Raymond J. Hankinson, CTAC USN Retired, 1960-1980


I got to Boot Camp, GLAKES, in October 1960 and wintered-over (not the brightest 
idea I've ever had since it was extremely cold and windy). 
 
When it came time for classification, I was asked if I had taken typing in school.  
I answered "yes" but didn't tell them it was in the 8th grade and I didn't do so well. 
 
I got out of GLAKES in February 1961 with orders to YN "A" School Bainbridge, MD in September.  
Upon completion of the school, I would be designated a CTSN.  In the meantime, I was sent to 
the Naval Shipyard South Philadelphia and assigned to the Service Craft Division.  I spent that 
time handling lines and chipping paint off of YTB's, YTM's and LCMs.  In our spare time, a BM3 
took me out onto the Deleware River and let me take the controls of an LCM; a flat-bottom 
twin-engine, twin-rudder, twin-screw landing craft.  Just before I was to leave for YN School 
the lead BMCM took me aside and asked if I considered Assault Boat Coxswain School in Little Creek, VA.  
He said he could probably get a slot if I wanted it.  I thought about it for less than a minute, 
thanked him, and declined his offer.  I had visions of a job where I didn't get wet when it rained. 
 
At YN School I failed the first typing test, since I could only type about 9 WPM after all the 
mistakes where added up.  The YNC in charge of the typing school told me I had two weeks to get 
to 33 WPM or wash out and go back to the fleet as an undesignated SN.  I flashed back to Philadelphia 
and vowed that I wasn't going to end up on a fast moving DD in X-Division; so I typed furiously.    
I even borrowed a typewriter over the weekend and, two weeks later, passed the test with room to 
spare (I was motivated).  I completed YN "A" School, designated a CTSN, and sent along my way to 
3801 Nebraska Ave in November 1961.  
 
A little over eighteen years later I was a CTAC and took a transfer to the Fleet Reserve.  
I had a good career and look back favorably upon the friends and dedicated sailors of the Naval Security Group.
 
Raymond J. Hankinson, CTAC, USN (Retired)
SA - NTC Great Lakes, IL (Oct 60-Feb 61)
SA-SN - Naval Shipyard Philadelphia, PA (Feb 61-Sep 61)
SN-CTSN - YN "A" School, Bainbridge, MD (Sep 61-Nov 61)
CTSN-CT3 - NSA (Nebraska Ave and Fort Meade) (Nov 61-Oct 62)
CT3-CT2 - NSA Office Frankfurt, Germany (Nov 62-Dec 64)
CT2-CT1 - NAVSECSTA Nebraska Ave, Wash DC (Jan 65-Apr 67)
CT1 - NSA Office Japan, Camp Fuchinobe (May 67-Mar 70)
CT1-CTA1 - NSGD San Antonio, TX (Apr 70-Sep 70)
CTA1 - ADCOP Corpus Christi, TX (Sep 70-May 72)
CTA1 - NSGA Homestead, FL (Jul 72-Feb 75)
CTA1-CTAC - NSGD Naples, Italy (Mar 75-Feb 78)
CTAC - ARFCOS Det Bravo, South Weymouth MA (Feb 78-Feb 80)