Letters From Home – Third Week

C077/K051 – Feb 21 – Apr 25, 1990

We jump ahead to our third week. One of the more jameed packed weeks we had at Orlando. Inspection after inspection. We also had our second issue and Sports day. No, this time frame is only for maybe 1989-1992 or 93. There is typically a debate from different periods as to what was done when.
I was lucky enough to get a schedule written by a lady who was there in 1994, so comparing her plan to my letters, they match up pretty well.

I will make a schedule and share that in the future as well to help jog the memories. And again, forgive the grammar and structure.

Hi Everyone                                                                                                                     90Mar25

Well, the third week is over. I passed every inspection with no problem. Monday was the bunk, and only two people failed. Then Tuesday morning at 1:00 AM, one of those guys tried to kill himself. He took a bottle of aspirin and got very sick. He's over at the hospital waiting to get discharged from the Navy. Tuesday was the only day we did not have an inspection. Wednesday, we got paid $112.67. I sent Kathy a money order for $80. I got another haircut Wednesday. They only cut the sides and the back. We also got our dog tags, ID cards, and had our first infantry inspection. We got 3.875 out of 4.0.

The CC's took away the radio after Monday. They were getting happier each day until Thursday. That was the personal inspection. I passed, but the company got a 3.6. I had a dentist appointment after the inspection. They replaced on filling and let the others go. I need to have three more taken care of plus two wisdom teeth pulled. The dentist said I have really nice teeth.
Thursday, we got yelled at a lot, but I was gone a lot. Friday was the killer inspection, The locker. I passed, but the company only got a 3.68. We missed getting a gold banner for our first comp flag by about 100 points or having one more person pass. Instead, we got a blue banner. We can't get Hall of Fame, but we can still get a CO's White.

Yesterday was sports day, our mini Olympics. I wanted to be at the track, but they put in at the pool. The company got seven firsts and many second and thirds. We won the "Cheerio flag" for our training group. Our group has 4 male and 3 female companies. Our sister company missed the female "Cheerio Flag" by a couple points. The CC's were very happy to have us win. It's the first Cheerio our Head CC has ever gotten. He's really happy with us, so we got the radio back. He also let us take a 1 ½ hour nap before lunch yesterday. We were out marching around and showing off our flag to everyone. The CC wanted to flaunt it a little.

Next week is our second comp period. We also start work week next Friday. Most of us will have to be in the Galley, but I'll get 3 days off because of my teeth being pulled. The three days are bed rest, so I'll catch up on plenty of sleep. The food is getting better. One day last week, we were supposed to have chicken for lunch, but they ran out. I got shrimp instead.

Kathy said the wedding plans are really going good. We had our dress uniforms issued the(sic) week too. All of mine needed to be sent to the tailor for adjusting. I got my transcripts Tuesday, but the CC's won't let me go give them to the people who need them. My second choice if I don't get Nuke is Gas Turbine. The school is in Great Lakes for 36 weeks. It's an advanced program like Nuke, but without the extra money and nuclear stuff. The job is about the same only there is no chance for sub duty because ll subs are nuclear.
Another choice is Operation Specialist or Anti-Sub Warefare Tech. Both have to deal with radar, sonar, and other detection equipment. All jobs have plenty of civilian applications. I'm only worried about getting put on hold here for an extra two weeks while the paperwork gets cleared.

Next week we've got two inspections, an A test, and our second PT Test. By the way, when you send me, more letters make sure to slash your zeros. The Navy has a hard time telling a zero fro an O.Some fo my letters have been sitting here at the base post office for 3 days until I got them. My eye is healed. I have to go back on April 9 for my final appointment. The vision is back to 20/20, and everything else is back to normal. I have to go read some stuff for class, Monday is ship and aircraft class. Well, say hey o to everybody and let me know how things are going. Take care, bye for now.

Jim

That was a long one. It had a good deal of info about what we did during our time. And, YES, we did get to take a nap. I know that s a little strange, but we did.  

Letters Home – The First test and More

C077/K051 Feb 21-Apr 25, 1990

The benefit of having letters from home is getting a better idea of what happened during our time in Orlando. According to my timeline, this was written at the end of our second week of training. Just before, we got really busy with our jammed packed Third week inspections.

The testing part of boot camp was a piece of cake for me since I have learned I am a great Navy/Federal Government multichoice test taker.

As I transcribed this one, I noticed my grammar was abysmal, so forgive me.

                               Hi Guys,                                                          90Mar16

I’ve only got 20 minutes, so I finish this tomorrow. Sort of a two-part letter. I feel so much better that you and Kathy coming down. I call tonight, but nobody was home, so I call Kathy’s mom and talked to her for a little while.
Today we took our first “A” test, and the company maxed out. The highest we could get was a 3.300 out of 4, and we got a 3.450. So the CC’s let us call home, buy a radio, use the chairs in the lounge and the tables in the compartment. I got a 3.840, which was tied for second highest. The highest was 3.890. I was really happy.

Also, today us nukes got talked to, and so far, all of us are in the program. One nuke dropped out of the Navy for medical and one os on a month hold for mental evaluation. If it comes down to me not getting in, I might be able to switch to Airman Machinist Mate. That way I can go for flight engineer. Well, I’ll finish this tomorrow, almost lights out. (10:22 pm)

08:15 am March 17

I ha to go put up colors on the USS Bluejacket. The rest of the company is at PT right now. Now I forgot most of the stuff I was going to say last night. The dentist said only two of my wisdom teeth are coming out now. On April 4, I have that done, and 4 of my fillings need to get replaced. The CC also let us take a hour long nap yesterday afternoon. Well, since I can’t remember anything else, I guess I’ll go.

Bye for Now
Jim

The CC’s were nice guys at times. They also let us hit up the geedunk machines at the C-center. I was at medical that day for my eye, but I did get my turn a couple days later.

Letters Home - 1-5 Day

C077/K051    Feb 21 – Apr 25, 1990

I had previously written about 1-5 Day. However, having just received my letters home, I am now sharing my direct impression of the day. I will also add a like to my 1-5 Day story so, if anyone missed it, they would be read both.
Please remember I am transcribing my letter as is. The grammar was not the best at times. I was not always such a cunning linguist.


Hello Everyone                                                           90Mar09

Well, today was out 1-5 Day Division Inspection. It was really strange. Each section had a different CPO inspect the. And ours was a woman. She checked out bunks first then went to the lockers. I had two little things off in the locker. She took out everything one piece at a time and threw it on the floor. Our section was the only one that happened to.

Then when the lockers were done, our section had to do all sorts of push-ups and other fun physical things. We had the Division CPO come yell at our section. I think the other CPO had to go back to her company.

Now that day is over, I feel a little better. Last Thursday was the first shot day. My smallpox is starting to react and form blisters like ti supposed to do. Thursday, we went to dental and got our teeth checked. I need my right wisdom teeth pulled, and almost all of my fillings replaced. At least the Navy says I have to get that done. The for sub duty, the other two wisdom teeth come out.

Now, about my eye. It is getting better. I went over on Monday and Tuesday. The doctor says its healing, and I need to go back on March 19. As fas nuke school is going, I'm still not sure if I'll get cut or not. At the hospital, I was talking to some nukes, and they were telling me the Navy needed to cut nearly 50% of them. The Navy is cutting people for any little thing they can. One guy is getting cut because the Navy thought he had asthma. They are getting very picky on who they take now, so I might have to get a different job. I certainly hope not. I won't know until around March 19 or 20. Most of the Nukes I've talked to are in the electronics, and I'm in the mechanical end.

There is one other problem at the moment also. Out CC's might freeze our company in for one or two weeks. Mainly because of about 15 people that don't want to play sailor. They just don't like the recruit staff telling them what to do. I told Kathy about it, and she was worried. I don't think it will happen because the CC has to leave for New Jersey in the middle of May. Most of the screw-ups are getting sent to DSIT, Division Sidewalk Intensive training, to have their minds changed. The training is one hour of fast-paced push-up and other stuff.

Well, I let you know what is going on later, its almost tattoo, tattoo means lights out in 5 minutes. Send me the comics from the Sunday paper if you would.

Thank you! Bye for now!!
Jim

Letters Home – Before it Began

C077/K051 Feb21 – Apr 25, 1990

This particular letter really doesn’t have much info on it. The last one from P-days just before we started 1-1Day. We must have spoken to some detailer or another person about our schools around this time since I mention maybe not getting to go nuke like I was planning. I am not sure why all of the people we lost so early left. I do remember our first yeoman tested positive on his first piss test. Maybe the others did too.

I obviously made another UA (un-authorized) phone call at the hospital.  


Mom, Dad, Lorri, Ally                                                            90,Mar 04

We got some more free time today. Tomorrow we officially start training. The company is starting to come together a little better. So far, we’ve had many compliments from recruits and company commanders on our marching. They can’t believe we are only on 1-1 day.

My eye is getting better. I go back on Tuesday, and maybe they can patch the scratch then. I think the infection is almost gone, but the sight is still fuzzy. Right now, I’ve also got a cold, and that isn’t helping either.

The main thing now is it is so boring because we do the same thing every day. Tomorrow we start to do out Navy Training. Last Thursday, we had the first PT, physical training, test, and everyone passed with no problems.

I also miss everybody more than I thought I would. I did get ahold of Kathy last Thursday from the hospital. I told her to get the wedding stuff going for May 5.

I met a guy who’s parents live by Peoria, and they are coming down for pass and review (sic). He sid maybe Kathy could ride down with them. That would work out really good since shd can’t rent a car to get around with.

On Friday, we get inspected over everything we have been told so far, lockers, bunks, uniform, and compartment. Actually, it is some type of ritual where about 20 CC’s come into the compartment and find every little problem, call us a bunch of names, and then we have to do push-ups and other fun items. We don’t even get any points for the inspections.

I found out that I might need to take a different job. The Navy job people said the Nuke school had too many people going, and they need to cut a couple. Since my Nuke test wasn’t that high, they start at the bottom. I guess this happens all the time. I’m sure that I will be able to get in because I know of at least three guys in my company who scored lower than me. I’m not worried to much about it anyway.

So far, we lost 4 guys, but we got 5 new ones. The new ones were put on hold for two weeks and joined us on Friday. Well, it’s almost lights out. Hope everyone is doing alright. I miss everyone a lot. Bye for now.

Jim

I will say this, my writing has sure improved from then. I do remember that P-days were boring and repetitive. They were the foundation of what we needed to have to get through the entire 8 weeks. The whole company felt so much better when we had our guideon unfurled, and we were “somebody.”

I am guessing the 5 new members were on hold for PT issues since they joined us the day after we had our first test.

I had to remove my SSN from the letter. Yes, we put those on there.

Letters To Home

C077/K051 Feb 21- Apr 25, 1990

I recently received the letters I wrote home from boot camp. I was wondering how to share these, so I figured I would transcribe them. I will have to add a little background to each, but otherwise, it will be my own rods from 1990. I find some of what I wrote humorous at times, looking back on things.

This first one, I talk about going to the hospital for my injured eye. Those who have read everything I have written will recall I injured my right eye on the first night in our compartment. I believe the zipper on the edge fo the pillow scratched it. During my time at the hospital, I was making phone calls, far in advance when we were allowed to.

Lorri is my sister and Ally is my niece. Kathy was my fiancee at the time, no ex-wife.  Enjoy, and I hope this jogs some memories for everyone. My written grammar will be messed up for sure.

Dear Mom, Dad, Lorri, and Ally                                                                    90Feb28    9:10pm

Well, I’m still going to the hospital for my eye. The doctor gave me some pain killers for the headaches I’ve been having. The eye itself is getting much better. The bruise is shrinking, and the infection is almost gone. The only problem is some of the medication dilates the pupil, so it is a pain during the day marching around in the sun with no sunglasses. This is the first time we have been able to write letters. I wrote Kathy while I was at the hospital today. I called her from there yesterday too.

Most of the time we spend folding our clothing and making our bunks, and in the compartment learning all kinds of Navy stuff. Yesterday we had to straighten out our medical records and get our eyes checked. All of the nuclear people had 4 vials of blood taken. The food is OK. I’m eating a salad with almost every meal to help fill me up. Today fr lunch we had steak, and that was really GOOD!! Today for the first time in a week, the coke was working.

Tomorrow the CC can “Officially” treat us mean by running us extra, extra pushups, and whatever else he can think of. Monday is the official Day 1-1, the start of training. I told Kathy to set up the wedding for May 5. Well, its tattoo so lights out in 5 minutes. I’ll write again when I have time. Say hi to everyone.

Bye,

Jim

I found it odd our return address included our full SSN. The pain killers would come in handy as we began PT with reckless abandon. I know that sounds odd. Here is something I learned recently, thanks to my former CC. Anyone remember the day we went to the Field House and were taught to do PT? Workweeks showed us how to do each exercise, so when we did them at PT or when cycling, we did them correctly with less chance of injury. And cycling came from the CC handbook. It referred to the cycle of training we were on and was a guideline for how hard they could push us. So, now you know.

I really am looking forward to getting the time to write all of this in one cohesive form, i.e., book. I know I can sell a few dozen when I get it done. Thank you to everyone who has been reading along with me. I hope you have enjoyed it as I have.
Bewarned, more to come tomorrow. 

The Wait in AT Land Part 2

Ex C077/K051  Feb 21- Apr 25 1990

Now that my infamous kiss is out of the way let's cover the other fun aspects of Division 10 Life. Before I met Susan, I did hang around with some of the guys. Lucky for me, they helped to fuel my car so we could use our money more strategically.

The first weekend there, we hit several of the girly bars that were not off-limits. It was fun taking in the "farm fresh" guys to the girly bar. They would stare at the dancers like they had never seen a woman without clothes on before. They spent a good deal of money too. I sat back and enjoyed my Cuba Libre, minus the rum. (I was driving)

Working at NTC, I covered that quickly before. But it was really dull. We sat in the reclaimed uniform store and really did not do much. We sat in the store with the SK1 and SK2 who ran it. They were both on shore duty and really did not seem too thrilled about it. Once a week, a truck from RTC brought over sea bags from those recruits who were being sent home. Since their clothing was hot "paid" for, it was turned over to the Navy.
On the truck day, that was really the only day we worked. And even that was a quick task with 4 people. Unload the seabags and stack them in one of the many rooms. The building the store was in was a leftover from World War II when the base was run by the Army Air Corps. My grandfather actually trained there during the war before heading over to Europe.

Typically for lunch, we hit the exchange and were knocked off around 1500 each day.

The main activity in AT Land after class was heading out to either the Mall or the other local stores. I think there was a bus that took most of them to the various places, but having my sleek 1985 Mercury Cougar, I could take 4 others pretty much anyplace we wanted. Which was typically any place off base.

And, the guys and girls were busy expending their frustrations, if you get my meaning. Kind of on that subject. If you have been reading along, you might remember that my wife met a girl she went to high school with on parents night. Well, that girl was still at Dvi 10 when I got back there. She recognized me right away and introduced herself to me. Then she told me flat out, "I'm watching you and will not hesitate to let your wife know anything you do." Well, OK, then I thought. She left a week or so later. And that was before Susan, and I began our friendship.

When I got to Div 10, I was assigned a duty section and told about the watches. But, I never stood watch on any duty day, except for the last night there. The section leader told me he had forgotten all about me and assigned me a roving watch, 4 hours circling the building. That was about as boring as watch as I ever had.

Time there was a little boring in reality. It did get a bit old walking around the Mall. IT was expensive to eat off base too much. We had to save our money for beers on weekends. Some weekends we would find a group that had a hotel room and head there for some relaxation. It figures I was the designated beer buyer for everyone. The gatherings were typically a mixture fo A-school people and those in Div 10.
We also spent a good deal of time at the old railroad station that was converted into shopping and food. One weekend, BB King was there, so it was a rather good time listening to him and enjoying a few cold beers.

We never did go to Disney or any places like that. Mostly because it was a little pricey.

Now, let's talk about Mariner's Culb. I think it was Orlando's version of Las Vegas. One of my first visits, I saw some seriously dirty dancing happening with a good size group of people. I am not much of a dancer, but I was invited to join. I did politely decline. That night there was a group of us, and I was the drink buyer. I did find that strange about Orlando, the enlisted club did not look for people doing that. I was buying 6 drinks at a time, and nobody questioned me. At Great Lakes, if I bought two beers at once, some off duty instructor was on me like instantly asking me who the other beer was for. But, Orlando, they did not care.

We always had a good time there, drinking, playing pool, and yes, I did get into dome dancing later on. Remember I did mention taking my pal Susan there?

During the week, we had to be back in Div 10, by 9:00. I think we could overnight on weekends if we did not have duty. On Sunday, back by 10:00.

The other notable activity during my time there was watching the Chicago Bulls making their run toward the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. They lost Game 7 to the Pistons that year. The last time they would lose an Eastern final during the Jordan years. I was off the coast of Columbia for the first Championship but caught the other 5.

A few strange things about being in Div 10 were we got to eat at the South Galley. But, we had to go there in small groups. You could not go alone that I recall. Pretty much every morning from the second week until I let I had my friend with me. She and I would walk down to the Galley and enjoy a nice breakfast. Then head back. The nights we ate on base, we also shared dinner. Luch, I typically ate at the exchange on NTC.

We were totally forbidden to go to the C Center on RTC. I did stop in on my first few hours back on RTC since I had not checked into Div 10. The Lady working there asked me if I was a recruit, I told her I was on hold in Div 10. She told me the rule and said, get out quick. So, I did.

When I checked in, I asked about parking my car. The Chief did not know my full story, so he started asking, "How the F did a recruit get a car?" I ran down the quick story of how I got there, and he was OK with it then. He told me to park by the Navets parking. So, I did for 3 ½ weeks before some Navet decided he wanted to be a badass and tell me not to park there. Mind you, the lot was the size of a grinder and had maybe 20 cars parked there. But, my car was in the way.

That is the lot the infamous kissing incident happened in.

One morning around June 6, 1990, the Chief was telling us our daily assignments. By this time, I was the "senior" on hold person. That morning I was sent to PSD for my orders to Great Lakes and my A-School. I would get to leave on June 8, Friday. After that was straightened out, I told all my friends I was going Friday. Most of us were pretty used to people leaving by then, so it wasn't a shock. Like I had mentioned above, my last night, I had a roving watch.

My last morning at Orlando was pretty bittersweet again. One last breakfast with my pal Susan. We walked back to Div 10, not really talking much. When we got inside, she gave me a big tight hug. She was a petite lady, so the strength of her embrace shocked me.

She told me, "See you in the fleet."

I said, "Of course, we will."

She smiled and walked away.
I took my packet to check out, then walked out to my car. At about 1100, I left Orlando for the final time. This time watching the Door Knob to Hell in my rearview mirror.

                                      

Figures I leave Orlando on a Friday. Traffic was horrible there as it was in Atlanta. But, I did make it to where my wife was in Illinois to spend time with her. I stopped at my parents for a few hours while traveling to Great Lakes.

I check in at Great Lakes and find a new level of hell, Galley Company! Don't worry, more to come.

The Wait in AT Land Part 1

Ex C077/K051  Feb 21- Apr 25 1990

OK, so, I am back at RTC but now on hold in Division 10. This is the Division where those sailors are attending Appretinship training. It gives them a boost, for then they head out to the fleet without a rating. Instruction is in the Seaman, Airman, and Fireman rates. I think it was another 4 weeks, correct me if I am wrong.

That place was loaded with sailors, and they were all in different states of their next step of training. Some were in class while others were on hold, waiting for class. Still, others were like me, on hold waiting for orders to different Naval activities. Not sure when it happened, but after the Navy gave everyone some sales pitches, Operation Deep Freeze, the Navy Biolab, and Ceremonial Guard.

Some people took these, and after an exam and interview process was waiting for their next step. There was even a handful waiting for orders to leave the Navy for whatever reason. I was waiting for orders to Great Lakes to attend Gas Turbine School.

Those of us waiting for orders mustered every morning with a Chief who then would send us to various locations around RTC or NTC to work. On my first morning on the Division 10 sidewalk, I was chided for not having military creases on my dungaree shirt. So, I redid my shirt and went back out. I figured I was getting a rotten job, but instead, I was given a position on NTC at the reclaimed uniform store.

The four of us made our way to Mc Donald’s, where we sat and waited until 0800 when the store opened. The reclaimed uniforms were from recruits who were discharged from the Navy. They forfeited their uniforms, and the Navy then sold them at deeply discounted prices. Most of the time, we sat in the store and talked.

There was really no need to have 4 of us plus the two normal people in the store. On days when RTC sent over the seabags, we had to separate everything. Still, even then, four of us knocked it out in a ridiculously fast amount of time.

On Fridays, we had to wear our Summer whites, because of PIR. Those days the Chief was a little strict on our uniforms. But, that first morning set my mood for uniforms from then on out. I was 4.0 from then on in.

As soon as I arrived at AT Land, I was an oddity because I had a car. There were a few members from my former company there, and I did hang around with some fo them. Others had connected with young ladies and were too busy to just hang out with the guys. I get it, makes sense. Having just gotten married, I was set in the lady department. However, that did not mean several did not try.
I seriously am not bragging, but I did have the attention of 5 or 6 of the newly liberated former recruits. One, in particular, told me I was a safe target for attention, Airman Apprentice Susan Susman. She was a young Jewish girl from Texas, sorry, young lady. Really cute too. She said even if I were to cheat with her that she was not in it for a relationship.
When I first met her, we talked for a while in the Division common room. Then we started to go to the galley together. One day she asked if we could hit the Marnier’s Club that night. So, we did. We danced and had a good time. Of course, looking back, I can I was probably far too flirty with her and should not have put myself in the position I did.
Heck, one day in particular, as you will see, I left it all on the table. So, we get knocked off really really one day from the store. The guys I worked with decided to go see a movie in town. It was hot, so we said an hour to change and shower.
I get to my compartment my friend is on watch.

I talk to her for a while and ask, “when did you last rove?”

“I have to in 5 minutes.”
“Good, I need to take a shower, so I will wait until you get done.”
Stupid move on my part.

So, she roves, and I head into the shower.
I am in there washing for a few minutes, then I turn to see her smiling like mad watching me shower. I have no idea how long she was there, either. I was glad I was not really “taking care of business” if you get my drift. She just smiles this wide Cheshire Cat smile and walks out. I was like WOW, that is crazy. I’m not a shy person, but still.
I get my whites on and go to leave, but she stops me.
“So, wanna get dinner tonight off base? I’ll buy.”

OK, stupid me, should have said NO, but, “Yeah, sounds good. When?”

“1800, you pick where we eat.”
Mind you, she knows I am married.
We go out to eat and then the Club afterward, dance, drink, have fun. We drive back to where I park my car. It was still about a half hour before we had to be back in the Division, so we sat there listening to the radio having one last beer. Next thing I know, there are hands on my face, and she is kissing me!!! OK, I should have stopped her, but I didn’t. I kind of got into the kiss too. It went on for a while and included a little groping, on both of our parts. She stops kissing me and sits back in the car seat.
“Wow, I have wanted to get kissed for a while, Thanks.”

I am at a loss for words. But it was a hot kiss. I think I said something like, “Hey, I shouldn’t have done that, I’m sorry.”
But she goes on to tell me she had wanted to kiss somebody or a while but did not want to take to further. This is when she tells me she picked me because she figured I was a safe person to kiss since I was married.

I asked her what if I wanted to take to further?

She tells me she would have let me but knew it would have been a one-time thing, and she was OK with it.
We kept up our friendship after that night but never did kiss again, and she did not spy on me in the shower again. She hugged me the day I left Orlando to head to my A-school in Great Lakes. I never heard from her again. I hope she had a great Navy career and that she did get her Commission like she wanted.

This is the first time I have related this story. At the time, I felt bad because of just being married. Now, after that marriage is gone, I feel different about it, in a good way. More to come about AT Land!

Butter Boots!

K077, May 28 - July 22, 1982

A young woman has allowed me to use one of her stories. So, a little background on the boots that were issued to us at boot camp. We called them boondockers. Some called them Chukka boots. It did not matter what you called them, they were horrible fitting and had zero cushion.
I was fortunate to have feet that took the abuse without blisters when I was younger. Others were not so lucky. I have a story to share on that later.

The process spoken of creates butter boots, soft better fitting boots to reduce blisters. We wore those for 12 hours or more each day. We were not allowed to remove them during the day.

Thanks, Shawn, for letting me share.


K077, May 28 - July 22, 1982.

What was the funniest thing that happed during boot camp? Me? Since I was prior service (Army), I knew lots of things that could help people. The first thing I did in reception was to tell everyone to take their evening shower with their boon dockers on, keep them on all night and sleep on them. They’ll dry overnight, and you’ll never get blisters while breaking in your new boots. Half the company said no that they didn’t tell us to do that and we’ll get in trouble. The other half followed me bare-assed into the showers, and we had a great time taking a long shower. (Laughing at the impending blisters to the others that is.) In the morning, our boots felt like butter. They were so soft and fit in every place. The other half bitched for a month about blisters. We “butter boots” just laughed.

(Side note, I found it interesting I was in C077 and she was in K077. C denotes a male company, K denotes a female company. But we were separated by many years,)

RTC – The Return

C077/K051 – Feb21 – Apr 25, 1990

May 9, 1990, I drove back onto the base, NTC side, that is. I picked up my base parking sticker and proceeded to head over to Nuke school to check-in.

While home on leave, I did HARP Duty, got married, and got a speeding ticket. I also stopped in at the school I attended to pick up a letter from them. The letter detailed what was covered in each math class I had there. If you recall, I was being given a hard time because, in the first quarter of high school algebra, I had a C-. Which, according to the Nuke classifier, was not good enough. The college I attended, called their math, Technical Math, I, II, III, IV, or Algebra, Gemotrey, Trig, and Calc. I received a B, B, B, C, respectively, in those classes.

But, the Nuke classifier did not care, he wanted to know what in those classes. So, I did have the letter with me. I am checking in at Nuke school, near the end of lunch. I let them know about the potential issue with my school. The First Class checking me in calls to the Chief sitting there. He comes over and starts yelling at me because I was supposed to have stayed at RTC while the issue was cleared up. This is where I was lucky, I had remembered the Chief's name at RTC and told them what I was told. The Chief tells me to, "Go Fing eat and come back."

Off to Nuke galley, I head to eat. The food was pretty good. While heading back to the office, I run into about 50 Ensigns. So, I salute all of them and, of course, greet them. Back in the office, the Chief is gone, so I talk to the first class. He tells me I was right and to head back to RTC.

I find out later that my orders were to have been changed, and I was initially supposed to have stayed in AT land until my orders were straightened out. After this time, I would either go to NTC Orlando, or where my new school would take me. BUT, for some reason, the Chief at RTC never submitted my hold.

So, I head back over to the classification group and wait to talk to the Chief in question. I have a letter from my school in my back pocket. But, I seriously had not decided if I was going to give it to him. I sat for about an hour, waiting to talk to him. He had a steady stream of "nuclear waste" going into his office. I received advice from probably all of them. Some said, stick out nuke school until you can not pass it, others said to take the out.

I am the type of person to push myself. I still feel I could have passed Nuke MM A-school. Power school was going to be the trick. So, while sitting there, I yet had not decided. He finally calls me in his office.

He lets me know there was a mistake about my hold orders, but he never said he did not do it. He then askes me, "Did you get the letter?"

I made up my mind right then, "No, the school would not give me one."

Yes, I lied!
He gives a short speech about how it only hurts your Naval career, but we will let you reclassify. Blah Blah Blah.

Back out to sit, again!

Finally, I get to go over to a desk and get my new rate.

"What do you want?" I get asked.

"Anything with subs, if possible."

“Advanced ET Subs.”

“No, I am not an electronics person.”

“But that is a great school.”
“How about anything in aviation.” I also say I would like to stay in a 6 y/o program.
“Aviation Ordinance.”

“No. How about any 6 y/o program?”
“Gas Turbine?”
“I still get my bonus?”
“Yes, you do. But you have to wait for orders. Possibly a month.”

“Where do I do that at?”

“Well, you technically never left RTC, so over at Division 10, AT Land.”
I sit another 30 or 40 minutes and sign papers for Gas Turbine school. Then I head over to PSD to get some things taken care of there. Namely, get paid!

I end up over at Division 10 around dinner time. My stuff is in my car. I have to say it was nice being there. I got to hang out with some of my old company and met a bunch of new people. I learned quickly, I was a very popular guy. More on that later.

So, after my two weeks leave, I was back at RTC, for a month, maybe longer. It was not possible to know the date I had to report to Great Lakes, yet.

The first thing I did was to buy a pair of patten leather shoes, Corfam shoes. They were so lovely to wear. Then dinner and return to Division 10. I was in the same compartment as a couple guys from my company. They helped me carry my bags in and set me up with a locker. I guess word spread I was back because the other people in my company found me. Word spread even faster I had a car.

Yeah, RTC, I am back. And what a month it was. Don't worry, stories to follow....

What it Meant

C077/K051 Feb 21 – Apr 25, 1990

I have a little more I am going to add about my time at RTC. But, I have wanted to add this personal note to an already personal story.

What did RTC Orlando mean to me?

Wow, that is a big question. The base meant different things to different people. We all know the different sailors out there from lifers to those FTN why did I join sailors.

I was a lifer, no doubt about it. I enlisted as a 6-year Nuke. When I changed jobs, I specifically asked for a 6-year program again. I wanted to do 20 or mare. That was cut short by two stupid taxi drives in Egypt. That is a crazy story in and of itself.

For me, the experience at RTC Orlando was obviously memorable, but it was very formative in my budding career.

Picking an exact word to tell you what RTC meant is impossible. And no matter which one I would choose, they are many more that could be used.

RTC was just the start for me. I learned a good deal, as most of us did. One vitally important piece of Navy info I learned, “Always be working on a Navy Course.” Whether it be a rating manual, BMR, or another one, be working on one. Also, work two pay grades ahead.

Signing up for a 6-year program, I was advanced to E4 after A-school. I still did all the courses for E4, even though I did not have to. I was about to turn in my Gas Turbine 1-Chief books when my accident occurred. I had just made E5, under 2 years in. Others, at my same time in service, could not even take the test because they were behind on their books.
So, I learned to work hard and move ahead.

I also learned to appreciate things better. Who didn’t like being able to just walk into the kitchen and get something o eat when you were hungry. Or take a nap when you wanted? All of that changed in our worlds. We were all taught to think differently.

How many of you still lace your shoes like you did in the Navy? Or go through a new pair of pants and remove all the stray threads? How many of us still make our bed every day?

Like it or not, we did feel the impact of what our CC’s pushed into our heads.

I am sure my own view of RTC Orlando is clouded with 30 years of other memories. I am sure it is twisted a good deal by nostalgia. But, I did enjoy my time there in a strange, odd crazy sense. Hell, as you may have read, I have some good stories. I have even more from AT Land, A-School, and the rest of my Navy time.
Without a doubt, one of the worst days of my life was when I saw NTC Great Lakes in my review mirror for the last time as a sailor. Three years later, when I received a letter from the Navy asking me to come back, I was ecstatic. Only then to have my emotions crushed by being told I was not eligible due to medical.

RTC Orlando, what did it mean? A lifetime of memories collected over those 8 weeks.