C077/K051 Feb 21 – Apr 25, 1990
Bittersweet, very
bittersweet. Sorry, but this might get a little mellow dramatic and maybe even
a little emotional, for me anyway. Yes, I said that.
It is Wednesday, April 25, 1990, everything had come down to this. But, lets back up a little for a moment.
On Monday, C075 and K049 left Orlando. I do not really recall what we did that day, other than stay out of trouble. We did march a little sharper, and we stomped like crazy at the galley as we marked time. We walked with our heads held taller as well. However, we still watched our asses. Home was so close we could smell it. My mom was making lasagna, and I was going to eat it Wednesday. And Thursday night, I was going to enjoy the very personal company of my fiancee one-way or another. If you get my drift!
It is Wednesday, April 25, 1990, everything had come down to this. But, lets back up a little for a moment.
On Monday, C075 and K049 left Orlando. I do not really recall what we did that day, other than stay out of trouble. We did march a little sharper, and we stomped like crazy at the galley as we marked time. We walked with our heads held taller as well. However, we still watched our asses. Home was so close we could smell it. My mom was making lasagna, and I was going to eat it Wednesday. And Thursday night, I was going to enjoy the very personal company of my fiancee one-way or another. If you get my drift!
Tuesday came, and we had
two significant events to take care of. Our final hair cuts and I believe our
final paychecks at the C Center. Then the big one, the final PT test. I am
lucky I can get this date exact, NASA helped. While we were standing in line
for our hair cuts, the barbers came outside and pointed off to the east.
"There she goes, boys," one of them said.
It was Discovery launching with the Hubble Space Telescope. It was the only time I got to see a shuttle launch. And since NASA has that date as April 24, it fits into my recollection.
Also, while we're standing in line, we were talking about going home. One particular guy let us know of some bad news for him. He was getting picked up by US marshalls to be taken to jail. He and his pals had robbed a liquor store in a different state, then drove back home, making it a federal crime. He was scared, so he enlisted, thinking he could show he was a good boy. However, the Feds quickly figured out where he was. He had been going to legal for a whole talking to them. I do not know why, but they let him finish boot camp instead of arresting him earlier. The morning we left, he was cuffed and stuffed. I hope he turned out better. He did seem like a decent person.
Tuesday afternoon, we had our final PT test. Nearly all of us passed it. Also, C076 and K050 left that morning. SO, C077 and K051 were the top dogs on base! Did it make much of a difference? Not really, but it felt good to be the most senior company for those few hours.
Wednesday morning!!! I know, I was excited. Our cadence caller called the RIF cadence as we made our final approach that morning, it was pretty funny. We stomped like crazy, and our flags slammed their poles on the ground when we were done. The deck captain was laughing while we made our last impression on everyone. He was about to send us on to lines 444, 333. But, there was a call for the rules of the galley.
He read the rules to us one final time. Then off to eat. It felt amazing that morning. Heading in for one last meal. 59 days earlier, we were shocked borderline traumatized civilians entering the galley in a haze. Now, we were new sailors getting ready to kick ass and take names.
We sat down and started to eat. Across the table from us were some guys from a new company. They did have that RIF smell on them. The guys from my company were all talking like crazy. Finally, one of the new guys very quietly asked us like how many more days we had left. I looked at my watch and told him like 2 hours. The guy had a long face like oh hell! I think that particular morning was their second day at RTC. We were kind to them. Sure, we could have been genuine seniors and rode them about being RIFs, but we helped them out. Told them to listen and do what you are told. The guys seemed to perk up a little after that. I remember telling them, it goes by quickly.
We thought the workweek would cut us some slack and let us have more time to eat, but OH NO, she came over and kicked us out. Imagine that, a workweek being pushy to the seniors!
"There she goes, boys," one of them said.
It was Discovery launching with the Hubble Space Telescope. It was the only time I got to see a shuttle launch. And since NASA has that date as April 24, it fits into my recollection.
Also, while we're standing in line, we were talking about going home. One particular guy let us know of some bad news for him. He was getting picked up by US marshalls to be taken to jail. He and his pals had robbed a liquor store in a different state, then drove back home, making it a federal crime. He was scared, so he enlisted, thinking he could show he was a good boy. However, the Feds quickly figured out where he was. He had been going to legal for a whole talking to them. I do not know why, but they let him finish boot camp instead of arresting him earlier. The morning we left, he was cuffed and stuffed. I hope he turned out better. He did seem like a decent person.
Tuesday afternoon, we had our final PT test. Nearly all of us passed it. Also, C076 and K050 left that morning. SO, C077 and K051 were the top dogs on base! Did it make much of a difference? Not really, but it felt good to be the most senior company for those few hours.
Wednesday morning!!! I know, I was excited. Our cadence caller called the RIF cadence as we made our final approach that morning, it was pretty funny. We stomped like crazy, and our flags slammed their poles on the ground when we were done. The deck captain was laughing while we made our last impression on everyone. He was about to send us on to lines 444, 333. But, there was a call for the rules of the galley.
He read the rules to us one final time. Then off to eat. It felt amazing that morning. Heading in for one last meal. 59 days earlier, we were shocked borderline traumatized civilians entering the galley in a haze. Now, we were new sailors getting ready to kick ass and take names.
We sat down and started to eat. Across the table from us were some guys from a new company. They did have that RIF smell on them. The guys from my company were all talking like crazy. Finally, one of the new guys very quietly asked us like how many more days we had left. I looked at my watch and told him like 2 hours. The guy had a long face like oh hell! I think that particular morning was their second day at RTC. We were kind to them. Sure, we could have been genuine seniors and rode them about being RIFs, but we helped them out. Told them to listen and do what you are told. The guys seemed to perk up a little after that. I remember telling them, it goes by quickly.
We thought the workweek would cut us some slack and let us have more time to eat, but OH NO, she came over and kicked us out. Imagine that, a workweek being pushy to the seniors!
We threw our stuff in the
scullery and made sure to step on the threshold and touch the glass. Much to
the consternation of the workweeks there at the time. On my first morning, I
did the same thing by accident and had to polish it. That day, we just went
outside while the workweek complained. His grumbling fell on deaf ears.
Back at the compartment,
we packed out sea bags and other luggage. I bought a garment bag and a carry on
bag emblazoned with the Navy emblem. We also spent some time singing one
another's Rudders. Most of us wrote, see you in the fleet to one another. I do
not remember Senior Chief Engley being there. I do remember talking to Petty
Officer Adams a little on that last day. He signed my Rudder, "Go
Home!"
We had garbage cans full of our worn-out tennis shoes.
The company marched over to the bus. Those who were going to AT land made their way down to Division 10. Those few staying at NTC for A-school made their way over there. The rest of us, on the bus. I chose to wear my dress whites for the trip home. Some chose their dress blues.
I am not sure how I did this, but I was the last person on the bus. We piled our sea bags in the first few seats and had our luggage stowed in the baggage compartments. So, when we got to the airport, I was the first to have their bags unloaded. That was a plus since I had an early flight.
I scooped everything up and made it to the check-in to Northwest Airlines. I was actually going to fly into Rockford, Illinois. The first leg was to Detroit, then Minneapolis, and finally, Rockford. I had one fo the earliest flights that day, but I got in after 7:00 pm local time in Rockford.
When I made my way back into the central terminal, there was a big group of sailors sitting around having a smoke. They had not had the luxury of doing so for a while. I got my shoes shined and saw a group of guys sitting in the bar. It was still pretty early in the day, like maybe 0900. They each had a pitcher. I ventured over to say, my "see you, laters." I had a beer with them. And made my way out to the gate. The farther I went, the fewer sailors I saw.
After that moment I have only seen two people from my company. Once at Great Lakes, I saw Senior Chief Engley. Then at Norfolk in the fall of 1991, I saw another guy.
At the gate, there were 3 or 4 ladies from my sister company all going to Detroit. We talked for a little before it was time to board. On the plane, I found my seat, an aisle. We took off over the base, and I did all I could to look out the window to see RTC as we left. How many times had I wondered who was in those planes flying overhead? Now it was me going home. Looking down on the base and wondering about all of those recruits down there going about their day.
On the flight, the flight attendant gave me a beer and a mini on the house. Landing in Detroit, I got off the plane since I had about an hour layover. I spoke to the girls again. But then we all went our own ways.
Off again to Minneapolis. I was the lone sailor onboard now. It got me another beer on the way too. In Minneapolis, I had a decent layover. I found the gate I had to be at and checked on my baggage. It was sitting there waiting to be loaded onto the small turboprop we would take to Rockford a few hours later.
I again ate like I hadn't eaten all day. Fast food was on the agenda, as was beer. I was not a bourbon drinker then. The flight was delayed due to a massive thunderstorm that went through too.
We had garbage cans full of our worn-out tennis shoes.
The company marched over to the bus. Those who were going to AT land made their way down to Division 10. Those few staying at NTC for A-school made their way over there. The rest of us, on the bus. I chose to wear my dress whites for the trip home. Some chose their dress blues.
I am not sure how I did this, but I was the last person on the bus. We piled our sea bags in the first few seats and had our luggage stowed in the baggage compartments. So, when we got to the airport, I was the first to have their bags unloaded. That was a plus since I had an early flight.
I scooped everything up and made it to the check-in to Northwest Airlines. I was actually going to fly into Rockford, Illinois. The first leg was to Detroit, then Minneapolis, and finally, Rockford. I had one fo the earliest flights that day, but I got in after 7:00 pm local time in Rockford.
When I made my way back into the central terminal, there was a big group of sailors sitting around having a smoke. They had not had the luxury of doing so for a while. I got my shoes shined and saw a group of guys sitting in the bar. It was still pretty early in the day, like maybe 0900. They each had a pitcher. I ventured over to say, my "see you, laters." I had a beer with them. And made my way out to the gate. The farther I went, the fewer sailors I saw.
After that moment I have only seen two people from my company. Once at Great Lakes, I saw Senior Chief Engley. Then at Norfolk in the fall of 1991, I saw another guy.
At the gate, there were 3 or 4 ladies from my sister company all going to Detroit. We talked for a little before it was time to board. On the plane, I found my seat, an aisle. We took off over the base, and I did all I could to look out the window to see RTC as we left. How many times had I wondered who was in those planes flying overhead? Now it was me going home. Looking down on the base and wondering about all of those recruits down there going about their day.
On the flight, the flight attendant gave me a beer and a mini on the house. Landing in Detroit, I got off the plane since I had about an hour layover. I spoke to the girls again. But then we all went our own ways.
Off again to Minneapolis. I was the lone sailor onboard now. It got me another beer on the way too. In Minneapolis, I had a decent layover. I found the gate I had to be at and checked on my baggage. It was sitting there waiting to be loaded onto the small turboprop we would take to Rockford a few hours later.
I again ate like I hadn't eaten all day. Fast food was on the agenda, as was beer. I was not a bourbon drinker then. The flight was delayed due to a massive thunderstorm that went through too.
We finally took off and
flew the last leg of my journey to Rockford. I was insanely anxious and worried
since we were so late. I was again the only sailor on that small plane. Heck,
there were very few on that plane. There was no drink service this time.
We landed and had to wait
on the tarmac for our bags to be unloaded. The baggage guy offered to carry
mine into the terminal for me. He was a veteran too. I tried to give him a tip,
but he said it was his pleasure. My mom and sister were there to meet me. It
felt great to be home. And, I was hungry, so we stopped at Subway for something
to eat.
We got back to my parent's house and sat up for a while talking. It was hard to sleep that night. But, eventually, I did. The next morning I was up and ready to go at 0500, 0600 Orlando time. Mom made me a big stack of pancakes and bacon. Afterward, I went into town to visit with my grandparents. It was bizarre wearing civilian clothes too.
I changed back into my uniform so I could head over to where my fiancée lived. My mom took me to where my car was being stored. I spent some time talking to some of the people in town. Lindenwood is only about 200 people. Everyone knew I was in the Navy and knew I was home.
The whole thing felt very surreal to me. I had left Lindenwood on February 20 and civilian. Not knowing what to expect in Orlando. Now on April 26, I was a sailor. A very green sailor, but a sailor none the less. On my drive to my fiancée, the guy at the toll booth let me side without paying the 75 cents.
We got back to my parent's house and sat up for a while talking. It was hard to sleep that night. But, eventually, I did. The next morning I was up and ready to go at 0500, 0600 Orlando time. Mom made me a big stack of pancakes and bacon. Afterward, I went into town to visit with my grandparents. It was bizarre wearing civilian clothes too.
I changed back into my uniform so I could head over to where my fiancée lived. My mom took me to where my car was being stored. I spent some time talking to some of the people in town. Lindenwood is only about 200 people. Everyone knew I was in the Navy and knew I was home.
The whole thing felt very surreal to me. I had left Lindenwood on February 20 and civilian. Not knowing what to expect in Orlando. Now on April 26, I was a sailor. A very green sailor, but a sailor none the less. On my drive to my fiancée, the guy at the toll booth let me side without paying the 75 cents.
He asked if I was on leave.
I said, "Yes,
sir."
He told me, go ahead.
Looking back now, I
do get emotional. It did mean a good deal at the time, and it still does. So
much was going to happen on leave. I was going to do HARP duty, get married,
and head back to Orlando. A-school was still to come and then the fleet.
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