McDowell, Donald Bratton, SKC

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY?
I was tired of trying to hold down a student exemption in the draft. I joined after Junior College and intended to serve 4 years and then get out and continue toward my degree which I did 22 years later. I guess why I chose the Navy is, because being from Texas, all I ever saw were soldiers and airmen and I wanted something different. Also my favorite uncle had been a Naval Officer in WWII. Looking at his pictures and hearing his stories had a significant influence when it actually came time to decide.

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
My career path was fairly usual. I went to SK A school then to NSD Subic Bay (2 Tours), NSA Danang, COMPHIBPAC and COMNAVSURFPAC. But because I was a transportation specialist I had been in 9 years and was a First Class before I got orders to a ship. I practically had to beg for that as my Detailer wanted me to go to Harrold E Holt, Australia. I then continued to serve on 3 different ships. In the end I served 11 of my 22 years outside the US. Even though I was an SK I have been a Master-at-Arms, a Chief Mess Deck Master-at-Arms, a Military Customs Inspector, a Career Counselor, and a Command Chief.

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
Yes, while stationed at NSA Danang. Mainly rocket attacks and a Vietnamese ammo dump blowing up. Visiting Detachments was always an adventure, a couple of times leading to very long nights on alert.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
I thoroughly enjoyed my tour at the Naval Science Department, US Merchant Marine Academy. There were only seven of us. A Captain, 4 Lieutenants, and 2 Chiefs. Our only duty was mandatory attendance at all social functions, and all reviews. I enjoyed the interaction with the Midshipmen, and am still in contact with a number of them. At least one is now a Rear Admiral. Plus, being single at the time, made 3 years in the NYC area a delight.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE HE/SHE WAS MOST PROUD OF FROM HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE?
No. I never was in a position to have the honor of being awarded any medal for valor.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
My Enlisted Surface Warfare Badge and my Navy Achievement Medals, and my Expert Marksman ribbons for Rifle and Pistol. I was awarded the Navy Achievement Medals back when they were much harder to get and you didn't see nearly the number awarded today. I was awarded my ESWS in 1979, when the program first came out, based on my prior experiences. It was kind of an ego thing to get the Permanent Expert Rifle and Pistol Medals, as I came from a family of hunters.

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
LCDR David Garmus (SC) and SKCM (SW) Ron Nephew. They both mentored me and were very influential in my gaining knowledge and expertise in my field. LCDR Garmus was the Assistant Supply Officer, at then COMPHIBPAC. SKCM Nephew was the LCPO of S-1 Department on the USS Puget Sound (AD-13).

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
My initiation as a Chief Petty Officer. You had to have a sense of humor to go through it. I went through initiation while on the USS Proteus (AS-19) in Guam. It was also before the "Politically Correct" initiations like my son went through.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
Continued in logistics, including a degree in the field. I am now fully retired and drawing disability because I have peritoneal mesothelioma which I have from asbestos exposure on ships I served on. I thoroughly enjoyed my employment with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Both my wife and I worked for them for almost 8 years.

IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?
I'm a member of the Scottish-American Military Society, DAV, VFW, American Legion, USS Mullinnix (DD-944) Association, the National Chief Petty Officers Association, Navy Destroyer Veterans (TCS), and an honorary member of The Royal Highland Regiment of Canada, the Black Watch. Specific benefits are information, representation and comradeship.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
My military service has made me more focused and I think things through more now. Leadership techniques I learned in the Navy helped me a great deal in my civilian jobs. Most of all, working with all ethnic groups and many years overseas has made me much more sensitive to working with my different peoples.

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
Enjoy what you are doing. Take every opportunity given to you, whether it is education or seeing all you can of the world. I availed myself of the education benefits while I was in, and certainly took every opportunity to do tours and see all I could when in foreign ports or stationed overseas. You can't learn about countries and their histories from the inside of a bar. I tell people I am the old Navy recruiting poster personified... Join the Navy and See the World!!

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?
I have found many shipmates who have gathered around me and I keep them in my prayers continually as I deal with Mesothelioma.

DB 11/11/2016