Previously Held NEC SR-0000-Seaman Recruit
SN-0000-Seaman
SN-9740-Seaman - Other Technical and Allied Specialists
IC-0000-Interior Communications Electrician
I retired on the last day of June, 2011, the month I turned 61,
and took my Arizona State pension, then Social Security at 62.
I spent my post-navy life as a photographer and media manager.
The Navy gave me gypsy feet, and I've enjoyed them all my life.
As a result, traveling was not just a bucket list item for me.
With the way things have gone, it was a good investment.
I'm a direct descendant, tenth generation, of Joseph Loomis.
The Loomis Family arrived in the New World on 17 July, 1638.
We have defended America ever since.
Other Comments:
"Service included boots-on-the-ground in Viet-Nam"
[ One year, 365 days, 24/7 -- 7 June 1970 to 7 June 1971 ] U.S. Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon RVN.
I am also a Plank Owner and Shellback, USS Harlan County (LST-1196).
During my 4 years of active duty, 3 years were credited as foreign or sea service.
Technically, I was on Active Duty, USN, 3 years, 11 months and 16 days. However, I was in the Naval Reserve before that and after that, both Active Reserves and Inactive Reserves. So N/TWS has credited me from April 1969 through April 1983, 4 years active USN plus 4 years USNR and 6 years inactive Naval Reserves, and that is why my profile may occasionally show three hash marks. 1983 was my final Inactive Naval Reserve discharge date. Also, because I worked overseas, I never managed to take the 2nd Class Exam. So, actually I never wore more than one hash mark on my dress blues. And yes... there is a "V" on my Navy Achievement Medal even without having a Combat Action Ribbon because that's the way it was awarded. For more information click on the NAM w/V ribbon in my ribbon rack.
I am glad, proud, to have been born an American.
I voluntarily joined the armed forces, and for that
matter I volunteered for duty in Viet-Nam.
What I had hoped for was to not bring the violence,
the lack of value of a human life that I experienced
in Viet-Nam, back to America. It is that simple.
During my civilian career I spent over ten years as a hospital/medical photographer, two years in Saudi Arabia with Lockheed, and then two and a half decades as the media specialist and manager for a 9,000+ student public school district in Phoenix, Arizona. I feel fortunate to have retired without ever having a single unemployment or welfare check.
My first Reserve duty was back down to San Diego with a minesweeper for two weeks: 1974, USS Pluck MSO-464. My second Reserve duty was the media center of the Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes. I was now working in audiovisuals and wanted to see how the facilities at my old Boot Camp worked. It was quite a disappointment: 1975, NTC Great Lakes Illinois. My third Reserve duty was to pick up a troop transport out of Norfolk and head for GITMO. Not bad for a two week assignment: 1976, USS Francis Marion APA/LPA-249, Sailed from Norfolk to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, GITMO.
Other Memories
I was one of those local photographers (years ago) Back in La Crosse, Wisconsin: President Ford was coming to town. I was the photographer for Saint Francis Hospital and I went to a the Republican HQ to ask about getting a press pass. Back in the mid '70's the paper work was rather simple and I have no idea if they even did a background check on me, but, I was given a press pass and when he flew into town I was at the airport to get a photograph of him. No, wait a minute... This is the President and it wasn't ... "just get a photograph of him". At the airport I had to present my press pass and was given access to the tarmac location where all of the rest of the press was waiting. There I stood, shoulder to shoulder with the press corps from around the country. AF1 landed and Mr. Ford came out and up to a microphone to gave us his welcome pitch and we snapped photographs. Then, I was whisked away with the rest of the folks... Without any choice I was escorted onto one of the waiting coach buses and road back into town in the motorcade... along a somewhat clandestine route over the river into Minnesota and back to the city auditorium. This had become a very interesting adventure and much more than I'd ever imagined. Now I was elbow to elbow with the press in the press box in front of the stage... snapping away with my somewhat meager equipment. At the end of the evening I walked home, rather pleased with the events of the day. The next morning a friend drove me out to the airport to retrieve my car.
.png?ixlib=java-2.3.0&w=100&s=d40e366bb55af1e70293eedccb148713 "Brown Water Navy (Vietnam)")
.png?ixlib=java-2.3.0&w=100&s=0cb147133885c62667d8969c50b66659 "Order of the Ditch (Panama Canal)")
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