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StevenFTer1 · 09-05-2024, 09:23 AM

Same as a lot of other guys, not much happening in 74 when graduated HS. Didn't think frying chicken or gas station attendant was much of a career. Not a good home life, wanted out of there.

BIL enlisted in AF before he was drafted in 68, he hated it. A guy I knew went into the Navy in 74, he said it was better. Enlisted in Navy in July 75, Deferred until Dec 75., 4 years active, 2 years inactive reserves. Guaranteed A school Aviation Electrician. Basic at GLNAS, A school in Millington TN, when finished got pick of orders based on class ranking. Chose VA 147 out of NAS Lemoore CA.

Got to NAS Lemoore in 76, Squadron training in VA-122 then assigned to AE shop of tail hookers VA 147 deploying on USS Constellation CV-64.

3 Westpac cruises. Each one kept getting longer. Reached E5, Aircraft Low Power Turn Qualified, AE Shop Training Petty Officer, the Squadron PRP program needed a cockpit familiar person for the Nuclear Loading Team so since I had a Low Power Turn Qualification I ended up on the nuke loading team as secondary duty.

DEC 79 end of active enlistment, Squadron was deploying again aboard the Connie. Wanted me to extend for the cruise or reup for 6 more years to help Squadron transition from A7E Corsair II to F18 Hornets. Squadron offered nothing in return but more time. Tried to get them to make me an E6 for reupping but no. There was an offer to fly C-118s out of Cubi Point, nothing but 6 more years. Cubi/Subic in the Philippines back in 79 was not such a good place to be now since I had gone back mid enlistment and married my HS sweaty.

This was the time the Navy was still in transition from the old Navy, if you will, to the new Navy. Was making @ $7000 a year in the Navy in 79, plus base housing and exchange allotment at NAS Lemoore.

Civilian life, NCR - National Cash Register Corporation offered me $12,000 to start and they would send me to electronic training school in Dayton Ohio and pay me while in school. Spent the next 25 years with NCR and ended career in Corporate Quality Assurance at the NCR World Headquarters in Dayton Ohio. NCR had sent me traveling all over the US and the world.

The wife and I now after 46 years, retired and 4 years now fulltiming, have been lucky and we know it.

JohnBike · 09-05-2024, 09:38 AM

I chose California Maritime Academy because it was something the folks could afford. Graduated with a BS in Marine Engineering and a license as a 3rd Engineer, Steam and Motor Vessels. The entry into CMA also required that I accept a commission as a a US Naval Officer, if so tendered. Of course I did.
Dad was a 30-year Navy veteran who wanted me to go to the Naval Academy. Didn’t quite make the cut, so CMA was an alternate path. A running joke was that “CMA” stood for “Can’t Make Annapolis.”

ltcmiller · 10-02-2024, 01:11 PM

Was 17 in my junior year of HS and mother said it was the Marines or reform school, my choice.

Went off to Parris Island, got my GED while I was in boot camp. Came home from VN in 1968 as Corporal and had to register for the draft in 1971 when I was discharged (still have that draft card). Went to join the National Guard only to find out there was a waiting list as war was still on. I knew the local CO however and got in. Year later went to Ft Benning OCS and became a 2dLt Field Artillery. Years later retired as a LtCol.

Swimmer · 10-02-2024, 05:05 PM

After dropping out of college after 1 semester I took the ASVAB and almost enlisted in the Army. However, I decided to give college another go and ended up at Cal Maritime Academy(Marine Engineering) and then USNR. Traveling all over the world on ships as a young person was an amazing experience. I subsequently worked in engineering for 30 years mostly shoreside, and some of the sharpest hands on and theoretical engineers I have ever met were marine engineers.

Cat320 · 10-02-2024, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltcmiller

Was 17 in my junior year of HS and mother said it was the Marines or reform school, my choice.

Went off to Parris Island, got my GED while I was in boot camp. Came home from VN in 1968 as Corporal and had to register for the draft in 1971 when I was discharged (still have that draft card). Went to join the National Guard only to find out there was a waiting list as war was still on. I knew the local CO however and got in. Year later went to Ft Benning OCS and became a 2dLt Field Artillery. Years later retired as a LtCol.

Sent you a PM.

3pedal · 10-02-2024, 07:40 PM

I grew up around tons of Air Force pilots, from WWII through Vietnam. Dad, one grandfather, uncle and many of the adults my dad worked with. Unfortunately, I didn't get to go to pilot school.

mbovinet · 04-12-2025, 12:38 PM

My dad was in the Navy, his twin brother was in the Army, said I'm too stupid for the Air Force. I'm joining the FN Marines!!

Semper Fi

Arch Hoagland · 04-12-2025, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbovinet

My dad was in the Navy, his twin brother was in the Army, said I'm too stupid for the Air Force. I'm joining the FN Marines!!

Semper Fi

Are they offering you a sign on bonus?

Neighbor just joined the Navy and they gave him $18,000 to sign on. I don't think I got that much for the entire 4 years I was in the Navy back in 1963 to 1967.

mbovinet · 04-13-2025, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Are they offering you a sign on bonus?

Neighbor just joined the Navy and they gave him $18,000 to sign on. I don't think I got that much for the entire 4 years I was in the Navy back in 1963 to 1967.

Honestly no idea. I enlisted in the summer of 95’. No bonuses for me then or anytime while I was in