20.5 years active duty in the US Navy.
Fast Attack Tough, submarine auxiliaryman
USS SNOOK (SSN-592)
USS QUEENFISH (SSN-651)
USS HONOLULU (SSN-718)
USS CAVALLA (SSN-684)
USS TOPEKA (SSN-754)
An additional 22 years (and counting) of Federal Civil Service working in Naval Shipyards.
My Parents and sisters built a good number of those boats. Both were long time/retired ship builders at Electric Boat in Groton, CT. My father was a master welder, my Mom and sisters; laggers and grinders.
I dated a sailor from the Topeka in 89-91. He was a nuclear machinists mate.
For what used to be forever Electric Boat was the prime and primary income for the vast majority of families across CT and RI.
Of course we have our local USN Naval Base as well. I grew up with my father telling me to stay away from those SQUIDS! -The young men, just out of bootcamp and entering sub school. (I know you know who they are, but definition for members who don't)
I tried to join the Navy when I was 23, was 'this close' to going to Nuclear School in Florida, but at the last minute it was determined my eye exams made it that I did not qualify for service. I was sad and disappointed. I made it all the way to duck-walk in my undies to swear-in, before the exam results were pondered and the decision made.
My husband spent 5 years in the Navy, in the later 80's, serving on the USS JFK, aircraft carrier.
Today, my 21 year old daughter serves in the USN. She joined a few months after graduating high school at 18 years old. She went to boot camp in Chicago, then did 6 weeks of schooling there for OS. She immediately shipped to Japan (requested by her) and has been there since. She serves on the USS Howard (DDG 83) a destroyer. She is having a great time and will soon fly to California for extended training, to learn how to be OS to the Navy's Hornet fighter Jets.
After her 2 month schooling she will finally be able to come home for leave. I haven't seen her in nearly 3 years. I can't wait!
