RADM Paul Shebalin was the relief for RADM Steve Israel. During the initial turnover, we traveled everywhere as a threesome: GS-15/CAPT and COMO Paul (1-star) and RADM Steve (2-star). We differed in height by 4-inches each: Steve 5-7, Curt 5-11, Paul 6-2. Amusing. Paul was promoted to 2-stars 2-years later, pretty much standard in USNavy. Sadly, Paul passed in 2020.

Paul and I had a long career together, almost mysterious. When I graduated from NPS with my MSEE-Digital Systems, I was assigned to the place where computers were specified, purchased, and maintained. When I reported, I was given the desk currently occupied by civilian contractor Paul, who was a LCDR Engineering Duty Reserve Officer. When Paul was CO of a reserve unit in Dahlgren, he went searching for an XO and found me. I followed him as CO of that same unit.

When he made Admiral, I was his chief of staff as a GS-15 as a civ and a CAPT (O6) in uniform.

Longer story coming soon…