Command Master Chief |
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TWS Ribbon Bar |
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Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USN Retired
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Current/Last Rank
Command Master Chief Petty Officer
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Current/Last Primary NEC
9580-Command Master Chief
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Current/Last Rating/NEC Group
Command Master Chief
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Primary Unit
1985-1987, OS-0321, Fleet Tactical Deception Group Pacific (FLTDECGRUPAC)
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Previously Held NEC
SN-0000-Seaman
RD-0000-Radarman
OS-0321-Antisubmarine Air Controller
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Service Years
1964 - 1987
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Official/Unofficial US Navy Certificates
Gulf of Tonkin Yacht Club
Order of the Shellback
Order of the Golden Dragon
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2007, Navy Together We Served
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2010, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)
- Assoc. Page
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2010, American Legion, Post 131 (Member) (Green Valley, Arizona)
- Chap. Page
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2013, United States Navy Memorial
- Assoc. Page
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2017, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter 106 (Member) (Tucson, Arizona)
- Chap. Page
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2017, NTWS Volunteer Profile Assistance Team
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2017, Navy TWS Advisory Group (NTAG)
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2017, USS Kitty Hawk (CVA/CV-63) Veterans Association
- Assoc. Page
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2018, USS Bradley DE/FF-1041 Association
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1964-1965, SN-0000, USS Charles E.Brannon (DE-446)
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1965-1965, SN-0000, Transient Personnel Unit (TPU), Naval Station (NAVSTA) Treasure Island, CA
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1966-1967, RD-0000, USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)
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1968-1968, RD-0000, Fleet Combat Training Center Pacific (Staff)
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1968-1972, OS-0321, USS Bradley (DE-1041)
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1971-1974, OS-0321, Fleet Anti Submarine Warfare Training Center Pacific (FLEASWTRACENPAC)
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1974-1978, OS-0321, USS Meyerkord (DE/FF-1058)
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1978-1982, OS-0321, Fleet Training Center (Staff) - Training Support Center (TSC)
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1981-1985, OS-0321, USS Harry W. Hill (DD-986)
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1985-1987, OS-0321, Fleet Tactical Deception Group Pacific (FLTDECGRUPAC)
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2007, Navy Together We Served
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2010, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)
- Assoc. Page
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2010, American Legion, Post 131 (Member) (Green Valley, Arizona)
- Chap. Page
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2013, United States Navy Memorial
- Assoc. Page
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2017, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter 106 (Member) (Tucson, Arizona)
- Chap. Page
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2017, NTWS Volunteer Profile Assistance Team
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2017, Navy TWS Advisory Group (NTAG)
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2017, USS Kitty Hawk (CVA/CV-63) Veterans Association
- Assoc. Page
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2018, USS Bradley DE/FF-1041 Association
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- Allyn, Paula, MCPO, (1995-2017)
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- Kiesel, Genesis, PO3, (2015-Present)
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- Kiesel, Joshua, PO3, (2015-Present)
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- Kiesel, Rebekah, PV1, (2018-Present)
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Reflections on CMDCM Kiesel's
US Navy Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
When my brother came home on leave, he would have the greatest stories to tell. As I was nearing high school graduation, I no idea what I would do. The Navy sounded like the best choice. It turned out that it was the best choice I could ever have made.
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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 knew this was the right choice, and I was going to stay in for twenty years. I chose Radarman (Operations Specialist) as the career choice. I was determined to move up the ranks, working myself up to Master Chief Petty Officer. After 22 years I decided it was time to move on, so I retired April 1987.
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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?
| HAPPY NEW YEAR!! |
Made several deployments to the South China Sea during the Viet Nam war, conducting air strikes from the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. And then returning to Viet Nam on the USS Bradley (DE 1041) and again on the USS Meyerkord (FF 1058) doing Gunfire Support. I was also present during the fall of Saigon, assisting in the withdrawal of personnel, (Operation Frequent Wind).
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DID YOU ENCOUNTER ANY SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
I was very fortunate that I was never put in that situation. I can only thank and pray for those who had to deal with the horrors and trauma of being in-country. I always hold in prayer those that served and those never came home!!
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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 Harry W Hill |
Without a doubt, my favorite would have to be the USS Harry W. Hill (DD-986). The professionalism and pride of the crew. The closeness of the crew made it a joy to serve on her. Captain Pollack in my mind was the best Commanding Officer I ever served under.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
| USS Harry W Hill (DD-986) |
Of course making Chief Petty Officer would be on top. It was an honor to go through the initiation, having the Chief Petty Officer's Creed read to all of us entering into the ranks of my brothers and sisters as a Chief Petty Officer. What an honor! Serving on the USS Harry W Hill (DD-986). I can only say it is my belief that it was the best command I ever served on. The Hill is where I was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer. Such a tight crew and always looking out for each other.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
| Navy Acheivement Citation |
Navy Achievement Medal - APRIL 1983. This was a surprise to me: Second Navy Achievement medal - MARCH 1985. Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin.
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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?
| Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist |
The pin I cherish the most would be my Enlisted Surface Warfare. I really had to work for it and the oral test was tough.
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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. John C. Pollack |
CDR John C. Pollock, Not only was he my Commanding Officer, he in my mind, was always fair, and was a great leader. He treated all with respect, especially his senior enlisted.
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LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
| MCPO (SW) James Hopper |
Robert Liley (Deceased) Fleet Training Center, San Diego. He was a great guy who died way too young. MCPO (SW) James Hopper - USS Harry W. Hill (DD-986) Good friend and great Master Chief of the Command.
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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?
| Crossing the Line - 1984 |
Crossing the Line, Polywog to Shellback. Both going through the initiation and participating for the next one. Lots of fun and I still laugh when I think about it.
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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?
| My patrol car and me. |
After retiring in 1987, I followed my wife, and started working as Computer Assistant at the Army Corps of Engineers in Urbana, IL. After leaving Urbana we moved to Seattle where I took a job with the Food and Drug Administration as a Computer assistant and later as a Information Technology Specialist. I retired from the FDA after 19 years in 2010. At that time we bought a motor home and started traveling the United States. After eight months in the motor home we settled in Green Valley, AZ. I now spend my time as an Sheriff Auxiliary Volunteers. Both my wife and I love it here.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).
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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 first thing the Navy did for me was build my confidence, allowing me to learn and move up the ranks. It also gave me skills I need to in my second career as an IT Specialist with U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Enjoy your time, and use all of your benefits.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
| TWS and the US Navy |
I have found a lot of my shipmates here and it is nice to be able to stay in touch. DS 3/31/17
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