Kenneth R. Boyer, CTRC USNR Retired, 1968-1990


My story starts in late 1967 when a fellow church memeber, Huber Smutz, who 
was a LCDR in the SECGRU Reserve, asked if I was interested in the Navy.  He 
knew I was a ham radio operator knew the code.  I said sure. 
I had just quit college and knew I was in the sights of the draft board. 
As an aside, my Dad didn't talk to me for a month after I enlisted, he was 
career Army.

I got the call to come for the physical and testing in late Jan. 68. 
Enlisted on 5 Feb.  It was the 2x6 Reserve program - 2 yrs active with 4 years 
inactive reserve.  I aced the code and sonar tests and did pretty good in the 
GCT/ARI as well, so I got into the SECGRU Unit.  At the time , boot camp for 
2x6 Reservists was 2 weeks.  Most of the drilling and bookwork, etc. was done 
at the RESCEN.  Then off to boot camp at Glakes. 
My CC was BMC Robert Swanson.

In Dec 68, got my orders to NCTC.  Arrived in January of '69.  Had Chiefs 
Brown and Morris in the Big Room.  I had taken typing in high school, so I 
just had to put code and typing together.  I left the Big Room at 16 groups.  
CTR1 Raper in Basic and Chief J.J. Hayes in Advanced.  Back to RESCEN, took 
third class test there and was advanced, so when I went on Active Duty in 
November, I was a CTR3.  Went to Sabana Seca, and had a great time while 
there.  Married a local girl, stayed in the Reserve when I got out in Sep 71.

Many great training duties with some super active duty folks, especially at 
NSA and CINCLANT.  The last three were in Rota.  Now drawing retired pay and 
am very glad I stayed in the reserve.  It was an honor to serve in NAVSECGRU, 
I wouldn't change it for anything.

Ken Boyer CTRC(Ret)
1968-1990