Emil Levine, I was the LTJG comms officer on the USS Southerland (DDR743) when we were directed to join Task Force 8 (Dominic) for the 1962 nuclear tests at Christmas and Johnston Islands. I was briefed in at Pearl as we had a team on board. We were watching the Russian who were watching the tests. I worked with them every day and decided secgru would be more fun than what I was doing. I applied for a Russian language correspondence course (USAFI) and then russian language school, based on advice from the OIC of the det. Upon a return to Pearl my language aptitude test was waiting, in esparanto. The XO showed it to me. I went to the University of Hawaii and checked out every book on esparanto, and took them on the next trip south. (I had flunked French in college and dropped out of latin in high school!!!). Then I took the test and passed (i.e., I cheated.). Somewhere along the line I wrote a letter asking for assignment to the Office of Naval Intelligence Russian Language School. I am forever indebted to YM1C Komarmi who suggested that I spell "intelligence" correctly in the letter. (True). After language school (which included two weeks out with appendix operation), I was suppose to go to Karamusel (still as an 1100), but my records were lost so I ended up at NSA for two years. I was OIC of one dirsupdet on a carrier transit and return. Leaving active duty in 1966, I switched to the reserves and recommended conversion to 1615 and then went to work as a civilian at NFOIO, which included two Silver Fox trips as a civilian with TF 168. A great mix of 1610/1630/1100. Left the reserves 26 years later as a 1615 and never regretted a minute. Emil Levine