In 1958 I lived outside Cleveland, Ohio. I was 14 years old and already taking electrical courses in school. The school system I attended offered "General Studies", "College Prep Classes", and "Technical Training Courses". Our school was one of the first in the state to have the support of all Labor Union's and a local University for guidance. The training courses were: Basic Electrical Theory, Advanced Electrical Studies, Motors and Controls, and Basic Electronics. During the summer months, I worked for the electrical union. Great training.

We had a neighbor who was an EMC(SS) in the Submarine Reserve Division 4-92 at Cleveland. I went with him for a "visit."  The USS Cod (SS-224) was the Reserve Boat. I knew then what I wanted. The day after I turned 17, I was sworn into the Navy Reserves. The program consisted of the following:

2-years Inactive Status-- attending Weekend "drills" until graduation from High School.

2-years Active Status--to include Boot Camp, A-School, Sub School, then to the Fleet

2-years Inactive Status--back at Reserve Facility attending Weekend "drills"

1-year Inactive Status--as Inactive Reserve, not required to attend weekend "drills"

While I was still in High School, I was just one of the guys, but one weekend a month I was someone special. I was in the "Navy". I was a Fireman Recruit.  My neighbor EMC(SS) Rosenburg, took me "under his wing" and guided my training. He had me doing Correspondence Courses. We would stay later for any type of training held on the Cod. I would go to Cleveland during the week when the Surface Reserves were holding classes that I needed. I took minimum time with CDC's. I was promoted to Fireman Apprentice within three months. He wouldn't let up. He kept saying, "trust me". (I was too young to be worried by that statement.) As soon as one area of training was completed, the Chief would "volunteer" me for another. I didn't care, I found my new home and I loved it. In my mind, I was destined to be a sailor.

During the summer, between my Junior and Senior year of High School, I went to a 2-week Submarine School at New London. This training was held for reserves. It consisted of basic submarine briefings, altitude chamber, dive tower, and psychological evaluations. It "weeded out" before large amounts of time and money was spent. I was 17 and never out of Ohio. The first evening, I saw something that I have never been able to forget. We used one large shower area, something I NEVER had to do. I waited until the shower area was empty. I started taking my first Navy shower. To my chagrin, this huge angry looking naked man came into the showers. I was scared to death. I tried to just look ahead and hurry up with my shower. But this guy had something "painted" on his body. (I had never seen a tattoo before) On his big fat belly was this Sailor in Blues pulling on rope over his shoulder. The rope went up the fat man's belly, over his right shoulder, down his back and on the other end of the rope was a Marine coming out the crack of his butt. The big fat guy caught me "looking" and just said, "ain't it cool" and left. That was the only moment in my Naval career, that my faith was shaken.   

After the two weeks at New London, I went back to High School. What a let down that was. I was on such a high, I really regretted coming back to school. My enlistment agreement demanded that I finish High School. I continued the "Monthly Drills" and "Weekly Training Periods." I continued with CDC's, training practical factors, and any other training the good Chief deemed necessary.  Just prior to my Graduation from High School, I was promoted to FN. Two weeks after I was promoted, I was back at New London for the "real" Submarine School. I was in class 282. It seem that the Navy had numbers for everything. (I later found that to be true) During the training I experienced my first "going to sea." I'm sure the boat crew was glad to get rid of me. I asked a million questions and wanted to see everything. I was doing this while most of my classmates experienced "sea sickness" for their first time.

I made it through Sub School and once again I was back in Ohio. But, my mentor, the Chief had more "things" for me to do. I was home for 10 days before I had to leave for "EM-A School." I had already taken 3 years of electrical training prior to EM-A School. Great Lakes was another experience that provided Naval Training and many good Liberties. I had 3.95's or better on my weekly exams. I graduated top of the class. After Great Lakes, I returned to Ohio and the Chief's mentoring. Upon my arrival, I presented a problem to the unit. I was eligible to test for EM3. There was much "loud" talk which the "Chief" right in the middle. The outcome was I could test. I did and passed. I was promoted to EM3.

Now there was a very big problem, what to do with me. I had not followed the prescribed training program and now had the attention of the Active Duty Navy.  It was now time for me an EM3, following the prescribed training program, to go to "Boot Camp." There were many "closed door" sessions with the Chief. Many loud conversations and telephone calls. After several hours, the Chief came out with a huge smile on his face. He said, "You have to be at the Naval Station, Philadelphia by the end of the week." He said, "I finally won one." He shook my hand, turned and left. I never saw him again. It took several years before I knew what he meant.  I went to Philly without going to Boot Camp and waited for orders to my first duty station. The USS Atule SS-403 was on the horizon for me. I had gone from E-1 to E-4, completed all the CDC's necessary, gone to all the needed schools, and passed the EM3 exam. All on "my own time." None of it counted against my 2-year Active Duty Status. I still had a 2-year active duty commitment. The Navy had sent out direction to our Navy Reserve Unit that there would not be any further accelerated training programs, period.