Roger Chillingsworth, CTM1 USN Retired, 1958-1982


After a stint as a Mineman at NAVMAG Cavite in the late 50s-early 60s, I had
it and left the service.  I'd always wondered, though, who were the guys on
some of our ships who had two sets of dress uniforms - one for inspection
and one for liberty.  
 
Yes, there may have been some brown-nosers out there who did this in to get
an "outstanding" and "win a liberty" at personnel inspection, but these guys 
were different. On board, they looked something like the result of a crash 
between a yeoman and a radioman rating badges. But, when they went down the 
prow for liberty, they were mostly snipes and a few other deck rating.  
Funniest thing was that, on board, you hardly saw them at all - neither on deck, 
in the galley, nor in the fireroom.  Not bad duty if you can get it.
 
After working plenty of different jobs while out, I was starting to miss the
"three hots and a cot" aspects of my former career so, after about 4 years,
I went to a recruiting office to see what I could get.  
 
The recruiter and I haggled, each trying to come out with the best deal one
could get.  My previous tour in the PI taught me how to haggle - this
recruiter was probably a Conus sandcrab or a LANT sailor as he wasn't as
practiced. But he held trump cards.
 
Finally, the deal was for me to help fill some needs in specific ratings he
was having trouble with, and I'd get to see WestPac again.  With a promise
of an "A" school later on (if I didn't quit), I signed on as a matman
striker with orders to Midway Island.  Maybe this guy had spent some time
haggling with WestPac sailors before.
 
Did all I could to get back to the PI and stay there as long as I could,
returning if sent away.  Then, realizing that life ashore wasn't getting me
into khaki too quickly, I tried some sea duty.  (Sea duty was just starting
to come into fashion for matmen who didn't receive the "involuntarily EW
golden screwdriver award.")
 
Didn't help, got out when Sam said it was time.  Been keeping a step or two
ahead of everyone ever since (just like on active duty).
 
Roger (NMN) Chillingsworth
CTM1  USN, Ret