Adventures In Navyland

Irish.

ADVENTURES IN NAVYLAND

INTRODUCTION

Giving birth was easy, though the book had lived within me for over forty years. It took all of two weeks of concentrated writing effort to complete this book about the many adventures I had while serving in the Navy Reserve and on active duty. In the course of revealing things from my distant past, stories came to life once more. It was almost like being there, seeing and hearing each unbelievable character, friend or foe, living again in my mind.

Some of the memories brought warm smiles of endearment, others moments of laughter, tears, or anger. Television today seems to be filled with what are called Reality shows; each offering viewers its own spice of life in a particular area. Navyland is kind of my Reality show. It represents my life at a period of time in which I attempted to serve to the best of my ability in the U.S. Navy.

Although some officers may choose to disagree with the kind of assessment I have given to my service, I must admit I was then, and still am, a Patriotic American. Never at any time, were my words and actions meant to harm our military. To some, I was as Lieutenant Dummy (whom you will encounter) said, a misplaced Civilian. To me, becoming a G.I. brought no concept that I was to give up my right to justice and fair play.

In reading my book you will find one of the greatest problems I seemed to encounter, was being unique enough to stand up for my rights. Being taught from childhood it was my responsibility, and no one else’s to do so, I may have posed a threat to the system. However, that was never my intent. I always showed my utmost respect to any and every officer whose words and actions earned and commanded my respect. Those officers whose words and actions did not earn my respect, very little was offered. According to my belief, rank does not equal respect. In my sight, the person wearing the uniform has the obligation to EARN my respect, the same as I do his or hers.

THE FOLLOWING IS MY TRUE STORY – ENJOY!

Sincerely,

Joe

ADVENTURES IN NAVYLAND

PREFACE

My husband Joe Callihan, God bless him, is perhaps one of the most unusual characters to come along in quite some time. He has his serious side, as well as a very humorous side. One characteristic I have found inbred in him is his willingness to take a stand for what he believes is right.

I did not know Joe during his time of service in the Navy, but I can relate to his telling stories about his many often dramatic experiences. Joe has shared with me that part of his attitudes came from having read about the exploits of boyhood heroes, like David Crockett of Tennessee. Joe said he placed much trust in Davy’s motto, as quoted in his autobiography: First, be sure you’re right; then go ahead.

Two more of Joe’s heroes during his teenage years that also influenced his attitude, were General George S. Patton and Colonel John S. Mosby, who had been a neighbor of Patton’s when they were living in Los Angeles. As related by Patton, while growing up Colonel Mosby often spent time with him, using toy soldiers to reenact Civil War battles. Patton wrote of Mosby’s advice, which many times he chose to follow during his brilliant career. Always do what the enemy believes no one in their right mind would try. They will not be prepared for such tactics.

As you read Navyland, you will see many times when these attitudes affected Joe’s behavior and decision making process. So you see, not all of Joe’s boldness can be attributed to his being of an Irish Kentuckian background; or having been raised by parents establishing sound values in their boy. Whatever the reason, my Joe is a man to be proud of.

I hope as you enjoy Joe’s Adventures in Navyland. You will become interested in Joe’s other works. Please visit his web site at: www.fireoflovebooksllc.com

Sincerely,

Mrs. Dolores (Dodie) Callihan

Chapter One

WHY CHOOSE THE NAVY?

The time was 1965 during the Viet Nam war era. Since my 1963 graduation from high school, I had been attending St. Petersburg Junior College. My scholastic deferment nearing an end, a decision needed to be made regarding which branch of the military services I should choose to enter. The word among my fellow students was Coast Guard. Why? Stay home defending the coast of America. Sounded smart, but the waiting list to sign up was a million miles long.

I was also working in a hamburger place at night, while attending college classes in the daytime. Mr. Emerson, M as he liked to be called, had been a first class gunner’s mate in the Navy during WWII. So I sought his advice as to which branch might be the best to choose. Having been there, I believed he would know first hand if the Navy would be a wise choice. Surely he would know it all, both the good and the bad about the Navy.

He was very kind when I approached and asked him why he had chosen to join the Navy. When he asked why I wanted to know, I explained my decision making dilemma. At this M said, I’ll be happy to tell you why I chose to join the Navy. Then he gave me his sales pitch. "The Second World War was on, and I knew as a man I had to do my part. Like you, I wanted to make the best choice of branches to join. Observing the Navy I found they served three full meals a day, you did not have to eat rations. I could have a nice warm bunk to sleep in each night; not a wet and muddy trench somewhere.

Also there would be no snipers shooting at me from trees; no land mines to worry about stepping on; there would be movies shown almost nightly; and there was a laundry on board, no having to wear the same stinking clothes for weeks or months at a time. I thought about this and came to the conclusion, if I had to fight in a war, doing it in comfort and style would be a good idea.

What a Salesman! It took me no time at all to go down to the Navy recruiter’s office and sign up for the Navy Reserves. I had been told by fellow students, if you can’t get in the Coast Guard, go for the Reserves. At least you can get some training, and an opportunity to advance in rank, before going on active duty. This too made sense to me. So now I am a Seaman Apprentice in the Navy Reserve. As an immediate reward they furnished me with a couple of those Popeye suits to wear. Here I guess it’s only fair to admit, I always have believed the Marines have the best looking dress uniform of all the services.

But now a taste of reality began to set in. I experienced first hand some of those benefits M had told me about. I soon discovered there were a few less glamorous things he had left out, most likely as a good salesman - deliberately. The missing descriptions began to become evident in my Navy Reserve life, especially once I was assigned drill duty on board the USS Greenwood.

Yes, there were indeed three full meals a day. But most of the time they tasted like what you would want to feed your worst enemy. I did have a nice warm bunk to sleep in, that is when I could sleep. Unfortunately it was the upper bunk. When the waters were bumpy, I had to hang on to the pipes just above my head to keep from falling out.

Those pipes were a source of many a Technicolor dream. When Reveille would sound in the morning, you had but a short time to get out of bed, get shaved and dressed for inspection. Upon hearing the trumpet sound, I would make the effort to quickly rise up to get out of my bunk. Forgetting about the many pipes running about half a foot above my head – BONG – was the sound I would make, as I banged my head against each one. I would see red stars, blue, green, and yellow ones. Then hearing one of my shipmates call out a warning: Hey Callihan! You’d better stop laying there. You only have a few minutes to get ready for inspection. Sometimes guys would show up with a hangover from drinking too much. I would show up with a pipe induced hangover.

There were also some good things: no snipers were shooting at me from trees, no land mines to step on, and it looked as if the Captain was doing a good job watching out for sea mines. Surely there had to be some other good things. How about the movies onboard? Oh yes! It took the trip to Guantanamo Bay Cuba for me to learn about the movies onboard. As we went steaming toward Cuba, movies were shown almost every night. However, they were shown on the rear gun turret, the one downwind from the smoke stacks. My shipmates and I were only able to see half of any movie. The other half of the time was spent wiping cinders from our eyes.

Yes, there was also a laundry onboard; I did not have to wear the same clothes for weeks at a time. But I had not been not told about the fact that although you marked your serial number on each piece with indelible ink, many times when you got your laundry back, 30 to 40 % of it was missing. I often had to spend money replacing what was lost. I guess it had become somewhat of a tradition, as no one was ever interested in doing anything about it.

Was I glad I had chosen the Navy Reserve? Somewhat glad, at least until being on a ship I learned what the word sea sick could mean to me. It happened shortly after we had been flown to Key West. The Greenwood had been in dry dock for repairs. They were now done, and the ship was deemed to be sea worthy. After arriving in Key West, we took a side trip to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, then Montego Bay, Jamaica, before returning the Greenwood to St. Petersburg.

Up to this time, my weekend drills had been aboard a ship which was tied to the dock. Now as we were underway and leaving Key West, what happened next was unbelievable. The weather was perfect, the sky clear, the sun warm, winds soft, and the water was as smooth as a mirror. Where was I to be found? Hanging over the railing, vomiting my head off!

I was a disgrace! The old salts would come by just to observe my condition. What’s the matter, they would ask, don’t have your sea legs yet? Then to make things worse, they would offer a cure. You go down to the mess and get some scrambled eggs and burnt toast, that will help settle your stomach. Shut up! Don’t even mention food to me! I would yell back, just before my next round of vomiting the very thought of food would provoke. I could hear their laughter as they walked away. So you had to join the Navy! I was thinking. How stupid, why didn’t you know you were prone to sea sickness?

But amazingly enough, I did seem to grow sea legs. One day, suddenly I discovered no longer was I prone to sea sickness. I had gotten used to the movement of the ship over the water. I even now enjoyed watching as the bow plunged into the waves. The up and down motion now seemed natural to me. This proved to be a blessing as we hit the Windward Passage at the bottom half of Cuba. I will tell you more about this in a later chapter.

These are just the beginnings of quite an Adventure in Navyland.

I hope you will enjoy going back in time with me. Some of what you will read will bring laughter; some of it tears, and some of it will make you angry.

I hope you enjoy reading about my Adventures in Navyland.

Chapter Two

DID I SAY I VOLUNTEER?

I had joined the Navy Reserve during a time of war. I was not drafted and therefore believed I was due a better consideration than someone who had to be drafted. This was my belief. Unfortunately I discovered the Navy Reserve did not necessarily share my belief.

One night while attending my weekly drill, a voice came over the intercom and made the following announcement: The following report immediately to room 105. Then the list of names began to be called. Much to my surprise I heard, Seaman Apprentice Joseph Callihan. What had I done? What can this be? These were questions I was asking myself as I went immediately to report in room 105.

Arriving, I found a room full of guys who were as confused as I was. What was going on? A 1st Class Boiler Tender soon provided the answer. How many in here want to be a Fireman? he asked. Of the 30 of us, one idiot raised his hand. You see, Fireman was one of the worst jobs in the Navy. They worked in the belly of the ship, maintaining the boilers. It was very hot down there, and could get extremely hot in places like the Indian Ocean. Not a job to really desire, unless you wanted a taste of Hell on earth. Still, this one guy actually raised his hand.

The 1st Class Boiler Tender (BT) went on to say, "Well, the Navy has a shortage of Firemen, and the last thirty people who signed up, and that means you, have volunteered to help fill those positions.

What did he say! I was enraged, how could they treat those who had voluntarily signed up (me), in such a callous way? Put those you had to draft there – not me! But what could I do? This is bad, I thought, especially as I am not mechanically inclined.

The next few weeks seemed to look worse for me, as well as the other 28 guys who had no interest in becoming a Fireman or Boiler Tender. The 1st Class BT seemed to be aware of how we felt. For example, after handing out multiple guess questions on a test we needed to pass, he would say: I’m sure everyone has studied really hard for this test. When this would get a good laugh, he would continue by saying, I’m sure everyone knows the answer to question number one is B. Everyone would hurriedly mark the letter B on question one. These questions are fairly simple, but if anyone has any questions about them, just ask me, the 1st Class BT would say.

So it began. A hand went up, Yes, do you have a question? Yes, Number two, I know the answer, but I’m having trouble remembering it. BT: Let’s see, number two, Oh that one is easy, I’m sure you know the answer. Yes, I do, the student would reply, I’m just having trouble remembering it. BT: Take a look at D, doesn’t that look familiar? Does anyone else have any questions? Immediately another hand rose, Number three, I’m not sure what it is asking, I can’t understand the wording. BT: "Let me see, number three, hum, I agree, that does look confusing.

I don’t know why they worded it that way, but take a look at A, don’t you think that’s what they had in mind? Once again, we all rushed to mark A" on question number three.

BT: Now, are there anymore questions? Another hand shot up. Yes, what is your question? Number four, I know it, the answer is on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t seem to get it out. BT: O.K., number four, Oh you’re bound to know that one! I do, it’s right on the tip of my tongue! BT: Come on; take a look at C, does that look familiar? You guessed it! Everyone raced their pencil to the letter C on question number four.

Watching with amusement, the 1st Class BT said: Now don’t all of you mark the same, miss a few every now and then, so we won’t get into trouble. I was thankful for not having to fail the test. But I was not amused, as I realized what this could mean to me later. I could see myself being in the belly of a ship, and having someone shout the order to me: Quick turn the K valve or we’re going to explode! My reply, as I’m running for my life would be, Guess what, I have no idea what a K valve is or looks like – Run! We’re going to explode!

You can be sure I absolutely had no great desire to be a Fireman in the Navy. I looked at it this way, if abandon ship were ever to be sounded, it was unbelievable all you had to do to try and save your life. You would first have to climb up several ladders, as fast as you could, without falling if someone climbed over top of you. Then you had to run to the side of the ship, just so you could jump off. After doing that, you had to be able to hold your breath, while you attempted to float. Floating is something I’ve never been able to do to this day. Things were looking pretty bleak for me. The Navy Reserves did not seem to care.

This was a weakness I found in the Navy Reserve. They were more interested in getting points for sending people off as third class petty officers, than sending people properly trained to actually be third class petty officers. I hope by now that has been corrected.

But it is now time to really have some fun, as we go on to:

BOOT CAMP ADVENTURES at the Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois.

Chapter Three

BOOT CAMP ADVENTURES

Warning, this chapter contains some shocking revelations. There are humorous events, as well as those which can make you angry.

Do such things still go on today? Perhaps they do. Once you are in the military, especially during the draft, you become know as a government issue soldier, a G.I. No longer is there anyone to complain about how just or unjust you are being treated, they simply don’t care!

I held off for as long as I could, but on the 1st-14th of May I was finally attending the Great Lakes Training Center outside Chicago.

I had been warned it would still be cold up there. Most of those from Florida who went there during winter came back with bad colds or pneumonia. Not wishing this to happen to me, I decided to take up the Theodore Roosevelt method of building up my resistance. Sickly as a child, Teddy believed in testing his body by exposure to harsh elements of nature through hiking, mountain climbing, etc. This had the desired effect, as he grew stronger in health.

So, although it was cold in Florida that winter, with temperatures sometimes dipping into the thirty’s, I would venture outside wearing just a sweater, repeatedly telling myself I was not really cold. I was attending Junior College then, and you can imagine the kinds of looks I drew. You could almost read their minds. "This College must have poor standards, letting someone with such an obviously low IQ in here. I bet he must be some rich