Jon P. White, CTRCM USN Retired, 1952-1986 I was still in High School in 52 (yes they had schools then), when a friend said he was going to join the Naval Reserve. I thought, OK, I'll go too. We lived in Santa Monica and the unit met at Chavez Ravine (Dodger stadium later). Anyhow since I had the car we drove out there and signed up. We filled out the paper work, and got our shots. The next meeting night, I blew up the engine in my car, so we never made it. I called the center and told them what happened and asked what I should do, being a lowly High School student making $.85 an hour part time. Didn't have the money for a new engine. They said to send a letter requesting to be placed in the inactive reserves. Did it and was accepted. Fast forward to 57. The Army in their infinite wisdom decided they wanted my body. Since I had just married Alice a month before, thought "I don't think so". In a panic, called the Navy, and they being the smarter service, told me to come active for two years. Alice was thrilled, as you might well expect. Anyhow, went to boot in San Diego. Company also didn't win any flags. Was the ARCPO (or what ever it was called). The Chief was QMC Ryerson, who was on road duty and kept booze in his office. He came out one day and jumped all over me for being out of uniform. Well, being the most squared away sailor in the U.S. Navy, I was stunned. It seems that the time I was in the inactive reserves counted as time in. I wasn't wearing a hash mark. Throughout my career, that hash mark saved me from many unpleasant duties and helped enormously in advancement. Anyhow went to the classifiers because I was going to be either an Aerial photographer, or EOD. Thank you lord for screwing up my eyes so I couldn't get either one. Since I placed really high on the GCT/ARI and also did well on the INT. He said "How about CT?" I said "What was that? "I don't know, but their is a Chief here that can help you out." You have to visualize the office. Desks were jammed up against each other, covers, jackets were on top of them, and the place was packed. I went over to see the Chief. He was in an area surrounded by GSA partitions, had a couch, a hat rack, and his own coffee mess. He was in dress Khaki with one hash mark (we were brothers on our arms). I took one look at that, and said to myself "Don't know what you do, but I want some of that!" And my life as a CT (R) was born. And as they say, the rest is history. Other than marrying Alice, best damn thing that ever happened to me. I sure miss it. Jon White, CTRCM, USN, Ret 1952 - 1986