Atropine Department: Rx Author: Peter Era: 1979 Date: 02/01/05 When I reported aboard IKE in '79, I was told that shortly before I arrived, they had stripped all the auto-injector Atropine out of the repair lockers. Evidently, sailors had discovered you could get stoned from the stuff. Not sure what they expected us to do if we ever got hit with nerve gas...but at least we wouldn't be stoned when we died. Some things never change. In the 1800's they had to station a watch over the binacle to keep sailors from drinking the alcohol (consequently rendering the compass useless) and here we are 2 centuries later and sailors are still putting themselves and the ship in peril (by stealing the atropine) - all in the quest of getting stoned.

weird scene at the Cave Department: Rx Author: Charlie Era: 1981 Date: 02/02/05 Pete R, Wags and I spent one winter day after the IO at a place in Va Beach called the Zodiac Lounge playing pool among ourselves. We were pretty hammered when a couple of civilians challenged us for beers. After the 3 of us in various combinations graciously bought these guys a lot of beer, we decided to depart for another place called the Cave. Wags discovered that someone had decided they liked his old leather jacket enough to make it their own and got really pissed off. He ranted about it all the way to the Cave, but started calming down when the band started playing there. After a while, nature called and when I got back, there was some dude cleaning up broken glass where we were hanging out. In a fit of rage Wags smashed a bottle on the floor and got him and Pete kicked out. After I showed up, I was also told I wasn't welcome at the Cave anymore. It was a long time before I was ever kicked out of another bar again. Later on that.

Foward RC Berthing Department: Rx Author: Mike Greaney AKA Pit Beast Era: 1988 Date: 02/02/05 When the ship came out of the yards, or maybe before that, the Senior RC folks had their own little 18 rack berthing. It was on the port side just off the fwd messdecks. 18 racks but only 15 were used becuase 3 sat right by the TV. It was for RO/SRO qualified only. It was our small piece of heaven compared to the 200 stinky racks in Aft berthing. I heard from an ex-Ike mate that some Chief thought it was not a good idea to have all the ET's in one area so it went away. How sad. We even had a cool painting on the wall with the RC motto "Hours of Boredom Seconds of Panic" with a picture of a slot machine with the three Cheeries. Any one remember what the 3 Cherries are? I think it is low Pzr pressure , HI power and low Pzr level. But that was many moons ago. I have a picture of us up there in berthing with that logo on the wall.

the Shillelagh Inn Department: Rx Author: Charlie Era: 1984 Date: 02/04/05 After the 82 and 83 Med Cruises, the Noodle Gang relocated to Va Beach. We discovered this dive called the Shillelagh Inn that had a mixed clientel of squids and bikers. Bill Bailey, the owner was a retired Marine that usually was drunk and tending the bar. He took a liking to us because we were major contributors to his bank account and provided good entertainment. One occasion, Bill was away and left Nazi Bob in charge. Nazi Bob was a humorless man. Tim Palange was out with us this night and was being very loud and boisterous. Tim didn't even drink, he just laughed uncontrollably when anyone said or did something funny, which was about 90% of the time. Well ol' Nazi Bob thought Tim was drunk and tried to kick him out.That's when it really got loud because he had a bunch of loud and obnoxious drunks rising to Tim's defense. I don't know if the threats to have Bill fire him or just the fear of a riot breaking out scared him, but he backed down and actually started being nice to us.

nicknames from early 80's Department: Rx Author: charlie Era: 1984 Date: 02/09/05 Remember these? Waterhead, Rubberhead, Football Head, Shovelhead, Spoonface, Zoid, Stroobie, Geek, Sal the Pal, BDB, LDB, Massive Ed, Rock-n-Roll Ed, Bummer Ed, Mombo, Bootlip, Naked Bill, T-Bear, Fat,Loud,and obnoxious, Teifer the Lifer, Mork the Dork, Major Mike, Fast Fred, Bobo, Dangerous Dave, Cliff the Drift, Bro Dro, Noodles, Aux Noodles, UN-Noodles, Kempsville Quiche-eaters.

Brother Charlie at Boston Blackies Department: Rx Author: Wags Era: 1981 Date: 02/09/05 One evening in Naples, the Noodle Gang was getting drunk in this lovely little dive near the end of the pier called Boston Blackie's. Anyway's we were smashed as usual playing the juke-box and singing along as loudly as possible. Somewhere along the line, the question came up as to who was more influential to music; Bruce Springsteen or Hank Williams. After a bunch of haggling, Brother Pete announced, "Hank Williams sucks!". At which point Brother Charlie coined the infamous saying, "Your gonna die now fat boy". Got up from his chair, and pulled back his arm to punch Pete. Unfortuantly for Charlie the Shore Patrol had been watching us somewhat closely. As Chuck pulled back his arm two Shore Patrols grabbed him from the rear and hauled his ass back to Ike. After we got back to Ike, we woke Charlie up to see how he was doing. At which point he uttered the even more infamous, "gonna die now fat boy and there aint no Shore Patrol to save you!"

Primary Valve Operator Department: Rx Author: Peter Era: 1983 Date: 02/09/05 Remember all the training Nukes had to go through just to open a friggin' primary valve? Christ we even had to qualify Primary Valve Operator as if it were a watchstation. Special valve wrenches, torque specs, molycoat (Is that what it was called?)... Anyway, all that went out the window once, when Chief Colpus went to operate a stubborn valve. I talked to someone who was there and he said Colpus threw his (considerable) weight into unsticking this valve. ... And it did just what NRO feared it would (which is why they had established such elaborate training) - It broke. So we spent the rest of the cruise with CDV-1D poly bagged, and the primary system compromised. Because he was a Senior Chief he never came to grief about it - and in true Naval tradition, placed the entire blame on the valve itself! But then, who am I to talk - I once almost delayed the RX startup due to breaking one of the dogs on the R/C door. - But we ended up getting it repaired in time...

Department: Rx Author: KP Era: 1988 Date: 02/10/05 Hey Ike boys, Just wanted to say I enjoy reading your tales. When I started the "KP" site I had hoped other ships would do likewise so I could have something interesting to read. There is nothing I like more than sea stories. Hopefully this site will inspire another nuke from another ship to start collecting his shipmates memories, too. Best of luck to you all. Ram Tuli, "aka KP," RE Div, CVN 65 1986 - 1990

Thanks KP Department: Rx Author: Peter Era: 1980 Date: 02/10/05 Hi KP, Thanks! - I was inspired by your Enterprise/Nuke webbsite From reading the stories there, it's grattifying to see that the same shenanigans that made my jaw drop whilst aboard IKE were, in fact, rampant on other vessels in the Navy. You have to give the Navy credit - despite being manned by misfits and outcasts - the mission that sailors accomplish(ed) is truly impressive!

Chinese in Haifa Department: Rx Author: Charlie Era: 1982 Date: 02/12/05 In March 82, we were in Haifa, Israel, one of our better ports. All the Noodles were touring the place sharing a bottle of Scotch we picked up and stopped at a bar when it was finished. There was a vase at our table, and Pete R decided the rose in it looked pretty tasty. When I chastised him, he spit it out at me, prompting a challenge to step outside. We were arguing pretty good but not throwing any punches. One of us spotted a Chinese resturant there in the alley, so we figured eating Chinese was better than fighting. After we started eating, I ran out in the alley and puked. The poor Chinese lady thought her food had made me sick and tried to get me to drink some tea, but I just sat there with my head on the table in terrible shape. I don't remember much else about that day, but I never drank Scotch again.