Bruce A. Uberti, CTRCS USN Retired, 1968-1994
 

I was getting into a LOT of trouble during high school.  Since I was so 
skinny and scrawny, I joined a gang so I wouldn't get beat up so much. 
Didn't know what I was going to do after school, but Selective Service 
made my decision for me.
 
I received a 'greetings' before my 18th birthday in 1968.  The SSS 
office told me it was a mistake, but I didn't want to take any chances.
 
One fine day found me taking the Air Force entrance tests at the 
recruiting center.  I did well, and they put me on their 'list'.  The 
list, I found out, wasn't going to keep me out of the draft, so I headed 
for the Coast Guard Recruiter.  Their office was closed.  Walking 
quickly past the Army and Marine Corps offices brought me to a first 
class gunners' mate, resplendent in his dress blues.  He said, "Looks 
like you have a problem.  Want to come in and talk?"
 
I signed up for delayed entry with a guaranteed school in April, and got 
on the bus for San Diego on August 5, 1968.
 
We went through all the ASVAB testing and then got to talk to a real 
person.  He asked me what school I wanted.  Since my step father had 
been a printer, I wanted to be a Lithographers' Mate until I found out 
it was OJT, usually on a Carrier.  The Classifier said - "How about 
Communcations Technician?  They don't go to sea unless they volunteer, 
and the school is 20 weeks long in Pensacola."  I asked what they did. 
He handed me the Classification Manual and I remember the short job 
description to the last word:
 
"Performs communications related functions under the direct cognizance 
of the Chief of Naval Operations."
 
My kinda job.  Washington DC working for the CNO!
 
Pensacola was good.  I did a LOT of night school in basic, then went to 
SAC (Student Awaiting Clearance) for two months.  I remember CT1 Sage 
dragging me out of the shower while getting ready for another long mid 
watch at one of the security gates.  He had my security badge and just 
wanted me to sign it so he could get it back to the SSO.
 
The rest is, as they say, history.  A lot of good tours.  Quite a bit of 
sea duty, and more friends and shipmates than anyone could ask for.
 
My kinda job.  Our Navy.
 
Bruce