Jarvis, Kenneth, CAPT

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I was influenced by the draft board in 1967. I didn't mind serving my country but I didn't want to be drafted and I didn't want to be in the Army. I just didn't like camping!

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?
I decided to become a "Snipe" when I was doing my initial boot training on board USS Talladega (APA-208). I was assigned to help clean bilges below the engineering spaces. When we came out some of the deck Sailors tried to harass us by calling us "Snipes." I asked a Machinist Mate what a Snipe was and he explained it to me. For some reason I felt like I belonged with the "Snipes" so I decided right then that's what I wanted to do. When I got to USS Ranger (CVA-61) I was a non-rated Fireman. The Chief Engineer looked as my test scores and decided I could handle working in the IC (Interior Communications) gang, so that's where I wound up.

After my tours in Vietnam I cross rated to Journalist. I had my BA in Communications and wanted to do something closer to my profession. When I got my commission I was commissioned as a Public Affairs Officer.

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 did two tours on board USS Ranger (CVA-61). We were off the coast of Vietnam in the Tonkin Gulf. Being a carrier we supported all, or many of, the major operations. Most noteworthy for me was the Son Tay Prisoner of War Rescue Operation.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Clearly it was my time on board USS Ranger (CVA-61). I served on board other ships but only for very short periods of time, a few days or weeks. The memories of Ranger are fond now but while I was on board I was just like everyone else, I wanted to be home with my family.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
There's not one but many. The Son Tay POW attempted rescue was very memorable because we were so happy when we heard we were finally going to bring the POWs home. Later we were crushed when we found out that the rescue had failed. Actually it had a positive effect on the NVA. They realized we could strike swift and hard and conditions improved for the POWs after that.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
No, I was just an ordinary Sailor.

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'm very proud to wear the medals from the Vietnam war with my service brothers and sisters who served over there.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
It was my wife. She stayed home while I traveled. Everyone thanks me for my service. Believe me, she sacrificed the most. The spouse of a Reservist has a very hard job. We don't live on military bases so we don't have the support of other military families. She was all alone while I was gone, and that was a lot of the time.

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?
Sure but it would take to long to tell all the stories.

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 Reservist and pursued a civilian career while in the Reserves. I was with Public Broadcasting which paralleled my military career. I later became a defense contractor.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I'm member of the Reserve Officers Association, Military Officers Association of America and the VFW. I appreciate what these and other like organizations do to represent service members.

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?
My wife and I talk about that frequently. How amazing that a decision made when we were so young to simply avoid the draft and still serve our country would continue for 36 years and give us support and security for the rest of our lives. It was an honor to serve and I've gotten more in return than I ever gave.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Try to see the big picture. During a deployment your service will probably be long and unpleasant but I'm glad you're out there and you'll reap the benefits later.

Try to see the honor in your service.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I've been able to track some people who shared common experiences. It has given me a beautiful display of my military career that my family can enjoy. Thanks!

*