Richard Carl Carlson, CTR1 USN Retired, 1954-1973 Becoming a CT I graduated from Fitchburg High School in June 1953, with the full intent on entering the U.S. Navy. I signed up sometime in the autumn, and was called in May of 1954 (collect). “Do I want to join the Navy?” “Yes I do.” “Report to the Enlistment Office in Worcester, Mass., by 0900 on May 3rd.” “Yes sir!” Boot camp in Bainbridge, Maryland completed. Now I had to decide what rating I wanted to strike for. I had made the right career choice for me. It was going to be quite an adventure for the next four years. And I was going to make the most of it. We had previously been tested out to see what our skills might be, which would then determine our billet (job) for the next four years. I had requested three areas: (1) sonar, (2) radioman and (3) store clerk. I had not acquired any imagination or realized my potential, as evidenced by my choices. At the time, the National Security Agency needed Communication Technicians. I was at the right spot at the right time. The petty officer asked if in place of radioman, would I like to try for a CT billet. "What's a CT billet?" I asked. "It's the same as a radioman, except you don't go on a ship." (Like a fool, I believed him. Years later I would find myself on a ship trying to avoid a friendly country whose planes were now strafing us, dropping napalm upon us, and followed that up with torpedo boats trying to sink us). "You are stationed at shore stations all over the world. The school is in San Diego, California for 9 months" he replied. I thought to myself - I must be dreaming! Me. A train-a-holic! (I made that word up. Get your own!) A trip by train, across the United States - winter in California - all expenses paid - Is this a heavenly light shining directly upon me? This is too good to pass up. I said I wanted to become a CT. One hour before, I didn't know it existed. Now I was lusting to BE one. I passed the typing test with flying colors - and aced the code test. I had orders. Next step - fill out forward address cards. But first, 14 days leave following graduation, in Massachusetts. Following the leave, I took the train back to Maryland where I reported to the Outgoing Unit (OGU) and waited for the rest of the company to report back. We spent about 4-5 days waiting for our military orders to be cut. I don't recall standing any watches, or pulling any sort of detail. It seems we just hung around, which was frustrating. For three long months we were always doing! Now we had nothing to do, except clean the barracks. Orders arrived. First - complete some change of address cards, so all mail would be forwarded to us at our next assignment. Next, pick up the orders, and board the bus for our destination. It was difficult for most of us to say good-bye to friends we had made. It was almost like a family breaking apart. We had carried each other through the difficult times and shared the fun of the good times. I can't ever recall a fight, or at the least, a shouting match, amongst us for the three months we learned how to bond as a cohesive unit. We promised each other we'd write and talk about our new assignments. Once on the bus, we were driven out the front gate of the United States Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland - proud Navy men, eager to "see the world". I seemed to be fortunate than some. I considered the assignment choice duty. I was not to be disappointed. I learned first hand, right then, that the Navy CTs are well cared for. Either they are flown by the military (Navy or Air Force) or civilian aircraft, allowed to drive, or given tickets on a bus or train. We lucked out. Our tickets read overnight train (Pullman sleeper) on the Pennsylvania Railroad, to Chicago, and then a three-day train ride to San Diego, California. The overnight sleeper was an adventure. Since my name began with "C" and no one else's name began with A, B, or C, I was chosen to be in charge of the Personnel Folders and meal chits for the seven of us. As I write this, I seem to think we were waiting for the train in Baltimore, MD. but it may have been Philadelphia, PA. It was early evening. I sat on the loading platform, with all of the sea bags around me (and oh yes - the seven Personnel Folders,) while the rest of the crew went for sandwiches and what-not, with the promise they would return in time and bring me something to eat. While setting there, a man walked up to me, and asked me for some money so he could eat. I told him I didn't have any to give. It was going to be a long journey and I didn't know what my expenses were going to be. He persisted. I gave him every excuse in the book. He got angry. Sorry! He walked off and stood by the pole, about 30-40 feet away, watching me. I thought to myself, "Good grief! I'm about to be robbed, or worse, killed!" Just then, my sandwich appeared being carried by 7 fairly lightheaded shipmates, who had found a "water hole" somewhere and partook of the bubbly before returning to the train. The train pulled in, and we boarded. I don't recall the name of the train, but research indicates it may have been one of two trains: The New York Centrals' 20th Century Limited or the Broadway Limited. There were no seat assignments. We sort of picked out a seat, and planked it. As soon as the train started up, we all decided we should gather in the club car. After a few days of train travel, I found it fairly easy to maneuver down the hallways in a speeding, rocking train, carrying 7 manila folders of Personnel Records. I probably could have left them in a bag, but I was instructed by the officer that I'd be in deep trouble should I lose any of this stuff. I guarded it as if it was the remains of Fort Knox. Once in Chicago, we waited for our luxury train. And luxury it truly was. The guys had again, gone off and left me to guard the orders. Our bags had been checked in. We were given room assignments. When we boarded, the bags would be there. Five went off - two remained behind. It came time to board the train. Everyone had his own train ticket. We waited as long as we dared, and not seeing them return, went out onto the platform to board the train. Just before the train was to leave, 5 highly inebriated sailors came running down the platform. I must inject here my first impression. I was raised in Massachusetts, where such luxury trains as I was feasting upon at the moment, didn't exist in my neck of the woods. The old "Blueberry Special" a black coal burning "puffer-belly" pulling one very old, wooden passenger car, a freight car and a rail-worn caboose, came by our home twice daily, from Worcester, MA. to Burlington, VT. Developing our skills at hitting a moving target, we threw rotten apples at the boxcar, just for something to do. But here, was something out of this world. I was about to enter this silver yacht, which seemed to stretch for miles, and be served and entertained for three days. The famous City of Los Angeles was the premier flagship of the Union Pacific Railroad. Unquestionably, it was America's finest state-of-the-art Super liner. I seem to recall a bus waiting for us in San Diego to take us to I.B. The next morning I woke up to find a 1953 High School Graduate in the next bunk – Dave Phaneuf. We were both surprised to see each other there. Galley duty, then into a code class. After a few weeks, everything sounded the same. I got set back to the next class (Chief French), and successfully completed basic radio in December 1954. Following Christmas leave, I began again, with Chief French in the advanced radio section learning just what I was going to be doing for the next 4 years (which turned out to be 20 years), and successfully graduated in Class 4B-55(R) in May 1955. Most of us went to Japan. My first cross ocean flight was pretty exciting for someone who had never been anywhere until now. Boarded a MATS flight at Travis AFB, and in 8 hours, landed at Honolulu International Airport. First things first. Send post cards home and buy 2 Hawaiian Shirts! Seven hours later, we landed at Wake Island (just barely). A box lunch and 8 hours later, landed at the international airport in Tokyo. A bumpy bus ride to Yokosuka Naval Receiving Station, followed by another bumpy bus ride to NavRadSta Kami Seya, Japan. Like many others, I became acquainted to the circuits in the upper room above the tunnel for a few days, and then side-saddle in the tunnel on an eve watch. It didn’t take long and I had my own posit. (I’m still paranoid about talking about this!) I enjoyed the posits at the end of the tunnel. Cut numbers and I seemed to bond. I asked for sea-duty so that I could serve the SecGru afloat, get some sea duty in, and see the Far East. Permission granted. Boarded the USS BENNINGTON CVA-20 in Buckner Bay, Okinawa and spent 5 months on it plus 1 month on the USS ORISKANY CVA-34 before reporting back to Kami Seya. The Bennington had just been converted to a canted deck and was on a goodwill tour of the Far East. Every major port in Japan was included, as well as the Philippines and Hong Kong (twice). When Okinawa opened up, I went with my posit to Sobe, along with my long time friend George Morton where we became Futenma Plank Owners. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I’ve worked in banking as an operations officer and at a University in research. I’ve never found in civilian life, the esprit de corps that we had in the SecGru. The friendships I made, the experiences and responsibility the Navy gave me is priceless. I serve with my high school friend in NCVA and NCVA-New England, and have kept the correspondence up with George Morton (Kami Seya alumni 1955) to this day. What a ride! Dick Carlson, USN Ret Bainbridge, MD 1954 Imperial Beach, California 1954-1955 Kami Seya, Japan 1955-1957 Sobe and Futenma Okinawa 1957-1958 Winter Harbor, Maine 1958-1960 Karamursel, Turkey 1960-1962 Nicosia, Cyprus 1962-1964 Imperial Beach, California 1964-1966 USS LIBERTY AGTR-5 1966-1967 Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico 1967-1970 Winter Harbor, Maine 1970-1973 Retired 10/3/1973