Service

[Clam Digger]

Navy 1969-1973 AE, AC on P2V Neptunes, and C121 Super Constellation 131388. NJ boy joins the navy to see the world, gets sent to NAF Warminster, Pa. Actually turned out to be great duty. Flew to Bodo Norway, Rota Spain, the Caribbean, Hawaii and many places in between.

 

[yo]

navy plank owner USS Constellation CVA-64 till 1965

 

[ranger58sb]

Army 1984-2013, with my last duty station at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station, Cuba for two years. I relished every minute working with our brothers and sisters from all of the services. I learned so much about the service cultures; silent professionals, BZ, hoorah, copy that, roger, etc... this was the most rewarding end of career tour - does that count?

I was there for a short time in 2003... interesting assignment, and it was kinda fun listening to the different outlook various service members had.

My replacement complained 'cause he was having to share a 2 (or maybe 3, I forget) bedroom house.

Some other troops thought their billet was great, same housing area, only 11 people in a 3 bedroom house (I think some were sleeping in the closets. They allowed as how hard ceiling were much better than the tents they usually got.

It’s up to me to represent the USAF. ‘70-‘74.

I can keep you keep you company; '73-79.

-Chris

 

[johnma]

Navy 1968-1974. MM2. USS Santa Barbara AE28 (plankowner) then finished up on the USS Douglas H Fox DD779. Primarily North Atlantic, GTMO. Med.
John

 

[tego]

Army, '63-'86. In Nam '66-'69. Infantry. Thanks God, for Naval and Jarhead aviators. With the AF, I could barely tell what kind of plane- With the Navy and Marines, I could see their faces. They know what close air support really is! God bless you guys! Ben

 

[Brisyboy]

I was Army 70 - 91 - did small boat training and voyaged to Antarctica but never, in all my years of service have i heard the term - plankowner - please explain

 

[mramoo]

Plank Owner refers to crew members that are on board for the maiden cruise of that vessel.

 

[siestakey]

USAF and FLANG

 

[johnma]

A Plankowner is part of the original commissioning crew for a naval vessel. ( not sure if Coast Guard does the same). You receive a large suitable for framing certificate with all sorts of Davey Jones locker stuff, and signed by the skipper and the XO. The certificate states that upon decommissioning the bearer is due one plank from the main deck. (wooden ships and iron men)
John

 

[markpierce]

Sorry, was not able to qualify for military service. Thrice rejected.

 

[MRRiley]

Navy.

 

[Aceman]

Navy. Seabees. Construction Battalion traveled all over the world. 1972-1976. Famous accomplishment was Diego Garcia “ The Rock”. Never on a ship. Flew us where we’re needed.

 

[Jim R]

Wrapped up 32 years in the Navy about 3 years ago. 17 years on subs during the Cold War of Blessed Memory (Chief Sonarman), then 17 years on guided missile cruisers and mine sweepers as a Surface Warfare Officer.

 

[Clam Digger]

Reply to Jim R #43
I'm blown away by your time in the silent service, You should write a book about what it is like to serve on a sub for months on end. ( BEST SELLER) Nothing classified of course . Could you elaborate on the meaning of term " Cold war of blessed memory" ?

 

[dhays]

I have never served. I considered it a couple of times but declined the opportunity for a variety of reasons. Trite as it may sound, I would like to express my gratitude and respect for all of you that have. Thank you.

 

[Jim R]

Reply to Jim R #43
I'm blown away by your time in the silent service, You should write a book about what it is like to serve on a sub for months on end. ( BEST SELLER) Nothing classified of course . Could you elaborate on the meaning of term " Cold war of blessed memory" ?

Just a joke, really. Younger military folks roll thier eyes when us old timers start reminiscing about the Cold War, when our enemy was well known and our mission was clear. A much more murky and complex world today.

 

[sbu22]

USN/USNR 65-92. Submarine Force (ETCS SS) until 74, SpecWar mustang rest. Blessed memory - bumper tag with the Ruskis - the Crazy Ivan was a real thing.

 

[Icarus]

USCG 1978-87. Served on the USCGC Taney WHEC37. Then went into aviation and flew the C-130 in AirSta Sacramento and Kodiak.

 

[Pau Hana]

US Navy 1981-1992:

• USS Constellation (CV-64) 5 years: crossrated from BM to OS and began working in radar aircraft operations
• CinCPacFlt (Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet) Admiral's staff 3 years
• USS Leftwich (DD-984) 2 years: Air Intercept/Anti Submarine aircraft controller and Tomahawk Weapons specialist for Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

The carrier duty was unforgettable, but I loved being on the destroyer!

 

[Northern Spy]

US Navy 1981-1992:

• USS Constellation (CV-64) 5 years: crossrated from BM to OS and began working in radar aircraft operations
• CinCPacFlt (Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet) Admiral's staff 3 years
• USS Leftwich (DD-984) 2 years: Air Intercept/Anti Submarine aircraft controller and Tomahawk Weapons specialist for Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

The carrier duty was unforgettable, but I loved being on the destroyer!

I have a Zippo lighter from the Leftwich kicking around here somewhere. On the backside it says presented by the commanding officer. Got it for giving your skipper a tour of my sub. Around 89 or 90, maybe when you were on board.

Spruance class were pretty bad-ass looking, for a skimmer, so I didn't immediately chuck it in the harbor as many a bubblehead would do.

 

[Northern Spy]

Eleven years in the US navy submarine force. Pearl Harbor, Bangor, WA and Guam.