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.
Enlistment date 25 April 1969 under the CACHE Program: 2 months 12 days. Active duty from 7* July 1969 to 1 June 1973: 3 years 10 months 16 days. Early separation from active duty BUPERSMAN 3850220.1-305, deployment. Total: 4 years and 28 days. (*my DD214 incorrectly states 16 July 1969)
Honorable discharge, transfered to Inactive Reserve, discharge date to be 25 April 1975.
However, in September 1974 I re-enlisted in the Naval Reserve until August 1977. A total of 2 years 10 months. I then spent two years in Saudi Arabia with Lockheed.
In September 1979 I re-enlisted in the US Naval Reserve and left in November 1980. A total of 1 year 1 month.
Combining my active Naval Reserve of 2 yrs 10 mo's + 1 yr 1 mo, and my 2 months 12 days in the CACHE program, I spent over 4 years USNR.
For a total of Service Time of 4 years active and 4 years Reserves = 8 years.
My DD-214 shows, during my active duty, I was credited with 3 years Foreign/Sea Service.