General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums53 Years ago today (18 July 1972)
I raised my right hand and joined the Navy
President John F. Kennedy ended his speech at the US Naval Academy
On 01 August 1963 with this sentence.
Any Man who may be asked in this century
What he has done to make his life worthwhile
Can respond with a Great Deal of Pride and Satisfaction
I SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY
Roger that Shipmate Kennedy
My Enlistment Oath will still be in effect long after Im Gone
I always look forward to a little positive thinking on this day

SocialDemocrat61
(5,194 posts)BOSSHOG
(43,329 posts)back then I was in high school, hitting on the guys at Great Lakes
BOSSHOG
(43,329 posts)To hit on at Great Lakes now. I went to Basic in San Diego. I remember it like it was yesterday. The city of San Diego made a killing when the Navy Closed the Training Center.
Skittles
(166,089 posts)after I told him, why would I date high school guys when I can date sailors?
BOSSHOG
(43,329 posts)Skittles
(166,089 posts)sooo many fond memories - heh, I had five brothers, I could easily handle sailors
MustLoveBeagles
(13,470 posts)

USS Yosemite AD19
USS Albany CG10
USS Alywin (FF-1081)
USS Donald B Berry (FF-1085)
USS Knox (FF-1052)
USS Horne (CG-30)
SheltieLover
(71,778 posts)
BOSSHOG
(43,329 posts)I think I speak for most, if not all Vets, it was an honor to serve our country.
Eko
(9,470 posts)FirstLight
(15,493 posts)My dad went to Japan in the Korean War, he was AF in radio communications.
1972...I was 2. 😜
Did you do any cool traveling? Or you got any fun stories to share?
Anyway congratulations on your service anniversary.
BOSSHOG
(43,329 posts)Spent time on the ground in Saudi Arabia Joint Task Force. Got too close to a terrorist attack. Fun stories relative to Liberty with Shipmates. Worked Security for a short while in New Orleans.
Community Coffee has a new Coffee out called First Light.
God Bless Your Dad. And Thank You.
AllaN01Bear
(26,508 posts)mraine induction station azusa ca . went in as i was one of the last draft lottery #, my 18th birthday rolled around. 0/15/1976 . they were closed as they were updating to the all volunteer corps. i went in and was 4 fed. at least i tried .
BOSSHOG
(43,329 posts)I volunteered during Vietnam. I told my dad I wanted to be on a Ship going toNam. He damn near kicked my ass. It never happened. My first duty station was in the Mojave Desert. A $12.00 bus ticket from Bootcamp.
slightlv
(6,137 posts)You beat me by two years... my enlistment oath was in November, 1974 to the U.S. Air Force... proud papa standing in the room, taking as many pictures of his "little girl" as he possibly could! (gryn) Dad was an Army Medic during WWII.
BOSSHOG
(43,329 posts)I served with the Air Force, JTF Southwest Asia Riyadh Summer of 96. Great bunch of teammates. Good Memories except for the terrorist attack.
pfitz59
(11,641 posts)USS Skate (SSN-578), USS Rentz (FFG-46), USS Curts (FFG-38), USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), USS Vincennes (CG-49), USS Obrien (DD-975), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), VT-3, HT-8, HS-1, VC-8, HSL-41, HSL-47, HSL-49, NAVAIRSTA Sigonella. Busy career.
BOSSHOG
(43,329 posts)A sincere thank you. Sub, Surface, Air.
Deuxcents
(23,102 posts)And to all who share your experiences in the military..land, air and sea. I am not a veteran but my parents were..my mom, Navy and my dad, Marines. I have a special place in my heart for those who have served and are currently serving. I am most grateful
BOSSHOG
(43,329 posts)And your parents. No one should HAVE to serve. Our countries strength should make it a choice. Hopefully that will continue. What do you get when you cross a Sailor and a Marine? A wonderful awesome human being. Your gratefulness is universally appreciated Deuxcents.
Deuxcents
(23,102 posts)I am a post war baby who had so many opportunities growing up because of the sacrifices made on my behalf that made this country the best place in the world to live. Im starting to get emotional because my heart is full of gratitude 🙏
Godot51
(558 posts)
Permanut
(7,329 posts)Enlisted 26-Oct-65, a 28 hour bus ride to camp Nimitz in San Diego.
Every single person I served with took that oath in dead earnest, as did I. Thanks for your service and for this post.
There's a lot of sailors in this little community.
Stinky The Clown
(68,707 posts)SK2 Stinky, 1967-1973
GoodRaisin
(10,345 posts)USS Mississinewa, USS Saratoga, HS-7.
Emile
(36,004 posts)homeported aboard the Yosemite and later on the Albany in Mayport.
You entered the Navy the year I got out.
GoodRaisin
(10,345 posts)We were decommisioned following the collision and the crew transferred. Ironically I was transferred to HS-7 on the Saratoga and did my last Med cruise on her. I got out at NAS Jacksonville about 13 months later.
Scalded Nun
(1,445 posts)ultralite001
(1,892 posts)TIA
DFW
(58,510 posts)His name was Elmo Bud Zumwalt. Nixon hated his guts, because Bud Zumwalt was the first Secretary of the Navy to make it broadly possible for women and POC to become officers. Nixon was dead set against the idea, and one of his last orders before his resignation became official was to order Jim Schlesinger (SecDef) to fire Zumwalt. Schlesinger knew how popular Zumwalt was with the rank and file. He disobeyed the order.
biophile
(828 posts)Be well and happy!
surfered
(7,992 posts)70sEraVet
(4,684 posts)USS Vogelgesang DD862
USS Columbus CG12
Once a sailor, always a sailor!
bluescribbler
(2,368 posts)January 20, 1969, just a few minutes after Richard M. Nixon was sworn in as Commander in Chief. I found myself on a couple of tin cans in the Pacific Fleet. We did two WestPac cruises with stints at North SAR, Yankee Station and the Gunline. Foxtrot Delta Tango.
beemerphill
(576 posts)I have never met anyone who said otherwise. Everyone meant what they swore, and never forgot it.
BOSSHOG
(43,329 posts)To have made it and kept it.
pat_k
(11,473 posts)When naturalizing immigrants become American citizens, they learn the history and the civic scripture of our nation. And, importantly, they come together to take an oath. We got to thinking: What would it look like for all of us to take an oath? For citizens of long standing and Americans new and old to renew our civic vows? To become Sworn-Again?
The Sworn-Again America Oath
I pledge to be an active American
to show up for others
to govern myself
to help govern my community.
I recommit myself to my countrys creed
to cherish liberty
as a responsibility.
I pledge to serve
and to push my country:
when right, to be kept right;
when wrong, to be set right.
Wherever my ancestors and I were born,
I claim America
and I pledge to live like a citizen.
https://citizenuniversity.us/participate/sworn-again/
mamajudi
(68 posts)I know exactly how you feel!! I also took that same oath but in March 1973. Im very proud to have joined the Navy when women were few in numbers. So, cheers to you, fellow sailor!! Women werent allowed on ships other than hospital ships, so I was stationed at a Naval Air Station that taught one of the earliest female pilots. Somewhere in 74 or 75? We took great pride in that piece of history.
BOSSHOG
(43,329 posts)Naval Weapons Center China Lake California. Mojave Desert. I was assigned to a squadron at the base. A cute Radioman at the Comm Center caught my eye. We have been married 51 years. I went the distance. She did one tour active and spent 6 years in the Reserves. We are both content and proud of our time in The Canoe Club. Dont know what we would have traded it for.