A Veteran's Journey

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)

1. Who said, “The greatest source of happiness is the ability to be grateful at all times.”?
2. Who said (and what movie), “Go ahead, make my day.”?
3. Who sang (and what song) the following lyrics:
   I never met a girl ship who makes me feel the way that you do
   (You’re alright)
   Whenever I’m asked who makes my dreams real, I say that you do
   (You’re outta sight)

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Happy Anniversary to me!

Today, Friday, July 10, 2020, is an important date for me. Forty-seven (47) years ago, I signed on the dotted line and enlisted in the United States Navy on July 10, 1973 for a 4-year commitment. But because I joined on a Tuesday and was discharged on a Friday, it was only 3 years, 11 months & 29 days… but who’s counting?

I began a 4-year journey that would impact the rest of my life. Like many of my Navy veteran friends, I bought into the complete Hook, Line & Sinker story and never looked back. I only questioned that decision a few times (i.e., during Boot Camp). I’m sure I’m not the only veteran who feels that way. I blogged about my Orlando RTC Boot Camp experience earlier [HERE].

My “Navy resume” is short. But instead of a Ph.D., I earned a DD-214. I am a proud US Navy veteran.

• ABH-2 (Aviation Boatswains Mate-Handler, 2d Class Petty Officer)
• USS Kitty Hawk, CV-63 / V-1 Division: March 1975 – July 1977
• NAS Agana, Guam / Crash & Rescue: November 1973 – February 1975
• ABA “A” School, Lakehurst, New Jersey
• Orlando RTC (Recruit Training Center)

It all started when I Flunked Out of College

“Dismissed for Academic Reasons.”

There it was on paper in black and white; May 1973. Florida State University asked me to depart their wonderful institution. I started college when I was 17 years old, but that was my first year away from home and my grades were not up to par. I couldn’t believe they kicked me out because of my 0.7 G.P.A.

I knew my Mom and Dad would be pissed. I’d been up in Tallahassee for almost a year. They paid the entire way, both for school and a “little more.” I thought I was doing all right.

Of course, it took me a few weeks to get used to being away from home. And sure, since the drinking age was eighteen, I partied a little—OK, I partied a LOT. But that wasn’t an excuse for F.S.U. to flunk me, was it?

Scuba Diving?

I was into scuba diving and worked at a local scuba dive shop, North Central Florida Diving Center, owned by my friend and scuba instructor, Barry Kerley. We dove the wrecks and jetties off Panama City, but my favorite spot to dive was the St. Marks River, right off the bridge in Woodenville.

I knew there was work to be done at school. The only problem? It obviously wasn’t that important to me.

Army… or Navy?

Back then, a thousand thoughts ran through my mind. I could always join the Army and follow in my dad’s footsteps. He served with the 80th Infantry Division and fought the Germans in WWII. That’s probably what he might want me to do, even though we were still fighting a war in Vietnam.

I talked with my friend & fellow diver, Ed Kelly about his great times and adventures in the Navy. Since I loved to scuba dive, there would be more opportunities to dive with the Navy than with the Army.

I borrowed my roommate’s bike the next day and rode down to the local recruiting office in downtown Tallahassee. I can’t remember the recruiter’s name, but he was very cordial, informative, and seemed trustworthy. He, of course, saw me as one more for his monthly quota though I didn’t feel that at all during the visit.

Aviation… what?

After we talked a bit, he gave me a thick book of Navy jobs to look through. So much to read with so little time. Since I didn’t have a long attention span, it didn’t take me long to point to the job I wanted. Similar to spinning a globe and stopping it with your finger, I said, “here’s what I want to do.”

Actually, my thought process was very logical. I loved scuba diving, so that brought me to the Navy. I loved being outdoors, and I had always been interested in airplanes. As a kid, I probably assembled about every jet and airplane model on the shelves. They fascinated me.

“The Navy needs ABHs and you will probably be able to go anywhere in the world you want.”

— Navy Recruiter

I selected the rate, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate-Handler. “No problem,” the recruiter said. “The Navy needs ABHs and you will probably be able to go anywhere in the world you want.” I’m sure he said that to everyone that walked through his door.

Since I was eighteen, I could legally sign documents. “Sign on the dotted line. Press hard, the third copy’s yours.” And with that simple gesture, I was now a member of the United States Navy.

Many people have asked over the years if I signed up for the Navy to really join (“it’s not just a job, it’s an adventure”) or if was I worried about being drafted into the Army. Even though the Vietnam War was winding down in 1973, we still registered for the draft.

Honestly, I wanted to join the Navy. The thought of being drafted never crossed my mind.

Mom, Dad… I have some “news”

A few days later while working at the dive shop, my mom and dad called. My dad said, “Son, we just got your report card and wanted to talk with you about your grades.”

“Yeah, I know. I didn’t do as well as I should have.”

Before my dad or mom could say another thing I blurted out, “I joined the Navy.” There was a silence—a long deafening silence. I heard a collective gasp from the other end of the phone. My mom said, “What?” I told them again.

I forgot whatever else they said during that phone call, but my mom told me years later that she and my dad were proud of me at that moment. They said that I had made one of the most important decisions in my life. More importantly, I stuck with it, all Three Years, Eleven Months, and 29 days.

Question for you… What drove your decision to join the Navy? Add to comments section below. We all have a story to tell.

Stay safe, my friends.

Until we meet again,
Andy

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.

Previous blogs mentioned in this post:

• #4 – From Civilian to US Navy
• #10 – You Light ’em, We Fight ’em
• #35 – US Navy “A” School

Answers

1. Zig Ziglar.
2. Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood), Sudden Impact (1983).
3. Get Ready, The Temptations; written by Smoky Robinson (1966).