Michael L Nazionale
Rank: Capt
Entered Into Eternal Rest
1992-10-29
36 MH60 Crash Utah
2 entries.
I am writing to share a humorous anecdote about Captain Michael Nazionale, who was Sergeant Nazionale when I attended Air Traffic Control school at Kessler AFB. He was a fantastic and fair leader throughout our time there, and I have so many fond memories from those months. While I could recount numerous stories, such as the bedsheet incident, the stolen duck (or was it a goose?), and the teammates playing barber until Sergeant Nazionale found out and confiscated the hair shears, there were also the gardening mishaps involving grass cutting debacles and bush hacking. All of these stories involve others,... Read more
I am writing to share a humorous anecdote about Captain Michael Nazionale, who was Sergeant Nazionale when I attended Air Traffic Control school at Kessler AFB. He was a fantastic and fair leader throughout our time there, and I have so many fond memories from those months. While I could recount numerous stories, such as the bedsheet incident, the stolen duck (or was it a goose?), and the teammates playing barber until Sergeant Nazionale found out and confiscated the hair shears, there were also the gardening mishaps involving grass cutting debacles and bush hacking. All of these stories involve others, but the one I’d like to share with you is the unforgettable "bed sheet incident," which centers on Sergeant Nazionale and me.
One particular night during bed check, someone paid a little too much attention to my bed sheets and reported it to Sergeant Nazionale. At that time, sleep was a precious commodity, given the demanding schedule of studying, attending classes, participating in rigorous calisthenics, and running. To make my living situation a bit more comfortable, I had my mother send me some extra pillows, a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and a blanket. Not thinking, I didn’t specify any particular color, like solid colors or stark white sheets, as I just wanted something that would save me time in the morning. To my surprise, what arrived were vibrantly flowered, pastel-colored sheets—certainly not the most military-appropriate option for the barracks!
Naturally, once Sergeant Nazionale became aware of the unconventional bed linens, it was only a matter of time before the situation became a team matter. Knowing Sergeant Nazionale, it didn’t surprise me how he handled the situation. He gathered the entire team to ask the big question. There was no ill intent, just friendly teasing that fostered camaraderie among the group. He selected the perfect moment, summoning everyone to a team meeting in formation. We all stood there, bewildered and unsure of what was about to happen. Then, with a knowing grin, he posed the iconic question: "Who here owns these pastel-colored sheets for their bed, and can you explain the reasoning behind this choice?"
With a sinking feeling and considerable embarrassment, I hesitantly raised my hand and admitted to being the owner. Following the ensuing laughter, he gently inquired about my explanation. I explained that I had asked my mother for a fresh set of sheets, unaware of the flowered, pastel-themed surprise she would send. I shared that at night, instead of removing my blanket and sheets to sleep, I would simply pull the pastel sheets, blanket, and pillow out of the closet and place them over my already meticulously made bed. This system saved me precious time in the mornings since I didn’t have to remake the bed. I would just roll up the pastel sheets, blanket, and pillow, and place them back in the closet, ready for the next evening's use. As for the bed itself, all I needed to do was smooth out any wrinkles, and the bed would look perfect in just seconds.
Sergeant Nazionale and the team all had a good laugh along with me. If you're wondering what happened to the bed sheets, Sergeant Nazionale told me to send them back home and insisted he didn't want to see any pastel sheets on my bed… LOL!... Collapse
One particular night during bed check, someone paid a little too much attention to my bed sheets and reported it to Sergeant Nazionale. At that time, sleep was a precious commodity, given the demanding schedule of studying, attending classes, participating in rigorous calisthenics, and running. To make my living situation a bit more comfortable, I had my mother send me some extra pillows, a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and a blanket. Not thinking, I didn’t specify any particular color, like solid colors or stark white sheets, as I just wanted something that would save me time in the morning. To my surprise, what arrived were vibrantly flowered, pastel-colored sheets—certainly not the most military-appropriate option for the barracks!
Naturally, once Sergeant Nazionale became aware of the unconventional bed linens, it was only a matter of time before the situation became a team matter. Knowing Sergeant Nazionale, it didn’t surprise me how he handled the situation. He gathered the entire team to ask the big question. There was no ill intent, just friendly teasing that fostered camaraderie among the group. He selected the perfect moment, summoning everyone to a team meeting in formation. We all stood there, bewildered and unsure of what was about to happen. Then, with a knowing grin, he posed the iconic question: "Who here owns these pastel-colored sheets for their bed, and can you explain the reasoning behind this choice?"
With a sinking feeling and considerable embarrassment, I hesitantly raised my hand and admitted to being the owner. Following the ensuing laughter, he gently inquired about my explanation. I explained that I had asked my mother for a fresh set of sheets, unaware of the flowered, pastel-themed surprise she would send. I shared that at night, instead of removing my blanket and sheets to sleep, I would simply pull the pastel sheets, blanket, and pillow out of the closet and place them over my already meticulously made bed. This system saved me precious time in the mornings since I didn’t have to remake the bed. I would just roll up the pastel sheets, blanket, and pillow, and place them back in the closet, ready for the next evening's use. As for the bed itself, all I needed to do was smooth out any wrinkles, and the bed would look perfect in just seconds.
Sergeant Nazionale and the team all had a good laugh along with me. If you're wondering what happened to the bed sheets, Sergeant Nazionale told me to send them back home and insisted he didn't want to see any pastel sheets on my bed… LOL!... Collapse
When I think of CCT SSgt Naz comes to mind. My introduction to CCT at Keesler AFB 1982. He taught me the "T" in CCT. Hy
When I think of CCT SSgt Naz comes to mind. My introduction to CCT at Keesler AFB 1982. He taught me the "T" in CCT.
Hy... Collapse
Hy... Collapse
