A Veteran's Journey

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)

1. Who said, “It’s never too late to be what you might’ve been.”?
2. In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, “I’ll be back.”?
3. In what song (and who wrote it) did we hear the following?
   It ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
   If’n you don’t know by now
   And it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
   It’ll never do somehow

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Boot Camp

I’m so tired, but I can’t fall asleep. My day started early at seven this morning, spending all day at the Jacksonville Armed Forces Induction Center getting poked, prodded, felt up, then signing what seemed like a gazillion papers until everything seemed to be a blur. Hell, I practically memorized my social security number—it was required on every document.

Well, at least I passed those tests. And… I proudly took a solemn oath that would change my life.

Then, after a quick dinner at the local Denny’s, I boarded a Trailways Bus for a luxurious three-hour ride with 50 new friends, getting to Orlando Naval Recruit Training Center around midnight. What was that about getting off the bus, lining up on a yellow line, right arm extended to the shoulder of the guy next to me? And why is that guy in khakis yelling at everyone… and so loud and so rude!

Where the hell am I? It’s two in the morning… strange bed… strange smells… strange sounds… Finally, I drift off to sleep.

What in tarnation is that noise? Sounds like a drunk stumbling over a garbage can. Wait.. where the hell am I?

“Wake up, pretty ladies. It’s oh-four-hundred, and it’s your first day in the United States Navy. In case you didn’t know, your mamas are not going to gently wake you up like you were still in school. No, sir… starting today, I’m your mother AND your father. Now… get the hell outta your racks. You’ve got fifteen minutes to sh!t, shower, and shave.

“Move it! Move it! Move it!”

Holy crap. Is this what I signed up for?

“A” School

Well, after six weeks of hell, I finally graduated boot camp. And, since I had a year of college under my belt—albeit, I flunked out of F.S.U. with a 0.7 GPA—I was an E-2, a Seaman Apprentice… whatever that means. After a couple of weeks at home rehabilitating, I’m now up in Lakehurst, New Jersey. I’m supposed to start my “A” school to become an ABH, an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Handler, whatever the hell that is.

I recall that brief time in the Navy Recruiter’s office in downtown Tallahassee, looking through a thick book of jobs, though I guess they’re called ratings in the Navy. I must have landed on this rating. I know I loved the outdoors, and I loved airplanes—I must’ve put together every model airplane on the shelf from J.M. Fields when I was growing up.

So that’s how I landed here. But wait… why in the hell are we installing drop ceiling tiles in these old World War II barracks? Oh yeah. They told us we didn’t have enough guys to start a new ABH class. So, we wait… and install tiles.

Is this what I signed up for?

Well, at least I know one guy… James Young and I were both in Company #163 in boot camp. I remember our company commander was ADJ1 Thomas Wright. Decent guy, especially since I got to know him better—I was our company Yeoman. I “volunteered” when I raised my hand after he asked, “Does anyone know how to type?”

That’ll be the last time I volunteer. Even though NAVY stands for “Never Again Volunteer Yourself.”

Okay, now we’re cooking. Got 20 guys here, big enough for an “A” School ABH class. The next six weeks should tell me whether I’d made the right choice for a rating, or a job, in the Navy. Our two instructors, both ABH1s, are pretty chill. They don’t harangue us like CC Wright did in boot camp. But then, that was his job—break everyone down as an individual, then build the entire company back up as a team.

Yeah, this is more like it. Up at 0700, not zero-dark-thirty like boot camp, breakfast in the chow hall, morning muster at 0800 with no PT like we did on the asphalt “grinder” in Orlando… in July. Then classroom and practical training for ABHs.

After hours, there’s always the EM club, just up the hill, which is a good thing. You know… just in case you have too much to drink… you can roll downhill.

I can get used to this. I can’t wait to graduate and get my first duty assignment. Oh yeah… the “dream sheet.” I put down the West Coast because I heard Pacific cruises are the best. We’ll see where I’m assigned.

NAS Agana, Guam

Guam? I’m going to Guam! WTF, over? I thought I’d be on a ship, not an island in the middle of nowhere. Oh well, orders are orders. I get three weeks leave at home in Gainesville, then I’m on my way to Guam. Now I just need to figure out where that is.

After a 36-hour trip, I’m finally here. Great… more WWII barracks. Well, at least I’m not installing drop ceilings again. First few days, I’m in training, learning both the Crash trucks and the crews. Once again, my boot camp, “A” school buddy, James Young, transferred with me. At least I know one person on this island.

I’m in the Port Section; it’s hard to argue which section is best, but since we work 24 hours on and 24 hours off, it really doesn’t matter. I’m initially assigned to Unit #6, an Oshkosh MB-1 Crash truck, painted traffic yellow. There are five of us, and I’m on one of the roof turrets. All five of us are in the truck cab, but there’s plenty of room.

We spend two, 4-hour shifts out on the “Hot Spot,” or “Alert Spot.” That’s a gravel area between the two parallel runways at NAS Agana, Guam. The Navy shares the same runways with the civilian airport, so we’re also the firefighters for anything with passengers. I’ve been told those new giant Japan Air Lines 747s can hold up to 450 passengers. That would be a mess.

But it’s not bad out here. Guam is near the equator, so it’s usually tropical, with almost daily rain showers. But because it’s an island about four miles wide and 32 miles long, there’s a good stiff breeze most days, even at high noon. It gets a little boring out here, but I’ve learned to sneak a book out or write letters home. It helps to pass the time.

The crew is good. Gary Borne is the driver; he’s been here for several months. Glenn Law is the crew chief. Both are E-3s, Airman; I’m still an Airman Apprentice, though I knew I’d advance to E-3 Airman as soon as I took the test and I’d get a pay raise from $363 a month to $377. The other two crewmen on the truck were John O’Mara and Gary Cuzner.

On my days off, I could hang around the barracks and watch the one TV station, or I can get out and explore. I learned the local USO facility was a short distance away, so I’m going to take advantage of the “Boonie Stomps,” where we tour various locations around the island. Besides, it’s also a good way to meet other military guys and girls from the other stations on Guam.

Now, this is more like it.

USS Kitty Hawk

Damn, that 15 months went by quick. My first two Christmas’ away from home, but no big deal. The Navy is now my new family. Now… I’ve got orders to report to USS Kitty Hawk, CV-63, an aircraft carrier based in San Diego; more precisely, North Island Naval Station.

Even though I had 30 days’ leave, I was itching to get to my new duty station. But I shoulda stayed that extra week. Now, I’m in San Diego (yea!), but Kitty Hawk is not here (boo!). They’re out on a RIMPAC exercise and I’m stuck here at San Diego Naval Station in a temporary unit with two other guys. Daily work parties and cleaning a 60-man barracks where just three of us stay until our ships come in.

Is this what I signed up for?

Fortunately, we break after lunch, and I’ve got the rest of the day off.

Now, I report aboard Kitty Hawk; she’s back in port. Glenn Law and Gary Borne, both good buddies I served with in Guam, are also aboard. They both made RIMPAC and are in the V-1 Division. Glenn’s a Yellow Shirt Director in Fly 2 (I’ll soon figure out what that means) and Gary is in Crash—that’s where I’ll be assigned. That’s fine by me. Gary taught me to drive all the Crash trucks in Guam. Crash drives the Oshkosh MB-5 on the flight deck of Kitty Hawk. A little tighter space, but I’ll figure it out.

My first trip out to sea aboard Kitty Hawk was a Tiger Cruise, a one-day excursion commonly done before a Westpac, where sailors can bring their families aboard to “see what daddy does at work.” We also experienced an at sea burial, which was quite formal—one of many Navy traditions I’d learn while aboard the ship.

Now it’s May 1975, and we’re leaving for six months. We’ll stop at Hawaii, then a two-week non-stop sail to the Philippines, our overseas home port. From there, we’ll cruise around the South China Sea, stop over at Hong Kong & Yokosuka, Japan, see a few Russian Bears & Badgers and launch the Alert 5, and experience liberty in several ports.

That’s all cool stuff.

But the best… the best ever? Working on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. The hours can be long, but when you’re out at sea with no where to go, what else ya gonna do? Besides, I’m with my “family,” and we are all serving our country. That’s a big deal for me.

Flight ops from 1000 until past midnight, launching and recovering 15-20 aircraft every 1½ hours, during rain, during bright sunshine, and through the night. HS-8 helicopters, F-4 Phantoms, A-7 Corsairs, E-2 Hummers, A-6 Intruders, EA-6B Prowlers, S-2 Stoofs, and A-5 Vigilantes. It’s not like that anymore, but for this airdale, those were the aircraft we worked with in the mid-70s.

Sunrises and sunsets at sea, clear blue water, endless horizons, unlimited stars at night, whales, dolphins, flying fish—nature’s beauty all served up for our entertainment.

And for me, there’s never been anything quite like it since then.

After Three Years, Eleven Months, & 29 Days (But Who’s Counting), I ask again… is this what I signed up for?

Oh, Hell Yeah! And I’d do it all over again!

Until we meet again,
Andy

Answers

1. George Eliot.
2. The Terminator (1984), The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger).
3. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (1963), Bob Dylan; written by Bob Dylan.

Previous blogs mentioned in this post:

• #4—From Civilian to US Navy
• #35—US Navy “A” School (ABH)
• #53—You Never Forget Your First
• #72—“Those” Memorable Moments, Part 2—NAS Agana, Guam
• #37—Hawaii, One Word: Beautiful!
• #20—Port Call: Philippines
• #43—Port Call: Hong Kong
• #23—Rough Seas—Sea of Japan
• #33—Launch the Alert 5!
• #68—Flight Ops: Another Fine Day in the Navy!
• #54—Westpac ’75 Aircraft Carrier Squadrons

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Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (’73-77) and the author of several books. His newest novel, NEVER FORGET, is the story of A Vietnam Veteran’s Journey for Redemption & Forgiveness. NEVER FORGET is FREE (eBook, PDF) for all veterans. Download your FREE copy HERE.