Keith S. Lacey, CTR2 USN, 1975-1981 Interesting stories all. Mine started out just after junior year in High School. I had started out wanting to be an architect and had structured all my high school curriculum to go that way with the intention of going to Texas Tech in Lubbock. I discovered however, that Trigonometry was not my friend. I then decided to just start out as a draftsman, since I liked drawing and building. Then I saw a friend return from Marine Corps boot camp in his flashy dress uniform just before I started my senior year (74-75). I remember thinking how sharp that uniform looked. Then a high school buddy of mine said he was talking to the Navy recruiters, so I went down with him one afternoon. Talked with the Navy recruiters and took some tests in the office. I told the recruiter I wanted to be a Builder in the SeaBees as I liked carpentry work and my granddad made his living as a carpenter and my dad, who had both Navy and Air Force time was a good carpenter as well. The recruiter told me that my tests were very good but that I would have to wait at least 8 months to be guaranteed a slot in the Seabees. He told me that with my test scores I could look at many options, but what they were currently looking for were cooks, boiler techs and Communication Technicians. Sooo, not really wanting to be a cook I inquired about boiler techs and he gave me a little info and then recommended I consider the CT field. I said OK, what can you tell me? He replied, not much but they work in big vaults and do secret communications work and you need a security clearance. He said I could go for R, T or I all of which had $1500 bonuses just for finishing "A" school. So I signed the dotted line just before senior year in high school becoming non-active reserve. My folks had to sign for me since I was still 17, my dad wanted to make sure I finished high school first. After graduation I had 3 days to enjoy my new adulthood and then was off to boot camp in San Diego. Had my 18th birthday while in boot camp, didn't tell a soul. No blanket parties for this kid! My buddy and I both joined the Navy in what they called the Buddy Program, so we went to boot camp and were going to the same "A" school. While in San Diego they gave us a long written psyche test and a Morse aptitude test. So after completing boot camp I was "promoted" to E-2 since I was going to "A" school and my buddy was "promoted to E-3 because he was going to "A" school and also had ROTC experience in high school. So off to Pensacola in Aug 1975 to begin our illustrious Naval careers as Communication Technicians. Of course by the time we got there the $1500 bonus was not being offered any more. Some of us, after arrival at Corry, were designated "R" branchers and the others were designated "T" branchers. And then I was introduced to "Ralph" the code computer. I stayed 6 years though and as someone else mentioned, I saw the rate change from Communication Technician to Cryptologic Technician while I was in. Also got a certificate somewhere for service during the 1976 bicentennial celebration. Keith S. Lacey Service: 04/25/1975 to 05/20/1981 Rate: CTR2 (Honorable discharge)