Comments

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  Frederick Howard Forschler June 18, 2014 at 10:23am

  Chief, No I don't recall a CT by that name.  When I was doing my CTO thing out of the PI, there were literally 100's of various CT designations and personnel to go with them.  The only CTI I recall was a guy by the name of David Kohan.  I really only knew him because he was a former 69 classmate of mine from High School.  He also went directly into the service right out of high school.  I was only 17 when I graduated in 69.  I turned 18 that October and got drafted in the late October draft.  I chose the Navy as I didn't want to go to Vietnam in the Army.  Interesting little note because it concerns your rate.  When I first went in I wanted to be a Combat Corpman.  I scored 72 on the ASVAB and was guaranteed that school.  Unfortunately we were pulling combat troops out of Vietnam in 70, so they didn't need anymore Combat Corpman at the time.  I scored extremely high on the communications tests given in boot, so they made me a CTO instead and sent me to the PI at Navcommsta San Miguel, RP.  From 70 to 75, most operations were more covert than direct combat.  We tried the Vietnamization of the war, but as history tells, just like Iraq today, the locals were not up to it.

  I just don't understand the Navy's attitude and philosophy on the weight control thing in the 70's.  They let me get fat and did nothing about it.  They did not treat Obesity as the disease it is and they never treated the psychological effects that caused my tremendous weight gain on Guam.  I guess I could give a shot at a Congress Person to try and address these issues.  The VA and Navy are absolutely no help.  I also guess my only shot at anything is to get Congressional help on all the issues including the Agent Orange and Asbestos poisonings.  Thanks for all your insight and thanks for your service.

  BTW, my youngest son is a CTM2.  Thats Crypto Tech Maintenance.  He fixes the Crypto gear on the Vans and EP3 spy planes.  He's been in 6 years now and plans on making the Navy a 30 year career.  He's working on a BS in computer science while in.  His goal is to be a CWO.  So far he's taken the E-6 exam a couple of times but hasn't quite passed it.  He's technically stationed at NIOC on NAS Whidbey Island. He's currently on his second deployment, this time to Bahrain where they monitor our Iranian Buddies.  He's a little concerned about the current problems in IRAQ.  He's due to come home in July and be sent to Ft Meed, MD for 2 weeks of Sat Comm training.  He's due to come back to Whidbey in August.  Hopefully with the current problems in IRAQ he won't get extended beyond this 6 months there.

  Take care Chief and again thanks for your service and insight into my current problems with the VA.
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  Douglas James Riley June 17, 2014 at 2:39pm

  I'm with you Chief Ford.  I was brought up to never use a first name until personally invited or introduced.  In or out of the service. Plus I still respect a person's rank.
  Obviously amassing some wealth has absolutely nothing to do with common courtesy!
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  Gary G Glass June 16, 2014 at 8:58pm

  Thanks
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  Michael Allen Weaver June 16, 2014 at 7:20pm

  Thank you for that nice greeting, Chief. I served from '67 to' 77 and got out  as an SM1. As a young father of three great kids and thinking of the future, felt it was time to change course--especially after the career advisor offered me the Midway if I shipped over.

  Started out on the Bon Homme Richard out of San Diego following boot camp and A-school--lots of time on Yankee Station. From there it was on to a year in country on the Jennings County before getting back to CONUS on the Firm, an ocean mine sweeper out of Long Beach. We bobbed, rolled and pitched all the way to WESTPAC for a tour, participated in Markettime and made all the great Westpac ports of call. I was still too young to settle in the civilian life, so I shipped over for the Windham County out of Yokosuka. It was the best ship I ever served on under Captain Arthur Rowe, and I spent almost six years there, riding the Gurke and Rowan later.

  Then it was on to shore duty, and I was ready. Closed out my career ashore at CFAY as a shore patrolman and later as base investigator. Very good times working Navy law enforcement as well with the Japanese National Police. I treasure a ceremonial sake cup and certificate of appreciation presented by the Japanese police.

       
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  John Banse June 16, 2014 at 6:50pm

  Chief Ford,

  Many thanks for the welcome, and pointing out my typo.

  Thank you for your service as well!
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  Jim Ruddy June 16, 2014 at 6:14pm

  Thank you for the welcome.
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  Frederick Howard Forschler June 16, 2014 at 5:56pm

  Thanks for the welcome Chief.  BTW, when did you serve and where?  I was only in 10 years and then the Navy kicked me out for weight control.  Strange that they would actually do that since there were no standards and no PT available.  Also no weight control programs except they'd give one a book and say stop eating.  After Vietnam was over, I gained 100 lbs while stationed at NAVCAMS Guam.  No help from the Navy at all on why.  I suppose it had allot to do with my experiences, the drug and alcohol policies of the 70's and no programs to help with Obesity.  I even requested the surgery, but was denied by the Navy.  I figured what a waste of time and expense for all the training the Navy put me through.  I would have stayed 30 years.  I enjoyed the Navy, just not my job sometimes, especially during Vietnam.  I was a CTO and RM for my 10 years.  Only got up to E-5 and because of the weight, never got recommended for E-6.

  BTW, if you could help me with direction on Agent Orange issues, especially on Guam and I've also be diagnosed with Asbestosis, from my time on the USS Henderson DD-785 in 1973-74.  The VA recognizes that the Asbestos poisoning is service connected, but I get a 0 rating because I have not developed Lung Cancer or Meso as yet.  I currently have Lung Nodules in both lungs that are growing slowly.  I'm also on the Agent Orange registry and have tested positive for exposure to the dioxin, but the VA is still stuck on the boots on the ground in Vietnam issue and doesn't recognize other areas in Indo China.  I can't prove boots on the ground in Vetnam, but can prove I was in other areas affected by the Agent Orange.  I was in the PI for 3 years, 1970-73, The Henderson 73-74, NAVCAMS Guam 74-77.  All these areas were exposed and had Agent Orange used, stored and displaced from.  Please direct me if you can.
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  Kathryn Marrero June 16, 2014 at 4:33pm

  Glad to be a member!
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  Thom Rigg June 16, 2014 at 3:07pm

  Thanks Chief.  And may I thank you for your service as well.

  Was almost a Corpsman myself.  Went to Corps School at San Diego Naval Hospital where HMC Cannon was in charge of us.  Decided very soon that being a Corpsman was not for me and ended up being a yeoman (2515) instead.

  Good to see sailors talking to sailors.

  Respectfully,

  Thom Rigg
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  Richard A. Fegley June 8, 2014 at 11:32pm

  Chief,

  I was assigned to the hospital C.O's office, and was his driver.  I forget his name but he was a one star and a very great guy to work for.  He spent many hours trying to convince me to reenlist again.  I did almost 7yrs active, then enlisted in the naval reserve when I got home.  I spent another 4 plus years in the reserves until a service connect injury got me boarded out.  I would have liked to stay for 20 plus years.  My wife said get out or get a divorce.  I should have stayed in she divorced me 6yrs after I got out of active duty.  I did miss seeing my kids growing up when in active duty.  I was with the Spec Warfare Group One, Inshore Undersea Warfare Group One and we were on the go all the time.  Then I was with Marine EOD in Japan for about 19 months.  I had outstanding duty mostly on modified Independent duty.