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.
Advice from my old man was: "You can't do everything, so pick one and give it your best". Most of life's choices have that in common.
Me? Discharged: Jun 11, 1973. I couldn't wait to get out of the Navy. Four years and I had had enough. More than that, I wanted to see if I could stand on my own two feet. I did.
The GI bill and I went to college. I've managed to have good employment all these years and even took a contract in the middle east. But, over the years I joined the Naval Reserve a couple of times. In a way, to see if I wanted to go back on active duty. I didn't. No regrets. I joined the Navy to see the world, saw a bit and it gave me gypsy feet. If it's travel you're looking for, consider this, since I got OUT of the Navy I have been to.. England (13 times), France, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, India, Kashmir, Singapore, Hong Kong, back to Viet-Nam, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Hungary, Austria, Venezuela, Aruba, Japan and China. Most trips have been a couple of week vacation each year over the past 35 years. Adventure isn't limited to the high seas but it was a good place to start. The decision is yours, the options are endless.
You can't do everything, but you can try.
Steve, USN 1969 - '73, 1950 - to date...
Note: When I was discharged from Active Duty I had a Reenlistment Code of RE-1.
For those who receive a Navy/Marine/Coast Guard RE Code of 1, they may reenlist in their previous service or another service with no problem. And so I did, twice. USNR 1974-1977 and again USNR 1979-1981, for an additional 4 years. Total service time: Active 3 years 11 months, and Reserves 4 years.