Kulp, James, HMCS

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
Followed My father, whom served in the Navy and retired as a Captain (Line) and his father whom served our country in the United States Army (Chaplain).

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 took the path as an enlisted Hospital Corpsman and stayed the course until retiring as a Senior Chief.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Those memories that have impacted me most are many that I don't wish to re-visit. My fondest memories were working side by side with the young and old sailors.

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 medals and ribbons were really insignificant to me as a whole, but obviously played a role in my career progression. Qualifying as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman in the 80'3 (Ribbon) and in 2004 (Pin) we probably the most meaningful.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Chief Jimmy Monroe, Master Chief Gary Thornhill, Senior Chief Robert Bagnell, Master Chief Brian Pampuro and Senior Chief Dale Johnson were all significant role models and mentors that had significant impact on my career. All of which from the time I was a junior sailor until I retired understood what it meant to let the sailors under their charge take care of business.

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?
Currently still serving the United States Marine Corps and Navy troops at Camp Lejeune, NC as a Contract Surveillance Specialist.

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?
I remain patriotic and my moral compass is still in tact!

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Stay the course. Old school leadership still goes a long way.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
The messaging still help to keep us in touch, without having to put your whole life out there like Facebook. Together we served is exclusive!

DB 11/16/2016