A Veteran's Journey

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)

1. Who said, “A soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”?
2. In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, “The Almighty tells me he can get me out of this mess, but he’s pretty sure you’re f-ked.”?
3. In what song (and who sang it) did we hear the following?
   Yeah they were dancin’ and singin’
   And movin’ to the groovin’
   And just when it hit me
   Somebody turned around and shouted

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Do you remember when you first joined the Navy (or military … it really doesn’t matter which branch)?

Do you remember the recruiter who totally agreed that whatever job you selected was “The best job in the Navy?” Yeah … they told that to everyone who walked into their office.

Then, a few days later, there was the Armed Forces Induction Center—you know, that first introduction to “Hurry Up & Wait!” And don’t forget the physical (“bend over & spread ‘em”). After that long-ass day in AFIC, a long bus trip, a plane ride, a car ride … whatever. Finally, getting to the Recruit Training Center (Orlando, for me), arriving about midnight.

That first “Hell week,” then five more weeks of wondering what in the hell did I get myself into.

Graduation … “A” School … filling out the “Dream Sheet” … then your first duty station.

Then before you know it, 30 Days and a Wake up before transferring to your next duty station.

Where has the time gone? “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.“

Somewhere, in between, you got a little time to fly home, visit the family, eat some home cooking, get drunk with your high school or college friends (or not), see your old girlfriend(s) (or not), then off again to your next adventure.

My Navy “journey” ended after a brief, Three Years, Eleven Months, & 29 Days (But Who’s Counting).

But now, 48 years later, I can still recall a lot of details of my time in the Navy.

How, might you ask?

Let me share with you something that you may have already thought about, but have yet to start.

Your Navy (or Military) Memories

Your memoir doesn’t have to be a book, nor does it need to be a long document. But it’s something that you might share with your family. And not just your immediate family, but those extended family members who heard you’d spent time in the service and want to know a little more about what you did.

Serving in the United States Navy was one of the most honorable and memorable periods in my life. I’ve said many times it was a cornerstone for my journey through life.

I realize others may not feel the same way about their service, and that’s okay. Of course, there were times when I’d complain. But for me, I had many more good times than bad, and that’s what I always try to focus on.

Where to Start?

The initial questions above are a good start.

• When did you enlist?
  • Feel free to add the “why.”
• What years were you active?
  • Any reserve duty after enlistment up?
• What was your rating?
• When you left the Navy, what was your rank?
• Where did you attend boot camp?
  • Do you remember your Company #, Company Commander?
  • Any stories of boot camp to share?
  • Were you in better physical shape after boot camp?
  • Looking back, would you have changed anything about boot camp? If so, what & why?
• “A” School (and “C” School)
  • Where & how long?
  • Did you learn what you needed for your job?
• First duty station?
  • How long were you there?
  • What division / department?
  • What did you do while on duty?
  • What did you do off duty?
  • What do you remember best about your “first?”
• Second & following duty stations?
  • How long?
  • What did you do, both on duty & off duty?

Following this “simple” questionnaire structure, I’ve learned that once I recall the stories, the memories continue to flow. Most are wonderful memories, but there are a few that aren’t so good, but equally important.

Years after I left the Navy, I couldn’t forget the unfortunate death of a shipmate on the flight deck. But I wrote a post about it (minus the gory details). Therapists call this “journaling,” though I didn’t know it at the time. I felt after writing about it, I was finally able to let go. The memories are still there, but now I can talk about it and share with others who were also witnesses.

When I started, it was simply jotting down a few notes … almost like an outline. But as I started remembering details, I wanted to share more. So, I wrote more.

I found & stole (from many [MANY] resources), Navy terms and phrases. I built an exhaustive Navy Glossary and posted the complete list on my website.

Feel free to steal it. Or if you prefer, “borrow it,” but no need to return; I’ve got enough. Unless, of course, you spot something I’ve missed that ought to be included, then by all means, let me know.

And … if you have the gumption, contact the Navy Public Affairs Office. Ask them if you can visit “Great Mistakes” to see and possibly “interview” new recruits, company commanders, and watch the graduation. See the differences between the time you went through boot camp and today’s recruits.

You might be surprised—I asked, and a few weeks later, voila: Great Lakes RTC. NOT in the winter, mind you.

And … while you’re at it, ask the Navy PAO if you might spend a little time aboard a ship at sea. For me, I spent a few days aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CV-76), including a C-2 Greyhound recovery and a launch back to San Diego. Back out on the flight deck with the “newer” ABHs—all with the same job, but with different aircraft. Even so, what a thrill that was.

And no … I didn’t sleep a wink. I was so excited. I thought they’d let me watch flight ops from the Vulture’s Row. But no. the Flight Deck Officer—an ABH mustang—gave me a float coat and said, “Follow me.” Wow!

I’ve been married for more than 40 years. A dozen years ago when I made the trip & back, my wife jokingly asked, “did you get it out of your system?” I joking replied, “For now.”

I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Maybe not as fast as I was, but hell ya!

Mission Impossible?

No, the title of this blog post was not supposed to be about the newest Mission Impossible movie. I haven’t seen it, but several in our Sunday School class (most of the members are older than me) dissed it. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Mission Impossible franchise … well, the older one. The later ones just seem to be one big chase scene.

But then, maybe I’m getting too old.

I wanted my kids and their kids (our grandchildren) to know what I did in the service. That’s important to me.

Just as my dad’s WWII service was important. He kept a diary, too, and gave it to me & my sister in 1986. It was the first time I’d learned about what he really experienced in the Army in Europe. Not the humorous stories he often told while we were growing up, but the eye-popping, nitty-gritty details of fighting a war, and living with that war for the rest of your life. He didn’t hold back.

I took his diary, added some research, and in 2005, Casemate Publishers published, You Can’t Get Much Closer Than This—The 80th “Blue Ridge” Division in World War II Europe. I took my first copy to share with my dad at the cemetery. It was a long 7-year journey, but one that I was happy to share.

It’s now in its third printing.

I also built the website for the 80th Division Veterans Association (www.80thdivision.com) and continue to maintain and update it.

Because of the more than 200,000 documents, oral histories, photos, Morning Reports, After-Action Reports, Unit Histories, and much more I’ve scanned & digitized, I count six books written by sons & daughters & grandkids of 80th Division soldiers that used my site as a resource. I never thought … but such a reward for me to have helped these family members learn about their fathers & grandfathers.

I continue to receive research requests from 80th Division family members, both WWI and WWII. They want to know what their WWII fathers & grandfathers did. I give them what I can and often, they’re able to answer questions that no one else could.

That’s why I continue to do what I do.

And that’s why I think it important that you record your memories for your families. It will be important to them.

Until we meet again,
Andy

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Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (’73-77) and the author of several books (www.azadkinsiii.com), many of which are free downloads (PDF, eBook format). He is currently retired and lives in Gainesville, Florida with his wife and life-long soulmate, Becky.

Previous Blogs mentioned in this Post:

• #4—From Civilian to US Navy
• #24—Hurry Up & Wait!
• #35—US Navy “A” School (ABH)
• #153—The “Dream Sheet”
• #53—You Always Remember Your First
• #52—30 Days and a Wake Up!
• #76—Set the Mail Buoy Watch … FNG Tasks
• #13—After 30+ Years, I’m Back on the Flight Deck

Answers

1. G.K. Chesterton.
2. Braveheart (1995), Stephen (David Patrick O’Hara).
3. Play that Funky Music (1976), Wild Cherry; written by Robert W. Parissi