Coming Full Circle

[ltorlo64]

About 31 years ago I reported to my first ship. For the first few months I was the youngest person on board and for about 2 years I was the youngest person in my department. Today, while serving on my last ship, I became the oldest person onboard. I thought that was pretty cool.

[1 Patriot-of-many]

That's pretty awesome! A lifetime of experiences I'm sure. I've been reading a lot lately about the Navy, mostly WWII. Off track here but I never realized how much the PT boats did both in the Mediterranean and Pacific! Very interesting. How many ships did you serve on and at what capacity?

[5.56NATO]

Serve with pride, brother!

[skorpion]

Nice. That time probably flew by.

[Altarboy]

Thank you for your service. That is cool.
My dad was in the Navy in the late 50s. He spent some time serving on the USS Linnette. It was a mine sweeper.. I found a pic of it on google, but it's whereabouts are unknown.

[l921428x]

Cool beans. I just told my wife and she asked me what you are as far as rank and designation. So what are they if you are at liberty to say.

[N/A]

The first thing that came to mind this morning was to day....

"Took you a long time to make rate,....."

[imanaknut]

Funny how life does that. Congrats on such great service and THANK YOU for serving for such a long time!!!!!!

[ltorlo64]

That's pretty awesome! A lifetime of experiences I'm sure. I've been reading a lot lately about the Navy, mostly WWII. Off track here but I never realized how much the PT boats did both in the Mediterranean and Pacific! Very interesting. How many ships did you serve on and at what capacity?

I am reading about the Guadalcanal Campaign in a book called "Neptune's Inferno". Amazing things done by each side to keep ship's afloat to win battles and ultimately the war.

This is my 10th sea tour. I have served on submarines (fast attacks and Tridents), a nuclear cruiser, and 5 aircraft carriers. I started as an unqualified electrician on a submarine, worked my way to being the Leading Chief Petty Officer and then got commissioned. Now I am the Chief Engineer of a nuclear aircraft carrier leading the 4th largest department on the ship. My first division had 15 other Sailors, including our Chief, my department has about 260 Sailors, 12 Officer ranging in rank from CWO2 to Lieutenant Commander, and another 14 Chiefs, Senior Chiefs and a Master Chief. It has been a great career. I am both excited and sad to see it coming to an end.

[ltorlo64]

Nice. That time probably flew by.

The first 20 years took about 20 years. Since I have been eligible to retire the last 13 years have taken about 6 days! I figure as long as the Navy keeps offering me fun jobs there is no reason to stop!

[ltorlo64]

Cool beans. I just told my wife and she asked me what you are as far as rank and designation. So what are they if you are at liberty to say.

I am a Commander and my designation is a Nuclear Limited Duty Officer. When I was enlisted I was a nuclear trained Electrician's Mate and I was promoted to Senior Chief (E8) prior to my getting commissioned as a LDO.

[1 Patriot-of-many]

That is truly an incredible career Sir. Kudo's to you and thanks for being the backbone of protection and also the Marines Uber. On the note of books, I'm just about done on "the taking of K-129" Very interesting read about the CIA. Navy and Howard Hughes grabbing a Golf Russian Sub from 3 miles down back in the 70's. Though you probably know all about it. Man I would pick your brain to hear all the cool stuff and experiences you had sitting having a beer.

[rci2950]

That's pretty cool. Awesome career. Something to be really proud of.

[Richard Simmons]

Congratulations Chuck! If I haven't in the past allow me to also say thank you for your service and your sacrifice!

[Hobe Sound AK]

As you are on active Duty, how did the Navy react as a whole on 18 August, when they found my Uncles Ship. the U.S.S. Indianapolis CA-35. My Dad turned 88 on Friday, I am so glad they found her while he is still Alive, and I was able to tell him. Paul

[Hobe Sound AK]

Perhaps you knew my younger Brother Roger Truitt, He started in 1978, went to Idaho also, became some sort of Nuclear Guy like yourself, and served for 23 Years, He made it to S.C.P.O./E-8 like you before he had 20 Years in. I begged him to stay Enlisted as we have never had an E-9 in our Family. He also became an LDO like your self, but only made it to LT./0-3, before retiring at 23 Years in 2001. He loved Charleston Naval Yard, and now lives in Ladson, not far from Goose Creek. Paul

[l921428x]

Thank you Commander. Proud to have you as a board friend and tell your people
our support NEVER ends.

[alismith]

About 31 years ago I reported to my first ship. For the first few months I was the youngest person on board and for about 2 years I was the youngest person in my department. Today, while serving on my last ship, I became the oldest person onboard. I thought that was pretty cool.

That IS cool. It's amazing how things turn around.

Thanks for all you have done and all you will do. You deserve all the respect you get.

It was great meeting with you a couple of times and firing off a few rounds, too. Doc says, "Hi."

[ltorlo64]

As you are on active Duty, how did the Navy react as a whole on 18 August, when they found my Uncles Ship. the U.S.S. Indianapolis CA-35. My Dad turned 88 on Friday, I am so glad they found her while he is still Alive, and I was able to tell him. Paul

We are deployed right now so we didn't find out about it for a week or so after it happened. For the most part we thought finding it was cool, but with us focused on keeping the ship sailing and planes in the air, we didn't have much time to do much else. I am glad they found her. It will be interesting what we learn from her.

Perhaps you knew my younger Brother Roger Truitt, He started in 1978, went to Idaho also, became some sort of Nuclear Guy like yourself, and served for 23 Years, He made it to S.C.P.O./E-8 like you before he had 20 Years in. I begged him to stay Enlisted as we have never had an E-9 in our Family. He also became an LDO like your self, but only made it to LT./0-3, before retiring at 23 Years in 2001. He loved Charleston Naval Yard, and now lives in Ladson, not far from Goose Creek. Paul

I don't think I ever ran across him, but I bet I know people (besides you!) who know him. The nuclear community is not all that large so if I don't know a nuclear Sailor, I generally can find people who know the Sailor without trying to hard!

[ltorlo64]

Thank you Commander. Proud to have you as a board friend and tell your people
our support NEVER ends.

Thanks!