LCDR James F. Green USNR/USN  1963-1986


When I joined the Naval Reserves in 1963, the plan was to put 2 years in, go back to WI, 
and get out at the end of my 6-year obligation.  Actuality was 23 years on active duty 
and retirement in Maryland.

In 1963 there was this government entity that a lot of us 20-year-olds worried about.  
It was called, The Draft Board.  Its job was to ensure that the Armed Forces, primarily 
the Army, were adequately staffed.   At that time, I had a brother in the Air Force and 
a brother in the Navy.   I talked to them about living conditions, food, and, primarily 
educational opportunities.  Pete, Navy, convinced me that there were better possibilities 
of formal education in the Navy.  I said, “But Pete, I don’t think I want to go to sea.”
He said, “Oh, you don’t have to.”

I was dumfounded and asked him how.  He told me to go down to Oshkosh, and join 
the Naval Security Group Reserve Unit and become a CT.  I asked him howcome they 
don’t go to sea.  He said he didn’t know but everyone he talked to was a volunteer.  
When I asked him what they do, he said he didn’t know that either because they never 
talk about it.  I figured 2 years of active duty and coming home would be better than four 
years in the regular Navy or the Air Force. I went down to Oshkosh and joined up.  I still 
didn’t know what I would be doing for around 9 months because it took that long to get 
my clearance.  

As things turned out, I really loved the Naval Security Group.  They gave me a BS in 
Computer Science, an MS in Information Systems, a 1610 Commission. And 23 years of Shore Duty.