| Aviation Structural Mechanic, Safety Equipment |
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| Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USN Retired
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Current/Last Rank
Petty Officer First Class
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Current/Last Primary NEC
AME-0000-Aviation Structrual Mechanic Safety Equipment
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Current/Last Rating/NEC Group
Aviation Structural Mechanic, Safety Equipment
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Primary Unit
1991-1997, Commander Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5)
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Previously Held NEC
AT-8345-F-14 System Aircraft Organizational Maintenance Technician
8342-F/A-18 O-level Technician
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Service Years
1984 - 2005
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| Official/Unofficial US Navy Certificates
Order of the Golden Dragon
Order of the Magellan
Order of the Rock
Suez Canal
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
Persian Excursion
Cold War
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What are you doing now:
Enjoying being retired, watching my kids grow up. I do miss the Navy with a passion. I probably miss the CVW5 in Japan the most. Don't think I ever worked that hard in my life. And if they would let me go back in time and do it over, I wouldn't change a thing. I work an eight hour day now, live 15 minutes from work, and I seem to have less time on my hands than when I was active duty working 11-12 hours a night. To all my brothers in Japan, still there strokin' it, thank you. I think about you guys all the time, wish I could be there with you. My wife doesn't have anybody to make dinner for anymore.
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1985-1987, USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
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1985-1989, AME-0000, VA-146 Blue Diamonds
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1985-1991, Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, CA
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1988-1989, USS Nimitz (CVN-68)
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1989-1991, AME-0000, VA-122 Flying Eagles
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1991-1993, AT-8345, VF-21 Free Lancers
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1991-1997, USS Independence (CV-62)
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1991-1997, Commander Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5)
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1993-1997, 8342, VFA-195 Dambusters
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1994-1997, AME-0000, VFA-195 Dambusters
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1997-2000, AT-8345, Naval Weapons Test Squadron Point Mugu
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2000-2004, 8342, VFA-192 World Famous Golden Dragons
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2004-2005, AME-0000, VP-26 Hurdy Gurdy/Tridents
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Reflections on PO1 Hewitt's
US Navy Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I was supposed to join in January 1984, but some bad choices decided other wise. I ended up joining in December 1984. I needed direction and to get away from bad influences.
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WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I joined as an AM, but when I got to A school, they selected me as an AME. So that's the school I attended. Did 3 cruises the first 3 years in the navy, a couple years shore duty, then overseas to CVW5 where I guess I found my place. Did 2 tours in CVW5, then WTS Pt. Mugu, then back to CVW5. Retired out of VP-26 in NAS Brunswick.
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IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
I guess I participated as much as one could being a flight deck troubleshooter during Taiwan. In and out of homeport every few weeks got really old.
Being around the gulf during the time the stark was hit was a bit unnerving at times.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
USS Independence 1991-1997. The Indy even after all these years still brings back the greatest memories for me. The airwing and the ships crew, worked as one.
I was a troubleshooter for 2 squadrons at that time. Really don't remember ever hating being there. I had fantastic friends on the flight deck, the whole deck crew seemed to be united in one purpose, get the planes in the air.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
When I checked out of VFA-195, I was in the CO's office with Russel Grandmont. CDR. Cathey actually hugged us and said we would be missed.
So basically being a troubleshooter in VFA-195 from 1994-1997 was the best.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
None
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OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My first Navy Achievement Medal. The USS Nimitz fire in 1989. It actually says for heroism during a flight deck fire.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
CDR. Cathey. The best CO I had in 21 years. He was straight forward, didn't pull any punches. You knew were you stood with him at any time.
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CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I was out having a smoke on the sponson, and I heard a young airman say "I didn't join the Navy to go on a boat." He said this in earshot of a CWO4 who told him, "Which part of the commercial did you miss?"
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WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I am doing the same thing I was rated for in the service, just as a civilian.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
None
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
The military gave me a chance to prove I could do something with myself. I was released from jail September 25 1984. I was in boot camp a few months later. It taught me not to back down, and keep moving forward, and it taught me what Integrity really means.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
My dad told me once. You'll hate every minute of it, never have better fiends, and miss it when it's gone.
Don't go avoid the problems, fix them. The more effort you put into to doing it right, the easier it will get later.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I found my first LPO on here. Who was by the far the role model anybody could ask for. AME1 Tommy Prestidge.
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