13 years ago....

[Sentrosi]

This post is a couple of days late. I had to deal with strep throat which wasn't fun. Anyways....

This post won't matter to anyone here, and I'll either get no responses or flamed, but I'm made of teflon, and all that stuff bounces right off me. It's become a tradition of sorts for me to do this, so here goes.

13 years ago, on August 1st, 1990 I flew across country to join the United States Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician. I was a regular joe with the typical girlfriend at home waiting for me, and embarking on a world of adventure.

Boot Camp. San Diego, California.

We are awakened to the sound of three garbage cans thrown down the center isle. I then have a huge black man telling me that I had to get up out of bed with sweats and shoes on in 10 seconds or else my ass was grass. Even befor the words were out of his mouth my shit was together and standing tall beside my bunk. The Company Commander then goes into a lengthy discussion on how we're all supposed to walk out of these barracks and march to breakfast, 3 miles away. Not too hard I'm thinking, and after getting my stocking cap on we form up outside. I then began a routine that wouldn't end until October 7th when I graduated from Basic Training. With classes to attend, gear to fold correctly, shoes to be shined and all the other associated stuff that needs to be done, I can say that I had a great time at Boot Camp. Sure, if one of our mates fucked up we all got mashed, but that was about the only thing I hated, and even that wasn't all that bad. Just keeping your mouth shut, do as your told, and remember that it's all a game they play and you've pretty much mastered boot camp.

In the 4 years I was in the Navy, I have been to:
1) Rota, Spain
2) Sigonella, Sicily
3) London, England (only for a day for an air show)
4) Rosey Roads, Puerto Rico
5) Key West, Florida
6) New Brunswick, Maine
7) Detroit, Michigan (My squadrons home city)

Have I seen the world? No, my brother has that distinction right now. He's been to the desert 3 times and participated in the recent war with Iraq, Korea, Japan and will be heading to Italy come end of September. But why am I telling you all this?

Simple.

I would not have chosen otherwise with my life.

I had no direction, no real skills I could offer the world. I didn't want to go to college and wanted to do stuff that I could tell my kids I did and that I was proud of. Call it a recruitment poster, call me a warmonger, I don't care. I have read things on here less appealing and have read things that have moved me. Take from this what you will.