CQ

Yesterdays post about my time in the army triggered another Military Memory where I got in trouble for doing what I thought was the right thing to do. I was working the night shift at the welcome center at Fort Lewis which is where all new soldiers went to in processed. A family of 5 came in, Both parents were active duty. They were sure they would be able to wanted to get paid but sadly the pay checks were still going to the bank IN Germany, (which they had closed out.) We have to wait until the funds are sent back before we can issue payments. They had less than $20 on them . I ordered the family a pizza , paid for a cab to a local motel 6 and covered the room for a week. I was told I was not allowed to spend my money this way and was given weekly CQ duty for 3 months! For those that have not served in the military CQ duty is 24 hour duty doing pretty much nothing or doing stupid useless shit! This is a photo of people pulling CQ duty! Thankfully I got to transfer to out processing shortly after this experience.

Demoted

Cynthia Freese

In the late 80’s I was working in the military finance office in Washington DC. We had a shut down and people were calling me all day long to ask when they would receive pay. I politely gave them a very special number to call and told them to ask for George. Yes, I got demoted and fined for giving out the private number to the white house but I have no regrets.