Breaking Point

Lieutenant Commander Jason Farmer reports aboard the USS Topeka in Norfolk, VA. An old enemy of his, Captain Stuben , a small minded, vindictive man, is in command. Stuben informs Jason that he will see to it that Jason is not promoted to Commander and furthermore, he will break him before the tour is over. Their relationship goes downhill from there.

Lieutenant Commander Jason Farmer is not looking forward to reporting aboard the Topeka, a US Navy ship which carries 20 Officers and 400 enlisted men and has the capability to carry 400 marines and deliver them to any hot spot in the world. Jason had a run-in with the commanding officer when he was a Lieutenant and the C.O. was a Commander. Jason is now a Lieutenant Commander and the C.O. is a Captain and in command of the Topeka. Jason reports aboard as the Operations officer and the Captain informs Jason that he will see to it that he is not promoted, and also, he will break him. Their relationship culminates with the C.O. being relieved of command.

Tom Johnson is retired from the U.S. Navy after twenty years service with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He lives in the Florida panhandle.