September 4, 1973, Tuesday

I went to my captain’s mast today. I made sure that Wascowski had all the paperwork for it last week. I made sure his entire underlings saw the papers also. I need to control the trouble I get in to, I don’t need unsolicited help.

The captain’s mast was further proof Mr. Journal that I live in the Twilight Zone.

I was escorted in to the big room as usual. I took my place at the podium. The padre and his commander friends were in attendance. They were dressed in full uniform, metals and all.

The captain asked me why I made this request. It was normally for mistreatment. I said that is my point. The structure in this navy is contrary to how I am. In short I am bad for the navy. The navy is bad for me. We both are going to be mistreated, it’s in our nature. It’s better for you and me if I go away, sir. I officially ask for a separation from the navy.

The captain said, “Mr. Licata, I see you managed to find some trouble between the brig and now. Is this right? You refused to stop playing football in the hall. I’m not going to ask you how to play football in the hall. It is not in our interest. The issue before me is how I respond to your request for separation.” He looked over at the padre and his friends. “Mr. Licata I am going to ask you to take a seat.”

I sat at a chair next to the podium facing the captain. He asked the padre and his friends one by one to give testimonies. They said they having known me, believe that I will make a good sailor. I am going through a rough time. They have faith that I will get my shit squared away.

I have no idea why they are saying those things. It was my turn to give my last statement. I said, “The padre and the commander were out of their minds, with all due respect, sir.”

Padre laughed under his breath, as did the captain and the commander; the stenographer also had a grin. They didn’t expect that kind of a remark. I said, “Sir, are the sounds of the courts laughter to be entered by the stenographer as an official response?”

The captain said, “If it wasn’t before, it is now thanks to you Mr. Licata.” We laughed under our breath. I was about to point that out also, when the captain put his hand up for me to stop. He said, “That’s not necessary, Mr. Licata, I have made my decision. Your request for separation is denied.

As much as I enjoy our meetings Mr. Licata I don’t want to see you under these circumstances again. Therefore I am ordering a request for your transfer to be expedited. You are ordered to the transit barracks until such time as the order can be carried out. You are dismissed.” The captain stood up, we all stood at attention, and he left the room. I did my about-face and walked out the door. I waited for the padre.

Padre and one of his friends and me went for some lunch off base, we got drunk. Padre said that it was the captain who wanted them to testify on my behalf. He did say that he meant every word that he said. I can become a good sailor, he believes it. Once again I reminded him that he was crazy. Padre’s friend, the commander, said he didn’t have anything important happening today so here he was. He knew that Padre would take him out for a liquid lunch when we were finished. He was right about that.

Padre reminded me the captain was aware of what game I am playing. I said, “Then let the games begin or continue.” I was really drunk. Truth is, he can’t get my orders to me in less than two weeks. It’s the flaw in the system they set up.

Even if he took the request personally and walked it through and flew to DC, he couldn’t get it done before I could get wrote up. He would have to tell every sailor and marine that has a rank above me to let me do what I want. I don’t see that happening.

He found out if he locks me up then I am afforded more rights to throw a wrench in the system, with a requested captain’s mast. He doesn’t have the power to personally place me someplace else. For all purposes I am his pain in the ass, he wants to pawn me off, and nobody wants me. Later.