This page updated:  04 February 2005

"I can imagine a no more rewarding career... Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction:
'I served in the United States Navy.'"

President John F. Kennedy -- 01 August 1963 -- U.S. Naval Academy

History of Naval Assignments

United States Navy Reserve
Delayed Entry Program
Recruit Training Command, San Diego
Fleet Anti-Sumbarine Warfare Training Center, Pacific

United States Navy

Fleet Anti-Sumbarine Warfare Training Center, Pacific
USS Downes (FF-1070)
Service School Command, San Diego
Fleet Anti-Sumbarine Warfare Training Center, Pacific
USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37)
Fleet Anti-Sumbarine Warfare Training Center, Pacific
USS Anzio (CG-68)
Service School Command, Great Lakes
USS Porter (DDG-78)

United States Navy Fleet Reserve

    On 22 September 1983, I signed my paperwork and was in the Delayed Entry Plan (DEP) to go to Boot Camp in January (I wanted one last Christmas holiday at home) for the Navy Reserve.  I remember that was the day that Korean Airlines Flight 007 was shot down, because the HMC (Chief Hospital Corpsman) came through the MEPS station "We're going to war, we're going to war..."

    15 January 1984 - I boarded a jet in cold, snowy Columbus, Ohio, and arrived hot San Diego, California wearing corduroys and a flannel shirt under my down jacket.  Argh!

    Recruit Training Command (RTC), Naval Training Center (NTC) San Diego.  Company 904 - a Drill Company, convened on 19 January..  Played a "French Horn" for the Drum and Bugle company.

    After graduating from Boot Camp on 24 March 1984, I proceeded across / down the street to the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, Pacific (FLEASWTRACENPAC) for training as a Sonar Technician. During this time, I got it into my head that I didn't want to be in the Navy Reserves, and was reenlisted into the Active Duty Navy.  After graduation from my A-school (Sonar Technician, Surface A-School 2 April to 11 May, Grade 93.80) I was advanced to the rank of E-4, then I had the remains of "my mini pipeline" (SIMAS Operations 21-25 May, and AN/SQS-26 Sonar Operations 11-29 June).

    The basic Job Description of  Sonar Technician:  Listen to fish in the water & drink coffee.  Paint, scrape, and clean as necessary (or not).  If you don't believe that, then perhaps this is a better explanation:

    Sonar Technicians are responsible for operating sonar systems, underwater fire control systems, and supporting equipment on surface ships such as frigates, destroyers and cruisers. STGs are also responsible for undersea surveillance, and aid in safe navigation and search-and-rescue operations. They use equipment to detect, analyze and locate targets of interest.

    The duties performed by STGs include:

        * identify sounds produced by surface ships, torpedoes, submarines, evasion devices, sonar transmissions, marine life and natural phenomena;
        * operate sonar sensors for detection and classification of contacts;
        * identify the characteristics, functions and effects of controlled jamming and evasive devices on sonar operations;
        * prepare and interpret sonar messages;
        * operate underwater fire control systems for firing of torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets;
        * recognize major equipment malfunctions during sensor operations;
        * operate tape recorders, bathythermographs and fathometers;
        * use and maintain hand tools and portable power tools;
        * operate underwater communications equipment.

    STGs usually work indoors in a clean, comfortable shop-like environment and computer equipment rooms. They work closely with others and require little supervision.

For those with Adobe Reader, perhaps this link will better also be of interest:  STG Rating


     29 June 1984 - I transferred to USS Downes (FF-1070) out of San Diego, California (with two weeks leave in between).  I reported aboard on 13 July 1984, a Friday.

    The schedule for my first Western Pacific (WESPAC) Cruise went like this:

WESTPAC '84 - '85

        18 OCT - 01 NOV   UNDERWAY
        02 NOV - 06 NOV   INPORT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII
        07 NOV - 05 DEC   UNDERWAY
        06 DEC - 08 DEC   INPORT SASEBO, JAPAN
        09 DEC - 10 DEC   UNDERWAY
        11 DEC - 16 DEC   INPORT HONG KONG
            17 DEC        UNDERWAY
        18 DEC - 03 JAN   INPORT SUBIC BAY, R.P.
        04 JAN - 31 JAN   UNDERWAY (crossed the Equator 09 January)
        01 FEB - 04 FEB   ANCHORED  AL MASIRAH ALONGSIDE USS VULCAN
        05 FEB - 17 FEB   UNDERWAY
        18 FEB - 22 FEB   ALONGSIDE AR-5 (USS VULCAN)
        23 FEB - 27 FEB   UNDERWAY
        28 FEB - 03 MAR   INPORT GOA, INDIA
        04 MAR - 18 APR   UNDERWAY
        19 APR - 26 APR   INPORT GERALDTON, AUSTRALIA
        27 APR - 02 MAY   UNDERWAY
        03 MAY - 06 MAY   INPORT SUBIC BAY, R.P.
        07 MAY - 16 MAY   UNDERWAY
        17 MAY - 18 MAY   INPORT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII
        19 MAY - 23 JUN   UNDERWAY (TIGER CRUISE)
            24 JUN        INPORT SAN DIEGO

249 days (or, if you prefer, 8 months and 6 days)

    I took the March 1985 Advancement Exam, and made second increment for STG2 (E-5).


    26 February 1986 - I transferred from Downes and took a month of leave before reporting on 28 March 1986 to Service School Command (SSC) at NTC San Diego for Basic Electricity & Electronics (BE&E) for training (self-paced course on basic electronics - 02 April 13 June) prior to going back to FLEASWTRACENPAC on 13 June 1986 for a C School (Advanced Technical Training). 


    After being academically dropped from school (yea, I did something stupid, and paid for it), I received orders to depart on 20 November 1986 and after two weeks of leave to report to the Destroyer Tender USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37) out of Alameda, California.  I had to catch her out on WESPAC, so I was flown from LA International to Kadena AFB, Japan (where we refueled, but didn't get a chance to get out and stretch the legs), then to Manila, Republic of the Philippines.  I was bussed with about 25 others from Clark AFB to Subic Bay.  I spent about a week, I believe, in a Transient Personnel Unit (TPU) waiting for Samuel Gompers to pull into Subic Bay.  On 21 December 1986 I reported aboard for duty.  Some people used to say that tenders never went to sea much.  I know better - the schedule I kept shows how much we were in and out of port:

        22 DEC - 26 DEC   INPORT SUBIC BAY, R.P.(WESPAC '86-'87)
        27 DEC - 31 DEC   UNDERWAY
                            1987
        01 JAN - 07 JAN   UNDERWAY
        08 JAN - 10 JAN   INPORT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII
        11 JAN - 16 JAN   UNDERWAY
        17 JAN - 12 APR   INPORT ALAMEDA
            13 APR        UNDERWAY
        14 APR - 20 APR   INPORT ALAMEDA
            21 APR        UNDERWAY
        22 APR - 29 JUL   INPORT ALAMEDA ... CHANGE OF COMMAND 23 JUL
        30 JUL - 03 AUG   UNDERWAY
        04 AUG - 26 AUG   INPORT ALAMEDA
        27 AUG - 02 SEP   UNDERWAY
        03 SEP - 08 SEP   INPORT ALAMEDA
        09 SEP - 10 SEP   UNDERWAY
        11 SEP - 02 NOV   INPORT ALAMEDA
        03 NOV - 04 NOV   UNDERWAY
        05 NOV - 11 NOV   INPORT ALAMEDA
        12 NOV - 13 NOV   UNDERWAY
        14 NOV - 16 NOV   INPORT ALAMEDA
        17 NOV - 19 NOV   UNDERWAY
        20 NOV - 06 DEC   INPORT ALAMEDA
        07 DEC - 11 DEC   UNDERWAY
        12 DEC - 13 DEC   INPORT SAN DIEGO
        14 DEC - 19 DEC   UNDERWAY
        20 DEC - 31 DEC   INPORT ALAMEDA
             1988
        01 JAN - 10 FEB   INPORT ALAMEDA
        11 FEB - 17 FEB   UNDERWAY ... WESTPAC 1988
        18 FEB - 19 FEB   INPORT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII
        20 FEB - 05 MAR   UNDERWAY
        06 MAR - 10 MAR   INPORT SUBIC BAY, R.P.
        11 MAR - 24 MAR   UNDERWAY
        25 MAR - 28 APR   ANCHORED MASIRAH
            29 APR        UNDERWAY
        30 APR - 17 JUN   ANCHORED RAS AL HADD
        18 JUN - 27 JUN   UNDERWAY
        28 JUN - 02 JUL   INPORT SINGAPORE
        03 JUL - 07 JUL   UNDERWAY
        08 JUL - 12 JUL   INPORT HONG KONG
        13 JUL - 14 JUL   UNDERWAY
        15 JUL - 19 JUL   INPORT SUBIC BAY, R.P.
        20 JUL - 01 AUG   UNDERWAY
        02 AUG - 03 AUG   INPORT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII
        04 AUG - 10 AUG   UNDERWAY
        11 AUG - 12 SEP   INPORT ALAMEDA
        13 SEP - 15 SEP   UNDERWAY
        16 SEP - 27 SEP   INPORT ALAMEDA
        28 SEP - 29 SEP   UNDERWAY
        30 SEP - 02 OCT   INPORT ALAMEDA
        03 OCT - 13 OCT   INPORT TREASURE ISLAND, S.F. BAY
        14 OCT - 31 OCT   INPORT SAN FRANCISCO, CA
        01 NOV - 31 DEC   INPORT ALAMEDA
              1989
        01 JAN - 05 FEB   INPORT ALAMEDA
        06 FEB - 27 JUL   PIER 50 SAN FRANCISCO - OVERHAUL in DRY-DOCK
                                    CHANGE OF COMMAND 14 JUL
            28 JUL        UNDERWAY
        29 JUL - 06 AUG   INPORT ALAMEDA
        07 AUG - 11 AUG   UNDERWAY
        12 AUG - 04 SEP   INPORT ALAMEDA
        05 SEP - 07 SEP   UNDERWAY
        08 SEP - 11 SEP   INPORT ALAMEDA
        12 SEP - 13 SEP   UNDERWAY
        14 SEP - 15 SEP   INPORT ALAMEDA
        16 SEP - 22 SEP   UNDERWAY
        23 SEP - 24 SEP   SAN DIEGO, CA
        25 SEP - 30 SEP   UNDERWAY
        01 OCT - 11 OCT   INPORT ALAMEDA
            12 OCT        UNDERWAY
        13 OCT - 20 OCT   INPORT ALAMEDA
            21 OCT        UNDERWAY
        22 OCT - 05 NOV   INPORT ALAMEDA
        06 NOV - 09 NOV   UNDERWAY
        10 NOV - 13 NOV   INPORT ALAMEDA
        14 NOV - 17 NOV   UNDERWAY
        18 NOV - 28 NOV   INPORT ALAMEDA
        29 NOV - 30 NOV   UNDERWAY
        01 DEC - 31 DEC   INPORT ALAMEDA
             1990
        01 JAN - 11 JAN   INPORT ALAMEDA
        12 JAN - 01 FEB   UNDERWAY  -  WESTPAC 1990
        02 FEB - 02 MAR   INPORT YOKOSUKA
            03 MAR        UNDERWAY
            04 MAR        INPORT YOKOSUKA
        05 MAR - 07 MAR   UNDERWAY
        08 MAR - 18 MAR   INPORT SASEBO
        19 MAR - 23 MAR   UNDERWAY
        24 MAR - 05 APR   INPORT SUBIC BAY, R.P.
        06 APR - 10 APR   UNDERWAY
        11 APR - 06 MAY   INPORT YOKOSUKA
        07 MAT - 08 MAY   UNDERWAY
        09 MAY - 25 MAY   INPORT SASEBO
            26 MAY        UNDERWAY
        27 MAY - 01 JUN   INPORT PUSAN
        02 JUN - 05 JUN   UNDERWAY
        06 JUN - 10 JUN   INPORT HONG KONG
        11 JUN - 12 JUN   UNDERWAY
        12 JUN - 17 JUN   INPORT SUBIC BAY, R.P.
        17 JUN - 01 JUL   UNDERWAY
        01 JUL - 03 JUL   INPORT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII
        04 JUL - 11 JUL   UNDERWAY
        12 JUL -          INPORT ALAMEDA


    01 October 1990 - I transferred off Samuel Gompers (due to finances, the Navy had to wait until the new fiscal year to transfer me).  I reported to FLEASWTRACENPAC for duties as an Instructor 01 November 1990.  After my tour as a staff member, I was converted to student status on 07 January 1994 for a 54-week pipeline of school:

        AN/SQQ-89(V) ITASS Maintenance (Final grade 96.49) - 07 Feb 94  to 02 Sep 94
        AN/SKR-4B Telemetric Data Set Maintenance  - 05 to 09 Sep 94
        AN/BQH-7A XBT Maintenance  - 12 to 16 Sep 94
        AN/UYQ-25A SIMAS Maintenance  - 19 to 23 Sep 94
        AN/SQQ-89 OBT Maintenance  - 26 to 30 Sep 94
        AN/SLQ-25A NIXIE Maintenance  - 02 to 06 Oct 94
        Apprentice Level Acoustic Analysis - 18 Oct 94 to 18 Nov 94
        AN/SQQ-89(V) 4/6 Operator - 21 Nov 94 to 24 Feb 95
        AN/UYQ-25A Simas Operator  - 27 Feb to 03 Mar 95
        Sonobouy Plotting Team  - 06 to 26 Mar 95


    Upon completion of C School, I had received orders for the Guided Missile Cruiser USS Anzio (CG-68) out of Norfolk, Virginia.  I left San Diego at the end of March, and on 22 April 1995 reported aboard Anzio while she was in stand-down after completing her first Mediterranean Cruise (MEDCRUISE).

    In the beginning of 1996, we were on a 2-month deployment over to Pearl Harbor for training.  I took advantage of this to reenlist on the USS Arizona Memorial on 6 February.  I even have a flag flown that day - talk about a long colors...

    Baltic Cruise 1997

        Portsmouth, England - June 1997
        Gdynia, Poland - June 1997
        Kiel, Germany - 20 -to 23 June 1997
        Aarhus, Denmark - June 1997
        Oslo, Norway - 01 to 05 July 1997
        Stockholm, Sweden - July 1997
        Cohb, Ireland - 17 to 21? July 1997

    MEDCRUISE 1998

        Underway 10 June
        Naples, Italy – 3 to 8 July
        St. Maxime, France - 13 to 15 July
        Rhodes, Greece - 31 July to 06 August
        Brindisi, Italy - 14  to 18 August
        Trieste, Italy - 20? to 23 August
        Villefranche, France - 09 to 14 September
        Caglian, Italy - 17 to 21 September
        Thire, Greece - 30 September to 04 October
        Naples, Italy - 02 to 04 November
        Transit Suez Canal - 08 November
        Bahrain - 17 to 20 November
        Transit Suez Canal - 22? November
        Norfolk, Virginia - 10 December

    March 1999 - Passed PO1 exam and finally got advanced.  I was so tired of the PNA results...


    August 1999 I departed Anzio and relocated up to Great Lakes, Illinois.


    03 September 1999 - I reported aboard Service School Command on NTC Great Lakes.  After completing the Base Indoctrination course, I was assigned to work in the Combat Systems Schools Department Administration office.  I moved to the Department's Career Counselor Office in January of 2000, then relocated to the Military Retraining Division (fancy name for the Restricted Personnel Barracks) for 4 months before returning back to the Career Counselor Office.

    09 October 2002 - I transferred from Service School Command back to FLEASWTRACENPAC for Advanced Acoustic Analysis (Triple-A) and Sonar Supervisor classes.  Unfortunately, I was academically dropped (nothing stupid this time - simply could not grasp and retain the data) from Triple-A (Advanced Acoustic Analysis), and on 05 December headed back East towards Norfolk, under orders to DDG-78 USS Porter.

    16 January 2003 - I reported to the Transient Personnel Unit in Norfolk, VA.  USS Porter was out to sea on exercises, so had to wait for word on whether I'm stayed in Norfolk until her return, or went flying out to meet her. My duties at TPU were fun. Some may recall that I had wanted orders at one time to one of the BB’s (battleship), but there were no billets for Sonar Technicians. Well, I was assigned to be one of the boat crew for the USS Wisconsin downtown at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum.

    After a couple weeks, the word came down that I was to fly out to meet with the ship in Puerto Rico. So, the flight left from Norfolk to Florida to refuel, then on to Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico I waited two days there for the powers that be to decide when to helicopter out to the ship, when the word came that the ship was pulling into port for part of the day. So I reported aboard USS Porter on 31 January.

    In December 2003, I submitted my request to transfer to the Fleet Reserve (also known as retirement).  My request was approved.


  31 July 2004, I transferred to the the Fleet Reserve - giving me 20 years, 6 months, and 15 days of service in the United States Navy.

Freedom Is Not Free

I watched the flag pass by one day
     it fluttered in the breeze
A young sailor saluted it,
     and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
     so young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert--
     he'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought of how many men like him
     had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
     How many mother's tears?
How many pilot's planes shot down?
     How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers graves?
     No... Freedom is not free

I heard the sound of taps one night,
     when everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
     and felt a sudden chill.
I wondered how many times
     that taps meant AMEN"
When a flag had draped a coffin
     of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
     of Mothers and the wives,
of fathers, sons and husbands
     with interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
     at the bottom of the sea,
Of unmarked graves in Arlington,
     No... Freedom is not Free.

LCDR Kelly Strong, USCG - Author

(Thanks, Willy!)


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