BJC Feb 1968
Greetings all. I entered San Diego boot camp the last week of Jan 1968. I moved into the BLJ they had not long retgurned from tge Hollywood trip where they recorded the record. Does anyone have a copy of that? I would so love to hear it again. My copy went away many years ago. Searched YouTube but no luck. Those were special times. Not only out voices but our style of marching with the "lean back" turns. I became the educational PO and will never forget my office with the hidden floor…
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I joined the BJC in late Aug. early Sep. 1970. I remember the barracks we were in were “old!” My bunk was on the second deck. I can’t recall the name of the 1st CC we had or the one that replaced him. I remember the 2nd CC was a short shrimp, MM1 ?? maybe. I remember the name of one shipmate that was there at the same time ‘Kevin David’....a shout out to you Kevin. I remember meeting up with him about a year later in Subic P.I. while I was headed to the msg center. I believe he was aboard the America. I remember marching for graduation every Friday, the way we had of getting our leggings white, and our white hats, as well as our whites. I never got to march for my own graduation. I came down with strep throat about 2 weeks before. I remember auditioning for Dr. Williams. I was glad to be a part of the BJC just wasn’t crazy about the extra 2 weeks in boot. Had fun though.
Ah yes, the Blue Jacket Choir! I was one of the lucky ones who got to go to Hollywood and record in the Mercury Recording Studio. Lost the album long ago but still remember those days '67 - '68. After moving to the second deck, I was in charge of the dispensary. Later, on to Hospital Corps A School San Diego and EENT school. Pensacola then Military Sea Transport Service when they changed the name to Military Sealift Command. Korea and Vietnam with ROK marines and army.
Someone who heard me singing in the shower after sentry duty (when I thought no-one else was up) suggested that I should join the Blue Jackets' Choir. This was in March 1958 and my Company # was 177. What I liked most about our off base performances was being invited to lunch by one or another family of a church we sang at. Oh yes, I was a baritone, but sometimes sang base parts.
The picture of the USS 'Never Sail' reminded me of classes we had inside her and from where I was more than once sent ahead as "chow runner". Once an officer in a car clocked me and commented: "Nice going, sailor; 10 MpH!".
Boy did I feel honored, especially that he called me 'sailor' when I was still just a 'lower than whale sh*t' recruit!
Eternal%20Father%20BJC%201971.mp3
I was digging around in the basement today and found a bunch of old LP records. In the middle of the batch I came across my recording of the Blue Jacket Choir from 1971. I've attached a sample for your listening pleasure. The director during my tour was John Williams and the organist was James Hansen. Enjoy!
Remember USS Recruit, or USS Never Sail.
Sorry, don't think I'm in the pictures. May be in the group, but can't tell. Thank you for trying. Have to wait to get back to our house in Iowa. In Florida at the moment. Good to see the pictures of our BJC group. Thanks again!
On the section Top right
First tenor also ,I can't remember what section but have the pictures . I have the pictures on file and can send them to you .
Howard, that would be great. If you can find those pictures. The way it works, the sooner I would get the pictures from someone else, the sooner I would find mine. Thanks in advance, for your help. What did you sing? Base, baritone, first or second tenor? I was 1st tenor.