Work life at NavSta Midway was basically just like having a job. Report to work in the Morning, leave at quiting time. Unless you were in that days "Duty Section" ! If it was your day to stand the duty, at quiting time you reported to the duty office. There were 3 major duty positions to be filled. Duty Storekeeper, Assistant Duty Storekeeper, and Duty Driver. Duty SK was in charge, usually a third class but sometimes a Seaman. They were responsible for keeping the duty log, and making sure any emergency issues were properly documented. At times that meant getting up in the middle of the night to go to the Airstation, and get paperwork signed for the Aircraft Refuelers when a Non-Midway flight refueled. at times commercial aircraft would be diverted to Midway because of weather or other problems at Wake or another atoll in the area.We liked this because commercial airlines meant pretty stewardess.
Assistant SK is pretty basic, he helped the Duty SK, and when the Duty SK was not in the office he was in charge. Then there was Duty Driver, He made messenger runs to the communications center, checked the security on the reefers and various out buildings. and also kept a log of the reefer temperatures. If a unit was too warm he would go get the Duty SK and they would investigate. If necessary they would inform the Duty Section Leader, a First or Second Class SK.
The duty driver was the only member of the duty section to have duties in the workday part of the day. He was the Messenger, Picked up the Mail if we had a Mail Call, and made coffee for the ladies in the office. Also if we had a VIP coming in on on the bi-weekly flight he was chauffeur. I was the Duty Driver the day a new Ensign reported to the Supply Department. I waited for the "Log Flight" to arrive at Midway International, and checked out all the new Officers. I saw a young man with the supply oak leaf insignia, and approached him. I asked "Ensign Walischien?" (sp) and he said Yes!. I introduced my self as Storekeeper Seaman Apprentice Dickey at you service SIR!!" He introduced me to his wife, and WOW She was a good lookin lady.and wearing a short skirt. Keep in mind there were only dependents! NO natives. Well I was impressed lol. I loaded there luggage onto the 3/4 ton Flatbed Ford, and opened the passenger door for them. When I got into the truck, There were her legs right by the 4-speed. DDANG. I composed myself and drove them to their quarters and was real careful when I shifted. I carried their luggage in and saluted smartly and left. As it turns out They and I became good friends. I was invited to their quarters on occasion to have dinner, and visit. He was in charge of my area, and she worked as a Secretary in the office. I still remember her as one of the nicest prettiest ladies I have ever met. He was a great officer, and coached our department Baseball team. at our first game he informed us that he had reserved the back room of the EM Club for our Victory party! I replied what if we lose? He replied then we will go drown our sorrows. We did a little of each during the season but always had a team party and good time after.
As the duty section you had to stay overnight in the warehouse. we had a small cubicle by the office, and there was one single bed and 1 bunk bed. At one point my Friend Howie Collins, was usually Duty SK, I was Assistant, and a black man named Sweat! was our duty driver. we kept this group together because we mad a good team, and we enjoyed each others friendship. Sweat was easily frightened. And Howie and I were always ready to scare him. Howie was on the single rack, and I was on the lower bunk when Howie started telling scary stories. I waited until Sweat was totally engrossed in Howie's story, and slid my hand up the wall and just as Howie yelled, I goosed Sweat in the back. He wound up in bed with Howie LMAO. I thought he was going to kill me. Another time Howie deliberately left a light on in the front office, he asked Sweat to go turn it off. Well along the aisle going to the office were rows of shelves for supplies. I grabbed a bed sheet, and covered with it, and waited. As Sweat was walking back, Howie was talking to him to assure him, Howie said the secret word (LOL) and I jumped out covered with the sheet. I though he was going to have a heart attack. We made the duty very fun.
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