Came across another fitness report, this one covering 10 October 1970 through February 1971. According to it, I was performing a lot better than reflected in my initial FITREP at Commander, Naval Special Warfare Group, Pacific.
You may recall that my earlier FITREP recommended I not be considered for retention in the Navy beyond my initial commitment. Among my grades in “personal characteristics,” my lowest were in “moral courage” and “judgment.” That report had been written upon the departure of the commanding officer, relatively soon after I had expressed objection to prospective orders to Vietnam. This report was part of the regular schedule.
This report was signed by a new CO, CAPT R.F. Stanton, but very likely written by the Chief Staff Officer, CDR Robinson. I had worked with him for a longer period of time, of course, and more closely. I had advanced from assistant to the position of Intelligence Officer at the beginning of February, succeeding my boss, LT Webber.
“LTJG MCDONALD has continually improved in performance during this period,” CDR Robinson wrote in the COMMENTS section. “He has proved to himself and others his ability as an extremely capable Intelligence Officer. He is a superb briefer and supplies this staff with valuable information necessary in the conduct of its mission. LTJG MCDONALD is recommended for positions of greater responsibility should he decide to stay in the Navy. He is recommended for promotion when due.”
In the lexicon of Navy fitness report writing, not stellar overall, but not terrible.
In terms of “grades,” my overall performance in various categories was rated as equally the top level of “outstanding” or the next lower level of “outstanding.” My overall evaluation was in the top rung of “An excellent officer of great value to the service.”
In “personal characteristics,” most of the ratings were “One of the top few.” Four — moral courage, industry, imagination, and personal behavior — were in the top rung of “Above the majority.” (Must have been my shenanigans at CDR Robinson’s holiday party and subsequent traffic citation.)
For the first time, however, I had a grade in the uppermost category of “Is not exceeded.” The characteristic was “military bearing,” described as “His [sic] military carriage, correctness of uniform, smartness of appearance and physical fitness.” !!