My USN experiences

I started my USN service as a ADJ with VAQ 133 Wizards at Whidbey Is Wa. I worked on EA-6B.s and loved my job. I went to ADJ A school at NAS Millington Tn and after graduating I returned to Whidbey IS and joined the VAQ 137 Rooks. I planned on making the USN a career so I requested transfer out of the ADJ rate into the TD rate. My first two requests were denied. My squadron commander knew an Admiral at PACAF and the Admiral agreed to write a letter of recommendation which went to BUPERS with my third request to transfer into the TD rate. BUPERS accepted my request and I attended TD A school at NAS Millington and graduated with honors but being a fleet sailor I didn't receive any awards. I had requested FASO NAS North Island Ca. as I had worked out there during my off duty time while my VAQ 137 detachment was there on TAD for carrier qualifications  on the USS Ranger. The detailer at BUPERS decided to send another E-5 to NAS North Island even though I had more time in grade as a E-5. The detailer told me on the phone that the needs of the Navy dictate that E-5 so and so goes there and I get assigned to SSC/NTC Great Lakes as a TD-2. I went to SSC/NTC Great Lakes and even though I had been in aviation I was assigned to the Perry class FFG engine room trainer group of TD.s. There were riots in the streets in North Chicago as the recruits were feeling their oats and started some cars on fire and so on. Being the least senior TD I was selected to become a temp Master at Arms for one barracks and a chief and I ran the barracks. The first two floors were Men and the top floor was WAVS. I did my job and was on assignment for about 2 months before returning to the TD section. By that time I saw the hand writing on the wall and the final straw was the USN decision to put E-6 and below TD's onboard aircraft carriers manning the plat camera for 16 hour flight ops. The TD's up to that time was a land based rate and the USA started assigning construction rate Seabee's to TD rates. Most of the Seabees didn't have any electronic training but they were E-5 and E-6's. I took the TD=1 test and passed and then I learned the USN had to dumb down the E-6 test to the 9th grade reading level because nobody was passing the tests. I got out of the USN and never looked back.

My 20 year old son recently joined the USN and is a Nuclear Electricians mate 3rd class. He is applying for the Navy Academy this coming December and I hope he is selected. I enjoyed my time in the USN and would recommend the USN over other military services. .

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Comments

  • I have never heard of a "spot" promotion such as this. Almost a year later? I do know that when the NEW JERSEY was being brought back out in '67 letters went out from BUPERS to GMG's that were qualified on 16 inch rifles. If they could pass the physical regardless of age they could come back but no "spot" promotions that I know of. I met one who did. He was in his forties and finished a career.

  • I honorably separated from the USN in November 1979 and in October 1980 I received a large white envelope from BUPERS. Opening the envelope I was surprised to see a promotion to E-7 and if I accepted I would be stationed at the Recruiting Center office in Green Bay Wi as a recruiter. The TD rate was top heavy in 1979 and I had thought that I would never have made Chief Petty Officer. Has anybody else received a promotion like this ? I declined the offer and tossed the certificate and letter in the round file holder. I wish I had saved that certificate now.

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