Chain of Command Commanding Officer: CDR J. Lerner
Other Memories In the spring 1985 while assigned to FICPAC at Pearl Harbor I explored the idea of pursuing employment in the civilian sector. I attended a "Career Seminars" briefing in Waikiki and interviewed with a recruiter who suggested I would be very marketable for a position in "brand management." Over the next few days Career Seminars helped me draft a resume, gave me practice interivews and arranged for me to interview with the VP for Personnel and a senior employee (former navy) of Richardson Vicks Inc (RVI) who, along with a dozen other Fortune 500 companies, was participating the Career Seminars recruiting event in Honolulu. CS gave me two great tips just prior to the interview: no matter who asks the question look both in the eyes when you answer and don't forget to mention golf, both men are crazy about it! I nailed the interview and by the time I got back to my residence in Waipio I had an invitation to visit RVI Headquarters back in Wilton, CT for follow-up interviews. I submitted my navy resignation notice to my CO at FICPAC, CAPT Jeremy Clark, who informed me that I would be back just as ADM Bobby Ray Inman had after a brief sojourn into the civilian sector.
I made the trip east within the next few weeks and interviewed with other companies across the country along the way. I eventually accepted an offer from RVI, so impressive that the President of CS and his wife flew out to Honolulu to take my wife and me out to dinner! My FICPAC farewell was one evening on the North Shore in May and we travelled to CT where I started with RVI. Within a couple of months RVI was acquired by Proctor & Gamble and I made a phone call to my old XO, now CO, of FICPAC CAPT Ilmar Krasts. He said "damn it Lenny, we told you would be back! Get your paperwork in. The transfer/redisignation board meets next week!" I later learned that I was the only officer taken back into active service that year. Being a "black sheep" (having broken service) I thought I was destined for a non-descript assignment but to my surprise I was ordered to the CAG AI (Carrier Air Group Air Intelligence Officer) for CVW-14 onboard USS Constellation in San Diego! Great job in a great location! The sexy life of a "yuppy" (young urban professional) was no longer a mystery; the navy was way more exciting and worthwhile!
During the period of my broken service July to December 1985 I drilled one weekend a month with a FIRSTEURLANT Unit on Long Island.