Having made up my mind to join the Navy,(My choice), in 1957, I was sent off to boot camp in San Diego (No longer in existence) for my basic training.

One of the special training exercises was the swimming class. I thought what a better way to learn how to swim (I was a non-swimmer) then in the Navy.

Well, it was off to my first swim class. The instructor told the Company to climb up this high tower,(60 feet or so high). When we were at the top, the instructor yelled to us that all non-swimmer were to step forward. I thought this was my chance, I would undoubtedly be told to climb down and get ready for swimming class. WRONG! I was told to step forward and jump. I yelled to the instructor that I could not swim. His reply was, "you will when you hit the water, trust me."

Well, I learned to swim that very day and, after several swim instructions, I earned life saving skills for myself.

To this day I look back on that dreaded jump from the tower into that pool so very far below. All I can say is thank you Navy.

I was discharged in 1962 as a Aviation Electronics 1st Class Petty Officer.