Should I have told-off my buddy?
 

I think I learned a life lesson this past weekend...just because you were friends with someone years ago doesn't mean you'll get along with them today. I met up with a buddy I was enlisted in the Navy with a few years ago, after not seeing him for years. He is now in officer training, and decided to call me up so he could crash at my place until his plane left to go back home to New York. After picking him up from the airport, we went to eat. Almost the whole dinner he ranted about how he is going to go back to some old units just to get a few enlisted peons to salute him now that he has his gold bars. He also told me, "hey, don't worry you don't have to salute me...if I'm in a good mood." Then he went on to ask why my wife and I were wasting food, since I set some of my burger toppings aside. He then grabbed them off my plate and ate them. The remaining evening and following day consisted of him treating me like a boot camp recruit, while raiding my pantry and stuffing his pockets with goodies for the flight home. When dropping him off at the airport, I told him he needed to grow up and basically said he had turned into a tool. I was proud that I didn't resort to profanity or worse. I don't know if he changed during ROTC, or I just didn't hang out with him enough years ago to know what he was really like. Anyway, I didn't want to burn bridges but I just couldn't take it anymore.

If what you say happened closely approximates what actually happened, you done good. He is clueless and probably thought you and he were closer than you and he actually were. Also, he may have thought he was being funny with the saluting thing. It looks to me like he doesn't know who he is let alone knowing who you are. But, he's gone. Good.

"after not seeing him for years"
How many years are we talking about? And how many years did you know him?
Jim

Some folks never get a clue.....increased bone density of the head perhaps? You did right by not going off.

Thanks, I wish I was exaggerating, but unfortunately I'm not. Most of the dinner, my wife and I sat there stunned as though we were on a hidden camera show. I think he has some issues, but like you said he's gone now so oh well....

Quick question, did he buy your dinner?

Nothing worse than someone who invites themselves over to your house and can't make a small gesture of picking up the tab at a restaurant. If he didn't, that was an early sign that the rest of the weekend was going to suck.

I think you did the right thing. The guy sounds like a real tool.

No, we paid for our own meals...he didn't offer, I guess I should have picked up on that.

About 2 years of not seeing him, I've known him about 4 years total. We were pretty good friends during the first few years. However, the time I knew him best he was enlisted in the Navy...now he is a big-shot officer who felt he was too good to grace me with his presence. Ah well...

Don't worry, those "gold bars" (Captain?) will do him no good when he gets around real officers.
He better hope those gold bars are chocolate filled! Some where down the line there will be someone, maybe a Rear Admiral, or another Captain, or such that'll make him eat those things if he keeps up the boorish behavior.
You did good by not dropping to his level.

All O-1s are stupid know it all jackasses. I used to be known for torturing 2nd louie's in my unit. :)

He'll probably be cured once he gets promoted to O-2.

All my friends and family know that you NEVER have to guess what Rob is thinking ;)

you done good, be happy with yourself

In this country we call people like that real ferkin wankers. Instead invite Dueller's mate around. He seems to have some excellent manners and other great social skills.

I once saw a newly minted O-1, right out of Quantico sort of dress down a Master Gunnery Sargent, with about 10 hash marks, in front of the platoon. I think everyone right down to the buck privates had their jaw hit the deck. He did it once.

Guys like that are the ones who lead their platoon into battle and wind up with a bullet in the back.

I was disappointed to read about your buddies attitude now that he is a Ensign...what is odd is that many of the best officers I served with were prior enlisted, really the finest kind of person you want in a Wardroom.

Your buddy is headed for disaster.

First: Thank you for YOUR service.

You did a good deed with your words. Do not worry a bit. The military system of all services sorts this bull**** out quickly one way or the other my friend. He'll end up a solid officer or on the street, no two ways about it.

Your friend will make a poor officer unless someone straightens him out. If he makes it to Lt JG, it will be a long time.

I thought they taught them better than that. Gunny stayed a pro, "yes sir, no sir" the entire time, I guarantee it.

CPO's run the Navy, Gunny's run the Army, isn't that common knowledge?

SFCs run the Army, Gunnys run the Corps. On topic, your buddy is an odd case. Most prior enlisted officers I've known were far superior leaders to the average rotc product.

Not to worry..
someone will help him look good & smart...NOT
this is like giving un-called for grief to medics,cooks,supply or your finance clerk..
remember a guy like this giving grief to a finance clerk in AM..
came to collect $ PM..only to be told..
well Sir...seems you don't exist..= no $ and headaches...

Rika