{"id":7416,"date":"2024-09-03T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-03T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/?p=7416"},"modified":"2024-09-02T16:27:08","modified_gmt":"2024-09-02T20:27:08","slug":"174-transfer-orders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/174-transfer-orders\/","title":{"rendered":"#174\u2014Transfer Orders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

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  1. Who said, \u201cEverything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.\u201d<\/em>?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. In what movie (and who said it), did we hear, \u201cWhen you’re in the Navy, and you’re in transit, nobody knows where the hell you are.\u201d<\/em>?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. In what song (and who sang it), did we hear the following?
    Don’t you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boy<\/em>
    She’ll beat you if she’s able<\/em>
    You know the Queen of Hearts is always your best bet<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    <\/div>
    Blog #174 (audio)<\/div><\/div>
    <\/div>
    <\/div>
    Published: <\/span>September 1, 2024<\/span><\/div>
    <\/div>Audio by Andy Adkins<\/a><\/div><\/form><\/span>0<\/span> Downloads<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>
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    Becky & I have traveled a bit over this summer\u2014more than normal. We\u2019ve 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\u2019t?), but it\u2019s nice to be home for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I say that, but now I\u2019m wondering how soon before we get to see them again \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We usually travel light\u2014one 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\u2019t knock someone in the head while boarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Yeah \u2026 I\u2019m one of THOSE guys. I try to be considerate, but given I\u2019m 6\u20194\u201d (6\u20195\u201d after Yoga), sometimes it\u2019s hard to avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    New Recruits<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    At almost every<\/em> airport we traveled through\u2014whether departure, arrival, or layover\u2014I spotted several military personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I used to be able to distinguish different service members by their uniforms. But these days, I\u2019ll admit, I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"Andy
    Andy Adkins, Orlando RTC. 1973<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    I know \u2026 I\u2019m old-fashioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Yet, in my day (1973-77), I traveled in my Navy summer whites. These were the \u201cnew\u201d style uniforms, not<\/em> the cracker jacks I thought I\u2019d signed up for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The First Duty Station<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    After six weeks in boot camp (Orlando RTC<\/a><\/strong>, Company #163, July-August \u201973), I headed to ABH (Aviation Boatswain\u2019s Mate<\/strong>) \u201cA\u201d School<\/a> in Lakehurst, NJ. After six weeks of training to become an aircraft director and aircraft crash firefighter<\/a>, my orders directed me to NAS Agana, Guam<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"NAS
    NAS Agana, Guam – Crash Barn. 1974.
    Glenn Law, John O’Mara, Gary Cuzner (R.I.P), Andy Adkins<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019m sure back in November 1973\u2014traveling from Gainesville to Atlanta to San Francisco to Hawaii to Guam [36 hours in transit]\u2014I had that same<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These young whippersnappers were in a hurry\u2014we weren\u2019t, since we had a two-hour layover in Atlanta. But I couldn\u2019t help but think of the adventures they were beginning, their initial journey through the military life \u2026 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, \u201canother journey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I wish I\u2019d 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 \u2026 all those questions we, as young recruits, also had. \u201cWhat\u2019s it like in the real navy? Is it like what the recruiter told me? Will it be as harassing as boot camp?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What they\u2019ll soon learn is that there\u2019s a whole big family of us out there, and it continues to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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 \u201csense of purpose\u201d would soon greet them in their new travels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Transfer Orders<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    When I transferred from Guam to USS Kitty Hawk<\/em><\/strong> (CV-63)<\/a>, 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 \u201chome,\u201d with some old friends from Guam who\u2019d also transferred, was equally exciting. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"Transfer<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    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\u201446 years after I was discharged\u2014there are certain smells, certain sounds, a song, a taste, or just a fleeting thought that sends me back to that time in the Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Those are memories I\u2019ll Never Forget<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019m appreciative of our young military and, whatever they face, whatever they experience, they\u2014like us\u2014will soon be veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s no secret: we\u2019re all brothers and sisters with different mothers and fathers. We may joke with each other about their branch of service, but it\u2019s all in jest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As I\u2019ve said before, \u201cYou always remember your first.<\/a>\u201d<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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    \"NEVER<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (\u201973-77) and the author of several books. His newest novel, NEVER FORGET<\/strong>, is the story of A Vietnam Veteran\u2019s Journey for Redemption & Forgiveness<\/em>. NEVER FORGET is FREE (eBook, PDF) for all veterans. Download your FREE copy HERE<\/u><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Previous Blogs mentioned in the Post:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n