Vest, Ron, PH2

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I needed a job after high school and in Sacramento, no one was hiring and I didn't want to go to college at the time. My step dad was in the Navy and when I was a kid I wanted to join one day. In March of 1974, I enlisted and went to San Diego, CA.

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 became a Photographer's Mate and advancement was lousy. We were 400% overmanned. I got out of the Navy in 1978 and went to College under the G.I. Bill and earned a B.A. degree from Loras College in Dubuque, IA. I went back in the Navy in June of 1981 with the hope of getting a commission and attending Officer Candidate School. I was a white guy and they were only promoting women and minorities at that time.

I decided to change rates so that I could advance. In 1983, I attended Air Traffic Control School and was almost half way through when I accidentally angered an instructor. I was washed out shortly thereafter. I went on to complete 4 OCS packets but was always rejected. I went my last 11 years in the Navy without a promotion and retired in 1995 as a lowly E-5. I did photograph thousands of my shipmates who did get promoted in that 11 year span.

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 was in during Vietnam, but didn't go. I was in during Desert Storm and Desert Shield, but was stationed stateside for those operations.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My favorite duty stations were the USS La Salle in '83-'84 in the Persian Gulf and NAS Naples, Italy in '92-'95. The La Salle had a great crew who was very competent and was very likable. In Naples, PH3 Luis Pena and I ran the photo lab and we had a blast together. We both loved Italy as well. My least favorite duty station was the USS Holland in '89-'92. It felt like the island of misfit toys. Many people didn't get along and the crew wasn't very competent.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I remember the great people and the parties we had and the great travel opportunities. After retirement, I've forgotten most of the petty garbage that used to make me angry with the Navy.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I earned two Navy Achievement Medals that I'm pretty proud of, mostly for going above and beyond and all that kind of stuff.

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 pretty proud of the shadowbox my command gave me at my retirement in Naples, Italy in June of 1995.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Captain Frank Julian was my CO on the USS La Salle in '83-'84. I knew him well because I fed him photos for his scrapbook. I saw him picking up trash on the flight deck on day along with the enlisted guys. He used to eat with us once in a while and ask us what was on our minds. He cared about us and we loved him for it. He was what an Officer should be. He was not like most of the other officers I ever met.

LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
Dave Cerel and Bill Greil from photo school 1974 were my roommates. I'd love to reconnect with them. Luis Pena from '92-'95 was my coworker from Naples, Italy. I've lost track of all three. All three were great guys.

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?
There were so many and most are not fit to print here.

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 40% disabled when I retired. To voc-rehab me, The VA sent me back to college for 2 years to be a Special Ed. teacher. I taught full-time for 12 1/2 years and retired in 2010. I remain retired.

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?
After putting up with the Navy for all those years, I feel as though I'm qualified to do almost anything. I've dealt with people from all 50 states. I've followed and I've led. I can handle anything that is thrown my way and I've been a success everywhere I've been since I left the Navy. It is a shame that the Navy never gave me a chance to be all I could be. I'm referring to those 4 rejected OCS packets.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
It is not forever although it will seem that way sometimes. Hope for the best, expect the worst, and take whatever comes your way. Also, when you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on. Don't let the bastards beat you down. Tell yourself that "there will be another day when things will go my way." When you are angry with your current assignment or career, look at the clock and watch the second hand move. You are getting closer to a new duty station or getting out. Although you can't make the clock go any faster, they can't stop it either.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US Navy

These questions took me back over 40 years. It was just yesterday in my mind.

DS 6/13/16