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Comment by Anti M on March 25, 2009 at 11:24am

hi and howdy! Sorry I took so long to join the group.

Let's see, right now I am a Navy aunt, my nephew is at Goose Creek for the Nuke program. He should begin A school soon for EM. We tried and tried to talk him into ET, LOL.

Me: USN, ET1 (secure voice comms aka crypto gear), 1979~1989. Boot camp in Orlando, a school in Glakes, C school in Ft. Gordon, Ga. Yokosuka Japan for three years, then San Diego for C-7 school, then Mare Island, CA for more C schools. Diego Garcia was next. And then right back to Yokosuka. I had other schools tucked in there too, like 2M (micro-miniature repair).

But that's not all. My dad was in the Navy for 29 years, retired as a Master Chief. He changed rates, but I think he was an aviation hull mechanic and later an aviation tech of some kind. I was born near Alameda, but I only remember Coronado, China Lake, Tennessee, Virginia Beach, Pt. Mugu, and Barber's Point, Hawaii. when he retired we traveled Space A to Japan and Europe. I didn't go to school that year at all. Later he took jobs with Northrup in Iran and in Saudi Arabia and we went with. I could only visit Saudi for three months, I was in college I've been around.

But, wait! That's not all! I met my husband on Diego Garcia. we weren't supposed to be dating because i was his relief. But we did. He went to Sasebo while I was sent to Yokosuka. He finally got orders to be near me. I had a serious and dangerous surgery right about the time I was scheduled to re-enlist. I was sick of my command as I'd been there twice already. They told me I could go to San Diego or get out if I didn't want to extend my tour at CommSta! I was slated to return to Treasure Island to separate. Hubby blew his top and threatened to call Fraud, Waste and Abuse. My command was trying to pressure me into staying. Hubby's command went to bat for me and I was able to get out in Japan. We stayed in the same little house for nine years, he also was stationed at Totsuka. Next we went to San Diego. Now we live in Utah and he drives a semi.

Comment by Anna on March 23, 2009 at 9:04pm

Alison,
Congratulations!!! I know you are soooo proud of Tim.
Anna

Comment by Anna on March 18, 2009 at 8:25pm

I just finished reading the women's memorial document. It was so interesting to read all the "firsts" that occured in the 70's. I remember when we were going through bc, they explained about being a WAVE and how they were just then phasing that term out. I was the first enlisted woman to be assigned to the command I went to in San Diego. It was hard tho' the guys were not real excited about having women "take over" their shore billets. Many of the rates were changing their names to make them less "man" rates. I was the second female OS3, the first female was advanced in the first round - I was in the second round. We both passed the exam at the same time. That was when they changed the rate from Radarman to Operations Specialist. But because women were not allowed to go to sea yet, I could not advance to OS2 - some of the requirements then could only be "learned" on board a ship!!!! I remember I had to go on a dependent's cruise on a ship just to sign off the requirements to go up for OS3!!!! It was difficult. And one of the girls that came to the command after me got pregnant and they discharged her!!! We didn't even have a ladies room in the top security building we worked in!!! I had to leave the building and go across the street to the cafeteria to use a restroom!!! But I did start a petition and sent a request up the chain of command to get a bunk room for the ladies in a separate but attached command building so those of us who stood 24 hour duty had a place to catch a few hours shut eye. The guys had a bunk room right in the main building but there just wasn't any room to put females inside. It did beat having to go to the barracks to get a temporary room just for a few hours. We would waste more time checking in then we had. At least I was able to see that change implemented before I got out!!! In my proposal I suggested the command turn one of the officer's offices in the computer systems spaces into the ladies bunk room. Funny thing - - that young officer that I displaced became my husband a few years later!!!!!

Comment by Anna on March 18, 2009 at 5:35pm

Yeah Heather - but I wrote the older one!!!!!!!!!!
Anna

Comment by Anna on March 18, 2009 at 5:07pm

Hello Becky - when were you in San Diego? I was there in the early 70's.

I am wondering if anyone else went through basic at Bainbridge, MD where I did. In talking with my daughter who went to BC in July 08, it sure isn't like it was. I remembered our big thing was marching everywhere!!! And every Friday was a pass in review for all the companies. Every other Friday, one company would PIR and then march OUT the big doors because they graduated. All the companies would march around the big drill hall and except for the graduating companies return to our places. Then we were graded on our performance and flags passed out if you won. There was absolutely NO MOVEMENT allowed in the ranks at all. Our cover pins - the old style gold anchor on a silver screw - - would reflect the light if you made the smallest movement. Any flashes in our ranks and you failed!!!! Man - I hated those Friday's - the only good thing about them was that after each graduation your company moved up a spot closer to the big doors on the end!!!!!
Anna

Comment by Anna on March 17, 2009 at 11:37pm

Jill,
I know you have been putting alot of work into the inventory list. Thank you for all your hard work!!!!
Anna

Comment by Anna on March 11, 2009 at 9:33pm

Jill,
I like the "inventory" list you put in here. What are the chances of including years of service next to the name - if no one objects. My reason for this request is because I just read Vicki journal entries and found two things interesting compared to when I went to BC in 72. #1 there was no way we were allowed to keep journals - they checked for that. #2 we never carried a rifle and had very little PT. The base where I did BC doesn't even exist anymore!!! Just thought it'd be nice to compare with other moms in the group.
Anna

Comment by Anna on March 11, 2009 at 6:10pm

Good Evening Jill,
Thanks for the welcome. The reason I said I felt it was harder as a Mom was because when I went in I was a young female right out of high school with no opportunities to go off to college (my Dad didn't believe women had a place in college!!). So my enlistment was a way to get away from home and get out on my own, yet automatically have a steady job and a guarenteed place to live. As a parent now I am really close to all my kids and I fully support their decisions (1 graduated from college, 2 are military, and 1 is in college now). But as the Mom, I miss them like crazy. When my oldest went to college he still came home on holiday breaks and over the summer. With the military, once they leave - that's it. You don't know how long it will be before you get to see them again.
So that's what I meant. Not that I have anything negative at all about serving in today's military - I just miss my sailors!!!!!
Anna

Comment by Anna on March 11, 2009 at 12:33am

Greetings,
I served in the Navy from 72 to 75, then did the active reserves from 77 to 80. Was stationed in southern California the whole time. Met my husband to be while we were both in - he was an officer so we had to keep our friendship on the QT. We got married after we both got out.
I now have a son, doing a second enlistment and a daughter serving.
Talking about books, I still have my original Blue Jackets Manual from BC.
Thanks for starting this group - I've often wanted to talk to other moms who are also vets. It is harder when it's your kids going in - but it sure makes me proud as he** also!!!
Anna

Comment by CCR on March 7, 2009 at 6:55pm

Jill, I had taken myself off since I'm not a mom who served, But just wanted to invite the moms who served to post their pictures on the Navy History Group..

I did want to make another comment. We have 6 very, very good friends that are couples who met in the Navy and wanted to ask these Navy moms who served how they felt about finding their spouses among their Navy peers.

If you don't mind, I'll stay.

PS. Vicki, about St. Charles - do you know where St. Charles Rock Rd is?
Or McKibbon and Engler? I was born in St. Louis. My husband and I adore cats. We always have at least 4. Tom Tom sleeps with me all curled up in my elbow, chases sticks, brings balls back to me, and uses both paws to open the door knobs. He's the swirly orange one. And we have 11 Appaloosas.

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