My boot camp experience wasn't as bad as I expected. First of all, it wasn't my first time away from home like most of my shipmates. I was away at college in Chicago before going out to San Diego. I enjoyed the regimentation and order. I was the recruit chief petty officer of my company and did something that they always advise you not to do.

N.A.V.Y stands for Never Again Volunteer Yourself.

I had ROTC experience, one year in high school, so I stepped forward to lead. My most memorial day in boot camp was the 8-2 day when we passed in review for our final marching grade. The whole procedure went just like clockwork, just like we had practiced from our first day in San Diego, except our company commander had always marched us around a corner at the end. We were supposed to march straight on. The judges could have taken a point off for every man, but because the whole company followed my orders to the letter, we passed.

As we were leaving to go to our next command, Submarine School in my case, we were to heft our sea bags on our shoulders—they didn't have back pack harnesses in 1966—and walk to the plane. One of the guys said it was too heavy. Our company commander said if it was too heavy then we could just stay a few more weeks, problem solved. One thing I learned—a little too late I might add—is that all facing movement are started on the left foot. Oops!

I spent seven years in nuclear subs and 14 in the Reserves and National Guard. Wouldn't have given that time back for any amount of money. Retirement, pay and benefits make it all worth it.