Miller, Michael, BMCM

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I guess I knew I was going to join from the time I was six or seven. My Dad was in for 20. Also had quite a few cousins and one uncle that were in. The reason I say six or seven is because that is when I first saw photos of my Uncle when he was in the Navy and he told us quite a few sea stories. As I got older and wasn't going any where with my life my Mom and I decided enlisting was the best thing for me. I have told parts of my story elsewhere in here so I won't repeat it here. BUT I have said it lots of times and will continue to say it. The Navy saved my life. I know I would have died from drugs or booze before I hit 21 or killed myself some other way.

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 wanted to go to sea. I lived in Oxnard CA. right next to a Seabee base and knew I didn't want to stay here so a ship is what I wanted. Was supposed to get IC "A" school but got sick in boot camp spent a week at Balboa so I got set back a week. Week 6 or 7 it was after service week went and talked with the classifier. He told me I could sit an wait for an A school or go to the fleet as an IBT or IBM. So I asked him what an IBT was and he said Instant Boiler Tech. Work in a very hot fireroom but it would the correct path for me if I wanted to be an IC. I then asked about IBM and he said Instant Boatswain's mate. I would chip paint, clean heads, drive ships and boats. I said wait a minute what was that part about boats and he went on about how great it was being outside and being in charge of your own boat so I said I want to be a BM. Well that's what I got and 7 ships 2 shore commands and one staff duty later I had 30 years in and the Navy said Mike you've had all the fun were going to allow. It's time to go home and enjoy your retirement ya right.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
There are so many. Some are sad and make me tear up with sadness and some are happy and make me tear up with joy and laughter. I just told this one to my 16 year old Granddaughter a few weeks ago. I was out at sea when she was born, but later in the night I got a redcross message telling me that I was a granddad and granddaughter, mother and Grandma were all fine. Two days later I found out I had made Senior Chief so she became my little star. Like I said there are more and maybe someday I 'll post them on my profile but I am not the best writer or speller so will see.

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 NAM. It was 1986 and I was a BM1 on USS Iowa (BB-61) I was the LPO of 3rd Division and we were on a CENTAM. Had to move the aft brow forward and keep it available during the port visit. Well I spent about 20 hours a day on that brow or had one of my guys down on it. had wave 4 to 5 feet running down the side and hitting the brow and popping turn buckles or bending pins it was a never ending job. And once was I worried about it because I know my guys had my back. Sometimes we would get knock off the ladder but our safety lines were tended by the guys topside and they would pull us in. It was great.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
There were quite a few of them but the one I remember the most and what he taught me is BMCM Steven Schuler (not sure of spelling of last name) he was a Senior Chief when I worked for him. I was a BM3 looking at reenlisting for orders to Naples It. I received orders to CINCSOUTH but 30 days before I was to reenlist they were cancelled. Stated I wasn't cleared for Flag duty due to a CO's mast 3 years before. Well Senior Chief was in charge of the Barge at that time and he went and told the COS and the ADM he didn't care what I had done he needed a BM3 and I was the only one in the last 8 months to ask for the orders. He also told them the he would ensure I kept my ass out of trouble. Well they gave him the ok and I got my orders. When I meet him he explained all of this to me and also added he would kick my ass from Naples It. all the way to my home of records it I screwed up. Over the next 3 years he taught me about leadership and so much more. I was able to tell him thank you about 2 years after I made Chief. He was still on active duty when he passed due to cancer. I never got to talk to him again.

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 on the USS Iowa BB61. I was the BMOW for GQ & Sea & Anchor. We were in New York for INR 1986 and President Reagan was going to be on board for the Naval Review. Well we had Sweat Pumps 1 - 8 online for this. The ship spent weeks and weeks getting ready and we practice 2,3 and sometimes 4 times a day. We were ready. Well the ODD who was also the Ships Navigator keep asking me if I knew what to ring and say. I kept saying yes I would ring 8 bell and say United States arriving. Well the 1MC was on the Port side of the Bridge which was shaped like a horse shoe due to the conning tower being in the middle. Well we got word he was en route and to stand by well Nav was over on the Starboard wing so I wanted to have a little fun I rang 8 bells and said real Loud "Uncle Ronnie" arriving well Nav came running and yelling "Boats Boats the hell are you doing'? His face was white eyes were as big as portholes I started laughing and told him "Don't worry Sir, I didn't really do it". Well when it came time ring him on board the OOD was standing right next to me ready to grab the 1MC if I even came close to messing up. I still laugh when I remember his face and yelling Boats Boats!

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 job I had during my last shore duty. I am a Program Manager working at Port Ops.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
DAV. I believe that taking care of our Disabled Vets is the correct and right thing to do.

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?
My Navy service has made me who I am. Like I said before I knew I was going to join and make the Navy a career back when I was 7 or 8 years old. I have always felt that the Navy was where I belonged. Because I felt that way I always strive to be the best at what ever I did before during and after my service. I always look at things with a leadership not managers eye. I take care of the people that work for me just like I did when I was in the Navy.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Keep moving ahead and strive to become the best you can. Not matter how many times someone knocks you down get up and keep moving. The Navy is always changing so you will to.

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 been in contact with so many shipmates since I joined TWS. I had one of my buddies from my first command e-mail me. I called him and we were just picked up where we had left off. He still won't give my T-shirt back but as soon as I asked him about it he started laughing. I never wanted to retire and would have stayed in another 10 to 15 years if I could of. TWS give me a chance to keep in contact with my old shipmates and make new ones. Keep up the good work.

DS 12/16/16