Hi, Ya'll;
I was just perusing the forums when one thought hit me tween the eyes! Well, it has come close before. When I first joined I mentioned doing 13.5 years in the Navy and then doing an inter-service Transfer to the U.S.M.C. for another 12.5. That time stayed with me in a particularly unique fashion. Doing my Bit in the Jungles was expected. But I never expected to be stationed on the Same Ship as both a Sailor and a Marine. What's the chances of that?
Well, it was a cold and rainy day-LOL- when I looked up at my new ship. Going from a Destroyer to a Carrier was somewhat nerve racking. I had never been on a large ship for more than a couple of weeks. And the one that tried to run us down? The Midway no less!Hmmm.
Time passed as a Damage Control Chief and then It was time to go. Navy said Philly Navy Yard! I said NOPE ! Transfer me. To the Corps! They did! Now, a New life with new customs, uniforms and higher pay, The pay made the change worth it for a father of three! I was lucky that I was a Chief on his way to Second Hat. This way, two Weeks at LeJeune and then overseas with my group. Viet-Nam.
Came back after the third tour and my LT. says Sarge we're gonna miss ya. Sure???New orders to be a seagoing Marine. What ship? Well, I am thinking one of the reactivated B.Bs or some Carrier on the East coast. Nope! Same ship I served on as a DMC! The Midway. In Wes-Pac. How lucky can a Guy get?
There were some Sailors that rotated off her when I got transferred. They got transferred back by personal request. Imagine our surprise when we ran into each other and the only guy that didn't look right was me? Marine Green instead of Navy Khaki! Talk about weird conversations that enabled. Two of the Medical Dept.had been Corpsmen with my Marine Battalion.
She was my last moving duty station. Someday,Yeah,Someday, I'll have to Visit her one more time.