1963 galaxie

Yup, almost 30 years. Started as an E-1 and retired as a CWO4. Nam X2, Libya and the Persian Gulf. 18 years of sea duty, 8 long deployments and managed to come out of it all (shot at twice, never hit) with no serious medical issues despite my best efforts to push the limits when I was young and bullet proof.....

I know you have heard this before, but I really do appreciate your service. So many did not make it back home. Sad. Thanks
 
Was it mainly sea duty and little shore duty?

I tried to enlist in submarines but I put down on the application that I need to sleep with the windows open.

The CPO ran me out of there and yes sailors do cuss ... :(
 
18 + years of sea duty. Total of 28 years, kind of forced to retire, had 4 years of continues sea duty, two back to back Christmas's in the Person Gulf, time for shore duty, only offer was 18 month un-accompanied tour in Guantanamo or as the detailer said "you can retire to permanent shore duty". So I pulled the plug. Hard pill to swallow but it all worked out well. Ships were aircraft carriers, a Battle Ship and a destroyer plus a little 3 month TAD to the "brown water Navy".
 
But you reached full retirement, hopefully?

Were you married with a family while at sea?

None of my business but I never considered the NAVY except possibly for excellent MOS schooling and less chance of paddy-foot.

Is this why you are in Mobile as to be able to smell the salt air ... :D

BIRMINGHAM ???

I confused you with another member here.

GET 'EM CRS ...
 
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Retired with full benefits. I was married (still am, same woman) during many of the underway times. Areas around Navy bases are full of folks that "are in the same boat" as everyone else. We help each other out when the shipmate is underway and you are home. The wives have a social support group (wives club) with trained ombudsmen to help with crisis. The ombudsman has a direct link to the CO through the type commander. Helps with rumors!

My father is the reason I ended up in the Navy. He was WW2, Pacific theater, and as Nam was winding up, I was the oldest of 5 on a small dairy farm, with no money for college, he said you should consider joining the Navy or the Air Force. If you get drafted you will eat, sleep, pee, poop and die in a mud hole! The Navy didn't have neck ties....:<)
 
After I graduated HS in 1969 the draft was on everyone's mind. I waited until I received my "Greeting" notice and then joined for 2 years under the delayed entry program. I guy I worked with was in the same boat (no pun intended) and at the time the Navy had 2 year enlistments for a short time. He joined, figured that if he went to Nam at least he would be off the coast not sloshing thru the mud. Unfortunately he ended up as the front gunner on a Swift boat in the Mekong Delta. He caught a round just under his chin and opened him up all the way to his groin. Luckily he was medevac'd and survived.
 
590749


590750


1963 1/2 Ford Galaxie 500 Sports Hardtop
These are very desirable cars in Australia.
I saw this beauty yesterday at a local car show.
 
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