David C. Greb, CTO1 1967-1975 How I Became a CT… A friend that I knew from high school called one night and asked if I was going into the city the next day. She had an appointment mid-morning and the local bus schedule was not convenient. I was going that way and offered her a ride. To my surprise, her appointment was with the Navy recruiter. When we walked into the recruiter’s office, a guy in tan clothing zeroed in on me. As conversation continued, I learned he was an E-7 chief. I guess he assumed I had an interest. What had I gotten into? A quick side step on my part brought the chief’s attention to my friend….but he kept looking at me out of the corner of his eye! As the chief and my friend concluded their business, the navy had a new female enlistee. Again, he focused on me. He questioned me as to what I was doing with myself and how did I have free time in the middle of the morning. I responded that I had time to kill before my first class Berkshire Community College) and decided to tag along. His tact changed. He wished me the best in my efforts at school and suggested that I stop by and visit if my plans should change. At that point in time, I offered the only inducement that the Navy had that appealed to me was the "Buddy Program" and that my friend was my buddy. We all had a good laugh as he informed me that the program was not co-ed in nature and did not quite work this way! We left the recruiter’s office. My friend and I went different directions and I never saw her again. During the year to follow, I had seen buddies go to serve while I didn’t. I also became disenchanted with school. Remembering the visit to the recruiter’s office, it was time for another conversation with the chief. He needed to make no promises. I was ready to enlist. Other than the cold "Perimeter Fence Watches" at Great Lakes during the winter of 67-68, "Boot Camp" was not all that memorable. Actual selection for the "CT" program was the result of tests being taken and interviews that were had. Evidently, at this point in time, the "CT" rating was in need of new recruits. It was the Navy and I did as directed. Becoming a "CT" was not as easy as being selected for the program. I spent a lot of time in "X" division. (A number of working class uniforms were ruined during that time period. The Navy appeared to love the way I painted.) I wondered if I would ever see advanced training! It looked like I was ready to be sent to the fleet when "Clearance" finally arrived. This experience was a small price to pay for graduation from CTO "A" school and future duties to be had. My duties as a "CTO" will never be forgotten. Becoming a "CT" was a privilege. Thank you to the Navy, and thank you to a friend that requested a ride into the city that day many years ago, it shaped my life! David C. Greb, CTO1 1967-1975