Re: That's why you get to know the security people
A similar incident occurred just a few weeks after I joined the RN.
The training establishment was HMS Ganges, which meant that all of the trainees (trogs) were between 15 & 16 years old. One such trog was on duty at the guard post. The duty RPO (a hideous breed spoored by the devil himself) had been briefed that, as the Captain, HMS Ganges, was attending a 'do' at the wardroom (officers mess) that night there was to be no cars allowed in via the wardroom gate. Duty RPO instructed trog (mentioned above) that "No cars were to eneter via the wardroom gate."
You can see where this is going can't you.
Trog, now standing watch all by his lonesome, has been turning away cars for a while now. And a BIG cars arrives. Trog stops the car and asks the driver to use the main gate as this one is closed. (well the actual gates were wide open but he was guarding them gates and he had bin told that they wus closed.
The cars rear window lowers to reveal an Officer,who was NOT impressed. "Do you know who I am?" he asked. "No Sir," said trog saluting. "Please may I see your ID card Sir?"
The seated Officer, now ready to rip body parts off people, showed his ID card. (Showing your ID is always a GOOD IDEA. As the guards have the right, privilege and AUTHORITY to request ID from ANYONE.) The trog handed the ID back and said "I know who you are now Sir, you're The Captain, HMS Ganges. The Captain nodded, pleased at having been recognized at last. "Now may I enter my ship?" he asked. The trog replied "No Sir, please use the main gate. I have been briefed that this gate is closed tonight."
Seething Captain relents and tells his, white faced, driver to go round to the main gate.
At the main gate the Captain stops and inquires WHO briefed the guard on the wardroom gate.
All fingers point to the Duty RPO. Who is also now white faced. But he's trembling as well.
At the conclusion to this sad tale, the RPO got a reprimand, a serious blot on ones record, and a VERY swift move to another ship. And the trog got a written commendation, for following orders inspite of the obvious difficulty he was in.
gen dit honest!