Robert E. Goode, CWO2 USN Retired, 1944-1969

 
My Navy career was 1944 – 1969. My Naval Security Group career was 1958 – 1969. 
I truly got lucky one day in 1957. I was an Engineman First Class, training recruits 
at Naval Training Center, San Diego. At the time, I  was Company Commander of my 
fourth or fifth company (can’t remember). On my lucky day, I had marched my company 
to the Recruit Classification Center for the assignments testing. While there I was 
fortunate to meet the Security Group Chief (CTC)(A) Rick Stewart) who screened and 
tested likely candidates for NSG schools. During our conversation, Chief Stewart asked 
what my plans were for future assignment, since my three year tour was nearing its end. 
My response was, “back to sea in the engine room, I guess”. He then volunteered that I 
might be interested in a new program where certain ratings below CPO were eligible for 
converting to one of several other professional fields, and that Engineman First Class 
was one of those eligible. The Chief provided me with the guidance to apply, which I did, 
listing my three choices as: Electronic Technician, Fire Control Technician, and 
Communications Technician (R). Had no idea what Communications Technician (R) was, 
and Chief Stewart wouldn’t say.  About six months later I received orders to report 
to Electronics Technician (A) School, Treasure Island, to be designated EN1(CT/M) upon 
graduation. I did not breeze right through. It was a very difficult  7-8 months in 
ET School, but I did finish as EN1(CT/M), with orders to TUSLOG DET 28, Karamursel, Turkey. 
After arriving  at Karamursel, I found out that the “M” after CT1 was M Branch, and 
I went to work with the Mat Gang. I like to say that I’ve always been lucky, my entire life, 
but that piece of advice from Rick Stewart was one of my luckiest days, ever. Started me on 
a different path in my Navy career, serving with the Navy’s best.   


Robert E. Goode, CHCOMMTECH (CWO-2)