It is a different life. It takes a special kind of 'weirdo', the stories I can tell.

I went to BUD/s in Coronado, made it thru six weeks and then failed a cognizance test after being in water for like forever, and then I had to read a card and identify a color. I read the card but the blues and greens looked the same. Found out I was color blind. I left Coronado and went to Panama City to completed the Navy Scuba/Rescue Diver class and then back to the submarine. Back in the early 90's if I could have got orders back to Panama City as a Dive Instructor I would be a ol' retired navy dude. Instead I did my 2192 days, 3 hours and 25 minutes. (six years service and 3 hours 25 minutes of exit processing).

Like I said, I learned a lot, seen a lot and am appreciative for those things. The service just was not for me. I started counting days as soon as I got back to the boat.

I am really appreciative of what the young service men and women are going thru today, far more than what I did, with so much more baggage at the end. I pray for them often. EWO