Keith, Jeffrey, BM1

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I joined the Navy shortly after exiting reform school. I didn't want to stay in the town we lived in as there were no jobs so I joined the navy, see the world for free.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I entered the navy on Oct.6,1976. Went to boot camp in San Diego, CA. My first command was an old world war two destroyer USS Myles C. Fox DD-829 stationed in Brooklyn,NY. I arrived in a snow storm on Jan.12,1977. She was a Reserve training ship by then. Loved this ship.Started as Seaman Recruit and left as BM3.

Next I went to the U.S.S.LaSalle AGF-3 in the Persian Gulf. Reported on board just in time for the Iranian Embassy Hostage crisis. Spent one year aboard then transferred to Philly Naval Base for discharge from the navy. I left the navy Oct.22,1980.

I rejoined the navy May 22,1982. After 2 weeks of refresher training I was sent to Norfolk, VA to report aboard the USS Nimitz CVN-64. I was sent to 4th division where we were in charge of the liberty boats and the fantail.

In 1984 I transferred to Amphibious Construction Battalion 2, team Blue 1 where we spent time on LSTs during Med cruises supplying barge ferry transport for the marines during beach ops. Left as a BM2.

Next I transferred to H&HS, Navy Boat Crew, Camp LeJeune, NC. At this command we worked with Marines during live fire exercises involving the Inter-Coastal Water Ways.Here I left as a BM1.

Next I went to Mine Division 127, Rodman Naval Station,Panama. Just in time for the "Panamanian Invasion". In this capacity I was CO of the M/V Scheherazade WB-831, using side view sonar scanning and ROV for possible underwater obstacles.

In 1990 I transferred the the USSBiddle CG-34. I reported aboard with one month to get ready for her final Med cruise. While deployed to the Med we were first on station for the Bosnia/Herzegovina war. Biddle also completed numerous drug interdiction cruises to the Caribbean during which we perform two rescues, one woman from a stricken sailboat and another some fishermen whose boat had sunk. In 1993 The Biddle was decommissioned and scrapped for razor blades.

After the decommissioning of the USS Biddle I transferred the the Sustain AFDM-7 which is a floating dry dock for cruisers and smaller ships. I forget why I transferred quickly from this command but I reported aboard the USS Nashville LPD-13 in time for the Haiti landing. From this ship I finished the destruction of my lower back and was declared unfit for shipboard duty serving exactly 90 days on board the ugliest, most vindictive ship and crew I have ever had the displeasure of serving with. Had I stayed aboard I would have been demoted and kicked out of the Navy.

I had spinal surgery and after 3 months of rehab I transferred to Assault Craft Unit 2 where I was assigned to the Waterfront office servicing the assault crafts and their crew. In this office I had the opportunity to work with some of the finest men ever.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
U.S.S. Myles C. Fox-829 and the USS Biddle CG-34 were my 2 favorite ships. Loved every minute aboard.

Navy Boat Crew, Camp LeJeune and ACB-2 are my 2 favorite shore commands.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
My "Letter of Appreciation" I received for 20 + years of faithful and obedient service I received upon retirement from Assault Craft Unit 2.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. Craftmaster.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
My Senior Chief from Navy Boat Crew, Camp LeJeune, NC.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I went to college for a degree in computer networking and systems admin. Worked 6 months in this field then due to back problems was forced into early retirement. Live on the beach now in a RV, fishing.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Myles C. Fox Association. Texas Lonestar.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Made me a man. It gave me priorities to life.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Stay in, work hard, enjoy all that the Navy and the world has to offer.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Helps find fellow shipmates that are spread over the internet.

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