Back, Darrol, BM1

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I had an uncle killed in Vietnam,so when I became of age to join my parents signed for me to enlist. While on the USS Ashtabula ( AO-51 ), when we were done with unraps ,we would sometimes take station on the gunline, so I supose at that time that was my part of combat operations. We were re-fuling a carrier off the coast of nam, when a Vietnamise gun boat approached us, and the carrier started pullig away to stop the boat, so we had to do an emergency break away.The Ashtabula was formost the most memorable ship I was on, because it was my first ship.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I can only say that my whole 20 years, is the stand out memory.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
none

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?
The Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist devise is the most meaningful,because I got to work in different divisons to to get qualified, and my Craftmaster pin, because it was fun, but also hard work to get qualified.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
BM1 Thomas on the Ashtabula had the biggest impact . Although he was on there a short time , he took me under his wing and not only treated me as a young sailor but also as a son.

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?
While on liberty in Hawiie a shipmate of mine was so small and drunk I saw him elude some huge Samoins , by hiding under a car.

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 was a armored car driver guard , and have done this for almost thirteen years, I am now a security Officer at Residence Inn by Marriott.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
None yet but am working on that as of now.

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?
Since I served in the military I have lived my life as a civilan serving others in my community by helping others thru my Church. I am now a deacon in the church, so now I can serve in a lot of different ways.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Stay in take advantage of everything the military has to offer, be sure you get ,or work on a College degree.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
None at this time but I hope it will help me to rekindle some old friendships.