Burgdorf, Tommy, FC2

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I grew up in a small Midwest town and I liked being part of things, like Boy Scouts. As a Boy Scout, I would get to march in the annual Memorial Day Parade in My Hometown and it always ended at the war memorial in the local cemetery. I always saw the veterans from WWII, Korea, and some Vietnam Vets march with the VFW or the American Legion. I was always honored to be apart of that when I was a kid.

A few years later my mom remarried to a Navy Man after my father's death and he also was a big influence on part of my decision. he introduced me to Navy Life as a dependent. I lived at home from 15 to 20 and lived next to a navy base till I joined at 23. I had gone to community college and had tried to get a job at the the local base, but I knew that I really wanted to be part of the what I have seen and the brotherhood that I saw, and I just knew that I had to serve the greatest country on earth.

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 went to the recruiter's office in a Navy town May 1984 and took my ASVAB Test and scored high. I went back to the recruiter with my Navy Retired Chief Step-father and told him weapons and electronics. The recruiter didn't say much just sent me to the MEPS in Los Angles and they set me up in the 4 month Delayed Entry Program under a 6 Year Contract for Advanced Electronics Program as A Fire Controlman

I Went to Boot Camp in San Diego, Oct 1984 and got out in December as Seaman Apprentice I was put on Leave till after Christmas. I went back to NTC San Diego and took the self paced course of Basic Electronics and Electricity, better know as B double E. Left there in April 85.

April of 1985 arrived in Great Lakes For Fire Control Technician "A" School for 6 months Upon Graduations of "A" School I was Frocked to Petty Officer Third Class. I was supposed to go from "A" School to "C" School but, it was a bad budget year. So I was sent to a ship for a year and half.

I left "A" School in November for the USS McCloy FF-1038 in Norgolk VA. While on board I was frocked to Petty Officer 2nd Class and earned my Enlisted Surface Warfare Pin.Was on board from December 85 to May 87.

I departed the USS McCloy and went to MK 92 Fire Control System School in Dam Neck, Virginia. I spent 8 months in "C" School. Was in school from May 87 to March 88.

I then received orders to USS Clark FFG-11 out of "C" School and arrived in April 1988. Server just over 3 years on board the USS Clark. 2 years Philadelphia, PA. And in the Yards. In Oct 1990 I reenlisted onboard the USS Constitution in Boston MA and got Orders for May of 1991 then,

I left for Fleet Training Center in San Diego CA May of 1991 to be an Instructor for MK92 Fire Control Systems Mods 2 & 6. I first had to go, what I consider one of the best schools in the Navy, Navy Instructor School in June of 1991 and graduated a month later at NTC San Diego. I arrived in July of 1991 at FTC San Diego. I made Master Training Specialists while I was there. I spent 3 1/2 years at FTC.

I then received orders to USS Gary FFG-51 in 1994 at Naval Station San Diego. I knew when I stepped on board this was my last command. I had already determine to work on for the National Weather Service. I was on board 23 months.

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 participated in two combat operations that I felt that were making a difference in the world.

One was the presidents war on drugs called the 1985-1988 Counter Drug Operations*/Caribbean 1985 (1985 - 1988) I was onboard the USS McCloy and we had the largest bust for Marijuana of 50 tons on the sea tug called the "Sea Wander".

Another bust we were ordered to shoot disabling .50 CAL fire at another wooden vessel that kept trying to ram us. We kept firing and they kept trying to run from us in this wooden fishing vessel. When we finally were able to stop that vessel, it was pretty shot up. The Coast Guard Detachment arrested the crew and transferred them to the Ship, along with enough evidence to convict them. The Coast Guard then let it sink because the vessel was so damaged and already sinking.

My second combat operations was on one my last ship (USS Gary FFG-51) in the Persian Gulf for Operations for the SOUTHWEST ASIA CEASE- FIRE 1992-1995. We were there at the end of 1995. Even though it was quiet in the gulf in those days, we did get some excitement from time to time. While in the gulf, we had a fire on board. Never forget that day we went through the crew fighting a electrical fire in a Diesel Generator Enclosure. The entire crew helped on this fire more than once. By morning we were back on full power except main engines. Because of the fire, I slept on the deck of the ship that night because it was too hot to sleep below decks. It was amazing, waking up early the next morning on the 02 deck underneath a the MK 92 STIR Fire Control Director platform. The Gary was towed to Bahrain. We spent a month being repaired there. Then resumed patrol duties in the Gulf.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Served at 4 major commands and I have fond memories of them all but, the fondest was the my first ship was the USS McCloy FF-1038. I was only on this ship year and half But I made 2nd Class and earned my Enlisted Surface Warfare Pin on the McCloy. It was pinned on me by the Secretary of the Navy, the honorable James Webb.

I showed up on the Might Mac, as the McCloy was called, in Dec 1985, She was high and dry in drydock and at Bayonne New Jersey at Military Ocean Terminal, in New York Harbor. I remember my orders were to travel in civilian attire, cause of the 1985 hijacking of a TWA jetliner and the killing of a U.S. Navy Seabee Diver Robert Stethem. I flew in to Newark New, Jersey and took a cab to the ship. I showed and remember the grandeur of the moment. She was in the middle of a 9 month yard period. The Statue of Liberty was also going through her own overhaul at the same time as we were finishing the ship by May of 86, We saw the scaffolding come down from the Lady Liberty for her grand opening in July.

This ship was unique, in the fact that she was 1 of the only 2 ships of her class and she was so small she only had LCDR for a Captain. She was used for many things over the years, but she was a good ship. She was the kinda of ship you got your sea legs on quick. She would take white water over the bow in 5 foot seas.

After getting the bugs workout the ship returned to home port. We did a few small port visits. The we did drug ops the last year I was on board and drug bust we did. They would not let it make Med Cruises so we were Doing the War on Drugs in the Caribbean with a Coast Guard Detachment. We held the record for the biggest marijuana bust at 50 Tons. We painted Pot leaves with a slash through them for every bust we were involved in. I was able to earn my Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Pin on her and had it pinned on by Secretary of the Navy at the time, James Webb (now senator). I was only on board a year and half but it was a hell of year and half.

While on board the USS Clark I was re-enlisted on board the USS Constitution in Boston Harbor in 1990. And second marching in Flag and Drill Team Squad of 4 in the 1991 Boston St Patrick's Day Parade. Gulf War 1 was about over with and I was one of 4 Sailors representing the US Navy in one of the Largest Irish Day parades in the country. We were followed by the USS Constitution Crew in full Antique uniforms and the other services after them. So we were first down the street and you could hear the roar of the crowd and the clapping as they saw us coming down the street. It was a rush.

On on board the USS Gary FFG-51, I went on my first and only WESPAC in 1995. I had the pleasure of crossing the line ceremony and went from a a slimy wog to a Honorable Shellback, which was a right of passage. I still, to this day, can't eat hot sauce.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I have two memories that stick in my memories

Burials at Sea Stands out for me, because of the great honor of being on the 21 Gun Salute for Deceased Shipmate. I was on at least 5 burial at sea details on the 7 man gun team each time.

The realization I was considered expert in my rate. I was given orders under my second enlistment to become a instructor at "C" School for a upgrade to the system I worked on. This upgrade was really like a complete technology refresh because the only real thing that stayed the same was minor parts of the system.

I was a E-5 and E-5's were just being allowed to instruct when I showed up there. I earned the respect of the Senior Enlistment by working hard and being a excellent instructor and making Master Training Specialist (MTS) as a E-5, I wasn't the first. Funny side note: I can still remember being assigned to evaluate a a E-7 who was trying to become a MTS afterwards and he was not happy that a E-5 was doing a evaluation on him.

When it came time to rotate back to sea, I called my Detailer for orders and he goes what ship do you want to go to. He said I had my pick because, I had been a instructor for this new upgrade that only 15 ships received. I had been instructor for practically everybody who had been on those ships, from E-9 and below. That is when it hit me that I was consider and expert.

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 would say my Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (EWSW) pin was my first one. I worked hard for it and was able to complete it in a short time. It was that successful accomplishment of achieving what seemed impossible. Then having it pinned on by Secretary of the Navy James Webb, was the Icing on the Cake. The funny story about that is, I had not yet received any medals when I received this pin and used to catch hell from senior people when I left the ship for not wearing my ribbons. I would get. " Boy where's you ribbons." I'd say I don't have any yet." They let me go but I know they did believe it.

My second was my Master Training Specialist (MTS). I like the fact that I again worked hard for something that the command originally said a E-5 was not allowed. I never forget the day that I was handed that white name tag with my name on it and the word TRAPAC Master Training Specialist. The feeling of accomplishment and pride I had. Walking around with that at a training command got you noticed and respected as a E-5. It too was a rigorous and long task of taking courses and several instructor evaluations as a excellent. I was hooked as a Technical Instructor. It has carried me into my current career as Master Instructor for the National Weather Service.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I would say that there was no one person that stood out, but I would say it was my shipmates as a whole that made the biggest impact. At every duty station, I learned the honor and commitment to do the best job possible. I learned to be trusted, it had to be earned. You relied on each other to do your job and do it right. It what made us a shipmates and crew that controlled the vessels to its destinations to deal with threats.

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 I was instructor I was assigned a class as a counselor. Each class was 8 months. So I was basically there baby sitter that made sure that they kept themselves out trouble. Most of the class was made up "Boots" right out of "A"school and never been on ship. Then there were usually a couple of "Fleet Returnees: I had 2nd class and Chief Petty Officer.

Well one of my duties was to do counseling chits on students that failed. Well the Chief in my class failed a exam. I had to have a counseling session with him and get him to sign it. I was just a E-5. He looked at me as he signed it and said I better frame this cause this the only time as a E-5 that I would ever counsel a E-7. For a few tense moments he held a stern face as I was talking but in the end he thought it to be pretty hilarious,

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?
When I decided to get out of the service, I want to make sure that I had a job before I got out. I had 12 years of service. Lots of reasons why I left the service, but I new that I wanted to work for the Federal Government, specially the National Weather Service.

I was able to get job with Qualcomm in San Diego CA, with the electronics training as the key. I had the job 3 months before I got out and went to work for them a week after I went on terminal leave. I worked for them for 1 year as Senior Repair Technician.

I was also at the time actively searching for Federal Position, mostly with the National Weather Service and I was willing to move anywhere the job took me. Almost a year to the day, I was offered and accepted a position with the National Weather Service in Juneau Alaska as a Electronics Engineering Technician in 1997. Moving around has always been part of my career.

I still work for the Nation Weather Service (NWS), But I have transferred twice. I took a job in Memphis Weather Forecast Office in 1999 and then finally to the National Weather Service Training Center in Kansas City MO in 2002 , where I am still. I currently instruct Electronics Technicians and Electronic Supervisors how to maintain one of the NWS Electronic Systems for over a 122 US Weather Forecast Offices around the world as GS-13 federal employee.

So I am still helping protect the US, just in a different way.

None of this would be possible without my Navy Advanced Electronics Training and my Navy Instructor Training.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of the US Navy Memorial.

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 military service in advanced electronics program and the the team work that the Navy taught has allowed me to make the decisions I have made after the service. It influenced me to be able to realize my training has direct correlation to the civilian world. I also knew like the Navy, I had to change work locations to advance my career.

I knew I wanted to work for the National Weather Service (NWS) 3 years before I got out the service and knew I wanted to be a instructor with National Weather Service Training Center (NWSTC) in Kansas City, MO. I planned and planned.

I took the my first federal job with the federal government was with the NWS one year after I got out. It was in Juneau Alaska. I took it because it was a foot in the door. Within 5 years I was at the NWS Training Center. I went from GS-9 to GS-13 in 6 1/2 years. I am now instructing NWS Electronic Systems to hundreds of men and women for the last 9 years. All of this is directly related to using the skills sets, I learned while in the US Navy.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Get everything you want from it. Make the most of it. Never Stop learning or, training. There are many resources in the Navy, use them to your benefit. There are programs that no one will tell you about unless you ask or push. Make it work for you so when that day comes get out, you are ready to transition to civilian life.

My youngest son is graduates in 2012 and is thinking of going in the Navy. My only advice to him was don't make it a place holder for 4 years, make it a job you can use. I don't mean choose your rate choose your fate either.It was meant take every opportunity you can.

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

TWS and the US Navy

It has allowed me to make contact with many past shipmates that I would have never seen or heard from again. Some were just acquaintances, others good friends. It also allowed me to have that feeling again, that I lost once I got out. That brotherhood of men and women that only understand the true meaning of serving.

DB 9/26/2016