LCDR Arnold (Arnie) Schwartz, USNR (retired) How I became a CT When I was eleven years old I built my first crystal radio set. Over the next few years, I learned schematic symbols and how to read a schematic diagram. While I was in high school 1956-59 I liked to listen to my upstairs neighbor’s Zenith Shortwave Radio. I thought it might be fun to learn the Morse code. So, while I was taking Drivers Education, I would try to memorize the Morse code alphabet, instead of paying attention to the lessons in my driver’s education class. After I graduated high school, I remember seeing a Navy program on TV and told my dad that the Navy sounded interesting. He said “I will drive you to the Naval Recruiter.” He did and the recruiter said that he would guarantee me Electronics Field if I enlisted. I decided to enlist and went for my physical exam. Well, they encountered some minor problem with my physical and I could not enlist until the problem was resolved. About 6 months later on October 25, 1960, the problem was resolved and I again went to the same recruiter to complete my swearing in. I remember, that as soon as the group that I was in completed the swearing in, the recruiter said now I want you guys to clean the office from fore to aft. And we were given brooms and mops. After we were finished cleaning the recruiter’s office, one of the recruits with some military experience was given all of our records and we then boarded a bus that took us from Los Angeles to U.S. Naval Training Command San Diego, CA. I remember our company commander, QM1 Rigley, asking if any of his recruits had any military experience. I had none, so I did not raise my hand and I was not given any position of responsibility. So, I was only a lowly squad member! Boot Camp was not too difficult, and I remember the day that I took the ACT- GRI battery of tests. With my knowledge of Morse code, I aced that portion of the test. I really wanted to become an Electronics Technician. However, the qualifier told me that my high scores qualified me to become a CTR. I did not know what that meant. However, the qualifier assured me that it was Electronics Field. While I was in Boot Camp, I remember telling one of my shipmates that I somehow acquired spots all over my body! He said that I better report to sickbay as soon as possible! I went to sickbay the next morning and they quarantined me for having German Measles! Fortunately, it did not last too long and I was not set back in any of my training. In December all the members of my company went home on Christmas leave for two weeks. When the leave was over, I returned back to boot camp and I graduated with my company on January 23, 1961. I was given four days travel time to report to USNCTC Pensacola, FL. I decided to take a bus across country to see some of the USA. When I arrived at Cory Field, I was put in class 05B with instructor CT1 Leathers. Later I was in classes 06B with CTC Lutz and 06A with CTC Jeschke. I obtained my Novice Amateur Radio License WV6RAD, prior to graduating CTR training and on August 18, 1961 I went on my 30-day annual leave before reporting to Adak, Alaska on September 18, 1961. Looking back, Adak was an outstanding opportunity to learn about nature and how troops were billeted in Quonset huts during WWII. Before arriving on Adak I had never seen an American Eagle up close or seen the Salmon run. While on Adak I assumed duties at the DF station. When my tour at Adak was over, I again took a 30-day leave and went home. My next duty assignment was as NAVCOMMSTA Navy 85 in Wahiawa, Hawaii, where I was stationed for two years. I volunteered several times for surface duty and did TAD on board the DER397 Wilhoite, USS Midway (CVA-41), and USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31). I put in for an early release from active duty to return to college. It was granted and I reported to Treasure Island, CA to be processed for discharge. However, while going through medical they again found something minor with me and I was sent to Tripler Army Hospital for treatment where I awaited two months prior to my being released from the Navy. Since I enlisted for 6 years, 4 active and 2 reserve, upon my separation from active duty, I had to report to the closest Naval Reserve Command to determine if I wanted to drill or not. I chose not to drill and that was that! Just prior to the GI bill being granted for Viet Nam era veterans, I enrolled in college and completed my Associates Degree in Radio Communications. While attending college, I obtained my General Amateur Radio License (WB6PJC), First Class Radio Telephone license and Second Class Radio Telegraph License. I worked as a Microwave field Service Technician for one year and then I went to sea as a Merchant Marine Radio Officer. During a dry period of sailing in the Merchant Marine, I again went back to college and completed my Bachelors Degree in Industrial Studies. After graduation in 1972, I married my one and only wife. The two of us enlarged the family by having both a boy and then a girl. With my Bachelors Degree, I was able to be hired as an Electronics Teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District, where I taught for 30 years before retiring in 2002. I missed the Navy and was thinking about joining the reserves! So, at 42 years of age I again visited a Naval Recruiter. They told me I was too old and they were only interested in younger people. Across the hall was the Coast Guard Recruiter and I figured what is the difference between one and two rejections in the same day! The Coast Guard recruiter also asked me how old I was and I told him. Then he said are you a former veteran? And I said yes. He then said that I just made it, as 42 were the maximum age for a former veteran to enlist in the reserves. Because of my civilian experience as a Radio Officer in the Merchant Marine, I was given the rate of Radioman First Class when I enlisted. I stayed in the Coast Guard Reserves for 6 years until I found out that the navy was looking for Merchant Marine Radio Officers to be commissioned as O1’s in the Naval Surface Reserve Force, Merchant Marine Training Unit. I submitted all the appropriate paper work and I was commissioned an Ensign in 1990. I received all my promotions on time and stayed in the Navy until my 60th birthday, when I retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. I truly enjoyed all of my time in both the Navy and the Coast Guard Reserves. LCDR Arnold (Arnie) Schwartz, USNR (retired)