SUBMARINEMUSEUMS.ORG Forum
General Boards => New Member Introductions => Topic started by: Lance Dean on September 11, 2008, 08:05:59 PM
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I'm putting this topic here on the New Members Introductions section because I feel it's a great "get to know me" topic.
I am VERY interested in knowing what all of you do for a living each day. Why? Well for one thing it helps us all to get to know each other. More importantly, we might be able to ask more specific questions to someone's area of expertise.
So how about it? What do you do? If you are retired, what did you do prior to retirement? College? Stuff like that.
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I'll kick it off.
I went to Mississippi State University for 4.5 years. I completed summer camp in the summer of 1998. Passed my registered forester exam in 2000, which meant I would be a Mississippi Registered Forester upon graduation in December of 2000. I work with my father (also a registered forester) as a forestry consultant for private landowners. So I deal with trees. Selling timber, doing appraisals, giving advice, that's what we do when there is work to be done.
For hobbies? Computers, websites, helping dad with his farming stuff when I have to, and yard work.
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OK, guess I'll go 2nd.
I graduated high school in 1966. I had thought about going to college, but like a dumb kid, I was having too much fun playing around. I landed a job with Western Electric (a division of A.T.&T.). That turned out to be a 35 year career. I worked inside Telephone offices installing and testing electronic and digital switches. The work took me to many different cities and states. I retired in 2001 when the company's future started looking pretty dim. I also was getting tired of working the midnight shift as that was the only time I could do system integration and software upgrades to the digital switches.
Hobbies include: computers, photography, hiking, all kinds of shooting (handgun, rifle and shotgun) and traveling with the RV. We have spent the last 3 winters in Texas & Arizona. This year it looks like we will be staying home. It's getting rather expensive to tow the 5th wheel around. I also try to visit any naval museum ship we are near when traveling. I just toured the Coast Guard Icebreaker Mackinac.
Scott Boland
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Hobbies include: computers, photography, hiking, all kinds of shooting (handgun, rifle and shotgun)...
I :smitten: Colt pistols!
See attachment below!
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My story is too long. I've been around a while and still working. I have been working in the electric utility industry since 1971. Mainly operating what we refer to as the bulk electric power system (grid). In 2001 I moved from California, where I spent my entire life up to that point to New Jersey to work for the North American Electric Reliability Organization (just say NERC). If anyone recalls a federal organization called FERC - well we are NERC - just not a federal agency. We are private and we are the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) that develops and enforces the reliability standards that ALL utilities must adhere to in North America, includes all of Canada and a small part of Mexico. Go to www.nerc.com to see what we do.
My job is now Manager of Personnel Certification. http://www.nerc.com/page.php?cid=6|84|286
I run a program that certifies power system operators that are the people that run the Grid on a real-time basis. You see them every once and a while in the news where there is a big blackout. You see this job is a perfect fit with my training as a torpedoman (just kidding).
I said my job is now, because I just switched. The person I worked with retired, and I switched from what I was doing, which was the Manager of our Continuing Education Program. This program approves training that the above certified system operators need to maintain their credentials. Knowing both sides made the loss of our certification manager less painful. It will be far easier to hire a manager of continuing education than someone for certification. (don't ask why :idiot2:)
When you combine both we have over 6,000 certified system operators, over 200 training providers, and about 10,000 approved courses. In all we do about 1,000 unique courses delivered each quarter. We have logged, and keep track of now over 1 million hours of training since April 1, 2006. That was the first official day that system operators had to start using continuing education to maintain their credentials.
Side note - Besides being active in USSVI I have two Model T Fords that I drive around and care for. Both the wife (who by the way is a certified system operator), enjoy hunting for antiques, traveling, cooking, and taking care of our house. Our house was built in 1730's and has been completely renovated. It has the original siding (a way to determine its age), and flooring. We are close to several battle grounds (Trenton, Princeton, Crosswick, and Monmouth) from the Revolutionary War, so we can say for sure that George Washington did NOT sleep in our house. Sure wish I could find proof that he did though. Our house - the Mordecai Simon’s House - is in three history books of this area.
OK - that is the short story.
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My turn I guess ???
Been on and off active duty now for 18+ years (sept 11 was my true 15 year active mark) and I started in the Navy on submarines (TM) obviously and then to the reserves as a SeaBee equipment operator and then to the Army as an Attack helicopter mechanic and then an instructor and now work for the directorate of public works. Also a single dad of a very cool and well mannered 6 year old who is the pride in my life.
Darrin
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should I post my resuem........ ;D
Ok I grew up in Wickenburg AZ and spent most of my life there on and off. I joined the USAF after graduateing HS in 88 and served until 92. MY MOS was Information/communications computer Systems Operations specialist (AKA I ran the mainframe and sent and received messages on the AF message system. After the AF I received my AA in Electronic engineering and becam a Computer Tech for several companies in AZ and CA. My work mostly concentrated around HW. I received my A+, MCP, and several manufacturer specific certifications. I did this for 15 years until I became disgruntaled with the corporate mantality that is sp prevelant int he private sector. In 2k2 I picked up a job as a 911 dispatcher for the Pinal County Sherriffs office in AZ. I continued in this capacity for 3 years and then went to do the same job for the Mammoth PD (also in AZ). On Jan 1 07 I arrived here in OK and took up the job of "Park Manager" for teh Muskogee War Memorial(USS Batfish). I have been here ever since...
On the personal side. I am a single Father of 3. 2 live with me full time and 1 with their mom full time. In my spare time. I work at the batfish. Lead a den of 9 Bear scouts, remodle my new (to me anyway) house, and work on my model of the Creole Queen (this came with the house). i enjoy Reading books and watching movies and TV (Usually History and SCifi related).
There is my life in a nut shell. Lance I will be expecting my list of potential dates soon. keep in mind they all must be female, Like smelly old submarines and earn lots of money.......... :2funny:
Rick
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Grew up in Rockville, MD. Got into the Navy in the nick of time, my draft number came up shortly thereafter. (can you say, Good Morning Viet Nam?)
Went to ET (Electronics Technician) School. Served on a tin can (destroyer - DD-827) for a short time , then went to Nuc Power School. Qualified as a Reactor Operator at S3G in Ballston Spa NY. Did two years there as an instructor. Transferred to the USS Von Steuben (SSBN-632 blue) and qualified submarines in 1976. Did three years on her, qualifying as Reactor Technician, Aux Electrician, Electrical Operator, Reactor Operator, Throttles, Shutdown Maneuvering Area Watch (SMAW), Engineering Watch Supervisor (EWS), Shutdown Electrical Operator (SEO). Then went to a SIMA (Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity) and finally a Communications unit. After the Navy I trained Instrument Techs and Operators at commercial nuclear power plants around the country and worked on power plant simulators for a number of years. Now I am a consultant working in the packaging industry. My biggest customer is Anheuser-Busch.
I have 8 children, 19 grandchildren, all that at the ripe young age of 55+. I love American history, especially the history of the War of Northern Aggression (sometimes known as the Civil War). I go camping with my grandchildren and I spend a lot of time restoring the USS Torsk. I've done a lot of electrical restoration and I am now focusing on Radio, 1MC, and other Control Rom equipment. I've done a lot of chipping and painting and also work topside.
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Transferred to the USS Von Steuben (SSBN-632 blue) and qualified submarines in 1976.
I hate to say this but I did a bit over one year on the Von Steuben (66-67). Small world
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I'll be. Well you were a little before my time. I thought it was a great boat. Were you a part of the crew notorious for sinking Spanish barges?
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No we did nothing while I was there - left Charleston - returned to Charleston.
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Well my turn...
Rick graduated in 1988, i was born in '88. ;D Old guy!
I graduated High School in 2007 with 3 certifications from IBM and A+ Certification. I did my first year of college and still deciding what to do. When I am not harassing Rick at the Museum I race competitive Motocross (dirtbikes) I do pretty good. in 8 years I have done it I have over 20 championships and 1 National Title. I do airsoft/military simulations primarily Russian. I also ghost hunt and am a avid game player. (ps3 all the way!)
I am married (Don't even get me on the can of worms :idiot2:) and have a baby girl on the way. Now that I am excited about, as long as the mother isn't....well, you know. Sailor talk...
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I graduated High School in 2007
2007? I got more time in a "chow line" that you have been out of high school! LOL Let's see in 2007 our oldest "kid" was 45 and I hate to spoil your day but kids will drain you till the day you go on Eternal Patrol.
All kidding aside it's great that you have this much interest in submarines.
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:2funny:
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I am a former State Police Officer and now own and operate my own business, ScriptFOLIO. I also work in film & television, both in front of and behind the camera (crew) and am the newest volunteer as the new Public Relations & Development Director for the USS Batfish War Memorial. I also write on occassion.
If you want to know more about ScriptFOLIO - as many ask me what it is, just visit my website www.scriptfolio.net. That will tell you all about my invention, etc. I just updated the ABOUT portion.
B
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I work for NORDAM, an aircraft R&D and manufacturing company here in Tulsa. I've served 7 years in the Army (on the aviation side) so far as a UH-60 crewchief/doorgunner/mechanic/human rearview mirror. I spent the year between Feb 06 and Feb 07 getting shot at by Iraqis (and Iranians), just before that, I spent my summer getting shot at by New Orleanians, and just this year I spent my summer getting shot at by pot growing Californians while trying to put out wildfires near Chico, CA. Hmmm, maybe I need to find a new line of work. ???
Anyway, I volunteer at 9 different museums Fort Gibson, Fort Smith, OSH Museum in Little Rock, the Batfish Museum, the Oklahoma Historical Society museum in OKC, the Prarie Grove Museum, and several smaller privately owned museums.
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Tulsa ROCKS. The architecture, the Metro Diner, remnants of Route 66, the people ...
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Corey you could always come to the dark side of the Aviation community and work on the Apache Longbow, it is fun a hell to watch it go out and make stuff go BOOOOOM and come back empty of all ammo onboard ;) that and the maintainers don't get shot at too much :coolsmiley: Besides a trip to Eustis is ALWAYS FUN :idiot2:
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Personally, I had a blast at Eustis. :uglystupid2:
A friend of mine from here in Oklahoma moved up there about 10 years ago and is (or at least was as I haven't talked to him in several years) the head curator there at the Eustis Transportation Military Museum on post. He's huge into history and he and I went out on the weekends and toured historical sites. I learned more about military history at Eustis than I did about helicopters. LOL
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If you are talking about Dave Hanselman he just got back from a year overseas in the litter box, and yes I have worked with Dave on more then a few occasions while volunteering in the museum here on post and yes I do have his email addy and would send it to you if you would like
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We lived in Hampton 1999-2001. I took my son to the museum at Eustis when he was little and had a nice picnic lunch once of bologna sandwiches on the beach within sight of the mothball fleet.
No lie about all the history in the area. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting some area where something happened that shaped our country.
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Fred, you better hope PETA doesn't see you doing that! :knuppel2:
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Been here 4 years now and I still am finding historical markers on this post, and at Newport News Park that I have never seen before. And yes that little cubby hole beach right before you got to the maritime administration is a nice place to go and relax along with the rest of the little picnic areas on the river.
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Well, offically I don't have a "job" as I am still a student, no summer jobs yet either, but I do occasionally build scale models on commission. It's a good way to make a hobby work for you. It doesn't make me filthy rich, but it gives me enough for dates and it's more fun than the McDonald's drive through window :coolsmiley:
Oh and if any of you guys ever want a nice model sub to display, I'd be happy to donate one. However, where you'd put it I have no clue. Just sayin' all the same. ;)
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Well, offically I don't have a "job" as I am still a student, no summer jobs yet either, but I do occasionally build scale models on commission. It's a good way to make a hobby work for you. It doesn't make me filthy rich, but it gives me enough for dates and it's more fun than the McDonald's drive through window :coolsmiley:
Oh and if any of you guys ever want a nice model sub to display, I'd be happy to donate one. However, where you'd put it I have no clue. Just sayin' all the same. ;)
Every time we go to Hobby Lobby, I admire that HUGE box for the Gato submarine model. I've never put a model together in my life, so I never can justify paying the $100 just for the model alone, much less the additional tools that I'd need I suppose.
I wish I was a model kind of guy. :2funny:
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Everytime I walk by a Victoria's Secrete I wish I was a model guy too... :crazy2:
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Lance, I just got back into some model-building for the first time in more than 25 years. Despite having a jones for subs and the skills to build that 1/72 Gato, I just don't have the room to display something that big. Besides, I'd like to model a Portsmouth/Mare Island boat and the Gato kit has an Electric Boat/Manitowoc limber hole pattern.
If you're got time and really want to get into model building, start with the snap-tite kits, develop your skills and move up. It's an excellent way to spend time by yourself and is very relaxing.
Fred
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As Fred said, just start small. It's a blast and it's very rewarding.
Fred, Trumpeter makes a 1/144 Gato kit. They make an early war and a late war boat. Not sure about the limber hole patterns though. I have one sitting in front of me at the moment and my only complaint is the kit only includes one 3"50 and two 20mm. I'd have like to seen a 5" and a 40mm bofors to model other versions.
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Thanks Avery! I was aware of the Trumpeter Gato kits, an early war version and a late war. They're still about two feet long and again, I don't have any place set up to display something that size. They are also Electric Boat versions. Also, go to www.nautilusmodels.com, http://ibs.eastcoastarmory.com or www.whiteensignmodels.com to look for the 1/144 scale deck guns you seek.
Fred
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Yeah, the Trumpy's are pretty big too. What we really need is a 1/350 line of subs :coolsmiley:
Thanks for the links!
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Actually, Nautilus Models makes resin accessories for the Revell "Lionfish" kit, which I do have and have accessories for an early-war Gato with the large conning tower and a late-war Balao. Now I've got to find the kit!
And Lance, sorry about discussing scale modeling topics on the "What do you/Did you do for a living" board!
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I graduated Oklahoma State in 2003 with a BS in Aviation Sciences and a handful of pilot certificates. I spent the next 5 years flight instructing and doing various flying, including 'flying' an altitude chamber here in Tulsa. I've also been doing anything and everything computer related for my in-law's family business since high school (I married my high-school sweetheart after college). I tired of the undependable schedule and more time away from home, and now I manage aerospace contracts (primarily military platforms) for NORDAM. I'm also halfway through my MBA at OSU-Tulsa. When I'm not at work or wading through the poo towards another degree, I try to get trigger time at the range as much as possible. I build the occasional scale model (I keep trying to tell myself that the 1/72 Gato, with the Nautilus Batfish conversion of course, just isn't practical...we'll see) and enjoy attempting to pull the wings off of aircraft in MS FSX. Amongst all of that I've just started volunteering at the Batfish and have had an absolute blast in the time I've spent out there.
I also enjoy long walks on the beach and poking dead things with sticks. :D
-Brad
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Let me see, what do I do for a living ::) Well I breath and that helps a whole lot. I'm retired!!!! I spent from '61-'69 in the Submersible Canoe Club as a Machinist Mate. Qualified in '62 aboard the Odax SS-484. Went to Nuke School, didn't have the math background, so, I didn't stay there long. Went to the Sennet SS-408 until early '67. Got "volunteered" to ride the Hamilton SSBN617 as an Auxman for 1 patrol then to the Webster SSBN626 as an Auxman for 2 patrols. The Dandy Dan went to the yards and I turned back up on the 408 and put it out of commission and I walked down pier november and out the gate in January '69 as MM1(SS/DV).
Went into the trucking business and retired from it after 30+years as a Teamster.
Got a wonderful wife, Sharon, and 2 grown kids and 2 Grandkids that Grand doesn't even begin to describe them.
That's my story an I'm stickin to it! :o
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I can't be that old! :crazy2:
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I work in Sacramento, California for the local electric utility. I've been in that line of work since 1979 in California and in Colorado. I had the pleasure of working with John Theotonio in San Francisco for a while. I am currently a trainer for the electric operators to make sure they keep up on all of the required training they must have, which gets me to work with John T again in a round about way. It's a small world in this business.
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Everytime I walk by a Victoria's Secrete I wish I was a model guy too... :crazy2:
You'd probably look lovely in a little strapless number, John. :D
BW
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I joined the Navy in 1981, one week after high school graduation. I qualified on the Tullibee and transferred to the Scamp as FT LPO. I then enjoyed my last years in the Navy at Subsol working in the attack centers. After the Navy I received my degree in education and taught 11th and 12th grade electronics at a vo-tech. After a couple of years teaching I moved into corporate training and have been doing this for the last 14 years. I am currently the director of training for a financial company.
I have been married for 23 years and have a son who will turn 13 in October.
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Well alright, welcome to the forum scamp588! We are glad to have you here. I highly respect teachers...I'm married to one. :)
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Welcome, from one trainer to another.
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Welcome aboard Scamp588 - good to have another trainer aboard.
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Thought I would update what I have been doing and also so Rick might see this so he will know why I haven't been at the museum very much.
Still racing. although I no longer race for Suzuki or local dealership I am leading and well on my way to 2 more championships this year. I have been working 2 jobs to pay for a divorce. One job is at Family Dollar in which I have to drive 25 miles to the next town, but the pay is ok. And the other is at the local piercing/tat shop where I do set ups, run the counter, and answer questions since I am one of the most pierced in the 'Gee (Muskogee) also while I am there I am trying to get an apprenticeship for piercing so I can be licensed through the state and make boocoup money.
Hobbies I am trying to switch my military simulations from Russian to US Marine Corp for WW2 and Vietnam, US Army WW2, or German Fallschirmjäger (Paratrooper). Still can't decide and I am looking for a few buddies to do so with! I know great event, but they would require long travel.
Thats my update. Rick, see ya soon.
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I am a junior in high school and i go to Broken Arrow Sr high school i am a redneck big time barbeque all that kind of stuff after high school i wanna move to north carolina to go to the East Carolina University to study marine archaeologiy
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I would like to add to mine that i would like to go to the navy i would be the 5th generation of family members in the military and the 3rd in the navy i want to eventully become a diver hopefully find some old sunken US subarmines or any of the missing U-BOATS i dont wanna go in just for the money its for my family and becuse it would teach me alot and earn respect i wanna go to the navy probley after my junior year in high school which is next year and even work in submarine too. i read alot of yalls introdcutions and there very neat to read
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I just saw this topic or at least have never looked at it before. Very interesting to read what all do and have done.
I spent 6 years in the Navy as an ELT Nuc. Last ship of course was the Scorpion. Got out and built houses, developed land, and did some small commercial building including a lot of churches. Also built and set up a truss plant and pre-hung door plant. Got back into doing HVAC for a large HVAC company and have had my own small company off and on ever since. Converted a modular house plant into a pre-cut house building operation for a friend and did pretty well until he moved out of state.
Worked for a property management company for several years managing over 600 rental houses, a lot of apartments and a shopping center. Moved back to Iowa and taught vocations for 7 years in a high school for kids in trouble with the law, then worked for 8 years as an EMT and paramedic. I got my paramedic at the age of 60 and was the oldest one in my class. Retired several years later and then did small engine repair for 4 years with a friend and now volunteer part time and work part time for Omaha City Parks and Rec at Freedom Park. I act as unofficial site manager, run the volunteers, handle all the Eagle Scout, JROTC, and Sea Cadets who volunteer with the park and act as gofer and question answerer for all those who help in the park. One of the nicest parts is working with some Naval Sub Officers from Stratcom. Some still on active duty and several retired but working there as contractors. It is really nice to see that our sub force still has the same expertise and attitude that it had when I was in. Also get to do tours with the ships and the exhibits in the park. Working on getting the gift shop open and finding someone to start working with all our books, plans, documents laying around throughout the park and in warehouses throughout Omaha. Now am trying to coordinate several groups who are working to get the sail and rudder from the USS Omaha brought back to the park. In my spare time I do a little for USSVI and some of the bases I belong to.
Viejo
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...In my spare time I do a little for USSVI and some of the bases I belong to.
Viejo
You are too funny, Bill. I'm glad you got all interested in the Marlin. At least I now know who to come to for photos. ;)
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Can't help my funny looks. ;) I am amassing a lot of photos between Freedom Park, the Sub Memorials pages, Sub School photos and base members. And everytime I do something, realize I need to take more pictures. Until I can find a good OCR program, all the books I am copying are basically photos, but since most don't need editing, that works fine.
That was neat how it worked out. I had heard for two years that City Parks and Rec wasn't interested in talking to anyone about hte park and when I finally after three days ran down and found Brenda, she set up a time the next day to meet me there and when I told her I wanted to help get the park open, she was very enthusiastic and to this day has done nothing but try and make anything I wanted work for me. Same thing happened recently with the Big Red Sub Club. I had mentioned a couple of times getting them involved in the park and a couple of the resident experts said they didn't want to work with subvets, but when the chair of the BRSC came through the park with the CO, Eng, COB and others from the USS Nebraska, one of our subvets gave him my email, he wrote me the same day, I wrote him back and we have been working on getting the sail back to Omaha ever since. I think a lot of it is how you approach people and liking people and letting them know you want to help them works better than telling them what they are going to do for you.
I also noticed that these pages started in Feb of 2008. Can't believe it has been that long. I remember many emails from Lance to me and back and how he wasn't sure it would work. I know no one had any idea how much influence these pages would have on museums around the country. We all owe a big debt to this young man for showing us all how to live our creed.
And besides his daughter and my grandaughter are running neck and neck for being the cutest little girls going. :smitten:
Viejo
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Honestly looking at yalls post on here over the years its quite amazing seeing how you became submarine enthusisits alot of people love world war 2 and without yalls help and volunteer work then who knows what some of theese musems would look like today
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Most of us who are subvets have been more than enthusiastic about subs. It is a way of life we never gave up. I think many who served in my time period and then weren't around any museums until lately, had no idea how much the public's view of veterans has changed. Other than getting to work with shipmates at the museums and in venues like this, having some kid or lady or young man come up and want to shake your hand and say thanks is more than you can handle sometimes. I honestly don't know how some of the politicians can be so blind as to what the majority of those who own the country feel. Probably cause they only associate with the radicals who live up and down both coasts and haven't been in touch with reality since they were born. They all forget that over 90% of this country is owned by small landowners and farmers and people who put up with a lot of nonsense but only allow it to go so far. The numbers don't matter, its the fact that in most of the land people who have lived all their lives on farms and in small cities have no compunction in defending what they own from those who might want to take it. Even in bigger cities like Omaha, I hear the same sentiment. They appreciate what veterans gave up to keep this land free and no one is going to take it from them. We are doing more than just putting out history about a ship, sub, gun, or something else, we are demonstrating what we served for and what we will protect and the visitors who visit with me feel exactly the same way.
Viejo
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In world war 2 most of the vetrens came from small town and farmowners honestly i would shake all of ur hands i really would the submarines that iv seen and read about i mean its fantastic to learn about there a peaice of american history they truly are iv learned soo much from this site as well as others its been amazing seeing what goes into a submarine somebody once said that the submarines that we had in world war 2 arent far off from the submarines we have now just newer technology same basic concept submarine has came along way thanks to people like you and others i truly hope my generation saves some of the submarines we have now i truly hope that...by the way viejo i have a question for you i know u served on the scorpion wasnt that the submarine that sank during training exerices in the mid 70s? or am i thinking of another sub
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It sank on 22 May, 1968. Read Steve Johnson's book Silent Steel to find out what is known and what isn't known about what happened to it.
Other than the capabilities of subs today compared to WWII, the other big difference I see is that submarines today can deliver far more damage to the enemy while also doing so much more safely for the sub and the crew than subs in WWII could do.
Viejo
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I was close and i know some about the scorpion from the reasrch i gathered from Dr ballards expediton to scorpion threasher and titanic and ur right the subs today are pracitcally putting nuclear bombs in
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Brokenarrow,
Bill Lee (AKA VIEJO) was one of the last me to leave the SCORPION before her final and eternal patrol, he truly can say those men whom are enterred onboard her were HIS shipmates.. Over memorial day weekend here in Norfolk, Va we had a "tolling of the bells" ceremony and also a rememberance of the SCORPION and her crew. I went to one a couple of years ago and it truly was an awesome thing to witness and also one very hard thing to hear being a former submariner. Bill I toasted you and your shipmates on Memorial day and those friends whom I have lost over the years.
On a different note, teaching the "School of the Boat" was and still is a VERY special thing for me. I had been a volunteer on the USS Torsk (SS 423) for a few years and knew very little about Diesel boats (I served on a LA Class boat) and how they truly worked and were layed out. Granted the compartments were layed out roughly the same but EVERYTHING operated differently even my beloved torpedo tubes :o
It started because I was a newly divorced single dad whose son went to his mom's for the summer and then it turned into damn we need to do something to TEACH our volunteers whom are trying their damndest to restore their boats and learn about the systems and how they worked so they didn't make the mistake of opening valves that they had no clue as to where it went or what they really did. IF you go back to the very beginning of the school of the boat you will see a LOT of questions being asked and people LEARNING what their systems actually did.
For a Los Angeles Class submariner teach a BALAO class was unique and at times very interesting, I was LEARNING with them just as fast as they were. I was blessed to have very good support from not only Lance but John Thethino (sp? sorry John) and Chief Mike Eacho (USS Torsk) and also Tom Bowser (USS DRUM) and I would be wrong to forget Paul Farace (USS COD) for kicking me in the arse occassionaly. These guys would always helped when needed or prodded me in the right direction when I needed it and they were kind enough to also teach with me in various different areas. Those guys were the hero's to me whom made it worth it because they stepped up to the plate when I was stuck or didn't completely grasp the system at that time.
Lance can probably tell you when we started and when we finished the final true "School of the Boat", I learned so much from it and have I hope been able to help other boats (not just the Torsk) in their restoration projects and yes WEAPONS LOADING :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: Every week for nearly 2 years there was a new school of the boat.
In the last 2 years our Museum Submarines have come a LONG way due to people whom care and whom want to PRESERVE our heritage, to date there have been 3 boats whom have loaded weapons onboard again and in some instances the first time in 20+ years with crews whom never loaded weapons before let alone on that class of boat. On the Torsk their was a partial changing of the guard with the Torpedomen, my friend Frank Morgan whom has directed the loadout of EVERY weapon onboard the Torsk allowed me to load a Mk 45(nuklear... gotta love W) torpedo without his supervision and guidance. That was due to the School of the Boat and how much I had learned and changed over time. That weapon was brought onboard without incident (while ugly at times) and then was reassembeled in the After Torpedo Room. Frank and others did step in for me to reassemble it. 1 because I couldn't remember how the belly bands went on and 2. my diabetes had kicked in real bad and I had to go lay down before I fell down.
IF you look at the Batfish's deck progress it has had OVER 10,000 hits and is still counting, that tells me that a LOT of people are watching and they are interested in what we as volunteers are doing to restore our boats.
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I kinda figured he was...its truly been amazing reading the stories of the submarines and the school of the boat for a 16 year old like me its kinda hard to grasp it all in but iv learned soo much from yall on this site its truly been awsome to talk on this site with yall all of you are the true heros keeping the boats in the water or doing upkeep on them all of the musems are very nice as iv visitied the websits of maney of them its really cool darrin seeing how you loaded about a mk 45 torpedo hahaha i bet you were a bit nervous doing it
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Her warhead had long since been removed ???
No seriously it was fun and this board has made my life whole again once more when I needed it the most. Most of these folks I have never met but they are my shipmate and they are my friends. How many others outside of the submarine community can say that?
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Iv learned soo much history from all of you its been fun talking to people that work on submarines that know soo much about ww2 and the submarine war it self its really neat it truly is im glad i came here
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I am a Vietnam War vet, got out in aug of 70, went to the local Buick Dealer to buy a car, did not get the car but instead got a job as a mechanic, did that for the past 40 years. I'm tired now and dent fenders easily when I lay on them so I am officially retired, broke but retired. My purpose for joining this site is to find some information on my Fathers service as a submariner in WWII. Myself I was a poor swimmer so I opted to jump out of airplanes and sit in the door of a uh1 gunship for three years.
(http://i52.tinypic.com/2yod98y.gif)
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oops, missed this thread, only a few years late :crazy2:
Finished HS in '98, went to NSU for mechanical enginering
After college I was a missionary in Cidad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico from May '01-Oct. '04
Been working @ Georgia Pacific since then recycling paper and turning it into paper towels, TP, and napkins
Got married Oct. 25th '03 to my friend Michelle from College (yay California blondes),
Abigail was born March 29th '07, and Audrey on Dec 31st '08
when i am not working I voluteer @ the Batfish on workdays, and mess around in the garage with the corvette, or woodworking
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Materene,
First and foremost WELCOME HOME!! and thank you for your service.. This site amongst others maybe able to help you in your quest to find your father's boat, I may know of a few other sites that maybe able to help you if you can't figure it out.
While I rode 688's during the early '90s I have been an AH-64A,D Armament Systems Repairer since '97 and a veran of Operation Iraqi Freedom during the invasion.
The top picture you posted looks familiar, I will have to fire my old computer up in the next day or so to see if I have that pic saved on there
Darrin
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Thank you and the same to you Darrin, are you referring to the cruise photo?
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Tom,
Thank you and yes the picture of the cruise looks familiar, I have seen it or a similar one in the last few years.. Had dents in her hull been higher I think I could have told you the boat but they are too low to be the one on the top of my head.
Darrin
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Here is a large size photo, myself I was using that rectangular looking hole directly amidships on the hull, and also if you look at the front of the bridge there seems to be some sort of half round protrusion on the near side of the smoking deck. I have not seen that in other GATOs.
http://www.submarinemuseums.org/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=925.0;attach=2226;image
Thank you for all the help
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Well, since I've already performed a little thread necromancy once today, why not do it again?
Some of the guys here already know me - Gil, Chief Mike, specifically - but for those who don't, you have this last chance to close your browsers before its too late.
As you've no doubt already guessed, my name is Earl (pause to allow the TV show jokes... ...and we're back). The TVAs known me for a few years as an employee of the Historic Ships Museum through good times and lean, but I've recently returned after a year-long absence to a new position within the Museum as the Site Manager for Torsk and LV/WLV-116 "Chesapeake". This means, basically, that I'm the one that gets the phone calls during the night when things go to pot.
I've been interested is all things War Two and later for most of my life, starting right around the time I learned to read. Becuna was my first fleet boat, Torsk my second. Graduated high school in 90, off to Uncle Sugar via the Army, and out again, shifting from job to job and location to location... not much call for a Bradley gunner in the civlilian market, though the Beltway could use it. Still read everything I could get my hands on, still built models, went to museums... just didn't imagine ever working at one. Worked one summer here in Baltimore as a guide/docent and overnight educator, but had to leave in the fall as the money wasn't conducive to supporting a family. Went into HVAC work, where I moved quickly up the shop ladder, working as XO to my boss, a USCG Academy grad, in training and repair work. Did that a little over a year before being knocked out of that game by an inattentive driver whose actions left me with a bit of a disability in my left arm & shoulder - can't wrestle with compressors with an arm that developed a tendency to randomly not work. Came back to the museum, stayed a couple of years, then was out again with some family responsibilities, caring for my mother in what would be her final few months. After Mom passed, my wife and I took a trip to San Diego, where I spent some time stomping around Midway. Decided then and there that the teaching degreee I'm currently pursuing was going to be a means to an end - I want to be involved with making all of these vessels accessible and relevant to everyone who comes to see them.
As luck would have it, here I now sit, sorta back where I really started my museum ship career, finally getting a chance to do what I wanted to do for years. I love this job, I love what I do, and I love that I'm not alone in how I feel about this!
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i AM A RETIRED HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER. MY INTEREST IN SUBMARINES STEMS FROM MY FATHER AND STEP-FATHER. MY DAD WAS ON THE USS GRUNION WHICH WAS SUNK ON JULY 30TH, 1942, ALL HANDS LOST. MY STEP-DAD WAS ON THE USS BERGALL WHICH WAS RETIRED IN 1960.
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My name is Jason Munds. I am a 24 year retired submarine A ganger/ 3MC from 688's and the new SSGN. I recently found out that I had members of the family tree that were sub sailors during World War II and am looking for more information. I spent most of my time in Hawaii and doing West Pac's. I now work at Bangor IMF as the URO coordinator.
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I work for a Housing Authority in the maintenance department and have been there for 26 years. Before that i was a commercial fisherman out of Newport Rhode Island and also had my own trap business, building lobster traps for customers. Love being out on the water and miss it as well but the regulations are tighter and it is getting harder to make a living due to restrictions in the fisheries but still love going Bass fishing here ;D in little Rhody. Hopefully if all goes well i will retire in about 6 years but not from work totally.