 |
|
|
|
|
An up close and personal interview with U.S. Navy Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
BMC DOUGLAS CONKLIN U.S. Navy (Ret) (1972-1993)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY?
 |
| SN DOUGLAS CONKLIN |
My father played a big part in my decision to join the military. He was a Paratrooper in the Army with the First Airborne Communications Division. His time of service was the latter part of WWII and the Korean War. I never did hear him talk about his time in the service; however, like most fathers who had served, he had a foot locker which he kept locked away from his own children (3 sons and 1 daughter). Doing what any curious boy would do, I broke into the footlocker. I learned the reasons why he never wanted to talk about his time in the service. Though he kept his memories locked away, he was still proud and wanted me to follow in his footsteps.
Going Airborne was not really so appealing to me. Why jump out of a perfectly good airplane? However, the alternatives were not getting any better with the draft notices being handed out. I was not excluded from this, and most of my friends in the area were either joining the Army, or the Marines, this did not give me any interest as well. Wow, why not join the Navy? I did know how to swim. I disagreed with what was happening in our times, with the Viet Nam War in play, but not really understanding what our country was fighting for, or why we were in a draft to protect another country. It was becoming really confusing. Watching the news, watching the DC rally, watching Kent State, all were not helping me in my decision, but then I would also think what would my father want me to do?
Never the less, I was not an objector or opposer nor was I a draft dodger, so like the others in my neighborhood who were receiving there draft notices and knowing my number would come up soon, I elected to join voluntarily instead of waiting for the draft notice to land on my hand. Later, I learned, after standing in in the chow line early in Boot Camp, that the draft had ended, I do not know what to feel. My thought "The Navy" was for me, one because I was not into jumping out of airplanes like my father, water calls for the Navy, I know how to swim. I do very well in swimming and that is very important. As the years passed by, I came to a conclusion and realized it was not the jumping out the airplanes that my father really wanted out of me, but to have me learn and practiced the disciplines which the military instills in you as an individual. He was a real inspiration to me for this.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
The first few years in service I was nowhere even close to thinking of the Navy as being a job, for that fact the big thing back then was to call all of the old timers lifers. I had a group which we pretty much did everything together which was
 |
| When I met my wife back in the early days. |
no different; we would tease all the old timers. I also would joke with my friends back home, that I was not a lifer, and I would be home soon. Little did I know, the times on the outside were becoming pretty hard, jobs were scarce, and my time was coming to an end? I was not sure what I was going to do, but I did know I was taking a second look at the Navy as a career. Two things were happening.
Opportunity was slapping me in the face. I was approached from my detailer if I wanted to be part of an elite force to become a correctional specialist, and we would be the first Navy team to take over running the brigs from the Marine Corps. What really struck me was the fact I was being asked to go to the Philippines. Now let me tell you this, some sailors would die to get orders back to the PI, myself included. You see during my Viet Nam time while in Beach Masters we would use the compound in the Philippines for our R&R, and while there we would be allowed to go out in town in the evening, and conduct maintenance on the Larcs during the working hours.
Unlike any sea story untold, I was one of those young sailors who fell in love with his honeyco, and this Correctional offer to go to school, and return to the Philippines was exactly what I needed to set me in the right direction. I did not have time to slum around and look for a job in the real world, which really did not have anything to offer, and I was finding myself making another decision in my life. Some of my friends would tell me you are making a really bad mistake, I looked at it as an opportunity for a future, and opportunity to get back to my Honey, and also an opportunity for a challenge in my life. What struck me as being a little funny later after thinking about it was the fact I was admitting I was to become a lifer, and looking to the Navy as a real employer in what you would call serious terms.
So, off to school I went, first stop was Anniston, Alabama, US Army Military Police Training command. Learning how to run a brig, and learning how to deal with people. What I did not realize was I had already been subjected to this but did not know it. I will reflect a little of time while in Beach Masters while in Viet Nam, it showed me a serious side of life, the harshness of what war would do to you. The little time I spent would teach me much. The fall of Saigon, the evacuation opened up my eyes to the word "empathy". It gave me a way to understand how people in times of hardship would accept help despite their nationality. Training to work in the brig was not unlike having to deal with the refugees who had nothing to lose.
My time in the Correctional center is when I spent time going to school, I had in mind that I would work towards administrative justice, just about every class I could take and took, but the life in the Correctional Center was due to out of Conus. It was only a 15 month short lived tour. Anyway, I took advantage of this short period of time to be with my Honey, which later became my wife prior to departure. I left the Philippines with a new family to hold on and I didn't turn down new challenges and good opportunities in my career. I was asked again to be part of a handpicked group to run another brig, only this one would be in Long Beach California, and it would not be called a correctional facility. It was to be in the guidance by the Marine Corps handbook on how to run a Red Line Brig. Additional training, and adding many friends, and of course, the memories I had were all put on the back burner. I had a new duty station to be off to. It seemed with all the duty stations I was picking, two years always comes too soon, it would imply another house cleaning, another inspection, another packing up of household goods, just to go to another duty station. I was learning that living in Navy Housing was a treat, only this time we were packing to travel to San Diego, and despite being in the law enforcement side of the house, I was a Boatswain Mate, and would eventually need to go to sea.
My first sea command? Brother, believe me when I tell you it scared the hell out of me, I was a First Class, and had never been on a sea going command as ship's company. I have been on many amphibious ships as a rider, but ships company, not until this command, the USS Hepburn, FF 1055, what do I know about running a division? Seems despite never running a division, looks like the knowledge I gained from the training I had for my brig tour prepared me to run the division. I may not be perfect, but my career was well on its way. Tour after tour, one duty station after another, I was a seasonal traveler, and knew how to live in many different types of Navy housing. I will say, the Navy sometimes does not have much to offer with regards of housing, but I never got hungry nor did my family, we survived. We had many friends to fall back on when hardships came along. I looked back at my retirement from the Military, even this one "retiring" was a big tough decision to make, not knowing why, I made the decision to leave after a little over 20 years. Still have many friends from my service time; still have my fond memories of those special moments.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
 |
Barge alongside American Contender,
Phu Quac Is. Cambodia 1975 |
Oh! how one would think you were going to fight for your country during war? Oh how naive we were? Oh how naive we were to perceive others to be? Viet Nam was a period in time where most would want to forget! This will never happen, so let's get one thing straight, whether you were there from the first nightmarish days, or to the evacuation days, we have become part in American history which not be forgotten. I was in the latter half. I was involved with Beach Master Unit One on forward deployed ships during the evacuation which gave many opportunities to see despair of a country in collapse. Baby Lift, Eagle Pool, Frequent wind, all were part of the campaigns we were involved with, all gave us the relentless energy needed to keep going. Some would say, "no big deal, we were only doing our jobs". I for one was just like the others, with the exception it showed me how desperate people were to survive, I had never seen this, it showed me what the word empathy meant.
There was nothing I could say when it comes to choosing the best time, this was not a time during my career to pick and choose, and all were sad times. I could not portrait the idea of liking one more than another, war does this to a person, maybe not on the spot, but when the dust settles and you have the time to reflect all you can remember was the hardships. I can still relate about some of those times like The American Contender, the Pioneer Contender, and the third ship escapes my memory. Two of the three ships were grounded off the coast of Cambodia in the Phu Quoc Islands. Both which could not produce water due to the grounding. Both in waters in which a country did not want them in, both with more than 12,000 to 14,000 people refugees, men, women, children in desperation, with no water, no food, and no way to move. This was to say watching a slow death for sure "killing me softly". Our Unit, along with a Marine Unit was tasked to going alongside, and then going aboard all three vessels, to provide the needed food and water to people who were dehydrated, and in bad need for food, and all ridden with sickness. This was a difficult task, it proved to be very difficult to keep the wary away from the rations long enough to be distributed.
Approaching the vessels you would see motorcycles, and different items hanging off the side of the ship. At first sight you would see a few people high up in the yard arms, the closer you got, you would realize you were seeing the disparity in the faces of these people, and finally it dawns on you, there are so many people on one ship it just seemed impossible. Another reflection was during the evacuation which showed how personnel deal with trauma. I was there when we had the helicopters come out to the Dubuque LPD-8. We had no room on our deck, so the birds were stripped of all the electronics, and then pushed over the side. This seemed like another impossible task.
Another reflection was the little Sam Pans which seemed not large enough to hold 15 people, only to find there were many more. These little boats would come up to the open stern gate in hopes of being rescued, some would come up to the lowered stern gate, and shuffle most of their personnel on board, some would not be so lucky as their boats would be out of sync with the larger vessel, and the large ground swells only to find themselves trapped under the stern gate, usually with devastating results. The Sam Pans and most personnel on board were crushed, sadly to say the personnel did not make it. Searches were always in play. When the refugees finally were safely on board, they were to go through indoctrinating lines, to be searched of themselves and their belongings, and to gain the names of the survivors. What most people had were suitcases packed with money which meant nothing to a country in collapse, and the rest were what they felt important, guns, hand grenades, and a little bit of clothing.
The thing is, those memories made no sense to me at all, but later in my years after retirement, and countless nights of thinking it showed how desperate people can be in times of atrocities. It was a sad time in our history, and this kind of catastrophe will never be forgotten.
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
 |
| Just a few of 2nd Division on the Haleakala AE 25 |
Bring yourself to reflect an entire period of time in your life as good, bad, and or ugly? Navy life as we knew it could be a challenge, and with a family it was a kick with an interesting twist. Traveling all over the world, seemingly without exhaustion. To some in the civilian world it would be a dream, an impossible dream but they would only want to do it once, now try doing it every two years or so, whew! The true meaning of seeing the world.
Fun is not the word I would pick. Thinking upon these times you would always get the butterflies in your stomach knowing it was time to leave with P.C.S. orders. You knew you were going to leave friendships, however you also knew you would survive, and start new friendships. Some were peaceful to look forward to; some were well let's just say we learned a new word or two here and there, and became a little wiser with each move.
Duty stations included Beach Master Unit Two on the east coast. This was my first, and of course right out of Boot Camp, gave me the most jitters. First ones always do! Off to the west coast to join Beach Master Unit One, this would put me on two back to back deployments one on the Dubuque, and then the on the Fort Fisher, both either on Yankee Station, or Viet Nam the fall of Saigon. Back to the States to go to school in Anniston Alabama, transfer to the brig in the Philippines, and then back to Long Beach California for another brig.
San Diego for the USS Hepburn. the Hepburn was only a split tour but during this tour I was deployed on two West Pac's, the second part of the split tour was on board the USS Truxtun, for the entire two years I was able to see how a dry docked nuclear cruiser in Bremerton, Washington looks from the bottom up.
Land locked in Fallon Nevada as the Chief of Security. Now you say what the heck is a sailor doing in the desert? Well believe it or not we have a very large Air Station there. From the dry shallows of the desert took me to the hot humid island of Guam on board the ammunition ship USS Haleakala, now this was a treat if I recall. The only drawback was the Gulf War, and the work up prior to it.
Finally back to the States and shore duty to boot I was on a converted Coast Guard Cutter in Bangor Washington, which would go along side submarines to transfer personnel to change out there teams.
I might say the USS Hepburn was the least favorite; this is because I will have to admit, it was my first sea tour as ships force. I was on amphibious ships with the Beach Masters, but never ship's crew. I was already a First Class, and it meant I had to be separated from my family for the first time. What the heck did I know about running a division? As you can see I survived, and to this day still have many friends for a life time. They all taught me how to show respect and still have dignity.
My favorite I will have to say was the USS Haleakala. Some reading this letter might ask what he is talking about, but the truth be known, some of the most challenging times were the most rewarding. Despite going to the Gulf War, we were in a time of trial. A period in the history for the Navy, to introduce females on board a combatant ship in times of war, this was a first. Were we ready? Ready or not we were going to the front lines. I would say training females to live on board a ship was indeed a challenge, but I would have to say during my time on board we had a top notch crew. Was it easy? No! In fact the ship was beyond 30 years old, build to sink, had millions of tons on ammunition on her. It had never been through an engineering TRE inspection, the flight deck was decertified. The 8 yard and stay booms to handle the load outs were old, and we had an untrained crew. Now I ask how could you turn down a tropical island as your home port, travel all over the Western Pacific, see places like the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Diego Garcia, all while spending your life loading ammunition. Doing it so much in fact, it became second nature. Conducting underway replenishment and going alongside other ships for a seasoned Boatswain Mate was a treat.
Now start a war, this will really give you memories. Well I can say it was memorable.
To me it was a very rewarding command. You have all heard the expression "a complaining sailor was a happy sailor", we must have been the happiest crew in the Far East. That is not to say every moment was a happy moment, but it was very memorable. Many years after my retirement I was able to see many of the unseasoned sailors which were part of my division grow up, become men, and woman. Some to move on, and some to make the Navy a career, move up into the ranks, and some who taking the challenge even further to become Officers. All of whom over the years have dropped a note here and there to tell me how they were, and to say how much they appreciated my mentoring. Sometimes it is very flattering and this gives you a good feeling inside to think you have helped someone in life to become a better person, and to have a reason for living.
Ask yourself which was it good, bad, or even ugly, this is hard to say. All were challenging, all were interesting, and I would not change one single tour in my career.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
 |
Sunrise on board TR-33 Dodds Narrows BC Canada,
present worksite |
Having the opportunity to look back on your time in the service really does not occur until many years later when you have had the time to reminisce what the service was all about and how does it affected your life. While I am still in the service I have no time to deal with personal moments, but I do have my quiet moments as one would say. I sometimes liked the peaceful moments during times of twilight either before the sun was about to go down when everyone was searching for that famous green sun, or during the times in the morning right before the sun would rise, these seemed to be tranquil even during times of war.
Other times were when the sea was wicked, throwing you all over the place.I have seen huge 60 foot waves. You know the ones I mean, real rollers, ones which would go for unseamly miles and miles without end. Unless you have been out there for days on end you really would not understand how small we really are and how big the ocean is. It is one which can get your adrenalin moving or one which would bring you peace. The saying goes "once a sailor has been to the sea, he has the sea in his blood" this is true. I still miss some of those days.
WHAT ACHIEVEMENT(S) ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER? IF YOU RECEIVED ANY MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS OR QUALIFICATION BADGES FOR SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT OR VALOR, PLEASE DESCRIBE HOW THESE WERE EARNED.
I have received a couple of awards all of which most have earned. I guess some of you might show more significance from one to another. I do not really know how I can answer this. I was doing my duty, and they would give me ribbons.
I guess the one achievement I was most proud of was becoming a Chief. Even to this day when around the naval bases I go through the gate and the security guard would say carry on Chief. This means something to him and to me. I studied hard, took all my tests, and did what I could to gain the rank of "Chief". I still believe it is a position which not all men can achieve. Enough said on this point.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR ANY OTHER MEMORABILIA, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH ARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 |
Plaque for serving at Fallon Nevada
as Chief of Security |
I carried two badges, one for Corrections, and one for Security. Both were times in my life where I worked endless hours, with little gratification. Both were the most rewarding times in my career because it taught me humility and perseverance. Even to this day, honesty is a big thing in my life, i can sense when people are not quite being straightforward. I do know now, after being in those positions, there was always a reason. Learning this was not easy. There is no reason to show any more or any less respect to one human being than you do another.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Mentoring in any part of military service does not come lightly. Call it guidance I guess. This to me meant someone was indeed on the short end of the stick, and needed a little push to get them going in the right direction, myself included. I guess I can honestly say the most positive impact came from the Commanding Officer while on the USS Truxtun. He gave us inspiration, he would do things with the crew, not just for the crew, he would involve himself with all that was happening during my time on board.
There was one incident where we all went to a Seattle Mariners ball game during Navy night. We were to be the ambassadors for the Navy. Of course, he (the CO) was able to throw the first pitch of the game. He was given the ball and a hat which later during the game my wife sorta borrowed. During our trip back to Bremerton on the ferry, the Skipper asked for his hat back. Now she had considered the hat a gift and did not want to give it back. This lead me to follow the Captain around the dry dock the entire day to get enough courage to apologize to him. He of course had a few kind words to me, and all was well. (By the way he did get his hat back). He showed me no matter who you are you are to be respected, despite what he may have been truly feeling.
I will always remember him Captain John Pearson, later he became 3rd Fleet.
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?
 |
| Beach Party Team Photo Beach Master Unit One |
Pranks were always a way of life in the Navy, but when you were part of the team it was quite common to do it regularly. While I was in Beach Masters during our time in the barracks we would work in the compound all day, and come back to the barracks in the evening. I had one particular friend who knew I liked to have a sandwich from time to time. He fixed me a cod liver sandwich which he handed to me in the passage way, while everyone was standing around shooting the bull on what we would do that evening. Before I knew it they were all laughing at me, and one would say "Meow" others would be calling me 'Morris'. Of course I did not get it, and I was actually becoming irritated because they were making fun of me. I learned a few minutes later they were mocking me and calling me Morris which was for Morris the cat, and "Meow" for this cat because he had made me a sandwich with a can of cat food.
This happened in 1974, and to this day the story is told, and I find myself laughing as well.
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?
The verbiage which all Sailors use when they retire is "I will never go back to sea again". Not true. At first, I was using all of my Boatswain's Mate skills, and became a painter, I found jobs easily. I was paid well, but it did not quite go as
 |
YTT-10 Battle Point Naval Undersea
Warfare Center Keyport WA. |
far as I would have wanted it to. After all now I was paying for a house for the first time in my life. I really wanted to use the GI bill get my degree in Criminology which I started back in the late 70's, but life as a Sailor went on for me.
I started all over and decided to go work for NOAA. I was hired on as an Able Bodied Seaman with the NOAA ship Discoverer a Class One Oceanic Research Vessel. Immediately, I was at the sea again, and you guessed it, I felt comfortable. I did start from the bottom and work my way up from AB to a Seaman Surveyor, to a Boatswain Group Leader, to the Boatswain, and then the Chief Quarter Master after several years, and a ship change.
Eventually, I had the urge to go home again, so I looked for a job closer to home. Today, I find myself on the verge of retirement for the second time, after working for NAVSEA, Naval Under Sea Warfare Center out of Keyport, Washington. I have fulfilled positions on there as testing platforms for the undersea world as Able Body Seaman, Cook, and Captain, and now I am a Test Director for inspections of all of the shipboard equipment including the cranes.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Presently, I am Lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans. Also I am a member of a number of associations affiliated with my past shipboard experiences. One which is probably not associated with the service is the Elks, but have the need to mentioned because they also do good work supporting wounded warriors and people who are homeless. I do not receive nor do I expect anything in return. Service related associations are Non Commission Officer Association, Together We Served, Military.com, Member of the Hepburn association which if part of the Fast Frigates, Soon after the end of September I hope to be part of the new Beach Master Association, but this is still in the works. I do not gain any benefits from any of the associations, it is just an honor to be able to be called a comrade who was once there, and with the grace of God some who were there with me will have a memory.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
"Camaraderie" is one word I learned to love while in the service, of course, discipline, honor, respect are all a part as well. But the group bonding and solidarity you have and the feeling and dedication while in the service are something you will always remember by heart no matter what.
It gives me a sense of belonging, and when in need of support or help, there's always seems to be someone who has been there for me. A complete team of experts. This has given me the support needed to be able to continue in other careers, just knowing you would always have something, or someone to fall back on gave you the confidence to charged forward and do the best you could. This also became true later in my years when my wife passed away, I had the courage to continue in life with the support of my life long friends made while serving my country.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
 |
| Sunset in the Western Pacific, many days at sea |
Serving your country is certainly a choice to be made, some of you would doubt you are making the right decision. However, I doubt you will ever think this ever after having served your country even for a short period of time in your life. Today's times are very different, the world has become a violent place, and without the fortitude and professionalism of our youth today, serving this country would not be possibly for any citizen to actually be free.
Do not take this career choice lightly, it bears many duties and responsibilities which will all be carried over into your future life whether you choose to make the service a life career, or a short stint, every thing you do while in the service is to be respected. Always respect your fellow brothers in arms, they will be there to help you while in need, and even a shoulder for you to mourn. Some are not given the opportunity to serve, if you choose to serve God Speed, fair winds and following seas.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
 |
| TWS and the US Navy |
TogetherWeServed is something that a shipmate introduced to me years ago. I thank Roger for this. Running into shipmates is always a welcome treat. This site is wonderful in bringing the past into perspective. Juggling through the pages and pages of shipmates, being able to join lists of crew members, but most of all being able to read about encounters of other shipmates give insight to what this organization is all about. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to record my time in the service.I know it is only a reflection, however so small, it may spark a memory for someone else as this site has for me.
|
Read Other Interviews in the TWS Voices Archive
|
|
Share this Voices Edition on:
  |
|
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.
This edition of Navy Voices was supported by:
Navy.Togetherweserved.com
For current and former serving Members of the United States Navy, TogetherWeServed is a unique, feature-rich resource enabling Naval personnel to re-connect with lost Shipmates, share memories and tell their Navy story.
To join Navy.Togetherweserved.com, please click HERE.
| |
