HTC (SW) ret.
I joined the Navy before women were allowed aboard ship. After 2 yrs on shore I was one of the 1st group of women to join the female ranks aboard the USS Samual Gompers AD37. As a fireman, I used to say “can’t believe I get paid so much for having fun”. Sadly most fleet tender/ repair ships are currently in mothballs now. I spent 90% of my service out of NavSta SanDiego. I enjoy deployments, was smitten after that 1st cruise on SammyG. As a PO2 crossed decked over to the USS Cape Cod AD43 a month after we got back from WestPac and shipped out again. I spent 10 yrs on her & 5 deployments. Cried like a baby when I decommissioned her as a Chief. That was my home. I loved her and miss her. Still hurts my heart as I write this.
I could go on forever, so many found memories of my time in the Navy. I’m sure you many wonderful stories & memories as well. Best time of my life !
Desert Shield
Desert Storm
Southern Watch
Fiery Vigil
Vigilante Warrior
Sima SD 2 tours
USS Samual Gompers AD37
USS Cape Cod AD43 2 tours
Supervisor of Ship Building SD
Shell Back
Golden Shell Back
Panama Canal
Michele, question for you. When you join had the military already integrated women into the ranks as EM's or was the WAVES still alive and well. The Army still had the WACs when I joined. I was a young SGT on my first hitch in Germany when the females became enlisted members and then finally SM's or service members. I was a teen when the Navy ran that famous ad that was very short lived. "Join the Navy and Ride the Waves" is what it said🤣🤣🤣!
ON that note I sent a soldier up for a promotion board to SGT. He did great. Then he was asked how he felt about women being fully integrated into the Army. He went into a 5 minute rant about women in the military. He got kicked out of the board and I got my ass chewed. I'd never thought to ask him before the board.
Females were moving up in the enlisted ranks there were a very few senior enlisted & mostly in the traditional female roles. I really didn’t pay much attention to it. In the field I choose to pursue there were nearly no females and none about E-5. I was often the only one. There are always some that do not accept women in some roles. Even now.
In my early years, as a worker,I was accepted by most as I pulled my weight and even surpassed some of the males. I was respected for that and it helped lead the way for females that followed. Once the fellows saw I could work alongside they stood up for me against the nay sayers.
Most of the issues arised in my later years as a manager, mostly from my peers and old salty officers. I found myself having to be better, smarter more knowledgeable than my counterparts to be seen as good enough. Gotta just stand up to them and over achieve. There’s much competition in the senior enlisted ranks. The only female to achieve E-9 in my field during my time was run out of the service by her peers... she quit because of the constant crap she had to endure. Too bad that happened. She was head and shoulders above those that hounded her.
@Michele Sheppard That I believe. I'm kinda a history nut and a lot of folks have no idea about the history of women in military service.
@Richard Kodadek so, what the story about you ? I listed a book about me.
And me? I was just a simple tank crewman who worked up to being a PSG before retirement.
Good friend of mine passed a couple of years ago. He was retired Navy. Bruce Ranstad. When my youngest boy join the Navy he really gave me a lot of shit. Then his son joined the Army. Payback!
"United States Army Spc. Nick Ranstad while deployed to Nuristan Province, Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne, 1-91st Airborne Cavalry "Hatchet" Recon Platoon took out a Taliban target that he and his spotter had been stalking from 2,100 m (2,297 yd). Ranstad's shot is now confirmed as a US Army record for a sniper kill in Afghanistan.[67] Ranstad then provided suppressive fire until air support could move in to eliminate a second target."
Nick is still on active duty. My son did 4 years, got out and joined the US Army Nation Guard. When he did that I told Bruce that my son had finally manned up and gone Army!
Bruce passed away 2 1/2 years ago. Bruce D Ranstad MAC(SW, SS), USN, Retired
Both of my sons became Army Medics. Tried to talk them into joining the Navy but they wanted to help people. Good for them and they came back from all of their tours physically unharmed.
I just read all this. Not sure what to say, you guys speak a different language than us. Google says HTC (SW) = Hull maint. tech (steel worker)? or no ?
I'm just an Airman, enlisted in '98. 22 years of aircraft maintenance later, I'm still at it doing my best to lead these kids. Got called a snowflake millennial the other day, but its all good, they don't know me, or know what I do. I like guns but I'm not a tier 1 operator, I know my place in the game. Every MOS, AFSC ,or specialty brings something to the fight. [end rant]
So I say to you with sincerity and no sarcasm; Thank you for your service!
@Q yes each service has their own lingo. Wardroom is officers, Goatlocker is E7,8,9 (Chief). Crew E1-E6. Navy & coasties are only service that have the E7,8,9 in a segregated category as managers of the crew. Like officers Chiefs do not fraternize with E6 or below, they have elevated living quarters , food, and privileges. Ask any Chief...they are the backbone & run the ship.
so, are you still in managing and instructing the Jr. Airmen ? What’s your rank ? I’m E7
HTC = Hull maint. tech. = steelwork, sheet metal, pipe fitter, lagging, carpenter, welder, firefighter, CBR/NBC. If it’s broke , we fix it. If it needs to be made, we build it. If it’s on fire, we put it out, If we get a chemical, biological or nuclear attack, we go top side in gear & gadgets to report how much time we have left.
(SW) surface warfare = higher qualification/knowledge in all functions & operation of all classes of surface ship.
as opposed to: submarine, aviation , UDT, spec op, medical etc...
Yes ma’am still active. E8 don’t think I’ll make 9 not in the cards for me but I’m ok with that. That’s a whole new world of headaches. And I have a pretty loose exit strategy. I have heard about the Navy’s segregation in ranks some time I wish we did as well.
@Q Hell I quit and retired before making 8. In the army that's desk bound. In other words they would have taken my tank.
@Q The life style in Navy is unlike most other services. I dont think the CPO Fraturnity would be effective in other services.
Yes ma’am... what ? thats for officers, E-7, 8 0r 9's 🙂
Im a real Chief.
A Soldier, a Sailor, an Airman, and a Marine got into an argument about which service was The Best. The arguing became so heated, that they eventually ended up killing each other. Soon thereafter, they found themselves at the Pearly Gates of Heaven. There they met St. Peter and decided that only he was the ultimate source of truth and honesty. They asked him, St Peter, which branch of the American Armed Forces is the best.
St. Peter instantly replies, I can't answer that. But, I will ask God what he thinks the next time I see him.
Some time later the four saw St. Peter again. They reminded him of the question and asked if he was able to find the answer. Suddenly, a sparkling white dove landed on St. Peter's shoulder. In the dove's beak was a note with glistening gold dust.
St. Peter said to the four men, Your answer from the Boss... Let's see what he says. St. Peter opened the note - trumpets blared, gold dust drifted into the air, harps played crescendos and St. Peter began to read it aloud to the four young men.
MEMORANDUM TO: SOLDIERS, SEAMEN, MARINES, AND AIRMEN FROM: GOD SUBJECT: Which Military Service is the Best. Gentlemen, all the Branches of the Armed Services are honorable and noble. Each of you serves your country well and with distinction. Being a member of the American Armed Forces represents a special calling warranting special respect, tribute, and dedication. Be proud of that.
Very Respectfully GOD CPO USN (Ret.)