Hunt, Thomas, LT

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.

Navy Family

I joined the Military to "Man Up". At that time in my life, I was just kind of drifting along with no real plan. I lost two jobs in a row so I figured I had better change my ways. I joined the Navy because my dad was a Navy vet of World War II and he always spoke so highly of it. My great uncle Louis was a Sailor after World War I. My late brother PR2 Robin Hunt followed in my footsteps. My niece was a Navy Storekeeper and my brother-in-law is a retired First Class Ordinanceman.

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?

Navy Career

I was in aviation during my enlisted time. Specifically, I was a Light Airborne Multi-Purpose (LAMPS)/ Rescue Helicopter Aircrewman in H2F's. After commissioning as a Reserve Officer in 1984, I became a Photo Analyst and an Interrogator in Naval Intelligence.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.

USS Gray (FF1054)

Being at Sea on the USS Gray (FF1054). The smell of the ocean, the different ports, and just the whole experience during WestPac. It wasn't always a "bed of roses" but what a great experience.

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?

Receiving my Aircrew wings

The most meaningful was my Aircrew Wings. The training was challenging and a great deal of just plain fun!

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?

Air Detachment 1976

Captain Michael Baumstark, USN (ret) and Captain Richard O'Neal, USN (ret). I flew with these two gents for three years. Then there was LT. Neal and LTJG. Baumstark and me, Petty Officer Hunt. In the air, it was a little looser than that because we flew so many hours together. They were also on my WesPac deployment.

I flew with other pilots but we were a team. While on WesPac I was contemplating my belief system and Mike, as a Lay Chaplain and I had many talks. He definitely helped in my decision to become a Christian and later a Minister myself.

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?
In 1974 as a brand new Aircrewman/ E3 I was picked ( I was the only one in the Aircrew shack when they needed someone) to crew a flight with Rear Admiral James Stockdale on an inspection tour of one of the Frigates under his command. I was briefed as

Airman Hunt

to the Admiral's VIP status and told many times "Don't screw this up, or else!" By the time I was done I was just a little tense to say the least.

We flew from Imperial Beach to NAS North Island tower and taxied to the red carpet where the Admiral and his Aide were waiting to board. Of course, there was a lot of brass there as Admiral Stockdale was a pretty famous guy. My H2 was all decked out with VIP seat covers, two stars in the windows and the three of us onboard even had clean flight suits on. I was in the gunner's belt so as to not "soil" the VIP seat cover with my enlisted behind. The Aide was to sit on a canvas seat attached to the bulkhead of the Helo.

Well, the time had come for me to egress from the helo and give a quick safety brief to the VIP and his Aide. I leaped smartly from the helo as we stopped and found myself dangling about two feet off the ground, hanging from the gunner's belt. I had forgotten to undo the latch. My ICS cord was still attached also, so I heard the pilots expressing their concern about my career. Nobody at the other end of the Red Carpet seemed too pleased either. I extricated myself from the belt and continued as instructed. The rest of the day was uneventful but, the situation still makes me laugh.

http://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/navy-legend-vice-adm-stockdale-led-pow-resistance/

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?

Police Officer

After Active Service I became a Police Officer and retired from that in 2003. I retired from the Navy Reserve in 1994. Now I am a volunteer Chaplain for the San Bernardino County Sheriff.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I belong to the American Legion. I joined just to keep in touch with other Vets.

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?

Freedom is not free!

Being in and associated with the military has taught me that freedom is not free. It has given me direction and discipline in times when I really need those traits.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Enjoy this time of your life. Sure it's not always easy, nothing is. Make friends and savor your life while you serve.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US Navy

Not many of my old friends have become members of TWS but I have made many new friends here.

DS 9/30/2019