Roman G. Martin, CAPT USN/USNR Retired, 1953-1989


Wow!
 
Memories.  I joined the Naval Reserve on 29 January 1953.  I was 
assigned to Division 9-5Q Communications Supplementary Activity and 
started going to weekly drills.  The OIC was a Chief Warrant with a 
Swedish surname.  I also joined the Reserve Center Drill Team. Nobody 
seemed to know anything about the group except they had the RBB and 
RBC radios that kept the center up to date on all of the local sports news.
 
In August after attending an uncle's wedding in Wisconsin, I decided 
to teach my parents a lesson and since I couldn't go active without 
being drafted, I went to the local Selective Service office to 
volunteer for the draft.  I tried to volunteer so the Navy would take 
me active but that wouldn't fly so I walked around the block and 
volunteered so that I could fight for my country.  Ten days later I 
received a draft notice and went through the pre-draft physical and 
then high tailed it down to the Reserve Center to let them know I had 
been drafted.  Success!!
 
I received orders to Great Lakes for boot camp and entered on the 
same day that I was to report for the draft, 20 September.  The Army 
called my mother and told them I was a draft dodger.  The Navy told 
her "No Problem"
 
After Medical Hold Company, I proceeded to Boot Camp and the 
Classification Office.  I asked for the SeaBees and since I had been 
in a construction job during the summer the PO decided that I could 
be a Driver. Ooops!!  There was a Page 4 entry that directed that "if 
qualified in all respects, I should be sent to CTR Scol (Class A) in 
Imperial Beach, CA.
 
Best laid plans, etc.  Travelled with Boot Camp buddies by rail to LA 
and then to SDO.
 
Nine months later I exited Advanced training as a genuine CTRSN, 
Communications Technician Seaman.  I have survived Chief Moe and 
Chief Benny Summerllin, later Lt(jg).
 
I was very bitter coming off of active duty in 1956 and wanted 
nothing to do with the Navy or the Reserve.  The XO on Guam had been 
a certified whacko SOB.
 
Fortunately a college buddy convinced me that the beer money for 
being in the Reserves was well worthwhile.  Add to that a man I 
considered to be my God Father, Capt Al Pelletier, who talked me into 
accepting a commission in the Naval Reserve and a very satisfying 
career evolved.
 
I have always considered the people that I brought into the SecGru 
were the top layer of the cream of the crop and my associations will 
never be forgotten.  Working with the investigators from the NIS, I 
learned a lot about the evaluation of people and their backgrounds 
that convinced me that if you fill out the dreaded DD-398 truthfully, 
all would work out for the best.
 
Roman Martin
ex- CTR2, Capt. USNR-Ret