GM1 USN-Ret. Jul.1981-Dec.2002, 21+ yrs. (gunnersmate=gmt=gunnersmate tech, gmm=missiles and finally just GM.
Qualified on everything from .45 pistol, M14 rifle, 12ga.shotgun to 25MM Chaingun. Joined as S.A.M.er 3X6 YO reservist(sea/air/mar.program)
jul81-aug81=RTC San Diego, Ca. Co.#144; Sep.81-Oct.81=JOBS trning=Memphis/Millington, Tn.
Nov.81-may82=SSC/GM-"A"school Great Lakes, Ill. (incl. BE&E).
Jun.82-jul.84=USS Downes FF-1070 AS Div.(anti-submarine) made GMT 3rd class (E-4). WESTPAC #1, lots of ports. reinlisted into reg. Navy.
Aug.84-Feb.85=SSC/ASROC (anti-sub. rocket launcher) "C" school Grt. Lks. Ill. (incl. BE&E).
Mar.85-jul.88=USS Fanning FF-1076 3rd Div. (anti-sub.) made GMM2 (E-5). caught end of WESTPAC @ P.I. then lots of chasing uncle Ivans' subs around the Pacific during the cold war.
Aug.88-Sep.88=NORU Orlando, Fl. Oct.88-Jul.91=Recruiting duty El Paso, Tx. (sucked)
Aug.91-Jul.92= USS Downes FF-1070=LEO/drug OPS @ south america (law enfrcmnt) and LOTS of fishing, few port calls, went thru the Panama canal and the carrib. then Decommissioned.
Aug.92-Jan.93= VLS school, NTC San Diego, Ca. promoted to GM1(E-6)(Verticle Launcher System) (Tomahawk Missiles-TLAM). re-upped.
Feb.93-Feb.96= USS Hewitt DD-966, Yokosuka, Japan. (DD666) good ship, my last year CO didn't have a clue as co of a ship, heard he made bird, but was in a back office @ pent. in charge of NUKE off. recruiting ONLY. (went from E-6 to E-5) WESTPAC #2, a few ports.
Feb96-Feb.98= USS Cushing DD-976 Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hi. WESTPAC #3 lots of ports. but due to PC police, we ALL had to have a Liberty Buddy when in a foriegn port, irreguardless of our age or rank.(reinstated to E-6 by CNO ADM. M. Borda, God rest his tortured soul)
Feb.98-Feb.99= USS Russell DDG-59 Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hi. (WORST COMMAND EVER) (sucked) WESTPAC #4 few ports. lousy command due to former C.O. and his FEAR instilled crew, all about awards and promotions. thank God Commander Borda(yes, that Borda) took over at end of PAC, started many needed changes. re-upped to finish career. thanx for allowing me to vent.
Feb.99-Dec.02= US Navy Recruiting Command New England, Boston, Ma. (Navy MEPS processor, LEADS center supervisor and Security Officer for all of NRD N.E. during 9/11)
Retired to Las Vegas, Nv. during my time in Hawaii, I began to do some metal detecting, and in Mass. i did continue, for a while. When I retired, time for a job , took up most of my time, I now have a position that I may be able to return to detecting. I use a Bounty Hunter Landstar. Have found a few coins, odds and ends, but still looking for that "heart stopper" moment, can't get it if I ain't 'tecting though.
