The Navy

3/61 - 12/63

(that's 2 years,  9 months  and  4 days)

As I said, I joined the Navy, figuring it was a "get out of jail - free" card.  After I got in, I decided not to waste the time and asked for a job that I thought would do me some good afterward.  I asked for "Construction Electrician."  I got it!

I was in the SEABEES (the branch of the Navy dealing with construction.)  You'll note by the above dates that I was "in" during a very quiet period of history, namely, just before Viet-Nam became the major headline.  In fact, the whole time I was "in" they were still calling our guys "advisors."  

I began as an electrician, but after falling off a telephone pole a few times (and a subsequent knee operation) it was decided that I try something else.  Due to my Brooklyn Tech drafting experience they made me an "E.A." (Engineering Aide)  and for a few years, working alongside Civil Engineers, I designed small buildings, roads and stuff like that.  I also did drafting, surveying, soil testing & analysis and planning & estimating.  All this without an actual college degree.  Then, when I got "out" I found that you need a real degree to do this kind of stuff as a civilian....I mean and get paid for it....so I went back to electrical work (at the phone company - but no pole climbing.)

For the SEABEE story click here  (the name comes from C.B.'s - short for Construction Battalions) The Seabees didn't have anything to do with ships except as passengers.  There was a John Wayne movie about them ("The Fighting Seabees")  Notice that the "Bee" is carrying a hammer, a wrench and a machine gun!  Their motto is "Can Do."  They pride themselves on being able to do anything even if given nothing to do it with!  We trained with the Marines.  To visit the SEABEE Museum, which is in Port Hueneme, California, click here.  (That's pronounced WHY-NEE-MEE)

 

And, for those of you who may be interested, may I present....my war record: