Byron E. Hudler, CTR1 USN, 1972-1986

It was a Sunday in July 1972 and I had just turned 18 two days before. I had a 
job with a Marine Supply company getting paid $1.80/hour for filling up crates 
with large turnbuckles, wire rope, etc. for shipment to Cam Ranh Bay - 
"Linebacker" was in full force.  It appeared the only way I could go to 
college would be to live at home, and I guess like a lot of 18 year olds, I 
was having trouble getting along with my parents. My brother-in-law (former 
EN2 and Navy Diver) took me aside and advised me to go into the military.  It 
really sounded like a good idea, and I had always liked the Navy, so I called 
the Recruiter's office on a Sunday afternoon.  Amazingly, one of the 
Recruiters was there catching up on paperwork, but when I told him I was 
interested in going into the Navy, he thought I was some anti-war protester 
calling to mess with him.  I convinced him I was legit, and he stayed after 
hours the next day so I could meet with him.  I took what the called the Short 
Basic Test Battery, and like all other CTs, scored well - they said I could 
get anything I wanted.  Twelve days after I first called the recruiter, I was 
on active duty in Orlando for boot camp. I ended up being guaranteed RM, RD, 
QM, CTR, or SM, and I picked them in that order.  When I went to see the 
Classifier or what ever he was called in boot, they told me my test scores 
indicated I should be a CTR.  I had hoped to be an RM, but I was too green and 
scared to put up much of an argument.  A couple of weeks later, when I went to 
fill out the SBI paperwork and get interviewed, I learned more about CTs, and 
was happy with the decision.
Joining the Navy was probably the best and smartest decision I ever made.  I 
really enjoyed the work, especially once I started doing Submarine DirSup, but 
the people are what really made it great.  I believe the Navy will come to 
regret the disbandment of NSG and its integration with the fleet.  NSG was 
truly an elite force within the Navy, and when you integrate an elite with the 
majority, the result is mediocrity.  I would bet that the security of 
classified information has also been affected --- I wonder if the acronym 
HVCCO still has any meaning?

Hud