{"id":6563,"date":"2023-02-28T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/?p=6563"},"modified":"2023-02-27T14:43:20","modified_gmt":"2023-02-27T19:43:20","slug":"139-is-this-what-i-signed-up-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/139-is-this-what-i-signed-up-for\/","title":{"rendered":"#139\u2014Is This What I Signed Up For?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Who said, \u201cIt’s never too late to be what you might’ve been.\u201d?<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, \u201cI\u2019ll be back.\u201d<\/em>?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. In what song (and who wrote it) did we hear the following?
    It ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe<\/em>
    If’n you don’t know by now<\/em>
    And it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe<\/em>
    It’ll never do somehow<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n
    <\/div>
    Blog #139 (audio)<\/div><\/div>
    <\/div>

    Blog #139 – Is This What I Signed Up For?<\/p>\n<\/div>

    Published: <\/span>February 27, 2023<\/span><\/div>
    <\/div>Audio by Andy Adkins<\/a><\/div><\/form><\/span>3<\/span> Downloads<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>
    <\/div>\n\n\n
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    Boot Camp<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019m so tired, but I can\u2019t fall asleep. My day started early at seven this morning, spending all day at the Jacksonville Armed Forces Induction Center<\/strong> 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\u2014it was required on every<\/em> document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Well, at least I passed those<\/em> tests. And\u2026 I proudly took a solemn oath that would change my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Then, after a quick dinner at the local Denny\u2019s, I boarded a Trailways Bus for a luxurious three-hour ride with 50 new friends, getting to Orlando Naval Recruit Training Center<\/a><\/strong> 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\u2026 and so loud and so rude!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Where the hell am I? It\u2019s two in the morning\u2026 strange bed\u2026 strange smells\u2026 strange sounds\u2026 Finally, I drift off to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What in tarnation is that noise? Sounds like a drunk stumbling over a garbage can. Wait.. where the hell am I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Andy
    Andy Adkins, Orlando RTC Boot Camp, Company #163 – July-August 1973.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cWake up, pretty ladies. It\u2019s oh-four-hundred, and it\u2019s your first day in the United States Navy. In case you didn\u2019t know, your mamas are not going to gently wake you up like you were still in school. No, sir\u2026 starting today, I\u2019m your mother AND<\/em> your father. Now\u2026 get the hell outta your racks. You\u2019ve got fifteen minutes to sh!t, shower, and shave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cMove it! Move it! Move it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Holy crap. Is this what I signed up for?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cA\u201d School<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Well, after six weeks of hell, I finally graduated boot camp. And, since I had a year of college under my belt\u2014albeit, I flunked out of F.S.U. with a 0.7 GPA\u2014I was an E-2, a Seaman Apprentice<\/strong>\u2026 whatever that means. After a couple of weeks at home rehabilitating, I\u2019m now up in Lakehurst, New Jersey<\/strong>. I\u2019m supposed to start my \u201cA\u201d school<\/strong><\/a> to become an ABH, an Aviation Boatswain\u2019s Mate Handler<\/strong>, whatever the hell that is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I recall that brief time in the Navy Recruiter\u2019s office in downtown Tallahassee, looking through a thick book of jobs, though I guess they\u2019re called ratings in the Navy. I must have landed on this rating. I know I loved the outdoors, and I loved airplanes\u2014I must\u2019ve put together every model airplane on the shelf from J.M. Fields when I was growing up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So that\u2019s how I landed here. But wait\u2026 why in the hell are we installing drop ceiling tiles in these old World War II barracks? Oh yeah. They told us we didn\u2019t have enough guys to start a new ABH class. So, we wait\u2026 and install tiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is this what I signed up for?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Well, at least I know one guy\u2026 James Young<\/strong> and I were both in Company #163<\/strong> in boot camp. I remember our company commander was ADJ1 Thomas Wright<\/strong>. Decent guy, especially since I got to know him better\u2014I was our company Yeoman. I \u201cvolunteered\u201d when I raised my hand after he asked, \u201cDoes anyone know how to type?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That\u2019ll be the last time I volunteer. Even though NAVY stands for \u201cNever Again Volunteer Yourself<\/em><\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Okay, now we\u2019re cooking. Got 20 guys here, big enough for an \u201cA\u201d School ABH class. The next six weeks should tell me whether I\u2019d made the right choice for a rating, or a job, in the Navy. Our two instructors, both ABH1s, are pretty chill. They don\u2019t harangue us like CC Wright did in boot camp. But then, that was his job\u2014break everyone down as an individual, then build the entire company back up as a team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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 \u201cgrinder\u201d in Orlando\u2026 in July. Then classroom and practical training for ABHs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After hours, there\u2019s always the EM club, just up the hill, which is a good thing. You know\u2026 just in case you have too much to drink\u2026 you can roll downhill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I can get used to this. I can\u2019t wait to graduate and get my first duty assignment. Oh yeah\u2026 the \u201cdream sheet<\/strong>.\u201d I put down the West Coast because I heard Pacific cruises are the best. We\u2019ll see where I\u2019m assigned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    NAS Agana, Guam<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Guam? I\u2019m going to Guam!<\/a> WTF, over? I thought I\u2019d be on a ship, not<\/em> an island in the middle of nowhere. Oh well, orders are orders. I get three weeks leave at home in Gainesville, then I\u2019m on my way to Guam. Now I just need to figure out where that is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After a 36-hour trip, I\u2019m finally here. Great\u2026 more WWII barracks. Well, at least I\u2019m not installing drop ceilings again. First few days, I\u2019m in training, learning both the Crash trucks and the crews. Once again, my boot camp, \u201cA\u201d school buddy, James Young, transferred with me. At least I know one person on this island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019m in the Port Section; it\u2019s hard to argue which section is best, but since we work 24 hours on and 24 hours off, it really doesn\u2019t matter. I\u2019m initially assigned to Unit #6, an Oshkosh MB-1 Crash truck<\/strong>, painted traffic yellow. There are five of us, and I\u2019m on one of the roof turrets. All five of us are in the truck cab, but there\u2019s plenty of room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"NAS
    NAS Agana, Guam (1974). Oshkosh MB-1 Crash Truck, Unit #6.
    Glenn Law, John O’Mara, Gary Cuzner, Andy Adkins<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    We spend two, 4-hour shifts out on the \u201cHot Spot,\u201d or \u201cAlert Spot.\u201d That\u2019s a gravel area between the two parallel runways at NAS Agana, Guam. The Navy shares the same runways with the civilian airport, so we\u2019re also the firefighters for anything with passengers. I\u2019ve been told those new giant Japan Air Lines 747s can hold up to 450 passengers. That would be a mess. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Andy
    Andy Adkins, NAS Agana, Guam. Unit #5 (1975).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    But it\u2019s not bad out here. Guam is near the equator, so it\u2019s usually tropical, with almost daily rain showers. But because it\u2019s an island about four miles wide and 32 miles long, there\u2019s a good stiff breeze most days, even at high noon. It gets a little boring out here, but I\u2019ve learned to sneak a book out or write letters home. It helps to pass the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The crew is good. Gary Borne<\/strong> is the driver; he\u2019s been here for several months. Glenn Law<\/strong> is the crew chief. Both are E-3s, Airman; I\u2019m still an Airman Apprentice, though I knew I\u2019d advance to E-3 Airman as soon as I took the test and I\u2019d get a pay raise from $363 a month to $377. The other two crewmen on the truck were John O\u2019Mara<\/strong> and Gary Cuzner<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"Glenn
    Glenn Law, Gary Borne (R.I.P.), NAS Agana, Guam (1974). On “Hot Spot.”
    (Photo credit: Andy Adkins)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    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<\/strong> facility was a short distance away, so I\u2019m going to take advantage of the \u201cBoonie Stomps<\/a>,\u201d where we tour various locations around the island. Besides, it\u2019s also a good way to meet other military guys and girls from the other stations on Guam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now, this<\/em> is more like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    USS Kitty Hawk<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Damn, that 15 months went by quick. My first two Christmas\u2019 away from home, but no big deal. The Navy is now my new family. Now\u2026 I\u2019ve got orders to report to USS Kitty Hawk<\/em><\/strong>, CV-63, an aircraft carrier based in San Diego; more precisely, North Island Naval Station<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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\u2019m in San Diego (yea!), but Kitty Hawk<\/em> is not here (boo!). They\u2019re out on a RIMPAC exercise and I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is this what I signed up for?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fortunately, we break after lunch, and I\u2019ve got the rest of the day off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now, I report aboard Kitty Hawk<\/em>; she\u2019s 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<\/strong>. Glenn\u2019s a Yellow Shirt Director<\/strong> in Fly 2 (I\u2019ll soon figure out what that means) and Gary is in Crash<\/strong>\u2014that\u2019s where I\u2019ll be assigned. That\u2019s fine by me. Gary taught me to drive all the Crash trucks in Guam. Crash drives the Oshkosh MB-5<\/strong> on the flight deck of Kitty Hawk<\/em>. A little tighter space, but I\u2019ll figure it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My first trip out to sea aboard Kitty Hawk<\/em> was a Tiger Cruise<\/strong>, a one-day excursion commonly done before a Westpac, where sailors can bring their families aboard to \u201csee what daddy does at work.\u201d We also experienced an at sea burial, which was quite formal\u2014one of many Navy traditions I\u2019d learn while aboard the ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now it\u2019s May 1975, and we\u2019re leaving for six months. We\u2019ll stop at Hawaii<\/a><\/strong>, then a two-week non-stop sail to the Philippines<\/a><\/strong>, our overseas home port. From there, we\u2019ll cruise around the South China Sea, stop over at Hong Kong<\/strong><\/a> & Yokosuka<\/a><\/strong>, Japan, see a few Russian Bears & Badgers and launch the Alert 5<\/strong><\/a>, and experience liberty in several ports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That\u2019s all cool stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But the best\u2026 the best<\/em> ever? Working on the flight deck<\/a><\/strong> of an aircraft carrier. The hours can be long, but when you\u2019re out at sea with no where to go, what else ya gonna do? Besides, I\u2019m with my \u201cfamily,\u201d and we are all serving our country. That\u2019s a big deal for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Flight ops from 1000 until past midnight, launching and recovering 15-20 aircraft every 1\u00bd hours, during rain, during bright sunshine, and through the night. HS-8 helicopters<\/strong>, F-4 Phantoms<\/strong>, A-7 Corsairs<\/strong>, E-2 Hummers<\/strong>, A-6 Intruders<\/strong>, EA-6B Prowlers<\/strong>, S-2 Stoofs<\/strong>, and A-5 Vigilantes<\/strong><\/a>. It\u2019s not like that anymore, but for this<\/em> airdale, those<\/em> were the aircraft we worked with in the mid-70s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"USS
    USS Kitty Hawk<\/em> (CV-63), Westpac ’75. Launch of A-7 Corsair.
    (Photo credit: Andy Adkins)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Sunrises and sunsets at sea, clear blue water, endless horizons, unlimited stars at night, whales, dolphins, flying fish\u2014nature\u2019s beauty all served up for our entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And for me, there\u2019s never been anything quite like it since then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After Three Years, Eleven Months, & 29 Days (But Who\u2019s Counting)<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, I ask again\u2026 is this what I signed up<\/em> for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Oh, Hell Yeah!<\/em><\/strong> And I\u2019d do it all over again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Until we meet again,
    Andy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Answers<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. George Eliot.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. The Terminator<\/em><\/strong> (1984), The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Don\u2019t Think Twice, It\u2019s All Right<\/em><\/strong> (1963), Bob Dylan; written by Bob Dylan.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Previous blogs mentioned in this post:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n