53 Years ago today (18 July 1972)

[BOSSHOG]

I raised my right hand and joined the Navy

President John F. Kennedy ended his speech at the US Naval Academy
On 01 August 1963 with this sentence.

Any Man who may be asked in this century
What he has done to make his life worthwhile
Can respond with a Great Deal of Pride and Satisfaction

I SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY

Roger that Shipmate Kennedy

My Enlistment Oath will still be in effect long after I’m Gone

I always look forward to a little positive thinking on this day

[SocialDemocrat61]

1. Thank you for your service.

[BOSSHOG]

5. My pleasure and honor. Thank You.

[Skittles]

2. hey

back then I was in high school, hitting on the guys at Great Lakes

[BOSSHOG]

4. There's a lot more guys (and gals)

To hit on at Great Lakes now. I went to Basic in San Diego. I remember it like it was yesterday. The city of San Diego made a killing when the Navy Closed the Training Center.

[Skittles]

6. my dad threated to take away my dependent ID

after I told him, why would I date high school guys when I can date sailors?

[BOSSHOG]

7. Your Dad was a wise man

[Skittles]

8. I had great times

sooo many fond memories - heh, I had five brothers, I could easily handle sailors

[MustLoveBeagles]

3. Thank you for your service

[Emile]

9. Hooyah

USS Yosemite AD19
USS Albany CG10

[Twoflower]

13. Go Navy

USS Alywin (FF-1081)
USS Donald B Berry (FF-1085)
USS Knox (FF-1052)
USS Horne (CG-30)

[SheltieLover]

10. Ty for your service

[BOSSHOG]

11. Thank You My Friend

I think I speak for most, if not all Vets, it was an honor to serve our country.

[Eko]

12. Semper Fortis Bosshog!

[FirstLight]

14. Thank you...

My dad went to Japan in the Korean War, he was AF in radio communications.

1972...I was 2. 😜

Did you do any cool traveling? Or you got any fun stories to share?

Anyway congratulations on your service anniversary.

[BOSSHOG]

16. Relative boring career

Spent time on the ground in Saudi Arabia Joint Task Force. Got too close to a terrorist attack. Fun stories relative to Liberty with Shipmates. Worked Security for a short while in New Orleans.

Community Coffee has a new Coffee out called First Light.

God Bless Your Dad. And Thank You.

[AllaN01Bear]

15. ""

mraine induction station azusa ca . went in as i was one of the last draft lottery #, my 18th birthday rolled around. 0/15/1976 . they were closed as they were updating to the all volunteer corps. i went in and was 4 fed. at least i tried .

[BOSSHOG]

17. Thank You My Friend

I volunteered during Vietnam. I told my dad I wanted to be on a Ship going toNam. He damn near kicked my ass. It never happened. My first duty station was in the Mojave Desert. A $12.00 bus ticket from Bootcamp.

[slightlv]

18. Yeah, Navy!

You beat me by two years... my enlistment oath was in November, 1974 to the U.S. Air Force... proud papa standing in the room, taking as many pictures of his "little girl" as he possibly could! (gryn) Dad was an Army Medic during WWII.

[BOSSHOG]

19. Thank You Teammate

I served with the Air Force, JTF Southwest Asia Riyadh Summer of 96. Great bunch of teammates. Good Memories except for the terrorist attack.

[pfitz59]

20. Go Navy

USS Skate (SSN-578), USS Rentz (FFG-46), USS Curts (FFG-38), USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), USS Vincennes (CG-49), USS Obrien (DD-975), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), VT-3, HT-8, HS-1, VC-8, HSL-41, HSL-47, HSL-49, NAVAIRSTA Sigonella. Busy career.

[BOSSHOG]

21. Awesome Career My Friend

A sincere thank you. Sub, Surface, Air.

[Deuxcents]

22. So very appreciative of you and your service to this country

And to all who share your experiences in the military..land, air and sea. I am not a veteran but my parents were..my mom, Navy and my dad, Marines. I have a special place in my heart for those who have served and are currently serving. I am most grateful

[BOSSHOG]

23. Love You My Friend Deuxcents

And your parents. No one should HAVE to serve. Our countries strength should make it a choice. Hopefully that will continue. What do you get when you cross a Sailor and a Marine? A wonderful awesome human being. Your gratefulness is universally appreciated Deuxcents.

[Deuxcents]

25. Your sweet reply has touched me deeply

I am a post war baby who had so many opportunities growing up because of the sacrifices made on my behalf that made this country the best place in the world to live. I’m starting to get emotional because my heart is full of gratitude 🙏

[Godot51]

24. January 13th, 1969.

[Aristus]

26. ...

[Permanut]

27. Another Navy vet here..

Enlisted 26-Oct-65, a 28 hour bus ride to camp Nimitz in San Diego.

Every single person I served with took that oath in dead earnest, as did I. Thanks for your service and for this post.

There's a lot of sailors in this little community.

[Stinky The Clown]

28. Thanks, shipmate!!

SK2 Stinky, 1967-1973

[GoodRaisin]

29. Ahoy, 1973-1977.

USS Mississinewa, USS Saratoga, HS-7.

[Emile]

34. I been aboard the Saratoga a few times. I was

homeported aboard the Yosemite and later on the Albany in Mayport.

You entered the Navy the year I got out.

[GoodRaisin]

38. I was on the Mississinewa (AO144) when she collided with Saratoga.

We were decommisioned following the collision and the crew transferred. Ironically I was transferred to HS-7 on the Saratoga and did my last Med cruise on her. I got out at NAS Jacksonville about 13 months later.

[Scalded Nun]

30. Not too far behind you. USAF 1/22/73 - 8/31/1993

[ultralite001]

31. Thank you for your service...

TIA

[DFW]

32. The father of a good friend of ours would have some serious influence on the Navy in your day

His name was Elmo “Bud” Zumwalt. Nixon hated his guts, because Bud Zumwalt was the first Secretary of the Navy to make it broadly possible for women and POC to become officers. Nixon was dead set against the idea, and one of his last orders before his resignation became official was to order Jim Schlesinger (SecDef) to fire Zumwalt. Schlesinger knew how popular Zumwalt was with the rank and file. He disobeyed the order.

[biophile]

33. Congratulations on a life of honor and service

Be well and happy!

[surfered]

35. Anchors away from someone who gets seasick

[70sEraVet]

36. One of the best decisions I ever made!

USS Vogelgesang DD862
USS Columbus CG12

Once a sailor, always a sailor!

[bluescribbler]

37. For me. it was

January 20, 1969, just a few minutes after Richard M. Nixon was sworn in as Commander in Chief. I found myself on a couple of tin cans in the Pacific Fleet. We did two WestPac cruises with stints at North SAR, Yankee Station and the Gunline. Foxtrot Delta Tango.

[beemerphill]

39. The Enlistment Oath is Forever.

I have never met anyone who said otherwise. Everyone meant what they swore, and never forgot it.

[BOSSHOG]

40. Makes me proud, humble and happy

To have made it and kept it.

[pat_k]

41. An oath is a powerful thing. Here's a group promoting "Sworn Again" ceremonies

...Democracy works only when enough of us believe democracy works — and then take responsibility to make it so. So how do we demonstrate this belief and commitment?

When naturalizing immigrants become American citizens, they learn the history and the civic scripture of our nation. And, importantly, they come together to take an oath. We got to thinking: What would it look like for all of us to take an oath? For citizens of long standing and Americans new and old to renew our civic vows? To become Sworn-Again?

The Sworn-Again America Oath
I pledge to be an active American
to show up for others
to govern myself
to help govern my community.
I recommit myself to my country’s creed
to cherish liberty
as a responsibility.

I pledge to serve
and to push my country:
when right, to be kept right;
when wrong, to be set right.
Wherever my ancestors and I were born,
I claim America
and I pledge to live like a citizen.

https://citizenuniversity.us/participate/sworn-again/

[mamajudi]

42. 53 Years ago...

I know exactly how you feel!! I also took that same oath but in March 1973. I’m very proud to have joined the Navy when women were few in numbers. So, cheers to you, fellow sailor!! Women weren’t allowed on ships other than hospital ships, so I was stationed at a Naval Air Station that taught one of the earliest female pilots. Somewhere in 74 or 75? We took great pride in that piece of history.

[BOSSHOG]

43. My first duty station was

Naval Weapons Center China Lake California. Mojave Desert. I was assigned to a squadron at the base. A cute Radioman at the Comm Center caught my eye. We have been married 51 years. I went the distance. She did one tour active and spent 6 years in the Reserves. We are both content and proud of our time in The Canoe Club. Don’t know what we would have traded it for.