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.
There was another time and place which I believe justified itself.
I was in Saigon for my tour of duty in Viet-Nam. I was stationed in the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, but as I was a lowly seaman, I got stuck with duty over at COMNAVFORV, naval headquarters Viet-Nam. It was shitty duty, as I would pull a late night watch in a gun-tower with orders not to return fire if fired upon, (PC/PR/BS*), as the Navy didn't want to upset the natives.
I'd usually show up unarmed, as they had a shitload of M-14's, sawed off shotguns, M-79's and the towers usually had either 30 or 50 cals mounted in them. What I would do is go to the PX and load up on slim-jims and beef jerky to see me through the night. Well, one of those nights I was on what I believe was the Admiral's roof in a shack without anywhere to sit but stacks of green ammo cans. Two or three hours passed by and I felt the need to pinch a loaf, so I got on the sound-powered phone and started to crank the "growler" (magneto), and cranked and cranked... for at least an hour. By now, it wasn't a matter of wanting to go, it was a matter of when and where. Yup, I had no choice but to climb out over his tiled roof and... Well, at least I didn't leave my duty station. (I bet you thought I'd crapped in one of those ammo cans... shame on you) The End, almost . . .
*PC/PR/BS: It was attempts llike this, at Political Correctness / Public Relations / Bull Shit, that clued me in that the end was near. Vietnamization Wasn't Working. Now... how is it that even a lowly seaman could see through that?!