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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Navy Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
CTC David B Leazer U.S. Navy (Ret) (1977-1999)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY?
I always knew I was going into the military long before I was old enough to really know what that would entail. During my junior high and high school years I was enrolled in the California Cadet Corps, a program not-unlike JROTC. I learned all about the Army and military  aspects for those 6 years, under two commandants, Paul Cross and Sgt. Maj. John Amar (USMC, Ret). John Ammar, next to my Father (Ex-Air Force) were the two men most influential to me. These two men instilled in me the desire to serve my country and give back to her all she'd given me.
When I graduated from HS, I applied for Roswell NM Military Academy (currently New Mexico Military Institute) figuring I would go into the Army or some other service. I grew up in 29 Palms, CA, so being a 'Jarhead' was out of the question. The scholarship attempt was not moving fast enough for me and I wanted to roll sooner and get out in that big world. I didn't want to serve with a bunch of CAT-4's and so the Navy was ready to take me quick. I enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program or DEP program with the USN in my junior year as soon as I was 16.5 with my parents' permission.
Even my folks knew then it was what I truly wanted to do, so they signed willingly. I sometimes suspect they were ready to see me off, as I was rather rebellious with my father at the time. I knew they loved me greatly, but I'm sure at the time it was most difficult for my father not to beat the snot out of me a few times.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK.
When I first entered into the US Navy, I qualified for all ratings and had the pick of the ratings--until they found out I had a color-deficiency. That was a disappointment as I wanted to learn advanced electronics and follow in the path of my father. The recruiter wanted me  to go into the Nuke program, but color vision issues killed that pathway as well. Then he told me about the "spooks." That sounded rather glorious and James Bond like.
I selected the Cryptologic Technician community, and opted for that. There was no way that recruiter was getting me into the Seaman-Airman program, I wanted a "A" School! In hindsight I'd have had fun as a deck ape or a snipe as well. When I got through boot camp and went to the classifier's office, they asked which CT Rating? I said any one, just don't make me a secretary since I was a car mechanic at the time. That was my first lesson about the Navy, they promptly made me a CTA (Administrative) turning me into a gold-plated yeoman!
I spent 6 years and 1 day as CTA before I cross-rated under the Navy SCORE program after serving 3 years on the USS MERRILL (DD-976) and became a 'T-Bird' or Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT). I found I liked smashing the buttons on their equipment much more fun than smashing the keys on my typewriter. A decision I never regretted, even though it ultimately land-locked me for my remaining career.
The ultimate irony of this story is that years later when I had to be cleared for medical reasons I got to take those color vision tests again and learned that I could touch those stupid PI plates and trace the numbers out and PASS the color vision test as a Chief. I could have gone into the AEF and learned electronics or been a nuke but in hindsight, I thrived in the Cryptologic Community and have some great memories and a lifetime of friendships I treasure.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT, PEACEKEEPING OR HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
I participated in several combat operations during my career, but in a support capacity in the comfort of my duty stations. Having been a fleet sailor early in my career, I learned the value of giving the best support possible to the folks on the pointy end of the spear.  I ensured that my peers and subordinates also understood their significance and role in that regard. My crews and my sailors always provided the best and most accurate support to the units we supported.
My crews participated in many critical peacetime, as well as wartime operations. Operations Just Cause, Enduring Freedom, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Much of the details of those operations will remain classified for many years to come. Which also means most of the stalwarts who deserve much of the credit will not get it until sometime in the distant future. Until then, we know what we did and can be very proud of it.
While others were getting brow beaten for lacking support, my program and its sailors were being lauded and praised as an example of what other units should have been doing to provide timely and critical support to the shooters! I am so proud of those sailors and all we did during Operations Shield/Storm. In fact, we were so successful we almost had no job to do after 72 hours of combat operation; we did our part by delivering TOP NOTCH support to the shooters and very successfully too!
My tour as Operations Chief where I was stationed during that time frame is my most memorable and personally rewarding tour of duty. I was so proud of my sailors and all their efforts. They did all the hard work and they made me so proud!
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
NSGA Skaggs Island, CA - my first real duty station! After working in Public Works, painting everything that did not move and cutting every blade of grass, I got into my first real CTA job. I was the "Command Reproduction Yeoman" (great title eh?). I ran a printing press and  I got so good that later as a Petty Officer I could run that press in Dress Whites and never get a smudge of ink on me. That was always good for bagging on the juniors! It was here that I learned you can have a thriving work environment and it is the leadership that makes it happen! I had the greatest of Chiefs, kick-ass CWO4, LPOs and peers who made working hard fun.
My two Chiefs (CTAC Ron Johnson, and CTACS Toby Myer) showed me what Chief's should be. They'd kick my fanny when I needed it, mentored me, encouraged me and THEY WOULD DO IT PERSONALLY, directly, honestly and always helped me correct the areas which needed it. Praise in public, reprimand in private.
My Admin Officer, CWO4 James F. Whipple. To this day is the only man who ever had me so scared and popped tall that I still remember the sensation of my socks sliding down my ankles as he was chewing my butt out. He put the fear of god into me and said "You f#@k up one more time and the Navy will be less one A-Brancher." He then put me on probation and told me to get the f@#k out of his office! Man got my attention; I was more terrified of him than anyone to date. At his retirement, he told me "you're probably one of my best CTA's ever, you just needed your ass kicked and you'll never be off probation. I'll come out of retirement to kick your ass if needed." I believed him. He was always on my mind during my service as the standard to meet.
My XO was also of great influence. LCDR Thomas Steven's (Later Commander, Naval Security Group). He taught me about work ethics and how to write and spell. He was tireless task master and when I was finally feeling over worked he called me down to his office personally to thank me for something I had done. When his Secretary called me to come down, I was thought for sure I was in trouble since you normally don't get called to the XO's Office unless it is bad! He told me to have a seat, asked if I wanted something to drink, even told me I could smoke too, and that is when I knew it wasn't going to be bad. The XO never let anyone other than seniors or peers smoke in his office! He told me that he recognized I was working too much and that I probably felt I was being punished always being tasked to do things. He told me "What do you do with your race horse when it wins? You keep running it until it can run no longer, that he would run me until I had enough and was too tired; that it was okay to say I am done and can run no longer." Of course that little speech made me want to run even harder! I always remembered the power that saying "Thank You, Great Job, Bravo Zulu" from a senior could have on a junior. Here was a busy XO, taking time to a young 3rd Class Petty Officer, which was pivotal for me. I cannot express how I felt at that moment in his office.
The XO, my CWO4 and my Chief's ran me through every possible task I could ever have to perform in my rating. They prepared me for my entire career in ways that can never be expressed. My successes where because of them! Most importantly though they taught me that good leadership is not afraid of questions or rebels that working hard can be fun when everyone pulls together as a team and all reap the rewards or penalty of failure? They taught me true leadership and the importance of total TEAM WORK!
 All of my tours were great tours! After Skaggs Island, I terminated Shore Duty and volunteered for Sea Duty when it wasn't in vogue to do in my rating. I reported to the USS MERRILL (DD-976) on Pearl Harbor day! I always thought that was pretty cool. The independent duty on the MERRILL allowed me to expand outside of my rating as we all cross-trained, although none of them wanted to be a CTA, but I learned about USN operations and cryptology here. I had a butt-kicking LPO, later a truly great Chief who took time to teach an ignorant A-Brancher how to bust signals, find the bad guys and teach me what it was we truly did.
In my rating back during the height of the cold-war we worked every day like we were going to war tomorrow. I always felt sorry for the 'censer' sailors when we'd be steaming around that stupid buoy calibrating our systems for weeks at a time. The crew used to get pretty steamed about that! "Damn CT's, if it wasn't for you we'd be going somewhere instead of turning circles around a damn buoy all day!"
As I neared the end of my tour on the MERRILL, I realized I'd done all I could and more in my Rating and that I couldn't just go back to the life of a shore based CTA. I decided to cross-rate to CTT.
 My tours after the MERRILL were spent learning my trade as a CTT and being hijacked into the Navy's CLASSIC WIZARD program, which land-locked me. I made Chief while attached to NCTAMS WestPac, Guam. I loved the Chief's I served with here especially the ones who initiated me. I had to re-learn the meaning of team work all over again. I loved initiation! I do not want to do it again but I gave as well as I got and my CPO Creed still means something to me even in my civilian career life.
NSGA Winter Harbor, ME was both the worst and best of my tours.
I went to Captain's Mast as a Chief Petty Officer and received the LOR which kept me from ever promoting again. I spent 12 years as a CPO. That mast also resulted in my becoming a more effective Chief Petty Officer. Every CPO always does a check in their mind before they fight the battles needing fought. They ask "is this worth my anchors, or the future E8 or E9?" We all do it, and any who say otherwise are liars or rare breeds. I did it, until I got my LOR. After my LOR, I never had that hindrance again, so I fought more and many battles in defense of my sailors or in support of my mission and I have to admit, sometimes flashing my 'crimson' stripes in dress blues caused more than a few Junior Officer's to back down and listen better. I was proud of not wearing gold; it was also something different that many were not used to seeing; especially in the CT Rating where "gold" stripes are the "Norm." I have to admit I wore my 'blood' stripes with more than a little bit of pride.
My Mast occurred the day before the skippers Change of Command ceremony, so the incoming CO had to write my bad eval, but CAPT John Mitchell shall always be my favorite  CAPTAIN! Under him we prosecuted our support for Desert Shield and Desert Storm and this Skipper was all about doing the right thing for the Combat Folks. He let myself and the Army Sgt. Firsts Class who worked with me, bend the rules, badger and cajole anyone outside of our command to get the Job Done and the MISSION COMPLETE. He took more than one ass chewing for what myself and that Sgt. Firsts Class did and told us to carry on. That was a Skipper to work for and more than once he chewed me out for something we did and he got in hot water for, but he knew we did it for the right reasons! He let us do our job and protected us when we needed it.
I would follow CAPT Mitchell into the pits of hell! That man was an inspiring leader and he did not care for Political Correctness when we prosecuted the wartime support effort. What was unique about CAPT Mitchell was his expectations of his Chief's Mess. He met with us regularly as a mess. We'd have open, no-holes barred sessions with him, and he always let the mess speak freely and directly to him; sometimes with beers in hand too. He was never afraid of direct and honest conversation. I saw the CAPT more than twice a week, he was always coming out to my site to see the crew and mission. He had an uncanny Intel network within the ranks. He'd often come out and ask me about "sailor x" or situation Y, to see if I was aware of what was going on. Thankfully, my Intel feed was as good as his. It was a small professional game that he and I played weekly to see who knew what about the crew. CAPT Mitchell was a "deckplate" Skipper! He was my Guest Speaker at my Retirement Ceremony and he bagged on me there too! He would have made a great Admiral.
I would be remiss if I did not mention my crew.
I had the BEST DAMN crew of Sailors and Soldiers working for me as the Operations Chief. Every time I presented a new technical challenge to implement something never heard of before I would take it to them. Tell them what was being asked, and ask if they thought they could do it. In some cases, I even had doubts, but my crew never did, always they replied in the affirmative and always they delivered. The Civilian Tech Reps were amazing and the "were part of the crew" fully integrated, often standing watches with the sailors; training, mentoring and aiding in analysis work.
Some of the things my crew achieved will never be in the public record, but what they did achieve is nothing short of amazing. They were all hero's there, even if it was in a support role to the warfighters, but there is NO DOUBT in my mind that there would have been far more causalities and loss of aircraft during the first 72 hours of Desert Storm, had they not been as successful as they were. The Sailors and Soldiers who served with me there defined what 1st class support service was all about, they delivered! They gave up time from their families, holidays and birthdays because they knew those they were supporting were in harm's way and we wanted them all to come home!
All other tours pale after the above, but they were all rewarding and memorable. The friends I have made, the sailors and soldiers I've served with will always be the best part of my 22 years of service in the Navy.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
 As mentioned earlier, the Desert Shield/Desert Storm tour while attached to NSGA Winter Harbor, MD will be the most stand out of my memories. The mission was great, but the Sailor's and Soldier's I served with then and what they achieved are my fondest memories. I loved that crew and all of the characters assigned with me.
Fun and hairy memories? There were late night Harley rides on the outbound national park road, dodging porcupines crossing the road with an Old Salt Fleety Mess Cook friend. MSCS (SW) Dan Arnett called everyone "shipmate" and meant it! He of all, epitomized the "old salt" and "old goat." I loved that man and all he represented to the young sailors of the command.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE ONE(S) MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My NAM received for service on the USS MERRILL (DD-976) meant the most to me for personal achievement and a job well done.
The NCM I received as Operations Chief at NSGA Winter Harbor, ME in support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm means the most to me for career achievement. It  means the most to me because it was given as a result of what my sailors and soldiers achieved and contributed to the war effort. I was just lucky enough to have been privileged to have that crew and mission. I think in hindsight, that I was able to foster an environment where my folks were unafraid of taking risk, unafraid to question leadership, and always ready to take on challenges without fear of failure. My reward has truly been seeing many of these sailors go on to become great Chiefs and Officers during their careers too!
I have several NAM's and NCM's on my rack, but the two above were the ones that I'm most proud of and reflect back upon. They were not end-of-tours, they were for specific and directly meaningful missions and results.
But my best and most meaningful awards were the letters or notes written to me through the years by sailors and soldiers who served under me. Notes telling me how I positively affected their lives and made them desire to achieve or to become more than what they believed they could be. THOSE LETTERS and NOTES mean far more to me than anything awarded and on my rack. Those are the most treasured of my awards and I've got quite a stack of those through the years. I love them all and have been truly blessed.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
My f ather first and foremost. Always there to offer advice and encouragement, with his experience and standards. A great man in his own right whom I hope to mirror even in a fraction.
Sgt. Maj. John Ammar, that old Marine Cannon Cocker who taught me the Marine Corp way, which made my Navy Career such a relative breeze. He was a Marine's Marine.
CWO4 Whipple, CTACS Toby Myer, and CTAC Ron Johnson who taught me the importance of leadership setting the example and environment of the work place. Of course the importance of Attention to Detail.
CAPT John T. Mitchell - who showed me responsibility of leadership and all that it entails. That sometimes you bend rules, but you must be prepared for the payment, dust yourself, move forward. Everyone can overcome "slip-ups" in their careers.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Liberty Call in Puerto Vallarta on the USS MERRILL (DD-976), out drinking and carousing all night with the other CT's. Waking up at the Chief's condo, waiting on our Chief (Dave Abbott), then not able to get a cab, walking all the way back to the boat launch. Arriving there,  only to see the last launch enroute to the ship. (Missing ships movement is never a good idea). We got lucky, they saw us and came back.
The entire OUTBOARD division and its Chief (except the two on watch and DIVO) missed that last launch. We pulled up to the Ship at anchor, and there's the CO, XO, and OPSO on the bridge wing to witness our less than stellar appearance and tardiness. They did not look pleased.
I remember thinking.... I'll be okay, because they'll bag the Chief first before the rest of us. While down in berthing getting cleaned up for quarters, I remember saying "Oh crap, the Chief's a dead duck" as the 1MC blared "Chief Petty Officer Abbott, LAY TO the XO's Stateroom".
Every time I recall the Chief drunkenly babbling on that walk back, and how he was barking back at the boonie dogs, and how his "a$$hole" hurt (because of the heat and humidity) I smirk and chuckle.
Chief showed up at quarters, looking poorly and missing much of his backside. As a division, we never missed ships movement again. LOL
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?
 My exposure to Mainframes and Micro-Computers as they first came into the Navy prepared me well for my civilian career. While I was primarily trained as an Analyst, it was my skills with computers, both hardware and software that served me well.
I am an Information Technology, Senior Manager within my company. One of the big Primes who provide services to several major DOD component commands back in the Washington D.C. area.
I am still working in support of my Cryptologic Community as a DOD Contractor in support of world-wide operations and in the Desert AORs. The best part is, I am building systems and software directly in support of the community I served within for 22 years. Making sure service men and women have the tools they need to do their jobs better and with less aggravation!
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am not an active member in any of the various military associations, therefore other than my NCOA membership and Insurance, I derive no benefit.
I do maintain continued association with the U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association in order to remain in contact with fellow shipmates; and of course "Together We Served."
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
Work Ethos, doing a job to the utmost of your abilities. Integrity, honor, pride, and a drive to get the job done and mission complete are the key factors stemming from my naval service.
 Camaraderie and Teamwork are the concepts found lacking in non-military service people. I will hire a veteran, before I hire a college graduate with no military service. Why? Because I know for a fact that most military folks will not just sit on their butts when they hit an obstacle! They will adapt, improvise and overcome! (That is not just USMC training!)
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Never allow the situation of a bad tour, a bad leader, or crappy job, convince you that the Navy is the problem. When you first start out in your naval service, or at your first command, there are going to be times when the Navy sucks, the job sucks, the  people suck.
No matter what, remember that it is not the *real* Navy. We judge life based upon our experiences or the opinions of those around us at times. It is our outlook, how we approach things that make it different. Every lousy Job I was ever given or had, I was able to figure out something good and rewarding in for myself. By making each job our own, doing it to the best of our abilities, we find personal worth and value in *knowing* we did it to the best of our ability. The rewards come, bad times always are just "moments", and Professionalism and Expertise ALWAYS win out. If someone knocks you into a hole, you can blame them for that, but IF YOU choose to stay in that hole and complain, THAT is YOUR FAULT to remain in the hole. Everything can be overcome.
The REAL NAVY is what you make it, by always doing the best job, always being Professional, the rewards will come when you least expect them and in a variety of ways. Paratus Et Potens ("Ready and Able"), Semper Fortis ("Always Strong"), also Non Sibi, Sed Patriae ("Not for ourselves, but for our country").
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
 Due to time and distance, PCS transfers and other factors unique to the military lifestyle, many of us to lose touch through the years. Most of us do not like to write hand-written letters, and while serving all figure we'll cross paths again. (Especially in my rating which only had 640 billets).
TWS allowed me to reach out and re-establish those relationships with friends I never thought to see again. It's so nice to be able to revisit events of humor or strife with those comrades, especially as we all get older and more aware of our mortality.
In the Navy I have "friends" I would trust my life with, knowing they are out there, doing well, and that I can chat with them or visit is such a wonderful use of technology which incidentally came from our military. I was working on DARPA net *before* it became the WWW.... how darn cool is that!
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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