Comments

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  Raymond Littleton Highers, III June 26, 2010 at 2:07am

  I was in Naval Veterans (NAVET) Training from 04/10/1986 to 05/01/1986. Then I went to the NTC side and Basic Electronics and Electricity (BE&E) School for eight days.
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  Joseph Eric Dilmore June 25, 2010 at 10:19am

  I went to OrlandoRTC in july'82 C197 div 4 ABE1Tom English,was in BJC(blue jackets choir) I rember the Diplomat hotel,that bar that was made to look like an airfield somrwhere in France during WWI,fell in lust w/some of the WAVES from the sister co.s,the grinder,AT,Mo-tours,mimi-Mo-tours, standing on div sidewalk(uh-oh)getting cycled till I puked.
  Oh what memories!sometimes I wish I could go back and do it all over again(sounds crazy?...yep ,but for some unknown reason I cannot fathom I just...I can't explain...maybe its the bonds of the shipmates that developed and that were lost that I miss ,or even something else)
  In the past 10 yrs. I have been diagnosed w/ a degenerative disc disease and I have at this time 7 discs affected[2 cervical/3 thorasic/and 2 in the lumbar region]I an not able to work in constant pain,ranging from a constant #5ache(pain scale of 1-10) to a #7stabbing burning pain shooting down one leg or the other [somtimes both].In the last 2 years I've gained 40 -60 lbs!
  And to think I used to be a stripper in the time period '92-96.I need to get a HUGE KICK IN THE ASS to get healthy fo not only my kids ,but my wife as well.
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  Paul E Miller June 24, 2010 at 6:01pm

  March 1969-May 1969..... Company 089....
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  herbert thomas ulmer June 23, 2010 at 1:56pm

  I WAS IN COMPANY 101. I ARRIVED BY TRAIN ON 11 APRIL 1969. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WAS IN 101 ?
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  Kim Catoe June 22, 2010 at 9:20pm

  Nov 19, 1986- Jan 1987 C032 Goodwid & Bell Comp Commanders
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  Roger D. Davis June 22, 2010 at 12:13am

  May 28, 1976 to September 1976, Company 320
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  marlene marie wilmer silva June 21, 2010 at 12:34am

  At one particular 1-5 stand tall, my male CC friend invited me to the "party". I got the RCPO and he was tree top tall. I on the other hand am 5'3". I laid into him and got in his face and let him have it with two barrels. He looked down at me without flinching and winked. I almost died. He had me so flustered that I told PO1 Ryder I had to leave. Hey recruit, whoever you are, you got me good and I thoroughly enjoyed it although at the time, I couldn't let you know, Over 25 years later, I still laugh about it. What great memories.
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  Dean VanDrese June 20, 2010 at 10:08pm

  It seems like forever since I was running around on the grinder. The weather was already getting hot and humid and it was only March. I had started out as the Religious Petty Officer for the company but moved over to the Starboard Watch Leader when a vacancy had presented itself. At the time, thought it was a good move but missed the geedunk that we would be allowed to eat at church on Sundays, after the service, while all the rest of the company was back toiling in the barracks. I wish that I could relive my entire time in the Navy, not to change the experiences that I had, only to have made more and extended my career, gone back to sea (I miss sea time) and retired!
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  Deanna Little June 16, 2010 at 4:57pm

  i miss our brother co. can't recall which is was tho, jus reflecting
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  Bill Pippin June 14, 2010 at 6:50pm

  I was hoping to find a site such as this. I really have a special place in my heart for Orlando. I guess it's because it has been so long and times does heal all wounds. I was in company 173 in August of 1969..Cousin's Commandos. What could go wrong!? Beautiful new barracks, sunshine, nice haircut, new clothes, a few shots to ward off sickness, moderate exercise to get me in shape..and a veritable plethora of trained Naval personnel who liked me just for being me! Yea, right!!
  I read the comments of one of the guys who was in company 177, I believe who mentioned the rough treatment by the "Red Ropes". You know, as time goes by and stories are told and retold, facts sometimes get exaggerated. That's what I thought to myself as, over the years, I would think about Orlando and all of my experiences. After I read his narrative, I can tell you it was true. Of course, it wasn't like Marine Corp boot camp by any stretch, but I surely got slapped upside the back of my head so hard one time, I got a knot. When all was over I watched him leave, but I was somewhat afraid to make eye contact. I was looking down and watched him turn his ring back around as he walked out of the barracks. Whatever it was that I did, I made sure not to repeat it.
  I remember when I first arrived. We all piled of the bus and entered a large room with a well-scripted petty officer issue the following plea: this not verbatim by the way: I want to see all fire arms, bullets, knives of all sorts, brass knuckles, firecrackers, cigarette lighters, and the list went on and on. I discovered very quickly that I had led a rather tame existence and that was about to change. I thought to myself, who in the world would have such stuff? Well, that was answered in a heartbeat. Stuff started sliding across the floor and stopped pretty much at his feet. Lo and behold, everything he had mentioned was in that pile. Now I knew for sure I was in a world of %#~*! But I will have to admit that 99% of these guys were really great. They brought such a wide variety of experiences and abilities and were more than happy to share them. Case in point. I remember thinking I was a pretty good arm wrestler. I was about 200lb and relatively strong and had pretty good endurance. Well, that changed real quick one day when ole James Busbee came to bat. He was, to the best of my memory, a farm boy from Iowa, I believe. He had the biggest hands on regular-looking arms I had ever seen. There was absolutely nothing to give away his strategy which was to simply slam my arm to the table so fast I thought, I don't need no stinking endurance! Those hands!
  Then there were the green/yellow powdered eggs, using tooth brushes to get the ghost turds at the base boards where the spanking-new linoleum tiles didn't quite meet the walls, the absurd number of push ups, doing the manual of arms in peacoats and watch caps...we were kind of uncoordinated. Then after all of that we go up tour third floor penthouse and someone has thrown all of our clothes into a huge pile that runs from the entrance door to the CC's office door. Of course, everything that is supposed to be folded inside out is know right side out and, well you get the picture. Then after we got our own clothes back, the CC disappears and the "Red Ropes" appear. We get down in the push up position with our feet in the second or third level of our lockers(can't remember what they were called-help) and started folding and trying to button and un-button these clothes. I have never sweat so much in an air-conditioned space. Then we got to iron them with our hot water- filled Wisk bottles. That worked well didn't it? That's just a few of the things I remember. I don't want to bore absolutely everyone. Actually, it was rather therapeutic.
  I just know that everyone can relate to various, if not all parts of this narrative. It'a bond we all share, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.