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....