Not that anyone has missed me since no one sees this but me but I know I've been remiss but things at work have been bad. If you have ever had virus run through your network you understand. Days are long and night only brings the "what's going to happen tomorrow" syndrome I've been in for 6 weeks. God help me if I ever find these a--holes who create these things, I'll be on my way to jail so fast. Six weeks and still fighting the son of a bi---. But that's my problem.
Why I wanted to post is because of a GREAT website for those of us that can't find people we served with. I know everyone knows about it, but we neglect to go and do things when we hear about them. I did know of this site, but blew it off because of my love of CTO SeaDogs. But this site is one of the best I've ever run across for those of us that want to feel that service connection again. Cripes I found 6 people I haven't thought about for years. Each branch has their own site. But GOOGLE it and you find the right one for you. I am thrilled. I found someone that I served with back in 1979 that I forgot all about until I looked at his profile and it all came rushing back. Really if you think you are immune you aren't, trust me. I am going back now just to look. Those of us that served know how important it is to remember everyone not just our friends because you never know. You could be fighting next to them someday or they'd save your life the next. Only those of us who had b---s enough to go understand. So if you did, please check out the site of your branch. You never know if you are going to find someone you haven't thought about for years or not. I put in one of my commands (Valley Forge what else) and found that some of my old crew was in there (they worked for me). Wow. And I thought I would never hear from these guys again after I left the ship. Check it out. You might surprise yourself.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Life Today
So NASCAR has been on a few weeks, and I leave a week from today for Phoenix. I have three races I attend ever year with season tickets to both (sort of). Phoenix Spring, Bristol August, and Phoenix Fall. I love all three and both tracks are great in their own way. PIR is my "home" track. I have been going since 1998. I have an end seat in the Allison Grandstands in between turn 1 and 2. It's the only area to watch the races there. It's covered so you don't burn if it's hot, and you don't get wet when it rains. Bristol I have a ticket by virtue of Phoenix. My father and I used to stay at a Holiday in downtown and about 5 years back, we met up with a few couples that were out for the race from Kentucky. Aubrey, Laura and my father and I hit it off right away. Aubry and Laura are one of those folks who doesn't have an enemy in the world.
Well Aubrey told us, if we ever wanted to go to Bristol, all we had to do was get there. He told us that on the first night we met him, and for the next two years (Phoenix Fall race is on his yearly race schedule). Well two years ago, I took him up on his offer. My Dad and I schedule a flight, called Aubrey and told him we were coming. Sure enough he said he had a seat for us. Unfortunately, my Dad couldn't make it for health reasons, but I decided to go anyway. Let me tell you now, Bristol is like a dream come true for me. Since I started watching NASCAR, I have always wanted to go to Bristol. SO I flew to Louisville, Kentucky (which by the way, I don't care for even after 20 years of doing it in the service). Aubrey and Laura were there to meet me and he had surgery just that afternoon. That right there tells you what kind of a guy he is. They live in Georgetown and I didn't get there until late at night (another story for another time). I stayed in his sons room that night. Unfortunately he didn't feel up to going to Bristol the next day, but he introduced me to his one of his buddies, Homer the next morning and off we went. Of course, we had to stop for beer for me and Aubrey lives in a dry county (another subject I'll touch on one of these days). Needless to say, there aren't too many Foster's Oil Can drinkers in Kentucky, so that was a chore all by itself. But Homer was in no hurry and didn't seem to mind stopping twice to get enough to get me through the weekend races.
We finally arrived at the camp grounds that afternoon and found the spot where all the rest of Aubrey's buddies were. I was timid about being the new guy, but these folks are the greatest. Within 5 minutes I had a glass jar in my hand, and these folks didn't know me from Adam. But I guess Aubrey had read them all the riot act that I was going to have a good time without fail. I quickly learned that I fit in just fine. I was in heaven. A cold beer, camping for the races, and the Bristol Busch race was still to come that night. I was treated like a king the entire weekend and they watched over me like protective parents.
We got on the bus and headed to the track, beer in hand and a few other "things" in the everyones cooler. I wanted to take in Bristol with a clear head so I just took the one beer. That was the right thing to do. I feel like a damned fool, but I couldn't hide the tears of joy that kept falling. I just couldn't believe I was really there. To make a long story short, it's been on my schedule for the last two years. I hate the flying but I wouldn't miss it for the world now. There isn't a bad seat in the house and you literally can watch the whole track so you hardly ever miss the action. The weekend was outstanding in every way. It's on my schedule for as long as I am able to walk (and I don't think if I was wheelchair bound that I would miss it).
On the way back to Aubrey's, the money I had paid for the ticket was pushed into my shirt pocket. I was told, Aubrey told them, all I had to do was get there so I wasn't allowed to pay for my ticket. Same thing last year, and somehow, someway this year I am making him take my money.
Don't get me wrong, Phoenix is great track too. I feel like I'm home there. They know how to put on a race and how to move the folks in and out without too much of a wait. My only real complaint about Phoenix is you can't take anything but water in, so you are at their mercy for the cost of beer. It's pretty high ($5.50 a beer last year) and unfortunately, their selection is limited to Bud and Miller Lite. I hate it but racing without beer just wouldn't cut it. So I'm ready for my trip to Phoenix and hopefully Jeff has a little better luck than he's seem to have yet this year.
Well Aubrey told us, if we ever wanted to go to Bristol, all we had to do was get there. He told us that on the first night we met him, and for the next two years (Phoenix Fall race is on his yearly race schedule). Well two years ago, I took him up on his offer. My Dad and I schedule a flight, called Aubrey and told him we were coming. Sure enough he said he had a seat for us. Unfortunately, my Dad couldn't make it for health reasons, but I decided to go anyway. Let me tell you now, Bristol is like a dream come true for me. Since I started watching NASCAR, I have always wanted to go to Bristol. SO I flew to Louisville, Kentucky (which by the way, I don't care for even after 20 years of doing it in the service). Aubrey and Laura were there to meet me and he had surgery just that afternoon. That right there tells you what kind of a guy he is. They live in Georgetown and I didn't get there until late at night (another story for another time). I stayed in his sons room that night. Unfortunately he didn't feel up to going to Bristol the next day, but he introduced me to his one of his buddies, Homer the next morning and off we went. Of course, we had to stop for beer for me and Aubrey lives in a dry county (another subject I'll touch on one of these days). Needless to say, there aren't too many Foster's Oil Can drinkers in Kentucky, so that was a chore all by itself. But Homer was in no hurry and didn't seem to mind stopping twice to get enough to get me through the weekend races.
We finally arrived at the camp grounds that afternoon and found the spot where all the rest of Aubrey's buddies were. I was timid about being the new guy, but these folks are the greatest. Within 5 minutes I had a glass jar in my hand, and these folks didn't know me from Adam. But I guess Aubrey had read them all the riot act that I was going to have a good time without fail. I quickly learned that I fit in just fine. I was in heaven. A cold beer, camping for the races, and the Bristol Busch race was still to come that night. I was treated like a king the entire weekend and they watched over me like protective parents.
We got on the bus and headed to the track, beer in hand and a few other "things" in the everyones cooler. I wanted to take in Bristol with a clear head so I just took the one beer. That was the right thing to do. I feel like a damned fool, but I couldn't hide the tears of joy that kept falling. I just couldn't believe I was really there. To make a long story short, it's been on my schedule for the last two years. I hate the flying but I wouldn't miss it for the world now. There isn't a bad seat in the house and you literally can watch the whole track so you hardly ever miss the action. The weekend was outstanding in every way. It's on my schedule for as long as I am able to walk (and I don't think if I was wheelchair bound that I would miss it).
On the way back to Aubrey's, the money I had paid for the ticket was pushed into my shirt pocket. I was told, Aubrey told them, all I had to do was get there so I wasn't allowed to pay for my ticket. Same thing last year, and somehow, someway this year I am making him take my money.
Don't get me wrong, Phoenix is great track too. I feel like I'm home there. They know how to put on a race and how to move the folks in and out without too much of a wait. My only real complaint about Phoenix is you can't take anything but water in, so you are at their mercy for the cost of beer. It's pretty high ($5.50 a beer last year) and unfortunately, their selection is limited to Bud and Miller Lite. I hate it but racing without beer just wouldn't cut it. So I'm ready for my trip to Phoenix and hopefully Jeff has a little better luck than he's seem to have yet this year.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Real Quote "What an idiot"
"My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it."
Barack Hussein Obama
Barack Hussein Obama
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Going Through Withdrawls
I am so ready for February 17th. I have been without NASCAR for the last two months and it's killing me. I am predicting the "Drive for Five" ends this season. It better. I've been looking forward to burning that T-Shirt since 2002.
Verbose
Sorry for Part 1 & 2. I got gigged on my eval once for being too VERBOSE. What do you expect from a CTO. Once you teach us to type, you can't shut us up.
NAVY - Never Again Volunteer Yourself Part 2
I left off with my arrival at USS Valley Forge (CG50). From the first day I reported aboard I was surprised with exactly how much this ship was underway. I knew that CG's deploy often but I was expecting at least 6 months before I would have to worry about a WESTPAC deployment but I got a two month schedule. At least I had time to get moved in and settled. Besides, what did I expect. Desert Shield was in full swing, and the build up was evident long before I got to the ship. San Diego has never been one of my favorite places but now I was going to spend three years at 32nd Street. I like some parts of California but I really didn't expect how cold it would be down on the piers. I was determined to enjoy this tour of duty, even if it killed me. The first thing I had to get used to was 4 section watch. Duty every 4 days was a new concept for me. I learned a lot in the first two duty days. I was thrown into section 2 with little to no fan fare. My watch section leader was a Senior Chief Store Keeper (what do they call SK's now?). I was given a quals book for OOD inport. Wow, I wasn't used to being in a position that was so highly visible and important. Two duty days later, I was standing the balls to 4 on the QD. I was just happy I didn't have to pipe the Skipper aboard the next morning. I would have blown it. It was an uneventful watch (thank God). I really didn't feel qualified for this, even though I was qualified by a "board" of Chiefs and 1st Classes. In any case, I had a very qualified Rover, POW and messenger that watched over me to ensure I didn't sink the ship on my first OOD watch. I screwed up a couple of times on watch. One of the most embarrassing was the day I asked the messenger to call the CDO to the quarter deck. Those of you who have stood this watch know what that means. We were in the yards (thank God it wasn't across from Princeton on pier 3). A snotty LTJG came to me and said "nice job we are at Security Alert" as he step across my quarterdeck and bounded down the brow. It took a few months to live that one down. The Skipper secretly laughed from what I was told from a Mustang who was in the wardroom at the time. I caught hell from the CDO and XO. Oh well, what do you expect from a CT. Anyway, two months after arriving onboard, we sailed for a 6 month WESTPAC. No one onboard was kidding themselves. We all believed it would be and extended deployment. We left San Diego and stopped in Subic for two days to take on provisions. Then we went to Pusan and the recall flag was displayed that night while we were all in various clubs in the area. The word passed like wildfire throughout the city and we were underway at 0800 the next morning. We by passed Singapore (no great loss there - I had only made about 10 port visits there on previous ships I was deployed to TAD). Straight through the Malacca's and up to the Gulf in less than a week. Ranger battle group was the last one to arrive on January 15th 1991 (around 1500). At around 0245 the 1MC clattered to life, and the XO was telling everyone to quote "look sharp, there are approximately 65 TLAMs inbound to Baghdad - the war has begun". I got out of my rack and got dressed and headed for the SSES. I sat down at the scope and watched as wave after wave of aircraft went feet dry. The TAO was busy coordinated between the TAC and Air to ensure all the flights were properly labeled. I was amazed at how calm he was. We called him Top Gun for his cool under pressure. If anyone was going to fight the ship, it was Lt. Brown. Our station was in the southern Gulf as plane guard for Ranger. Not exactly the glamour duty of a Ticonderoga class cruiser, but quite necessary all the same. Our "war" was quiet with only a few "chaotic" episodes. The first was rather funny after we all had time to think about it, and change our skivvies. Seems Ranger had some pretty inexperienced EW's on watch one night. They caught a blast from our Spy 1A and called it an incoming Sidewinder. Only compounded by a British ship's chemical alarm, General Quarters was sounded through the entire Battle Force with the exception of Valley Forge. Our EW1 was on watch and sharper than any EW I've ever worked with before or since. He swore to the Skipper and TAO it was a false reading of our Spy 1A. We politely passed this along to Ranger and they eventually believed us (plus the fact that no one reported a missile strike). We still don't know what the story was with the Brit chem alarm but they (for the life of me I can't remember who it was) reported they heard a "splash" only 50 yards away. Nothing was ever confirmed and we all just chalked it up to being over sensitive since none of us had ever been in a "war" situation before except for a very few Vietnam era sailors which you could probably count on two hands, maybe. The funniest part of this story is our new Division Chief was onboard Ranger waiting to be transferred. What a way to join the war. He was pissed to say the least. Ranger's EW's caught hell for that when we finally had a port call 4 months later. I have to say, we were a pretty cocky bunch. Our Skipper was well respected throughout the Force and really had us all believing we were the class of the entire Battle Force. We may have had the older Mk-26 missile launchers and Princeton had her vertical launch system, we knew we out classed her by a mile. We were Valley Forge after all. That was a fun night after all was said and done. We laughed for weeks about that. The only other time things got a little too real was the night of February 18th when USS Tripoli (one of my old amphibs) and USS Princeton our sister ship both encountered mines. Princeton was crack completely in half and had to be held together with cable. Tripoli was able to continue until finally relieved the next day. Guess who was chosen to relieve Princeton. Yep, we were tasked with taking over forward AAW. I won't go into the trip up there but it was "interesting" to say the least. Let me just relay this humorous story of the trip up there. We had 4 mine watches posted. One on the bow, one astern, one port amidships and one starboard amidships. Plus we had two bridge look outs as well. I was up on the bridge for some reason (I found excuses to go to the bridge often), and the Skipper was there as well. We were cruising along at about 10 knots and the Skipper got up from his chair. He walked calmly to the port bridge wing and abruptly shouted "ALL STOP". Seems that with all the mine watches and bridge watches, the Skipper was the only one that recognized a floater mine about 100 yards away. Needless to say, all hands were "requested" topside to observe and commit to memory, what a mine looks like. Anyway, we relieved Princeton that afternoon so she could limp to a port to fight the rest of the war from a dry dock. She maintained AAW throughout the entire ordeal until we relieved her. She really deserved a lot more accolades than she ever got (and you don't know how hard that is for me to admit). They were bottom influence mines not visible to the eye like floaters. Lord knows we all thanked God for no loss of life. I still don't know how bad the bow mine watch was but we heard he really was hurt bad. I still shudder every time I think about it. One last thing I want to mention. The Iraqi's really did a number on the Gulf during the war. The oil was so thick on the surface of the water, it was sickening. I still don't know why they weren't responsible for the clean up afterwards. It was a disgrace. Okay enough of the "war story". The rest of it was pretty uneventful. We finally returned home in May of 91 to very little fan fair. We had been told to prepare for some but it never really materialized. I guess it was already forgotten by then.
I deployed a second time to the Gulf. Nothing spectacular happened except I qualified Enlisted Surface Warfare. Otherwise it was a really boring deployment until we left the Gulf. We stopped by Mogadishu on our way home just to be part of the "great landing" caught on camera by CNN. We stayed for a week embarking two ATC's that were controlling the airport from our CIC. That was pretty cool. I don't think that's happened in a long time if ever. I'll have to ask my Dad the next time I talk to him. (He is a retired ATC or did I brag about that already).
I started out on the Narc Ops in 93 but left the ship in Panama due to a family emergency back in San Diego, where I was assigned TAD to Imperial Beach until the ship returned. If you ever read this Capt. Cornett, thanks for all your advice and understanding.
I left Valley Forge in 93 to what turned out to be my final command. I arrived at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Suitland, Maryland in September of 93. The building that housed the comms space was being vacated and the command was about to move into a brand new building down the road. I went through command orientation with a CTOC that later became the best friend I ever had. Tony Marino was one of a kind. A big old teddy bear that everyone loved and respected. He and I hit is off instantly. I did anything I could think of to make this man recognize me which he ultimately did. I was brought day working and we serve along side one another for the next 2 and a half years. I worked for him and loved every minute of it. He allowed me to think for myself (for a change) and I tried hard not to disappoint him. I was privileged to attend his retirement ceremony (the United States lost one of its greatest Chief Petty Officer's that day) and I had the honor of having him as my Special Guest speaker at mine. Tony - my offer stands. I will work for you any time, anywhere you ask (with the exception I won't come back to that God awful weather in Maryland even for you). I made the board three times before I retired in 96. I was passed over due to my PRT failures. I can't run for sh**. Tony felt so bad the first year I didn't make it. He thought I was a shoe in, even though I had my doubts. He was gently hazing me before the board results came out. I swear, I thought he was going to cry when he had to tell me I didn't make it. After three times, I decided to take the Navy up on its early retirement incentive (another Clinton screw up that the Navy paid for later on). I retired in front of several of my friends in June of 1996. I truly retired in October but I had a ton of leave accrued.
And so, thus ended my Naval career. I wish I had never left the Navy (even though I would have been forced since I was at high year tender as a First Class). I miss it more than anyone could ever know.
I deployed a second time to the Gulf. Nothing spectacular happened except I qualified Enlisted Surface Warfare. Otherwise it was a really boring deployment until we left the Gulf. We stopped by Mogadishu on our way home just to be part of the "great landing" caught on camera by CNN. We stayed for a week embarking two ATC's that were controlling the airport from our CIC. That was pretty cool. I don't think that's happened in a long time if ever. I'll have to ask my Dad the next time I talk to him. (He is a retired ATC or did I brag about that already).
I started out on the Narc Ops in 93 but left the ship in Panama due to a family emergency back in San Diego, where I was assigned TAD to Imperial Beach until the ship returned. If you ever read this Capt. Cornett, thanks for all your advice and understanding.
I left Valley Forge in 93 to what turned out to be my final command. I arrived at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Suitland, Maryland in September of 93. The building that housed the comms space was being vacated and the command was about to move into a brand new building down the road. I went through command orientation with a CTOC that later became the best friend I ever had. Tony Marino was one of a kind. A big old teddy bear that everyone loved and respected. He and I hit is off instantly. I did anything I could think of to make this man recognize me which he ultimately did. I was brought day working and we serve along side one another for the next 2 and a half years. I worked for him and loved every minute of it. He allowed me to think for myself (for a change) and I tried hard not to disappoint him. I was privileged to attend his retirement ceremony (the United States lost one of its greatest Chief Petty Officer's that day) and I had the honor of having him as my Special Guest speaker at mine. Tony - my offer stands. I will work for you any time, anywhere you ask (with the exception I won't come back to that God awful weather in Maryland even for you). I made the board three times before I retired in 96. I was passed over due to my PRT failures. I can't run for sh**. Tony felt so bad the first year I didn't make it. He thought I was a shoe in, even though I had my doubts. He was gently hazing me before the board results came out. I swear, I thought he was going to cry when he had to tell me I didn't make it. After three times, I decided to take the Navy up on its early retirement incentive (another Clinton screw up that the Navy paid for later on). I retired in front of several of my friends in June of 1996. I truly retired in October but I had a ton of leave accrued.
And so, thus ended my Naval career. I wish I had never left the Navy (even though I would have been forced since I was at high year tender as a First Class). I miss it more than anyone could ever know.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
NAVY - Never Again Volunteer Yourself Part 1
I guess I should add my own biography. I doubt anyone wants to hear it but here goes:
I was an Air Force brat until I was 12 when my father retired from the AF. He was a KC135 pilot for 20 years, with the exception of flying an EC-121R during his two tours of Vietnam. When he retired in 1970 we had finally found "home" in Albuquerque New Mexico. Before that, we had lived in a variety of places. Omaha Nebraska (where I was born - Offutt Air Force Base), Enon Ohio, Roswell New Mexico, Salina Kansas, Little Rock Arkansas, San Antonio Texas, Falmouth Massachusetts, back to San Antonio Texas, and then finally Albuquerque when my father was offered a job as an ATC with the FAA. I guess he figured if he couldn't fly anymore, at least he could talk to pilots all day long. My father is my hero to this day. He was awarded a DFC in Vietnam for something he still won't completely tell me about. I was proud he was at my retirement ceremony. Anyway, Albuquerque became my "home" because it was the only place we spent more than 4 years at. I graduated High School in 1977.
I got bored, and since I spent four years of High School in JROTC, decided to enlist in the Navy. I signed up for a delayed entry program and was finally inducted in Mar 1978. I spent 8 weeks in San Diego at Rosecrans and surprisingly graduated (see my picture if you wonder why it was such a surprise).
I was sent from San Diego, to Pensacola Florida for CTO class A school. I was supposed to learn to type, which for me was fun to say the least. Set back by a weeks stay in the Base Hospital for pneumonia, I was put on remedial typing at night after a full day of classes. About a week in, it started to click and suddenly I realized I could actually type with all my fingers. I "typed out" that night with 51 words a minute with no errors. Sounds slow now, but for a beginner, that was haulin' ass. I graduated from A school Basic to start A school Advanced. Here I was given a Top Secret (interim only since my background check hadn't been completed) and was "read in" to the wonderful world of Cryptology. Let me tell you, if you think it sounds cool, it wasn't. You'd be surprised with the Navy considers classified. It would put you to sleep, seriously. No exciting reports from covert operations or messages from spies. Real boring crap. Anyway, I was on my way to becoming a full fledged CTO. Next to tackle was the Teletype class. We started on very old World War I equipment (seriously, I can point you to a website to see the equipment for your self if you don't believe me). Unlike the electric machines we had used in basic, these had three rows of keys, not four. You had to hit the letters key to make it print letters and the figures key to print figures. And you guessed it, the figures were letters and vise versa. Wonderful stuff and I wish to this day I had capture a teletype before I retired. These things cut five baudot tapes that you put on a reperferator to read them. And we had to know how to read the tape. One good thing while I was in Basic, I learned it on my own so I was way ahead of my classmates. I typed out of that class at 135 with 1 error.
After graduating, I had to wait on my clearance to be complete before they would cut me orders. Naturally, with all the traveling I did as a kid, it took a while before it was finally completed. I finally got out of there on Christmas eve of 1978. The only flight I could get to Albuquerque cost me a months pay, but it was First Class seating on Delta. To this day, it was the best flight I ever took.
Funny story here: Before I left for bootcamp, I had a talk with my father one night. I told him with my luck, I would get orders to Guam. The rest of the males in my class had received orders to ships. Since I waited so long for orders, I guess they were all taken, and sure enough I got orders to Guam.
Guam was an experience of a lifetime. And I mean that in a good way. What a beautiful island. The scenery is second to none and that includes Hawaii. The water is warm and the most beautiful shade of blue you can imagine. I love that place. I wish my "skipper" had allowed me to retire there. I was assigned to the Naval Security Group Department, building 200. For the first 6 months I was the duty driver, picking up the shift CT's and dropping them off, as well as retrieving their lunch from the base mess hall. Included in the duties of duty driver, is burn bag detail. Everything that's classified and trash is put in to a grocery bag known as burn bags. These are then stapled in a military fashion and stored until the next business day for the burn detail. Then at the appointed time, all bags are brought to the incinerator for burning. This contraption is ten foot tall, 25 foot deep and burns at the temperature of the sun. I will make this brief, temperature of the sun, and Guam. You can't believe how happy I was to finally get on a watch section. I still cringe when I think about it today.
When I got on a real CT watch section, I was put in an area we called SEATIC. It stands for South East Asia Tactical Information Center. Here I sent and received message traffic for 8 hours. Real boaring stuff let me tell you. But at least I was doing what I was trained to do and I fit in real well with the rest of the CT's on my watch section. I was there for about 2 months and then it was time to get my first sea experience. I was sent TAD to the USS Oklahoma City (CG5), which at that time was COMSEVENFLT's flag ship. I was put on a section and we deployed on a round Japan trip. First time I was underway, and I wasn't sure I liked it. Soon I realized that this was fun and started to enjoy myself. We got to cross the equator which is a story I will save when I am in a foul mood. It will cheer me up to tell it. Then alas, it was over, and I went back to Guam. About 4 months later I was sent to the USS Tripoli (LPH10). Oh fun, Jarheads everywhere. Standing in line after line, no matter what it was for. I had just made E-4 so I still had to wait in the line with all the grunts when I need to go to the ships store, or the mess decks and even the head in some cases. Seriously, you could stand still in the middle of a passageway and pretty soon, there would be a line of grunts behind you. That's how bad it is. I was transferred by helo from Tripoli to the USS Cleveland (LPD8). Just a smaller version of Tripoli. Same problems with the grunts. Finally we sailed into Apra Harbor and I was "home" again on my island. I then decided for some unknown reason to marry someone. A female sailor (isn't that an oxymoron?). Just kidding. It was a mistake both of us would come to regret. About 3 months later, I was sent to Tarawa (LHA1). A bigger version of Tripoli with even more jarheads. I made E-5 while onboard. Oh yes, I was blessed with the Amphib Navy. Three months of hell on that pig and I was finally released to Guam to finish out my tour. I did, and left in 1982 bound for California. This time it was Treasure Island. For those of you who don't know where that is, it's a man made island in the middle of the San Francisco bay. I spent four years there. Duty was nothing to speak of. During this time, I divorced my first wife and found my second and current wife Isabel. We married in 1985 and are still happily married. Ready made family. She had two girls, and one boy. The oldest was 15 and the youngest was 11. Times were tough when we started out, we both were paying for our divorces from our previous spouses. Money was tight but we got by without assistance. I will tell the funny story of how I purposed at a later time. I got orders in 1985 back to Guam and you guessed it, I was in a Direct Support Billet (which means more sea duty coming up). Sure enough, I hadn't even moved into base houseing yet from the hotel when I was wisked away to the airport to catch a flight to Subic Bay PI. My ship, USS Tarawa again. Wonderful. The three weeks I was supposed to be there for turned into four months. I finally got back to Guam and was put on a watch section again. Oh yeah, I made first class (E6) just before I left TI. So I was assigned as a Communications Watch Supervisor (second in command of the section). But alas, two months later, I was on my way back to the PI to pick up the USS Halsey (CG25). I had a blast on that ship. I finally felt like part of ships company. I hung out in the First Class mess most of the 5 months I was onboard. The ship got extended twice in the Indian Ocean right outside the Persian Gulf because the damned Iranians had purchased Silk Worm missles from China. So ironically we had to protect the Iraqi shipping fleet from possible attach from Iran. I was selected Sailor of the Quarter onboard (a big no no for TAD personnel). I finally got off in Cicily and flew all the way around the world back to Guam. I did one other short stint on the USS Debuque (it was only a month) and that ended my sea duty for the rest of my time on Guam. While I was on Guam, I got into Darts. There was a league and the guys on my watch section recruited me to play for the local VFW. I found I wasn't half bad so I stuck around and eventually ended up President of the league. We left Guam in August of 1989 bound for California again, this time San Diego. I had permenant orders as ships company on USS Valley Forge (CG50). I will stop here and continue with Part 2 tomorrow.
I was an Air Force brat until I was 12 when my father retired from the AF. He was a KC135 pilot for 20 years, with the exception of flying an EC-121R during his two tours of Vietnam. When he retired in 1970 we had finally found "home" in Albuquerque New Mexico. Before that, we had lived in a variety of places. Omaha Nebraska (where I was born - Offutt Air Force Base), Enon Ohio, Roswell New Mexico, Salina Kansas, Little Rock Arkansas, San Antonio Texas, Falmouth Massachusetts, back to San Antonio Texas, and then finally Albuquerque when my father was offered a job as an ATC with the FAA. I guess he figured if he couldn't fly anymore, at least he could talk to pilots all day long. My father is my hero to this day. He was awarded a DFC in Vietnam for something he still won't completely tell me about. I was proud he was at my retirement ceremony. Anyway, Albuquerque became my "home" because it was the only place we spent more than 4 years at. I graduated High School in 1977.
I got bored, and since I spent four years of High School in JROTC, decided to enlist in the Navy. I signed up for a delayed entry program and was finally inducted in Mar 1978. I spent 8 weeks in San Diego at Rosecrans and surprisingly graduated (see my picture if you wonder why it was such a surprise).
I was sent from San Diego, to Pensacola Florida for CTO class A school. I was supposed to learn to type, which for me was fun to say the least. Set back by a weeks stay in the Base Hospital for pneumonia, I was put on remedial typing at night after a full day of classes. About a week in, it started to click and suddenly I realized I could actually type with all my fingers. I "typed out" that night with 51 words a minute with no errors. Sounds slow now, but for a beginner, that was haulin' ass. I graduated from A school Basic to start A school Advanced. Here I was given a Top Secret (interim only since my background check hadn't been completed) and was "read in" to the wonderful world of Cryptology. Let me tell you, if you think it sounds cool, it wasn't. You'd be surprised with the Navy considers classified. It would put you to sleep, seriously. No exciting reports from covert operations or messages from spies. Real boring crap. Anyway, I was on my way to becoming a full fledged CTO. Next to tackle was the Teletype class. We started on very old World War I equipment (seriously, I can point you to a website to see the equipment for your self if you don't believe me). Unlike the electric machines we had used in basic, these had three rows of keys, not four. You had to hit the letters key to make it print letters and the figures key to print figures. And you guessed it, the figures were letters and vise versa. Wonderful stuff and I wish to this day I had capture a teletype before I retired. These things cut five baudot tapes that you put on a reperferator to read them. And we had to know how to read the tape. One good thing while I was in Basic, I learned it on my own so I was way ahead of my classmates. I typed out of that class at 135 with 1 error.
After graduating, I had to wait on my clearance to be complete before they would cut me orders. Naturally, with all the traveling I did as a kid, it took a while before it was finally completed. I finally got out of there on Christmas eve of 1978. The only flight I could get to Albuquerque cost me a months pay, but it was First Class seating on Delta. To this day, it was the best flight I ever took.
Funny story here: Before I left for bootcamp, I had a talk with my father one night. I told him with my luck, I would get orders to Guam. The rest of the males in my class had received orders to ships. Since I waited so long for orders, I guess they were all taken, and sure enough I got orders to Guam.
Guam was an experience of a lifetime. And I mean that in a good way. What a beautiful island. The scenery is second to none and that includes Hawaii. The water is warm and the most beautiful shade of blue you can imagine. I love that place. I wish my "skipper" had allowed me to retire there. I was assigned to the Naval Security Group Department, building 200. For the first 6 months I was the duty driver, picking up the shift CT's and dropping them off, as well as retrieving their lunch from the base mess hall. Included in the duties of duty driver, is burn bag detail. Everything that's classified and trash is put in to a grocery bag known as burn bags. These are then stapled in a military fashion and stored until the next business day for the burn detail. Then at the appointed time, all bags are brought to the incinerator for burning. This contraption is ten foot tall, 25 foot deep and burns at the temperature of the sun. I will make this brief, temperature of the sun, and Guam. You can't believe how happy I was to finally get on a watch section. I still cringe when I think about it today.
When I got on a real CT watch section, I was put in an area we called SEATIC. It stands for South East Asia Tactical Information Center. Here I sent and received message traffic for 8 hours. Real boaring stuff let me tell you. But at least I was doing what I was trained to do and I fit in real well with the rest of the CT's on my watch section. I was there for about 2 months and then it was time to get my first sea experience. I was sent TAD to the USS Oklahoma City (CG5), which at that time was COMSEVENFLT's flag ship. I was put on a section and we deployed on a round Japan trip. First time I was underway, and I wasn't sure I liked it. Soon I realized that this was fun and started to enjoy myself. We got to cross the equator which is a story I will save when I am in a foul mood. It will cheer me up to tell it. Then alas, it was over, and I went back to Guam. About 4 months later I was sent to the USS Tripoli (LPH10). Oh fun, Jarheads everywhere. Standing in line after line, no matter what it was for. I had just made E-4 so I still had to wait in the line with all the grunts when I need to go to the ships store, or the mess decks and even the head in some cases. Seriously, you could stand still in the middle of a passageway and pretty soon, there would be a line of grunts behind you. That's how bad it is. I was transferred by helo from Tripoli to the USS Cleveland (LPD8). Just a smaller version of Tripoli. Same problems with the grunts. Finally we sailed into Apra Harbor and I was "home" again on my island. I then decided for some unknown reason to marry someone. A female sailor (isn't that an oxymoron?). Just kidding. It was a mistake both of us would come to regret. About 3 months later, I was sent to Tarawa (LHA1). A bigger version of Tripoli with even more jarheads. I made E-5 while onboard. Oh yes, I was blessed with the Amphib Navy. Three months of hell on that pig and I was finally released to Guam to finish out my tour. I did, and left in 1982 bound for California. This time it was Treasure Island. For those of you who don't know where that is, it's a man made island in the middle of the San Francisco bay. I spent four years there. Duty was nothing to speak of. During this time, I divorced my first wife and found my second and current wife Isabel. We married in 1985 and are still happily married. Ready made family. She had two girls, and one boy. The oldest was 15 and the youngest was 11. Times were tough when we started out, we both were paying for our divorces from our previous spouses. Money was tight but we got by without assistance. I will tell the funny story of how I purposed at a later time. I got orders in 1985 back to Guam and you guessed it, I was in a Direct Support Billet (which means more sea duty coming up). Sure enough, I hadn't even moved into base houseing yet from the hotel when I was wisked away to the airport to catch a flight to Subic Bay PI. My ship, USS Tarawa again. Wonderful. The three weeks I was supposed to be there for turned into four months. I finally got back to Guam and was put on a watch section again. Oh yeah, I made first class (E6) just before I left TI. So I was assigned as a Communications Watch Supervisor (second in command of the section). But alas, two months later, I was on my way back to the PI to pick up the USS Halsey (CG25). I had a blast on that ship. I finally felt like part of ships company. I hung out in the First Class mess most of the 5 months I was onboard. The ship got extended twice in the Indian Ocean right outside the Persian Gulf because the damned Iranians had purchased Silk Worm missles from China. So ironically we had to protect the Iraqi shipping fleet from possible attach from Iran. I was selected Sailor of the Quarter onboard (a big no no for TAD personnel). I finally got off in Cicily and flew all the way around the world back to Guam. I did one other short stint on the USS Debuque (it was only a month) and that ended my sea duty for the rest of my time on Guam. While I was on Guam, I got into Darts. There was a league and the guys on my watch section recruited me to play for the local VFW. I found I wasn't half bad so I stuck around and eventually ended up President of the league. We left Guam in August of 1989 bound for California again, this time San Diego. I had permenant orders as ships company on USS Valley Forge (CG50). I will stop here and continue with Part 2 tomorrow.
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