| Aviation Structural Mechanic, Structures |
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| Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USN Retired
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Current/Last Rank
Petty Officer First Class
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Current/Last Primary NEC
AMS-8319-P-3 System Organizational Maintenance Tec
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Current/Last Rating/NEC Group
Aviation Structural Mechanic, Structures
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Primary Unit
1998-2001, 9595, VAQ-129 Vikings
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Previously Held NEC
AM-8377-SH-3 Systems Organizational Career Maintenance Technician
8331-A-6 System Organization Maintenance Technician
AM-9595-Hazardous Matgerial Control Management Technician
9595-Hazardous Matgerial Control Management Technician
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Service Years
1981 - 2001
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| Official/Unofficial US Navy Certificates
Cold War
Order of the Golden Dragon
Persian Excursion
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What are you doing now:
We are serving at Calvary Chapel Anchorage, AK. Working as a Measure Tech for Home Depot.
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Other Comments:
Happily married to Ro since July 3rd 1987. We have two great girls, Maeggan & Mirah Jo. Maeggan is married to a wonderful young man, Pastor Samuel Vargas. I AM a very happy POP (Grandpa) to Emmanuel James "EJ" Vargas and Phinehas Luke. Maeggan, Samuel, EJ and Phin are living in Anchorage, AK. Mirah Jo is living in Texas as a licensed hair dresser (and has a natural talent for it). We are living in Anchorage, AK cause thats where the boys are and it's too hot in Texas!!! BUT, I do miss the Bass Fishing!!!
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1981-1981, AMS-8319, FRAMP VP-31, VP-31 The Genies/Black Lightnings
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1981-1985, AMS-8319, Naval Air Station (NAS) Moffett Field, CA
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1981-1985, AMS-8319, VP-50 Blue Dragons
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1985-1985, AMS-8319, Naval Regional Medical Center, Long Beach, CA
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1985-1985, AMS-8319, Naval Medical Clinic (NMC) San Diego (Balboa Naval Hospital)
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1985-1986, AMS-8319, Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, CA
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1986-1986, AMS-8319, NTC (Cadre/Faculty Staff) San Diego
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1986-1986, AM-8377, NAMTRADET 1025 (Staff), North Island (Staff)
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1986-1989, AM-8377, Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, CA
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1986-1989, AM-8377, HC-1 Pacific Fleet Angels
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1990-1992, Naval Air Facilities (NAF) Adak, AK
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1992-1992, 8331, VA-128
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1992-1994, 8331, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
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1992-1994, 8331, Commander Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14)
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1992-1994, 8331, VA-196 Main Battery
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1992-2001, AMS-8319, Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, WA
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1994-1998, AMS-8319, VP-46 Grey Knights
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1998-1999, AM-9595, Trident Training Facility, NAVSUBASE Bangor
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1998-2001, 9595, VAQ-129 Vikings
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Reflections on PO1 Cuthbertson's
US Navy Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
Two things influenced my joining the US Navy. First thing was that my Dad had been in the Air Force during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Second thing was getting fired! I was working for CF Consolidated Freightway (trucking outfit) right out of high school making very good money and my work ethic was zero. Before signing up I had never talked to or heard a recruiter. There was one about two miles down the road from my house. Drove by one day and just stopped by to see what they had to offer. The rest is history.
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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?
On January 8 1981 I left for MEPS. From there we were off to RTC San Diego. AMS A School in Millington TN. VP-50 81-85, 1 year of medical hold till Jan 86. HC-1 86-89, NAS Adak 89-92, VA-196 92-94, VP-46 94-98 & VAQ-129 98-01. Retired March 31, 2001.
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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?
No, my service time was mostly during the Cold War. Then during Operation Desert Storm I was stationed up in Adak AK.
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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?
VP-50, it was my first command. The people that I served with were like a family. I met my wife Ro who was our Squadron Corpsman while we were on deployment in Misawa Japan. I also met two of my best friends in VP-50. The best memories of my Navy time are from my tour with VP-50.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Meeting my wife in Misawa Japan while we were on deployment with VP-50 and the birth of our Daughters. The other was working on the flight deck on the USS Carl Vinson CVN-70. And, the proud feeling I had during my Retirement Ceremony.
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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?
I think it was the MUC I got with VP-50. That was the best command and best group of people I served with.
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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?
First person I think of was CDR Masters who was the XO with VP-50. He personally took me aside and encouraged me to strive to advance while I was in the Navy. Second person was CDR (Dr.) Joel Ray my Neurosurgeon at Balboa Naval Hospital. If it wasn't for the Lord using Dr. Ray, I would not be writing this.
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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?
I was in Military Working Dog School and we were doing training in the field. I had wraps on and the dog that was doing the biting swung around so fast I could not keep the wrap between me and the dog. That sucker bit me on the butt and ripped my brand new BDU's.
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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?
I became a school bus driver and an assistant pastor. Still doing both.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
NCOA & DAV. The DAV has been SO helpful with me receiving my VA disability benefits!
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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?
I feel the Navy helped me develop a good Work Ethic and Professionalism. It also helped me learn to show and give Respect to others and my Country. And I learned what it meant to have Pride in myself and what I do.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
I would say, "Make the most of your time in the Navy and if there are any desires to do something special, Don't Hold Back - Go For It!"
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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 |
NTWS has made it possible for me to make contact with people I have not seen since high school. I have been able to keep in contact to some of the best Shipmates that I served with in the Navy. And NTWS has given me the opportunity to meet some new Shipmates. TWS is great and I really like that is for us military folks only! *J*
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