William C. Lockert, JR. CTTCM, USN, 8 June 1956 – 1 July 1987. How I became a CT. My father was a single parent and a retired Navy Chief (served 1923-1947). He was sure all of his sons would join the navy, serve, retire and live happily ever after. In January 1956, that apple cart was upset when my older brother working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in D. C. joined the United States Air Farce. On 27 January 1956 I raised my right hand to join the Naval Reserve. My father was a (smiling) witness. I saw the Navy Recruiter during May 1956 and after reconsidering some answers my test was “graded”. I managed a GCI/ARI of 95, and qualified for the electronics field. On my dream sheet I listed (l) Lithographer, (2) aviation and (3) communications. The recruiter said “NO” to Lithographer, no formal schooling. The recruiter continued “What about being a CT”? I asked what CT’s did, and the recruiter answered “I don’t know! All I do know is that they keep secrets and never go to sea”. I picked San Diego for boot and travel by train. Chief of Company 271-56 was Mr. Curtis F. Carrington, BMC, USN. ETSN Jon Bode USNR (CTTCS) and I were the only two CT’ selectees and we started the paper work for a “high security clearance” in boot camp. Jon Bode and Harold Blount (Class 19B-57) and I reported to the Navy Destroyer Base, San Diego. I was assigned to the First Lieutenant’s Office. Weekday morning found Ira Beiber (a CTR selectee) and me in undress whites with a very large S--- Can walking outside the fence line picking up trash. In the afternoon we did SLOJ’s. I took typing in high school and after a month of SLOJs was assigned as yeoman for CWO4 (Boatswain) Roy B. Chappell, USN. Among other things I learned from boatswain was how to make Navy coffee and play acey-ducey. The leading chief taught me how to shoot craps. Our two leading machinist mates first (on shore duty) taught us how to make a deck shine like a new babies a--”!! It was a very rewarding tour! I arrived at Imperial Beach on 1 March 1957 and was assigned to the outside detail specifically in the back end of the garbage truck. Class 18B-57 was formed with Chief Bruce Akers, as instructor with 22 students. I struggled with the code at first, but as we got into the double digits, I did much better. The last two weeks of basic with help from Chief Akers during breaks, I was at 18 and up to 24 groups. At the end of “basic” I could not copy 16 solid, and on my 19th birthday, set back 2 weeks. After two weeks, with Chief Davis (19A) and two more with Chief Hultz (20B), I reported to the Chief Instructor. This Chief in no uncertain terms informed me that since I failed CTR training, I would be ordered to the deck force aboard a ship. “Now, report to the outside detail for duty” he ordered. I did but this time I drove the garbage truck! My Final Top Secret CNO Cryptographic clearance was granted on 27 December 1956. That and a push from Chief Bruce Akers were factors in being assigned to CTO (Communicator) School. Chief Shannon was our instructor. My class 1-58(0) October 1957 was the first in the new school building for O-branch basic at Imperial Beach. CTRSN Mike Skellenger and CTOSN “Knobby” Walsh remained in my memory banks for the extreme “push” of the white hat on their nose. Guam the first stop in what should be a four year career. Second stop maybe Hawaii and then go home. CTO1 Donald (Deadeye) Rowe was the last of four section supervisors, a first rate communicator and leader. There was plenty of time off and barracks poker games. My barracks mates Rayman B. Kargle CTOSN, and Robert Ray Adams CTOSN, and several of our “salts” PO3’s Norm Champaign, Larry Sensintaffar, Elmer Kohlhafer, all straight shooters made the Navy a career. During March 1959 Kargle CT3, Glenn Carr CT3 and I were selected (volunteered) for SESP (Special Electronic Search Program) or what would become “ELINT” in the Naval Security Group. When asked our duties Commander John Alba Skinner, the department head replied, “I can’t tell you but sea duty, duty in submarines and reconnaissance aircraft are a great possibility”. Sea Duty? The ELINT indoctrination course was at 3801 Nebraska Avenue, WashDC in the attic. I then completed two tours in ELINT (Todendorf, Germany 1959-1961 and VQ-2 Rota, Spain (1961-1964). I got the ELINT bug in Todendorf and reenlisted there. Like many CT’s I was working “out of rate”. I figured I would be a two hash mark E5. Todendorf was a phenomenal station for young sailors. At least 27 sailors stationed there during 1957-1961 advanced to wear the khaki. During May 1964 I transferred to Key West, Florida to a communications billet. On 16 July 1964 Clyde Lopez and I received our acting appointments to CTC. In 1965 with the advice from career mentor (Deadeye) Rowe CTOC, he told me that “O-branching in the near future will not be fun anymore; machines will be doing everything”! In May 1966 my career branch was changed from O to T based on my service record. Never did a days work in radio printer. My first career of ten years of being a CTO was an exciting time and filled with a lot of learning experiences, including the times I was “corrected” by good PO1s, Chiefs and one LDO (W3). I had a few military and social infractions! Several which were caused by the mouth, and one of exceptionally poor judgment decision as a seaman. My Division Chief (Marion John Nevers) adjudicated my judgment problem and provided me great counsel. I then became one SOB concerning muster reports and promptness. My second career of 21 and half years as a CTT was a ball! I served OUTCONUS for 288 months, INCONUS for 66 months, served on two carriers and one survey ship, flew in four different reconnaissance aircraft, worked two (1961 and 1966-1968) space collection programs, shore duty and completed eighteen submarine operations. Every time I went down a submarine hatch or crossed a brow, I remembered the recruiter’s statement “all I do know is that they keep secrets and never go to sea”. Bless his Heart. My father had minor contact with a future leader of the Communications Technician during September 1934. He was serving in USS Ranger (CV-4) when she crossed the equator. Shellback Lockert PO1 served as Assistant Royal Prosecutor in the Kings Court. A pollywog in Ships Company was Ensign L. R. (Bud) Schulz. The Ensign received no mercy. Later, Rear Admiral Schulz would be the last Head Naval Security Group and the first Director Naval Security Group, prior to the Group becoming a Command.