In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill shares news of his upcoming promotion—but his reaction is telling. He isn’t concerned with the ceremony or recognition, just the extra $40 a month and the new title of “Chief.” Like many warrant officers, he saw promotions as more of a bureaucratic formality than a milestone, focused more on the practical benefits than the prestige.
He also writes about the constant state of alert, the toll of restrictions, and the isolation of life on base. While he jokes about his growing collection of air medals, his real focus remains on home—Valentine’s cards from Suzie and the boys, gifts sent to family, and the small connections that keep him tethered to normalcy.
What’s Covered:
- Bill’s upcoming promotion and what it meant for warrant officers in Vietnam.
- The financial realities of military pay and why even a small raise mattered.
- How soldiers viewed promotion ceremonies versus the military’s emphasis on tradition.
- Life on base—restrictions, constant alerts, and the strain of isolation.
📷 Featured Photo: Mekong Manor Officer’s Club, a place where Chief and his friends spent time off duty.
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