James W. Ruddy, CTT1 USN, 1961-1968


When I joined the Navy in 1961 they asked me what I wanted to be. I didn't know so they 
said I could go in under the high school seaman recruit program and make a decision in boot camp.  
When I got to boot camp they told me I couldn't be in the submarine service or the Seabee's. 
I took my tests and the fellow told me I did well in morse code and did I want to be a CT? 
I asked him what a CT was and he said it is just like a Radioman only you don't have to go to sea.  
I asked if not going to sea was a good thing and he said it was a real good thing. The decision was made.
 
Like John Armstrong I took typing in high school, although my teacher was no where close to 
being like his. Best class I ever took, in boot camp when most everyone else was in the galley 
washing dishes, I was in an office typing memo's and running errands for some officer.
 
Typing also helped when I got to Pensacola for school, all I had to do was learn the code. 
It came easy to me and I did well in it, so my instructor told me they were making me a T brancher 
and I would probably go to an Air Force Base in Texas and it was much better duty.  However I had 
to wait for almost a year for my final clearance and by the time I got it they weren't sending 
anyone to Texas, spent eighteen months at Corry.
 
Making the decision to be a CT was one of the best of my life.  I was proud to serve in 
Naval Security Group, great duty, great job, and great people. 
 
My grandson just joined the Navy although he doesn't go to boot camp until the end of October. 
Right now,after boot camp, he is scheduled to go to Pensacola to CT "R" branch school.  
Apparently he has six months to change his mind. While I won't try to influence him (much) 
on a career field I did send him Jon's e-mail.  If he decides to be a CT, I will be very proud. 
 
James W. Ruddy CTT1
8/1/61 to 8/15/68
Pensacola 61-63
Kami Seya 63-65
Adak 65-66
Winter Harbor 66-68