Stanfield, John, CWO3

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

High School Graduation

Both my Mother and Father were Navy veterans from WWII. After finishing high school and starting college I decided to see what the Navy had to offer. At my physical I was classified as 1Y due to high arches and would not be able to endure military life. I thought this was odd since I had played all sports during both elementary and high school. Went around the back door and was allowed to join the Navy Reserve. Active Duty call up in 1967.

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?
The communications field was recommended after testing and I selected the Radioman rate. Advanced to RMCS throughout my career and thought I could do more and moved on to the Warrant Officer field for six years. Congressional mandate limited my career to 30 years. Played the system and made it to 31 years before being forced to retire.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
It seems that everything was memorial, after all it was my life. However, boot camp brought me to the realization that this was going to be a different life; an adventure just waiting to happen. Don't know if it was the best chose, it certainly was a very good one!

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Chief Warrant Officer

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?
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
My wife Susan. also retired now. We met in Adak, AK and married while serving together in Yokusuka , Japan. A Radioman also, she achieved LDO status and was promoted to LT before retiring.

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?
Diving into a bunker during a rocket attack in Quang Tri, Vietnam

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?
Recruited into a small company supporting the Navy in the Washington, D.C. area. Worked as a Contracts Manager Supervisor and Network Administrator. After eight or nine years in my follow-on career I started having trouble with muscle failure around my right ankle and eventually was diagnosed with ALS by doctors at Walter Reed They told me I had 2 to 5 years to live and that I should really think about retiring and enjoying what was left in my life. Retired after 10 years, moved to a 10 acre plot in northern Florida and started just enjoying life. Switched to the VA for medical care due to area availability. After another 2 years, and many tests, it was determined that I did not have ALS after-all. New diagnosis was multi polyneuropathy (loss of muscle control due to damaged nerves) as a result of Agent Orange contamination during my 3 tours in Vietnam.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Radioman Association
American Legion
VFW

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?
Always trying to do my best and taking responsibility for my decisions and actions.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Do your best, support your shipmates.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
It's always there reminding me and making it easier to connect with past friends and experiences.