Ernie
I started out as a Marine during the Cold War (82-88), made it as far as Lance Corporal (twice!) before deciding to try civilian life. Tried to get back in during the build-up to GW1, but the Corps said no, thanks. So I stumbled upon a Reserve recruiter who needed to make a quota, signed up as a non-designated SN, and ended up in a Seabee unit. Since then I’ve served with five NMCBs, two regiments, and a NSWU, including an OIF II deployment to Ramadi with the best damn battalion in the Navy. I was initiated (NOT transitioned, though there’s nothing wrong with that) into the Chief’s Mess shortly before that deployment, and put my first star on a year and a half after our return home. My lovely bride decreed at that time that I would now not be allowed to retire until I put on the other star. Could happen.
Speaking of lovely brides, I am married to the best girl I know, and we have, between us, eight kids, most grown or about to be. We’re all Georgia born and raised, though our youngest, at thirteen, has spent most of her life in sunny Puerto Rico, where we lived for the past eight years or so. I just moved to Colorado, where the rest of the crew will join me in about a month, living on a little horse farm in a little town outside of Denver.
Oh, yeah, I started a little blog of my own, where I post when time and workload permit.
Comments
Comment from JAS
Time: February 9, 2007, 3:43 pm
Seabees! My Dad was an officer (CEC) in the 77th Battalion, WWII – retired from active reserve as Lt Cmdr in ’55 as his civilian job for the Army Corps of Engineers was conflicting too much (he ended up as District Chief, Detroit District). What a great bunch of guys his Seabees were – they still get together yearly, those that are left. What kind of horses? We had Morgans for 20+ years…
Comment from Ernie
Time: February 18, 2007, 11:54 am
JAS,
Small world–our one horse (it’s more a corral and stables behind the house than an actual horse farm, though my 13-year-old has plans for at least one more horse) happens to be a Morgan.
Comment from John Carmichael
Time: February 25, 2007, 2:27 am
Ernie,
Welcome to CO. As as a longtime coastal resident now living here in Englewood, I know the oddness of no waves anywhere near!
In case you were not aware, there is a Local “Ready Room” of the Tailhook Association if you would like to gather with other misplaced Navy.
Feel free to contact me about our next meetings and keep an eye on the “Daily Briefing” where I’ll post meetings as they happen.
-JC
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