Posted by Douglas Karr on April 16, 2009 at 8:54pm
Since I helped start Navy Vets, you guys should know more about me. I joined the Navy after high school... basically because I was too lazy to go to college and I wanted to escape the dumb life I was living.
Old habits are hard to get rid of, so I brought my partying lifestyle right into the Navy. In boot camp, my smart mouth got me a 'mini-motivational tour' and quite a few visits to division officers sidewalk - once for trying to beat the heck out of my RCPO. I think Walker and Millhouse, my Company Commanders, were genuinely surprised that I had the chops to make it through and come back and graduate boot camp.
I went in the Nuclear Power program in Florida and made it all the way through Power School only to get my 'graduation' sucked out from under me because I was getting into a ton of trouble drinking.
I was busted from Third Class back to Fireman and worked nights all over the base at Orlando cleaning offices and shining floors. I was also sentenced to level 3 rehab - which I attended with about 50 hard core grunts from the Marine Corps.
For the next six months or so I kept my nose clean and the C.O. of the base reinstated my rank and expunged the bust from my records. (She laughed when I asked for back-pay!)
During this time I got hitched and, when my chit went through to move off base, everyone wondered why I was still in Orlando and not off to sea. It seemed like minutes, but I was shipped off to the USS Coontz within a few days!
More to come....
Thanks much John! The site wouldn't be great without the folks in here to keep it going. I've been in talks all week with a possible sponsor and an attorney - we're trying to pull it all together and get the Non-Profit paperwork done. I think the site will really take off once folks see that any revenue from advertising and sponsors will be going to Veterans' charities.
Thanks for the Birthday wishes, too! I'm 41 and beginning to feel it.
Doug I just want to tell you, that you have done well for yourself. This is one fine site you have put together. I have truely enjoyed every minute of the past 2yrs. since I joined up. I have made some fine friends,have recalled some damn fine old memorys, and recalled some that have long been forgotten. This is one damn good site, you done good Doug ! I hope to enjoy many more fine years, and gain many more good, get down to the nitty gritty dicussions with some damn good friends. Might not know them face to face, but can honestly say it feels as if I have known a few all my life. You keep up the good work my friend, I'm sure you will reap the rewards somewhere down the line.
You need to put some of these memories into a journal, and write a book. You might have a best seller!
Oh yea, before I forget HAPPY BIRTHDAY tomorrow. You have a good day Brother, don't eat to much cake.
Yes, I really was John! That's why I owe so much to the Navy. I'll keep on blogging about my life in the Navy but I really owe it a lot. By the time I got out, I was a responsible husband, good father, hard worker, and walked out with skills that have provided me with a great career. There's definitely a lesson in my Navy history as well as great respect for the military... they do take some rough edges and are able to smooth them out. I'm not sure where I would be today if I hadn't enlisted... probably dead or in jail!
Comments
Thanks for the Birthday wishes, too! I'm 41 and beginning to feel it.
You need to put some of these memories into a journal, and write a book. You might have a best seller!
Oh yea, before I forget HAPPY BIRTHDAY tomorrow. You have a good day Brother, don't eat to much cake.