John Sherrod Robertson, CAPT USNR Retired, 1969-2004


As has already been stated by most of you, becoming a CT really changed my life 
and I am forever grateful.

After flunking out of college (LSU-Shreveport in Shreveport, LA) and getting my 
draft notice in December 1968 (right after Christmas), my best friend, Danny Grubb 
and I tried to get in the regular Navy, Air Force and National Guard but they all 
had long waiting lists and we would be drafted before we could enlist.  Our fathers 
had been in the Naval Reserve during WWII and served aboard ships in the Pacific and 
Atlantic.  They suggested we try the Naval Reserves.  We contacted the local recruiter 
Chief who administered the tests on a Saturday morning (we were both hung over from our 
Friday night escapades and in spite of this did well on the tests) and were notified on 
Monday to come to the reserve center on Tuesday night to join the 2x6 program. 2 years 
active duty and 4 years reserve duty. We joined January 7, 1969. 

I wanted to be an Illustrator Draftsman and be in the CB's but that was not to happen. 
I was told that the rate was full and I would be assigned a striker rating after boot camp 
in San Diego  and a 2 week mini cruise on board the USS Hooper, DE 1026 in Long Beach.  
After two weeks on ship as a Seaman Recruit  doing every dirty job that could be assigned, 
4 days of bad seas, sea sickness and almost being washed overboard the first day at sea I 
was not excited about a ship board experience. When I returned to my reserve unit I checked 
the other active services about joining but found that the wait lists were still long.  
My friend Danny ended up a Torpedoman and served on 2 different ships and did 2 WESTPAC cruises.

One Tuesday night drill in June '69, while at muster, a CDR Campbell was introduced to our 
surface division.  He said he represented an exciting organization known as the Naval Security Group, 
they needed CT's which he could not tell us anything about and oh by the way, fewer than 
10% ever go to sea.  I knew that was for me.  I met with the CDR, was designated to be a CTR 
striker and went to NTTC Pensacola in January 1970 for CTR A School.  Chief Morris was in charge 
of the Big Room and we had several intense discussions (really listening sessions on my part with 
the threat of a # 9 boot in the ass and transferred to the fleet) about my code copying ability.  
It took back to back 2 week sessions in the Big Room but I finally got the code down and graduated 
in June 19, 1970.  As a reservist, I was there on 179 day ACDUTRA orders which was not part of my 
2 year active duty commitment.  Upon graduation I was sent home for 3 months to drill and then report 
for my 2 years active duty in September 1970.  When I left Pensacola, my active duty assignment was 
going to be Bremerhaven. I was excited and was really looking forward to it.  In August I made CTR3 
and got married.  When my bride Connie and I got back from our honeymoon, I got a call from the 
reserve center CTA stationkeeper to come and get my orders.  Boy was I surprised.  12 months 
unaccompanied orders to NSGA Adak!  What a shock!  Just married and now going to Alaska without 
my beautiful bride! 

I spent my 12 months on the rock mad as hell for being there and completed my 2 years active duty 
commitment with my bride, Connie at Imperial Beach as a DF operator.  After active duty I went 
back home to return to college.  I continued to drill and re-enlisted because I needed the money 
and enjoyed the comradery and the 2 week ACDUTRA's.  As college graduation approached, my unit CO 
in Shreveport, then LCDR Dan Kelly from Dallas suggested I take the officer test and apply for a 
direct commission as a 1615 Special Duty officer (Cryptology).  I passed the test, did the interviews, 
filled out all the paper and was commissioned, Ensign 1615 in January 1977.  I remained with the 
Shreveport unit for about 2 years and was then assigned to  the Houston SECGRU Unit.  This lead to 
a great reserve career drilling in many different locations with the greatest folks in world.

I retired from the Naval Reserves in October 2004 as a Captain,  I had a great career, met some 
of the best people in the world and would not change 1 second of it (including Adak!).  I  reached 
60 this year and am now receiving retirement pay and benefits.  I am forever grateful for the 
opportunity and experiences that I had serving my country and being able to do it in the 
Naval Security Group - the finest group of people in the world.


John Robertson
SR to CTR2, Ensign to Captain
07 January 1969 - 01 Oct 2004