ticket from Chicago, Illinois to Norfolk, Virginia, where my assigned ship was based.
I was still 18 and it was the year 2000. I had just a few hundred dollars in my account, a cellphone with barely any minutes on it, and very limited knowledge of how the world worked. With those limited resources, I made a bold decision. I used nearly all my savings to buy a plane ticket to see my family for Thanksgiving. I said goodbye to the friends I made, some of whom were still in Great Lakes. They offered their help and a place to stay if I ever found myself back in the area. Little did I know then that these relationships would become a lifeline in the future.
I flew to Dallas and enjoyed being back home for a few days. After the Thanksgiving celebrations, I broke it to my family that I really didn't have any idea how I would be able to get to the ship that I was assigned to. All I had was this ticket from Chicago to Norfolk. I had been told that I could change the departing airport, but I hadn't been told that there would be a cost! And it was expensive!
So, there I was, flat broke and stranded with no way I could afford the sky-high airfares, and my folks couldn't lend me any cash either. I was in serious trouble. I had to report back to my ship on time or else I'd be AWOL. Trust me, you don't want that. The punishment's severe, including a possible stint at Leavenworth.
I was glued to the phone, trying to find a way to get to Norfolk. This was before the era of travel websites. I did manage to find an affordable Amtrak ticket. The best plan, I figured, was to head back to Chicago and from there catch my flight to Norfolk.
The train journey was long but uneventful. I finally felt a bit relaxed knowing the train would get me close enough to catch a local train to the airport, and from there, my flight to Norfolk. I was on track to being the squared away sailor I always strived to be.
Finally, the train pulled into Chicago's Union Station. I had to get off - it was the last stop - but I was still 20 miles from the airport! Without a smartphone or even a cell phone, I had to rely on the kindness of strangers and decipher the labyrinth of the public transportation system. I managed to find a paper map and realized I could take a local train to the airport, but I would have to hoof it for several miles.
I stepped out into the chilly darkness, snow falling around me. Clad in my full uniform and with literally everything I owned packed into a giant green sea bag on my back, I began the long trek. I'd heard stories about how dangerous Chicago could be, but I had no other choice. A taxi was out of my budget.
When I finally spotted the local train platform, I felt relief washing over me. I got on and made it to the airport, only to be met with more disappointment at the ticket counter. My flight was canceled due to the snowstorm, and the weather wasn't expected to improve for days.
With an empty wallet and an emptier stomach, I remembered the offer of help from my friends in Great Lakes. They had said, "Give us a call if you're ever in the area and need anything." I decided to take them up on it and dialed the director of the USO on the base in Great Lakes. She wasn't in town but promised to find me a place to stay.
Turns out, there was a guy in the naval band who was willing to let me crash at his dorm, but I had to get there on my own. I felt defeated once again.
I spent the next few hours at the airport's USO. It was modest, with just a dozen chairs and some packaged cracker sandwiches. And then, a glimmer of hope. A couple of Navy drill instructors walked in, there to pick up a female recruit who was returning from a family emergency. They were headed to Great Lakes, just down the street from the naval band guy's dorm.
I decided to take a chance and asked if I could hitch a ride. They agreed, and off we went. It was a quiet ride back. They dropped me off inside the boot camp base, and I walked the rest of the way to the training base, sea bag on my back, in full uniform. Somehow, I made it off the base without being stopped as a suspected escaping recruit, which I found pretty funny.
Finally, I reached my friend's dorm. He gave me a bowl of warm soup, a wool blanket, and a spot on the floor. It wasn't much, but it sure beat the airport chairs.
My friends from the Great Lakes USO
After hanging out on the base for a few days and borrowing money for the MWR transport back to Chicago, I finally was able to catch my flight to Norfolk. Looking back on that experience, I can't believe the odds were stacked so high against me. But through perseverance and the kindness of friends and strangers, I was able to make it through and learn valuable lessons about resourcefulness and adaptability. This experience would serve as a foundation for my future career, both in the Navy, and as a business consultant. I'll always be grateful for the challenges and lessons learned during my journey to my first ship assignment.
This life story serves as a potent illustration of the value of having a reliable network, a lesson that is particularly pertinent for business owners. Just as I was reliant on the support of my fellow sailors and the kindness of strangers during my challenging journey, business owners too should cultivate a robust network of peers, mentors, and partners they can turn to in times of need. These relationships can provide critical assistance, whether it's strategic advice, resources, or simply a listening ear during challenging periods. The ability to leverage such a network can often mean the difference between succumbing to adversity and navigating through it to emerge stronger. In the complex world of business, just as in navigating from Chicago to Norfolk, having a reliable network isn't just a luxury - it's an essential survival tool.
A strong network can mean the difference between failure and success
The Frameworks Consortium can serve as a valuable addition to this survival toolkit for business owners. As a network of industry professionals, it provides access to a wealth of shared knowledge and expertise. Members can tap into this collective intelligence to navigate their business challenges, learning from others' experiences and perspectives. The consortium also organizes regular events and forums where members can connect, collaborate, and foster meaningful relationships. These relationships can evolve into partnerships or mentorship opportunities that further enhance the resilience and growth potential of the member businesses. In essence, by becoming part of the Frameworks Consortium, business owners are not just joining a network, they are investing in a community that can provide support, inspiration, and resources, helping them to weather storms and chart a course towards success.
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