Hey from Ohio

[snoodel]

Hello all,
Name's Dave, I currently live in Akron Ohio and am visiting via a request from the PGR website.
I am a US Navy Vet. 12yrs service. I was H.D. in Dec. of 95. I was a lucky one, to have served the last 8yrs in the Tidewater area.
I have been stationed at all three major Bases in the Norfolk area.
USS Adroit, USS Inflict, USS Fortify. All 3 were Minesweepers that we deployed on during the Iran/Iraq war clean up of the Gulf. I was over there in 89' and we brought the USS Inflict back to the US under her own power. (1st time ever done)
I was then stationed at NOB on the USS Harry E. Yarnell (CG-17). She de-commisioned in 93. I was shore stationed from 92-95 at The Norfolk Navel Shipyard in Portsmouth. Then my last year I was stationed on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).
I was a MS. that is a Mess Specialist, a cook back then. Now they are called Culinary Specialist.. ?????
I was also trained SSDF, Shipboard Police, as well as other side jobs.
I was department Critical Intervention Councelor. I also councelled new sailors to our dept. on the area, threats to single sailors and other information that they needed.
My wife and I were always adopting single sailors and our front door and livingroom couch were always open to the guys from the ship..

Any questions, feel free to ask away,,
Thanks for the forum, this seems like a good place..

Dave

[NCMEDIC]

Welcome to the site and what an introduction!

[Barbygirl]

Welcome to the site................WOW you seem to have done it all!!!! Will be looking forward to hearing more from you! It is always nice to hear from someone who has been there and done that!

Again,
Welcome

[KYmom]

Welcome aboard,
Looking forward to learning useful info from you.

[snoodel]

Thank you all for the welcome.
I have to admit. I was very blessed with my time I was in the Navy. I was lucky to see some of the most wonderfull places on this Planet. I have also been to places I would not wish on my worst enemy.
I was not/ nor am I not trying to be a bragger or blow sunshine into my Ego. I would just like to let everyone know that I have alot of "Been there, done that" experience and can lend some insight on alot of topics.
I was not your typical sailor. I was married before I went to active duty. I served 4yrs in the reserves before 8 yrs active and considered myself a "Big Brother" to alot of young men who I am lucky to call close friends even 12yrs after Getting out.
Dave

[Barbygirl]

Thank you for offering your wisdom of "been there done that". I don't have any questions at this point. My son is still in training and will be for atleast 10 more months........After that, we will see.......I would love to hear anything you care to share.......Good and bad..........As my son is training to be a SEAL, I am a reader........I read everything I can about what he is doing and will be doing as a SEAL........So, anything you have to share, I would appreciate!

Have a super day,

[snoodel]

Actually, Your son is doing what was my initial dream. I trained and trained, however, was just not able to pass the full entrance test to BUD'S. You must be very proud. As well you should be. They are the Elite.
I was able to work with them is a few different areas. While at Little Creek, I got to train in Ship Self Defense Force. It was a 6 week class that taught us very basic Defense's aimed toward ship's protections.
While on the USS Roosevelt, we had Seal Team 8. They were a great bunch of guys. Really enjoyed talking to them when I had the chance.
I wish your son the very best. He is entering the hardest job in the entire military, but also the most rewarding.
Dave

[glennsmom]

Welcome aboard. I, too, am glad to have you here to answer questions and give us some insight into things. My son is in the Naval Reserves having joined under the NCS. He is a MA currently stationed at a NAS near Pensacola.

[snoodel]

Hi Glennsmom,,
My first 4yrs in the Navy were Reserves. I joined in 83 (del. entry Program) in Highschool and went to boot in October of 84. I was lucky to go to San Diego when they had a RTC out there. The reserves are a wonderfull thing in that, if you decide to go full Active, you are not in the "Blind" as too the workings of the Navy. When I went Active in 88, it was great to have the knowledge of how things worked. It also allowed me to advance in rank quickly. Just having the prior knowledge of the Navy.
The MA rating is a great job. Having been on small commands most of the time, I was able to cross train and take advantage of the training in the MA rating they gave me.
Dave

[glennsmom]

With the NCS he has a 15 month active period first. He is a little disappointed as it isn't an exotic place but a very small base near a very small town. Pensacola isn't to far but he rarely goes there. His active period ends in November and although the contract says they can re-up most are not being allowed to do so. I think that is the part that is the most upsetting to him. Right now he doesn't know what he will do during his Active Reserve period. I thought going to school would be the best and just get a part time job. Whether or not he will try to go active again for the last four years, at this point I just don't know and neither does he. Any suggestions or encouragement would be appreciated.

[snoodel]

The reason's I went active were several, most of all, discouragment with the lack of excitment in the reserves. So I went and spoke to the people who were active Navy stationed at the Reserve Center. They were NO HELP!! I finally went to a actual Recruiting station and BAMM,, They got me in fast and past all the red tape. From their explination, the Reserves discouraged dropping numbers and sending their own active.
Now take into account, this was 88' and Things may have changed since then. But if he is looking to go full active, that may be the way to look into it...
Good luck to all,,,
Dave

[glennsmom]

Dave,

That is good information. I don't know if it would work in this case but I have someone who's son is due to go in to reserves in March. I'll pass this along. The contract says they can re-up and stay active but few if any are being allowed to. I'll let you know if it works.