It's Not Just a Job, It's an Adventure!

A Brief Moment in Time

(or, a short look at my Naval career)

Believe it or not, I was on a Nuclear Submarine, USS Plunger (SSN-595) from December 1970 until April 1973. Here's a picture of Plunger. Click on the image to learn more about Plunger.

I then served aboard USS Constellation (CVA-64) from October 1973 to December 1974, after attending a 13 week Telephone Maintenance Class in Great Lakes, Illinois. Note that when I was on the "Connie", she was a "CVA". Later, this designation was changed to simply "CV". In fact, all carriers had the "A" dropped. Constellation was decommissioned in August of 2003.

Next is USS Buchanan (DDG-14), a Guided Missile Destroyer. I served on Buchanan from July1976 to November 1978  after completing Electrical Gyrocompass Maintenance School, again in Great Lakes, Illinois. As you no doubt can tell, I am pretty familiar with the Great Lakes area. I learned here what the abbreviation "OPPE" meant for those of you who were US Navy engineering types. Buchanan was sunk off the coast of Hawaii after several practise attacks with Harpoon missiles and Naval Gunfire. They had to set charges to sink the old girl, who fought to the end!

Click on the image to learn more about Buchanan.

After Buchanan, I served on an Amphibious Cargo Ship, the USS Durham, LKA-114. I was on this ship from November 1978 to June 1981. This was my second favorite shipboard assignment, mainly because I was able to visit Japan, Taiwan and Korea.

Click on the image to learn more about Durham.

Special thanks to MMCM(SS) Greg  Peterman, USN (retired) who had a picture and graciously sent it to me

From July 1981, to June 1984, I was assigned at US Navy Basic Electricity and Electronics School, Service Schools Command, Naval Training Center San Diego, CA. My responsibilities ranged from Instructor to Material Support Division Chief. It was also a good assignment, and I managed to earn my BS in Computer Science at night while stationed there.  I made Chief Petty Office while attached to this command. 

Click on the picture to find out more about NTC San Diego.

After Naval Training Center San Diego, I attended Closed Circuit Television Maintenance School in Great Lakes, Illinois. This consisted of 18 weeks of 8-hours-per-day instruction. I finished second in my class and very much enjoyed this school.
Click on the image to learn more about Great Lakes.

My best and most favorite assignment was onboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) from December 1984 to April 1989.
 

Click on the Ship's Patch to go to the official USS Enterprise (CVN-65) website

Click on the thumbnail image to see a larger picture of Enterprise.

From May 1989 until April 1992, I was stationed at Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC), Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA. I held several positions there, the most significant being 3M Coordinator,  ADP Security Officer, and Director of Radiac Instrument Maintenance School. While at this command, I managed to obtain my Advanced Class Amateur Radio License.   I retired from NTTC in April 1992 as a Senior Chief Interior Communications Electrician. If you want to ask me any questions about my Naval Career, I will be happy to answer them. Just click my picture on the Home Page.

Click on the image to learn more about T.I.

Thank you for sharing my Navy career. It was a good one, and I miss the Navy.

Going to sea is a wonderful and humbling experience, and anyone who has been in the middle of the Pacific Ocean at night can tell you that there's nothing like it.

I can also say that from my many visits to other countries, I am convinced that the

United States of America is the best place in the world to live.