Hutchings, Roger, LT

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
MY naval story is I grew up an only child in a dysfunctional family in a suburb of Cleveland OHIO.
My best friend Bob Neer kept me sane and now is one of my shipmates on TWS, but back than I never had the motivation or the encouragement to stay in and finish high school, so in the 10th grade I quit high school and joined the navy . After four years and convinced that I hated the navy I got out and went home to Ohio After 1 1� years and completely bored, I reenlisted knowing that I was going to do 20 years and get a commission. I than advanced rapidly and after completing nuclear power training, the promotions came, E5 to E9 to Warrant Officer to LDO and after 22 years and 7 ships, to retired as Lieutenant. At every opportunity I encourage young people to consider a career in the navy! I have to admit that I often wish I had completed 30 years as I probably would have made LCDR if not CDR and given more service to our navy! The person who influnsed me was CDR Bob Rule the XO of the Point Defiance, as he was always encouraging me as I advanced from CWO2 to LDO and qualifying as OOD underway on the PD bridge.

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?

SUPREME COURT RLIMG

My path was out of Boot Camp at great lakes, as SR, 22 years took me to E-8 to t E-9 to W1 to LDO LTJG to LT

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 want

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My fondest memory was my duty on the USS Point Defiance LSD 31during the Vietnam war. This was my final ship in my career and my first ship as a commissioned officer. and was able to qualify as OOD under, way and OOD formation steaming and Command Duty Officer in Port. Also have great memories Of XO Bob Rule my room mate Ron Powell and a great Chief Engineer, Bob Ferrel. Some of the ships ops were a little scary but but i will always remember my time on the PD as a growing time for me! In retrospect I only regret not staying in for over 30 years to experience how high I could advance! My least favorite was my first ship LST 1154 as I came onboard as an EMFN rrady to take on my duys as aEletrican and found instead mess cooking for six months and tham compartment cleaning before i found my way to the electric shop!A;sp old chief Roberts in his ways turned me from a wise ass kid into a man!