Author: Vic Socotra

Binnacle List

Many novice sailors, confusing the words ‘binnacle’ and ‘barnacle,’ have wondered what their illnesses had to do with crusty marine life growing on the hull of their ship. Their confusion is understandable. In nautical terminology, a ‘Binnacle’ is defined as the stand or housing for the ship’s compass, normally located on the navigational bridge. The […]

High Pressure

The departure of the high-pressure front last night gave us a spectacular set of booming thunderstorms and lightning strikes that I was confident were going to knock us off the grid. I stayed home to watch it, since I am working with a knee strain and a prolonged bout of vertigo. I started out the […]

Corn Medley

So, we were talking to lovely Heather at Front Page about what had happened since the last weekend, the progress in her attempt to model her romantic life on a country and western song. Jon-without was in shorts, a remarkable fashion statement for one who is normally sharply turned out. “Power transformer caught fire and […]

TAPS: Joyanne Jewett Johnson

TAPS Editor’s Note: The Navy family is smaller this month. Joy Johnson left us unexpectedly. Spouse of ADM Gregory G. Johnson, she was a presence in the life of dozens of air intelligence officers and members of senior staffs. She made the world better for living in it. “Grog” Johnson penned this loving obituary of […]

This Day in Detroit History

Social media being what it is these days, what with the Russians and NSA and all the other people who lurk out there collecting stuff, I will jut say that I have a friend in Detroit who works downtown in the RenCen. That friend keeps me abreast of some of the the things that are […]

DoDIIS Weaher Report

The weather at DoDIIS 2016 was sultry, but we had the chance to hang out with some of the Great Americans from both the old days of Naval intelligence OPINTEL and the genial inter-agency Usual Suspects. Joe Mazzafro took detailed notes, and led one of the break-out sessions. His observations are incisive as always, and […]

The Pearl Harbor Divert

The Naval Intelligence Professionals are proud to help channel the observations of our globe-trotting shipmate Jim Mueller. After sharing his trained professional observations of the air shows at Farnborough in the UK and at Oshkosh, WI, he has turned his attention (with his lovely bride Penny to keep him in line) to a return visit […]

Dot.Com (with Bacon)

I made a call on a major software company with a colleague yesterday. We were just feeling them out on their use of subcontractors, and as part of my campaign to run my battered Rolodex into the ground, was exploiting all my old contacts and colleagues, intending to exploit them to the most practiable manner […]

Four Years

(William Edwin Reddig, born 08 August 1923. Died 02 January 2014). OK- I know I have been a little spotty on The Daily of late, but I have my reasons. This would not be nearly as late as it is, if I did not have an electrifying encounter with Edgar the Turkey Buzzard. He is […]

VERKLEMPT

Editor’s Note: On the 5th of August, a remarkable naval officer and his lovely wife transitioned to civilian life after 33 years of dedicated service to the nation. The ceremony was held at the splendid Army-Navy Country Club’s Five Star Ballroom, overlooking the proud spire of the Washington Monument. As attendee Joe Mazafro noted, it […]