Smith, William J. LCDR 1960-1984 How I Became a CT As a 1960 high school graduate in the hills of southwestern West Virginia with no way to afford college and dim job prospects, joining the military was one of the few ways to escape a bleak future. When this grim reality set in 6 months after graduation, I felt drawn to the Navy over the other services because of its promise of adventure on the high seas and around the world (and, I admit, to avoid the draft). I didn’t see much sea duty (52 days), but I certainly saw the world. I was indeed happy when the recruiter picked me up early on that cold November morning. However, when we stopped at my friend’s house--we were to join under the Buddy Program--he said he had changed his mind and rolled over to go back to sleep. (He later joined the Army and served as an MP in Italy, where he met his lovely Italian wife; some things are just meant to be, I guess). At RTC Great Lakes, I took to the Navy like a fish to water. I loved the chow too, amazed that I could have unlimited glasses of cold milk from those shiny aluminum machines with the pull-up handles. During my rating assignment session, I was pretty much at the mercy of the interviewer. I had done well enough on the pre-induction tests to qualify for “A” school, and I listed rating choices of Radarman, Sonarman and Radioman. When my interviewer suggested the CT rating, my only two questions were: (1) Are advancement opportunities good? and (2) Where is the “A” school located? His answers, “Yes” and “Florida,” were good enough for me (Hey, it was bitter cold at GLAKES in January). After completing basic and intermediate R Branch training, I was fortunate to be selected for T branch school at Goodfellow AFB. I enjoyed chasing ditties, but was thrilled at the chance to become a “T-Bird” (and ride horses in west Texas). After San Angelo I was ordered to tours in Sidia Yahia, Morocco, and Karamursel, Turkey. When my enlistment was up in late 1964 I decided to separate and go back to wild, wonderful West Virginia. It didn’t take me long to realize, however, that the Navy was forever in my blood. So before 90 days had gone by I was off again to the Navy for good. In hindsight, it was the best decision I ever made. At my request, I was detailed to Kami Seya, Japan, followed by Cheltenham, MD, and then back to Pensacola for SC-260 (advanced T Branch) school. Following school and after only 3 months in Okinawa I was back in Pensacola for the third time for ADCOP at Pensacola Jr. College followed by DECOP at the University of West Florida. Afterwards, I completed tours in Pyong Taek, Korea; NSA; Keflavik, Iceland; Diego Garcia; and finally ACNSG, Ft. Meade, retiring in 1984. Serving under top-notch supervisors plays a critical role in career success, and I was most fortunate in that regard. Those named below were among my role models who provided the leadership, support and encouragement that contributed significantly to my Navy experience. SMI Garner - Company Commander, RTC Great Lakes CTRC Machado – Instructor, NCTC Pensacola CTRC Ward - Instructor, NCTC Pensacola CTTC A. J. Dematteo - Division Chief, GAFB San Angelo; TUSLOG DET 28 CTT1 Don MacPherson - Section Supervisor, NAVCOMMSTA Sidia Yahia CTT1 Al Wyland – Section Supervisor, TUSLOG DET 28 CTTCM Harry Allison – Division Chief, NSGA Kami Seya CTT1 Jack McCutcheon – Section Supervisor, NSGA Kami Seya CTRC Bill Knight – Division Chief, NAVCOMMSTA Cheltenham ENS George Hodges – Division Officer, NAVCOMMSTA Cheltenham LCDR Gerald “Jerry” Gavin (RIP) – Senior NSOC Maritime Watch Officer, A24, NSA CDR Dave Olson – CO NSGA Keflavik CDR Jim Collins – CO NSGA Keflavik LCDR Bernie Ferarra – XO NAVCOMMSTA Diego Garcia CAPT Charles F. Clark – Naval Security Group Command HQ Thank you, supervisors and shipmates; thank you, NAVSECGRU; thank you, Navy, for 24 memorable and enjoyable years. I continued to support the NAVSECGRU for 22 years as a contractor. However, the satisfaction and sense of belonging in a profit-driven corporate environment pale in comparison to a career in the Navy, especially one in the NAVSECGRU.