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.
I consider myself a MEMBER BY BIRTH, as all GAR Posts were disbanded by the time of the Second World War.
At least six of my great grandfathers and great uncles, that I know of, fought wearing Union Army uniforms during the South's Rebellion. I have always been as offended by the stars and bars flag as I am a nazi swastika.
On my father's side was my great grandfather Joel Woolsey Loomis, 11th Infantry, Company B, Michigan Regiment, Osceola County 1861-1865. His brother and father also fought.
On my mother's-father's side was Christopher Columbus Reen, 36th Regiment, Company B, Seventh Reserve, Perry County, PA 1861-1863 and 210th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry 1864-1865. He was wounded twice. Two of his brothers, my great great uncles, also served in the Union Army. One was Major Frederick Augustus Reen, 36th Regiment, Company B, Seventh Reserve, Perry County, PA 1861-1863. He also served with the 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery and 188th Regiment, Company B, Pennsylvania Volunteers 1864-1865. And his oldest brother: 2nd Lt. Samuel REEN, Civil War - Union Army 1862-1865. He was the 2nd Lieutenant with Company E, 173rd Pennsylvania Infantry, 1862/'63, and Sergeant of Company I, 208th Pennsylvania Infantry, 1864/'65.
On my mother's-mother's side was Henry Otis Totten, 29th Michigan Infantry, Companies B and H, Michigan Volunteers 1864-1865.
All were members of the Grand Army of the Republic, GAR Posts.
.png?ixlib=java-2.3.0&w=100&s=d40e366bb55af1e70293eedccb148713 "Brown Water Navy (Vietnam)")
.png?ixlib=java-2.3.0&w=100&s=0cb147133885c62667d8969c50b66659 "Order of the Ditch (Panama Canal)")
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