CLIMB UP TO THE TOWER by: Bob Stepp 24 NOV, 2001

They send you off to "A" School
for controllers there is a need.
You will have to work your butt off
if you are going to succeed.

You wind your way through "Weather"
then "Airport" without a hitch.
"Navigation" is a little tougher
and "Air Route" is a stone cold bitch.

You get your "C.T.O."
and at last you graduate.
Time for your first assignment
we'll see there how you rate.

Climb up to the tower
take a look around.
Check the wind and the weather
the crew chief says "Sit Down".

You thought that school was over
were you ever wrong!
The training is just beginning
it lasts your whole life long.

You learn about the runways
the obstructions and the lights.
The frequencies and the call signs
it takes some long hard nights.

The Gunny thinks you're ready
it's time to take the test.
You're going to get your "Juniors"
hold your head up with the rest.

Climb up to the Tower
now you take control.
You handle local traffic
but you're still on parole.

Now it's off to school again
for knowledge of a new kind.
Words like radar, servos, cursors,
on glide path, take a wave off, comes to mind.

You're now a final controller
with knowledge and skill on your side.
You make a few hundred approaches
and then you're "instrument qualified".

Then it's off to "B" School
it's the toughest in this division.
You must handle "Instrument" traffic
with calm and cool precision.

You're now an Approach Controller
one of the elite, which means
you get to study and monitor
to take control of all sorts of scenes.

Time flies at a rapid pace
you get your "Seniors" and some rank.
Next you're Crew Chief, then NCOIC
there are lots of folks to thank.

Climb up to the Tower
lay your headset down.
It's time to end your tour
to spend your time down on the ground.

Put your "Blues" in mothballs,
hang your sword upon the wall.
Plan for reunions with MATCA
it's been a Long, Hard, Wonderful Haul.

EXTRA BONUS!!!

When the monsoon rains came to Chu Lai, Viet Nam, in 1965, even the smallest depression became a pond overnight. At the pond nearest the Marine Air Traffic Control Unit a neatly lettered sign appeared. "Officers Swimming Pool--Please Don't Feed The Gators" MSgt Bob Stepp USMC Ret.