Comments

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  Mike Nigro January 31, 2012 at 10:01pm

  Thanks for your service too Jim!  RTC and the training center will always hold a special spot in my place of fondest memories.  I haven't been back to the area since about 1989.  I know it's all built up with condos now.  Still hard to believe our govt would let such a prime piece of property go.  I spent many a day walking across the various grinders on the center; worked in an office space on the second floor of the R-4 building (the building with the missile in front) when stationed there on shore duty as a young third then second class.
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  Jim Decota January 31, 2012 at 9:39pm

  Even though I only did boot there, I know what you mean Commander! Some of us on here are more than a little concerned about the lack of any respect being given that historical place. So few of the buildings that were suppose to be saved are left now! Plus, the Recruit needs attention as well.

  A "hand salute" for your service! Going from a recruit to a LCDR is deserving of a special respect and admiration!

  
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  Mike Nigro January 31, 2012 at 6:56pm

  RTC San Diego has a special meaning to me. Not only did I go to boot camp there (Co 517 in 1969) I was assigned there for my first tour ashore (1972-1975), it was where I first reenlisted, and I was fortunate enough to advance from YN3 to YN1 during my tour there.
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  David Carter January 30, 2012 at 10:39pm

  Thanks to all that provided pictures and Video's sure brought back memory's, It sure made my night. Thank You my fellow Shipmates.
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  James W Ward January 30, 2012 at 8:50pm

  Oh the sea stories we have.  RMA school in San Diego, dated a bunch of "Mercy Nurses" from Mercy Hospital..  Great time.  Remember all the ports, Hong Kong was one of the best.  Missed out on Perth, our sister ship went and was thrown out after 2 days.  They had only been out to sea for 45 days, we were still up at the Tokin gulf.  Flying in and out to relieve...  When you have a ship full of radiomen, there are always extras.  I was a floater. I could fix the prc 25, use it, take code, work with the Recievers and Transmitters.  So every day for me was a different thing.  Then off to the Hornet.  Apollo 11 & 12 Afer a long six months back on station.  Miss the sea.. Not the little bits of lead flying around everywhere like knats. Shrink says my humor comes from PTSD.. Well shiver me timbers..(actually I think that is what happen when I went back to church.)

   
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  Jerry Ballard(sw)SH1Ret January 30, 2012 at 8:26pm

  Got to have a sense of Humor....Keeps you young....OK at heart!
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  Jerry Ballard(sw)SH1Ret January 30, 2012 at 8:25pm

  I was so glad that Ronald Reagan was my Commander In Chief

  

  
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  Jerry Ballard(sw)SH1Ret January 30, 2012 at 8:18pm

  James! That's funny! I would have liked to seen that!!!
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  Jerry Ballard(sw)SH1Ret January 30, 2012 at 8:17pm

  Actually I miss those Great ports like Freemantle Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and I actually enjoyed Guam.
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  Jerry Ballard(sw)SH1Ret January 30, 2012 at 8:13pm

  I remember one Steel Deck Beach Party we had one day when I was on the USS Prairie. We were at sea for 2 months no in port, and I thought I was cool with mt beach chair and Umbrella with shorts and a t-shirt and fell asleep for three hours only to wake up with such a sun burn that when we pulled into Subic bay two days later, I could not even go ashore because I was so sun burned and  it wasn't until the last two days there that I was even able to walk without pain.

  Never did that again!  What's wrong with me? I miss those deployments hahahah