Retired after a combined 45 years of military and civilian service with the Navy, Navy Reserve, Air Force, and Air Force Reserve. Continuing to serve as a volunteer with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Met my wife in Indiana, and we call that home now, and we have two young adult sons.
Best Moment
Enlisted in the Navy on Jan 29 1979, two days after my 18th birthday. My Mom would not sign for me as a 17 year old. I wanted to enlist earlier. I was ready to go in the Navy. I used to go to the Recruiters office a lot and watch recruiting films, get posters, stickers, etc. I looked at all the services. My first interest was the Coast Guard, then I had thoughts about the Seabees. For a while, I looked at the Army National Guard and was going to do that plus be in Army ROTC at North Georgia College. However, I was in the Sea Cadets and that steered me towards the Navy. I knew I wanted to be an Aircrewman and for the longest time wanted to be an AW. However, one of the recruiters said, "When you get out of the Navy, are you going to be able to get a job with Delta Airlines as an AW". With that, I decided to become an AT and then volunteered for Aircrew duty when I got to "A" School, and the rest is history.
Worst Moment
Not really a worst moment, but I will never forget the long day on July 6 1979 when I headed off to Boot Camp. My Dad dropped me off that morning with the Recruiter. I then was taken to the AFEES station in Atlanta and we spent all day there; we then headed off to the Atlanta airport and I went on my first flight on a commercial jetliner. We spent a long evening at the Orlando airport before the bus finally came and got us to take us to Boot Camp. I remember we got there in the wee hours of the morning and started in-processing after what was an already long day. I also remember we were issued shaving kits the first night. This was the late 1970s and some of the guys had to shave off their beards with Bic razors that night. I was glad I wasn't in that boat.
Chain of Command
Recruiter: BM2 Mike Pike, Navy Recruiting Station, Marietta GA.
Other Memories
I was a senior in high school and also in the Navy Sea Cadet program. I was originally suppossed to go to Boot Camp in September. However, my recruiter had an opening in the 3 X 6 Program, which meant I could go to Boot Camp in July. I had just graduated high school in June when I got the call and was working at Williams Bros. Lumber Co. I was ready to go and did not want to wait until September, so I changed my contract so I could go to Boot Camp earlier. The 3 X 6 program was a good decision as I had a two-year reserve obligation and went directly into the Reserve when I got off active duty to attend college.
Other Comments:
Between my Navy and Air Force service, I had 41 total years of military service, of which 17 years were on active duty status. I was promoted to Col in the Air Force Reserve in 2014 and retired in 2020. Served from 2019 to 2024 as an Air Force civilian.
Best Moment Going to the Beach on Base. There was a nice beach right there on the Base. Also, had a good night in Virginia Beach: Alaskan King Crab Legs and Beer.
Worst Moment Finding out that the Navy sent me to Dam Neck by mistake. It was a computer glitch on my orders. I was actually suppossed to go to NTTC Corry Station in Pensacola for Electronic Warfare School. The ironic thing was that I had just finished Aircrew School in Pensacola. I should have went down the highway to Corry Station, but instead the Navy sent me to Dam Neck. It took a couple of months to straighten out.
Chain of Command MS1 Cabotaje (First Lt Division)
Other Memories Petty Officer Cabotaje had personnel inspections every week, and I always had a good uniform. I got passes for doing so well on my uniform inspections. He also gave me a good job with working in the Chaplain's Office. One day I went with the Chaplain's secretary and picked strawberries at a nearby farm. Not a bad gig.
