A Veteran's Journey

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)

1. Who said, “Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.”?
2. In what movie (and who said it), did we hear, “When you’re in the Navy, and you’re in transit, nobody knows where the hell you are.”?
3. In what song (and who sang it), did we hear the following?
   Don’t you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boy
   She’ll beat you if she’s able
   You know the Queen of Hearts is always your best bet

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Becky & I have traveled a bit over this summer—more than normal. We’ve been to Cleveland twice to spend time with our daughter, husband, and 11-month-old grandson. And we traveled to Alaska for a vacation with our son and his two boys (our grandsons). We loved every minute of that precious time with our kids and grandsons (who wouldn’t?), but it’s nice to be home for a while.

I say that, but now I’m wondering how soon before we get to see them again …

We usually travel light—one roller suitcase and one Osprey travel backpack (smaller than my old seabag). The backpack fits neatly on top of the roller so I can manage both with one hand. Except when I carry them onto the plane between those comical, skinny airline aisles. I just sling the backpack over my shoulder like I did with my old seabag and hope I don’t knock someone in the head while boarding.

Yeah … I’m one of THOSE guys. I try to be considerate, but given I’m 6’4” (6’5” after Yoga), sometimes it’s hard to avoid.

New Recruits

At almost every airport we traveled through—whether departure, arrival, or layover—I spotted several military personnel.

I used to be able to distinguish different service members by their uniforms. But these days, I’ll admit, I’m not up on what the style is, and it gets a little confusing when our young soldiers, sailors, and airmen travel in similar style uniforms.

I know … I’m old-fashioned.

Yet, in my day (1973-77), I traveled in my Navy summer whites. These were the “new” style uniforms, not the cracker jacks I thought I’d signed up for.

But seeing these young recruits, both men & women, making their way through the airport concourse with that combination anticipation & excitement looks on their faces, it took me back to a time when I was their age and off to a new duty station.

The First Duty Station

After six weeks in boot camp (Orlando RTC, Company #163, July-August ’73), I headed to ABH (Aviation Boatswain’s Mate) “A” School in Lakehurst, NJ. After six weeks of training to become an aircraft director and aircraft crash firefighter, my orders directed me to NAS Agana, Guam.

I’m sure back in November 1973—traveling from Gainesville to Atlanta to San Francisco to Hawaii to Guam [36 hours in transit]—I had that same look on my face when I left home. I was 18 years old. I would celebrate my next two birthdays on the island of Guam during my 15-month tour of duty.

These young whippersnappers were in a hurry—we weren’t, since we had a two-hour layover in Atlanta. But I couldn’t help but think of the adventures they were beginning, their initial journey through the military life … some would remain and make it a career. Others, like me, would finish their enlistment (4 years for me), then off to another life, another career, or as I like to say, “another journey.”

I wish I’d taken the time to stop, ask them where they were heading, what their job was, and if they were excited as I was back in the day. You know … all those questions we, as young recruits, also had. “What’s it like in the real navy? Is it like what the recruiter told me? Will it be as harassing as boot camp?”

But they were together, off on their individual adventures (or the same destination, who knows). I could tell they were friends; whether they were long-time friends or just met in boot camp or training school.

What they’ll soon learn is that there’s a whole big family of us out there, and it continues to grow.

I knew that feeling of an extended family, that feeling of belonging, that feeling that there was something out there bigger than me. That feeling of “sense of purpose” would soon greet them in their new travels.

Transfer Orders

When I transferred from Guam to USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), in March ’75, I was just as excited and as giddy as these new recruits. Even though I spent 15 months in paradise on the island of Guam in the Crash & Rescue Division, moving to a new duty station, a new “home,” with some old friends from Guam who’d also transferred, was equally exciting.

I knew living and working aboard an active US Navy aircraft carrier would be challenging, especially on the flight deck. Little did I know just how much, but I was soon to find out. Even today—46 years after I was discharged—there are certain smells, certain sounds, a song, a taste, or just a fleeting thought that sends me back to that time in the Navy.

Those are memories I’ll Never Forget.

I’m appreciative of our young military and, whatever they face, whatever they experience, they—like us—will soon be veterans.

It’s no secret: we’re all brothers and sisters with different mothers and fathers. We may joke with each other about their branch of service, but it’s all in jest.

It may have been over 50 years ago, but when I see the excitement on the faces of these young military members, I vividly remember that excitement of transferring to a new duty station.

As I’ve said before, “You always remember your first.”

Until we meet again,
Andy

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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.

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Previous Blogs mentioned in the Post:

• #4—From Civilian to US Navy
• #35—US Navy “A” School (ABH)
• #67—Flight Ops: A Day in the Life of Crash & Salvage
• #25—“Livin’ the Dream:” Life Aboard an Aircraft Carrier
• #53—You Always Remember Your First …

Answers

1. George Addair.
2. The Last Detail (1973), Mulhall (Otis Young).
3. Desperado (1973), Eagles; written by Glenn Frey, Don Henley.