56 Years ago March 17

37 chief · Mar 17, 2020

56 Years ago this date I left Dad's farm and joined the Navy. I didn't care much for it then, but as I look back today, I will never get a chance to do what I did, or got to see. Even though I was in the Navy I only spent one month on a ship. I was an aircraft mechanic, and spent my time on Naval air stations. Last duty station was Mofett Field near San Francisco in the 60's. That was one crazy place. Stan

Goose · Mar 17, 2020

Landlubber.

I was in the Marine Corps and between two aircraft carriers, troop ship, LST, cargo ship, etc. I spent close to a year and a half aboard ship, all added up.

Worst ride was when I rode an LST from Japan to Taiwan. Someone once said an LST has four speeds, idle, cruise, fast, and combat, all around 10 knots. I believe that's true.

Dean · Mar 17, 2020

I was told that the WWII crewmembers said that LST meant "Large Slow Target."

Dean

GordoSD · Mar 17, 2020

7 Westpac cruises aboard carriers About 65 months at sea. Don't wait for the Shrimp boats Honey, I'm coming home with the crabs

old · Mar 17, 2020

In July of this year it will have been 46 years since I joined the Navy. Started out on a sub the SSBN633 but hated it so got off and ended up on a carrier the JFK CVA67 got out in July of 1980

37 chief · Mar 17, 2020

One of the toilets was painted red in the barracks, to be used if you caught something in town. Stan

old popper · Mar 17, 2020

Was not in the Navy, but 56 years ago last Friday (the 13th) I graduated from Army Basic at Ft Leonard Wood Mo.

Ultradog MN · Mar 17, 2020

Go Navy!

Geo-TH,In · Mar 17, 2020

What would catch in town that required a red toilet? A hangover??? Or something requiring meds? Perhaps you should have practiced social distancing when you went to town! LOL
geo.

Tom in TN · Mar 17, 2020

I joined the Navy 58 years ago while I was still in High School on a deferred entry plan. I was pretty homesick much of the time, but the Navy gave me a career that lasted until I retired.

Best career decision I ever made. I frequently encourage young men to Go Navy.

Tom in TN

oldproudvet · Mar 17, 2020

Absolutely amazing what us kids did back then, the responsibility tasks etc. The snowflakes of today, don't have a clue! Kids on naval flight decks landing jets, kids in C 130s refueling F-4s etc..... blows your mind to think of what I was doing at age 21. Army, Viet Nam 67 into 68 when the career was quickly ended with AK 47's, couple of years of Army hospital time, with kids all around you pitifully burned, no arm, no leg, 2 legs missing on and on...... All positve and wanting to get on with life. And the gals, my gosh what military nurses dealt with, 21 year old gals! Quite a time folks, and you know of what I speak. Just sharing and venting a bit I guess......... Larry

super99 · Mar 17, 2020

Thank you to all you veterans!!! I graduated High School in 1970 and turned 18 that year. I was in the draft lottery and my birthday came up #361. I don't know what that makes me, but I didn't volunteer. I respect all of you guys for what you did!! Chris

Brian Dan · Mar 17, 2020

Well Just about 49 years ago I graduated from basic training In the Army. I was drafted in January. I received my draft notice on the 4th of Jan. On January 2nd my wife and I were married. I ended up becoming a mechanic in the Army. I completed my two years. After discharge I moved back home and there I joined the Army Reserve. I then served the next 18 years first as a mechanic, then as a driver and progressed to a Platoon sergeant. I the volunteered to go back full time Army as a Recruiter. That was not fun but I did it for the nest 12 years after that I was a career counselor for an additional 6 years. I completed 20 active years and 18 in the reserves.
Coming from a poor farm kid of the 50s and 60s the military gave me and my family a good living in the end. The pay was pretty bad to start with.
I did not volunteer to begin with but looking back at my experiences I really won the lottery when I received my draft notice!
Yes I would do it all over again. Glad to have served.
Brian

greenmech · Mar 17, 2020

54 years ago joined the Navy. 3 1/2 years on tin cans in the Tonkin Gulf. Led to good jobs although not exactly what I intended. Ron MN

Goose · Mar 17, 2020

Chesi Tomadachis

37 chief · Mar 17, 2020

I am not talking about the states, this would be over seas. Stan

shinnery · Mar 18, 2020

Come May it will be 57 years since I got out. Spent 33 months on the second Gearing class tin can Bath Iron Works built in 44. DDR-743 then a couple months on a DL that wound up going to the east coast to play with a new sonar. They left me in Long Beach and I got out 88 days early.

Stoneman44 · Mar 18, 2020

Thank you all!

Dachshund · Mar 18, 2020

LST - Large Slow Target....
I spent 8 years in the USMC - 1980-1988. Helicopter mech and crew chief on CH-53's.....Was on several ships for cruises and Helo inspections.
Guadalcanal
Saipan
Nassau
Nimitz
Iwo Jima
There were others, but it's been awhile...

BarryfromIA · Mar 18, 2020

Navy 56 years ago.

Farmall plowboy · Mar 18, 2020

40 years ago for me, seen alot of the ocean from my fire room on a aircraft carrier.

T in NE · Mar 18, 2020

The navy was taking guys with a cdl as equipment operators in the seabees when we sold the cows in 05.
If I was smarter I'd have walked into the recruiters office and signed the papers before I had time to think about it.

jacksun65 · Mar 18, 2020

I joined the Navy 38 years ago was 17. I served 9 years 6 month 28 days LOL. I was an AMH/NP. Two cruises One Indian ocean one med. I would have stayed in but they wouldn't let me go west coast, or college. So I hit the road, 26 years over the road most as and owner operator.

muleboss · Mar 18, 2020

51 years ago on March 17th I was inducted into the Army. Wore plenty of green for a couple of years.

muleboss · Mar 18, 2020

51 years on March 17th I was inducted into the US Army. Spend a couple of years wearing green. OD green.

56 Years ago March 17

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