Last word on the Bud Factor

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Well, the Bud Factor article generated a little more interest than I would have expected, and the responses all followed a common theme: I was wrong. Here is more evidence from Frank, a Navy veteran.

OK. So here’s my “Bud Factor” story.

That fateful day back in 1977, I was pretty hung over (or perhaps still under the influence) the morning I took the Navy’s Officer Qualifying Test at NAS Glenview.

Did the Bud Factor work? Well, not only was I accepted into OCS Newport (as an 1805 no less) but, up until that time, I had received the second highest score ever on that test given within the Midwest Recruiting Area!

And all remembered about that test was one multiple choice question: “What rank do you aspire to become in the Navy?” At the time it struck me as an odd question to ask. Anyway, I think the choices were sometime like “A. Admiral, B. Captain, C. Commander, D. Lieutenant”. I chose “B. Captain” figuring that would be pretty good; though being from the Midwest farm country and knowing nothing about the Navy I was thinking of ‘Captain’ — like in the Army! When I finally made Navy LT, I figured I had reached my goal and that any promotion after that was pure gravy!

So I guess there’s something to be said for low expectations.

Thanks, Frank!

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  1. Frank (and the rest of the crowd) will find this hard to believe but in 1974 I took the OQQ at Glenview as I considered the officer corps.

    I had just graduated from Northwestern, and wanted to stay in the SecGru. I was told that because of my degree (BS in Speech) that I would have to go into the PAO biz in the Navy.

    I was a CT Chief in the reserves and decided to stay there, but I was told by the administrator that I had scored the Highest score in the history of Glenview.

    Next time I’m in Chi we need to go visit the Mensa meeting together.

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