Review of The Navy, it's not just a job, it's a grease gun rammed up your butt

[Alice Heritage]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Navy, it's not just a job, it's a grease gun rammed up your butt" by Jason Earley.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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"They're so homophobic, yet there's so much homosexual behavior. Only it's acceptable when it's done by people who are allegedly 'straight' and in the name of 'tradition'." (Quote from The Navy, it's not just a job, it's a grease gun rammed up your butt by Jason Earley.)

The above quote gives you a flavour of Jason Earley's short memoir about his experiences in the US Navy in the 1970s, from boot camp to looking back long after discharge. In explaining how he came up with that and other alternative versions of the Navy's advertising slogan, "It's not just a job, it's an adventure", he uncovers the realities of hazing and persecution. He recounts how the trauma activated a predisposition to schizophrenia (diathesis). So be warned that besides mental illness, this book explicitly references sex acts and assaults, with vulgar language throughout.

That's not the only type of language, though. Earley uses a range of vocabulary to convey many scenes and sensations. For example, he describes in detail the "mystical Samsonian fate" of getting a crewcut. In addition to being vivid, Earley's writing is funny. Although the subject matter had serious implications, his humour often made me chuckle. For example, here's a quote related to the persecution he received for being an atheist: "To this day, it is still socially acceptable to persecute an atheist. Trans, bi's, gays, queers, antisocials, felons, rapists, and even those who worship Xenu the mass-murdering intergalactic alien, are protected due to bias laws."

Earley cleverly incorporates a different perspective from his own in that some chapters take the form of a dialogue between him and a "psych". This individual asks some questions about Earley's own behaviour. Although this touch enriched the memoir, both Earley's responses to specific questions and the story more generally seemed to have parts missing. It's fair enough if the author doesn't want to share something or can't remember, but if so, I think this should have been explicitly stated. As is, the chapters had an uneven feel and the ending seemed abrupt. Not least because the entire book is very brief, I believe it could be improved by filling in some of those gaps.

In that connection, there is also room for improvement in the editing. I know the author did some work to correct the text, but some errors remain, adding to the impression that this is still a rough draft overall. Some words were real words that would have been spelt correctly had they been used with a different meaning in another context. One example of this is the use of "pinning" where "pining" was needed. There were also some formatting errors, for example involving punctuation, and chapter headings on the contents page that didn't match those in the body of the text.

Although this hits the mark as a frank, funny and thought-provoking memoir, I believe the quality could be improved if certain shortcomings were addressed, as detailed above. Weighing all this up, my rating is three out of five stars. I can recommend it to anyone interested in a personal account of naval service that doesn't shy away from the seamier side. This is suitable for mature readers who are not easily offended.

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The Navy, it's not just a job, it's a grease gun rammed up your butt
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Stephen Christopher 1]

The title alone grabbed my attention. Yes, it does sound like a rough draft; maybe he rushed to publish it, which is a shame. Despite the errors, though, I still have enough interest after your review that I'm adding it to my list. Thanks.

[Adina Lutinger]

This sounds like a thought-provoking book, and I admire the author for his sense of humor even when dealing with serious topics. It's a shame that the book has some gaps that have not been adressed and that the editing still has room for improvement. Thank you very much for the interesting and well-written review!

[Enkay Favour]

Jason Earley’s memoir offers a raw and humorous look at his experiences in the US Navy during the 1970s, tackling themes of hazing, persecution, and mental health. His vivid and candid storytelling provides a unique perspective on life in the military, though the book’s brief length and occasional editing issues might leave readers wanting more depth. A recommended read for those interested in a gritty, personal account of naval service.

[Emmanuel olowolayemo]

This summary is a review of Jason Earley’s memoir about his experiences in the US Navy during the 1970s. The review highlights the contradictory nature of homophobia within the Navy, where homosexual behavior is tolerated if disguised under "tradition" and conducted by those who identify as "straight." Earley’s narrative, peppered with dark humor, recounts the trauma of hazing and persecution, which triggered his schizophrenia. The memoir is both explicit in its content and language, touching on sex, assaults, and mental illness.

Earley’s writing is described as vivid and humorous, using a wide range of vocabulary to portray various scenes, such as the symbolic importance of a crewcut. The memoir also includes a dialogue format where Earley interacts with a "psych," offering different perspectives, although the reviewer notes that these sections sometimes feel incomplete.

The review also points out issues with the memoir’s editing, citing spelling and formatting errors that give the impression of an unfinished draft. Despite these shortcomings, the memoir is praised for its candidness and humor, earning a three out of five stars. The reviewer recommends it to mature readers who are interested in a raw, unfiltered look at naval service.

[Gerry Steen]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Navy, it's not just a job, it's a grease gun rammed up your butt" by Jason Earley.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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Share This Review

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"They're so homophobic, yet there's so much homosexual behavior. Only it's acceptable when it's done by people who are allegedly 'straight' and in the name of 'tradition'." (Quote from The Navy, it's not just a job, it's a grease gun rammed up your butt by Jason Earley.)

The above quote gives you a flavour of Jason Earley's short memoir about his experiences in the US Navy in the 1970s, from boot camp to looking back long after discharge. In explaining how he came up with that and other alternative versions of the Navy's advertising slogan, "It's not just a job, it's an adventure", he uncovers the realities of hazing and persecution. He recounts how the trauma activated a predisposition to schizophrenia (diathesis). So be warned that besides mental illness, this book explicitly references sex acts and assaults, with vulgar language throughout.

That's not the only type of language, though. Earley uses a range of vocabulary to convey many scenes and sensations. For example, he describes in detail the "mystical Samsonian fate" of getting a crewcut. In addition to being vivid, Earley's writing is funny. Although the subject matter had serious implications, his humour often made me chuckle. For example, here's a quote related to the persecution he received for being an atheist: "To this day, it is still socially acceptable to persecute an atheist. Trans, bi's, gays, queers, antisocials, felons, rapists, and even those who worship Xenu the mass-murdering intergalactic alien, are protected due to bias laws."

Earley cleverly incorporates a different perspective from his own in that some chapters take the form of a dialogue between him and a "psych". This individual asks some questions about Earley's own behaviour. Although this touch enriched the memoir, both Earley's responses to specific questions and the story more generally seemed to have parts missing. It's fair enough if the author doesn't want to share something or can't remember, but if so, I think this should have been explicitly stated. As is, the chapters had an uneven feel and the ending seemed abrupt. Not least because the entire book is very brief, I believe it could be improved by filling in some of those gaps.

In that connection, there is also room for improvement in the editing. I know the author did some work to correct the text, but some errors remain, adding to the impression that this is still a rough draft overall. Some words were real words that would have been spelt correctly had they been used with a different meaning in another context. One example of this is the use of "pinning" where "pining" was needed. There were also some formatting errors, for example involving punctuation, and chapter headings on the contents page that didn't match those in the body of the text.

Although this hits the mark as a frank, funny and thought-provoking memoir, I believe the quality could be improved if certain shortcomings were addressed, as detailed above. Weighing all this up, my rating is three out of five stars. I can recommend it to anyone interested in a personal account of naval service that doesn't shy away from the seamier side. This is suitable for mature readers who are not easily offended.

******
The Navy, it's not just a job, it's a grease gun rammed up your butt
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

It will be enlightening to read an insider's view of the Navy and its rituals. It cannot be easy to be a sailor. The boat is probably akin to a prison in some respects. Because of the mystery surrounding the Navy, I am interested in reading this book, in spite of the sub-par editing. Thank you for this honest and informative review.

[Emmanuel Chima 3]

The book seems to offer a compelling, if uneven, narrative that doesn't shy away from controversial topics. It sounds like a thought-provoking read, despite needing some polishing.

[Nuella Joseph]

It sounds like Jason Earley’s memoir offers a raw and candid look into his experiences in the Navy, blending humor with serious subjects. While it appears to provide a unique perspective, the editing issues and missing details might make it feel a bit unfinished. I’m intrigued by the balance of humor and heavy themes, but I’ll keep in mind the roughness you mentioned.

[Luiza Adela]

The quote about atheists really caught my attention. It’s interesting how the book highlights the contrast between accepted biases and protected groups. The author’s humor seems sharp, but I can see how this memoir might also be quite thought-provoking. Definitely a bold perspective!