Canterbury, Charles Thomas, HMCS

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I had an uncle killed in action in the Army during Vietnam and coming from a landlocked state. I didn't want to go with the Army. Most of my cousins went Army and I'm still in the Navy long after they're gone. Ships travel and do amazing things. I wanted to be a part of the mighty force that sailed the seas and delivered a fight wherever it was needed.

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?

Nathaniel

Originally I signed up as a Disbursing Clerk on 03 December 1992, but woke up one day and said that I'd made a big mistake. I requested via my recruiter to change to HM and never looked back.

They say that you will wake up one morning and know when it was time to retire. I did but slightly before I hit my 20 year mark. I kept it going for 2 additional years - that was hard. I knew I wasn't in a spot to make Master Chief and wanted to leave on my own terms. Today I work with the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) and love it.

Additionally, I have a 2 year old son that I am able to spend time with and don't have to worry about the pressure of deployments to separate us. My appreciation to those who have endured such hardships - I'm thankful to have missed out on that.

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?
I was deployed in 2003 with Fleet Hospital 15 and spent my time in Kuwait during the Iraq Invasion. In 2006, I served with MHC CREW GALLANT out of Bahrain and spent 6 months patrolling the Central Arabian Gulf. In 2009 I deployed with 2nd BN, 23rd Marines to Ramadi, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We were the last Combat Infantry Battalion to serve there and were replaced by the Army.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I believe that would be the USS CARTER HALL (LSD 50). I served on board from June 30, 1998 through November 1, 2001. I served longer on board that ship than at any other duty station my entire career. Because of the crew and times we had, ports we visited and camaraderie we had among our crew, I picked a second LSD, USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) without any hesitation.

I think part of that reason I liked that tour best is because that was where I came of age in the Navy and enjoyed the benefits of hard work. I think today's Navy is harder to be in and to endure because we work harder with less people, less supplies, and less rewards for our efforts. But in those days we hit 27 ports on a 5 month deployment in 1999 on a UNITAS/West African Training Cruise. We worked hard but also were rewarded with liberty in places like Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Cape Town, South Africa; Callao, Peru - and many other awesome places.

We also had a tight crew. Everyone was looking out for each other and would do anything for the other if needed. I can only think of one fight in the 3 1/2 years I was on there, and they later were best of friends. Of all my duty stations, I keep in touch with the crew on the CARTER HALL more than any of my other duty stations. When one needs help, we still come out and help if we can.

I don't like how the Navy has taken Sailors away from liberty ports and put too much emphasis on personal behavior and want to punish the entire crew for one Sailor's stupidity in public. It was my 1999 deployment that CEMENTED my choice to stay Navy and we had such a great time I wish I could do this tour all over again.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Pulling into foreign ports and getting to see the world for free. Making Chief Petty Officer and making the transition from junior enlisted to being The Chief. There's no single memory that I could say that would define my tour in the Navy.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I would say that qualifying for my Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist meant a lot to me. Learning the rich history of the Hospital Corps and how we have been there as a team member since the very beginning was very awesome.

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?
Both my Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist and my Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist because of how hard one had to work to earn them. It was hard and no one gave me anything. I had to go out and get it.

When I was working on the ESWS on the CARTER HALL - my ESWS time began after taps. Most people got plenty of time to work on it during working hours, but wasn't the case for me.

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

Chief Edlouie Ortega, my first Chief.

Chief Raul Romero - the Chief I had when first decided to make the Navy a career.

CMDCM Bob Whitten, who pushed me to the point that he set the pace for my Navy Career.

HMCM Bob Wickboldt, who inspired me to go to IDC School.

I've got plenty of friends who've been there for me and those people are closer to me than most family - and are too numerous to count.

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.
In touch with:

Naval Hospital Millington: Gary Rau, Raul Romero, Steven White.

USS CARTER HALL: David Hendricks, Linda Grant, Donovan Titus, Bob Whitten, Bob Wickboldt.

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth: Rod Granlund, Joely Creighton.

MHC CREW GALLANT: Dan Harasim, Rome Ruiz, Walter Brewer, Walt Wyatt, John Carroll, Jeffery Reick, and many others.

Naval Hospital Okinawa: Yen Duberek,

USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43): Mary Davis, Geoffrey Turner, Ronnie Bryan, Charles Eisenberg, Celeste Young, Dale Estridge, Casey Morrison, and many more.

2d Medical Battalion: Rob Davis, Luis Reyes, Chris Holzworth.

Would like to make contact with:
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth: Christopher Smith (Fester).

Facebook makes it easier to keep in touch. I am lucky that I am in touch with most of the people I served with that was like brothers and sisters to me.

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?
Most were funny in context, so they probably wouldn't be as funny to see them based on just a brief synopsis of what happened. Either way, we've had a blast.

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 finished my MS in Healthcare Management and also earned a MBA from Trident University International. Just now retiring and looking for work. Wish me luck, it's a jungle out here.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Lifetime Member of the VFW and Fleet Reserve Association. Current member of the American Legion. I enjoy the membership and its greet to have them lobbying for our benefits and rights to Congress.

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 think by serving in combat zones and working with several different cultures, I have learned to not take life or myself so seriously and to take advantage of every opportunity that I could to enjoy life. Something could forever change things in a second, so a life lived to the fullest is the one with the least regrets. We've all had our close calls but some have given the ultimate sacrifice. I'd like to think that the way I live my life is to live it for those who gave theirs so young. Love life and celebrate it daily.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Don't be afraid to give a fair assessment and to stand up for what is right. Don't fall into the trap that you're supposed to be a "Yes-Man" to whomever just because they outrank you. If you see something that needs addressing, don't be afraid to roll up your sleeves and take matters into your own hands. Take ownership of your job. Make it yours and don't let someone intimidate you to make decisions and to do what is needed. Empower your people, if you don't, they'll never enjoy the benefits of taking ownership.

If I had but one legacy to leave for the Navy, I want it to be that you take ownership. Don't pretend to know everything though, because NO ONE does. Do what you need to do in order to take care of your people. Give so they can have. Someone did it for you so don't forget to pay your dues for the next generation.

If I have to kiss butt in order to make Master Chief or get a coveted position, then they are looking for a brand of "leadership" that I'll refuse to embody. If the CPO Mess is weak, its because there have been E7's/E8's or E9's who have done so or who have played favorites. That should never be the case and we should hold the high standards, first of all in our lives to show the junior ones that we live by what we say. We've got enough poison in our society without adding backstabbing, butt-kissing and two-facedness in the mix. Don't kiss butt, but don't disrespect people. Everyone deserves the right to being treated with dignity. HOWEVER, rank does have its privileges. People have to work hard to get anywhere and the Navy is especially hard.

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

TWS and the US Navy

I think the best thing that TWS has done is provide a forum where we can record our time and duties in such a way that we record a piece of history and forever capture the things that future generations may not understand due to the rapid changes in our society.

DS 2/3/17