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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2672
Location: New Jersey | Subject: 64 years ago
We boarded a train in Hoboken, NJ for a very slow ride to the Great Lakes, where I began my 4 year hitch. After 24 hours we pulled into a train yard into the coldest weather I had ever experienced.
And so it began! |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1814
Location: Boydton, Virginia | Subject: RE: 64 years ago
I was about 2 months behind you. Same train, March 24, 1960. Got to Boot camp about midnight, assigned a rack, went fast asleep until Drill instructor held reveille at 5am by running a coke bottle around a corrugated trash can right beside my rack.
Steamboat sends |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1269
Location: Hopewell Junction NY | Subject: RE: 64 years ago
Same deal...AUG29, 1961. But it started with a ferry ride from "The City"
Edited by PaulR 2024-01-31 6:10 AM
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1605
| Subject: RE: 64 years ago
I got to volunteer for my USNR two week boot camp and four week sub school during school vacation break by boarding a PSA jet to San Francisco from LAX five years later. I was just happy to not be going to the Army, or Marine boot camp during the Vietnam war. |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1323
Location: Oxnard, CA | Subject: RE: 64 years ago
For me it was join the Navy or be drafted into the Army. Guess which service got me (RM3 USNR)
Boot camp was a train ride from Santa Barbara to San Diego, June 10, 1963 for two weeks.
3 years aboard a 172 foot hunk of wood, also known as a Minesweeper. Two deployments to Vietnam. Off the ship, December 7, 1967.
Wouldn't trade it for the world, but wouldn't do it again.
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1605
| Subject: RE: 64 years ago
Jon, it looks like Terminal Island bailed us both out. I had gone to downtown LA, through the draft physical, and had a date to report when the Terminal Island Reserve center took me and my two new buddies. It was only by a lucky circumstance they had surface and submarine openings. TI was the very last two year option at that time. Marine, Army, National Guard, and Cast Guard had no two year reserve spots left, and I didn't want to spend 4 years in the Air Force.
I got out six months early in Nov, of '68 of the two year hitch because of President Nixon's cost saving moves - I guess you just missed that.
Edited by Gil 2024-02-03 10:36 AM
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1323
Location: Oxnard, CA | Subject: RE: 64 years ago
My reserve time was supposed to be 2 years reserve, 2 years active, 2 years reserve. I got extended on active by a year so it came out 2 years reserve 3 years active, 1 year reserve - which was supposed to be standby reserve, but that was changed to going to meetings once a month. |
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Senior Crew
Posts: 226
Location: San Diego, CA | Subject: RE: 64 years ago
My reserve time was also 2, 2 and 2, but I extended the first 2 into 3 to spend more time in college, with 7 years overall.
It paid dividends because I passed my 3rd class MM test before going active. Made more money and went directly into the engine room without mess cooking, etc.
I felt bad because I didn't know anything for being 3rd class.
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1605
| Subject: RE: 64 years ago
Did one year of reserve meetings, then only year and a half of active reserve as President Nixon cost cutting measure, and that was it. Never went to another reserve meeting after active duty - reserve center never contacted me, and I never asked. I contacted them because my boat never told me I made 3rd class PO. My reserve center lied to me and said I needed to reup for them to get me my five month back pay. |
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64 years ago
