I joined the United States Navy in November of 1974 and on March 5, 1975 took a flight to
the vacation meca of Orlando, Florida to attend boot camp. After 8 grueling weeks
I hopped over to Pensacola, Florida to spend 7 months of schooling at the Naval
Communications Station there. Out of 52 seaman only 9 of us graduated. It was
one of the proudest moments of my life. I quickly sewed the coveted crest and insignia on my uniforms and
opened the envelope containing my duty assignment. Wonder of wonders I had been assigned duty
at my first choice of stations. After flying home for 3 weeks of R & R I boarded another plane
on December 24 and took flight to begin my new career as a CTR in Rota, Spain.
I spent 2 years traveling Europe and it was an experience of a lifetime. The last few months
of my enlistment were spent in Pensacola, Florida as an instructoral aide. Then off to Philadelphia for
2 fun filled weeks of de-briefing. If I had it to do over again I would have re-enlisted, but
at 22 I wanted to see what else the world had to offer. Was I ever really that young?!?!?!?!
Naval Base...Rota, Spain


