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!