A True Love Story - Chapter 5: THE BEGINNING OF LIFE AS A SAILOR IN THE US NAVY 1954

Front of a post card I mailed home, while in route to Boot Camp in San Diego California. The two classic aircraft of the time on the tarmack are, on the left, an American Airline ( AA ) four engine Douglas DC 6. The other, is a Transworld Airline ( TWA ) four engine, three tail Lockheed Constellation. June 4, 1954.

Back of post card. I had it in my mind that I had traveled all the way to San Diego via bus, until I found this post card in the Spring of 2006. It refreshed my memory, we traveled by bus from El Paso, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona, by way of Albuquerque, New Mexico. In Phoenix, we were loaded aboard an American Airline four engine DC 6 for the final leg to San Diego.

The Main Gate at the US Naval Training Center ( NTC ) San Diego, California 4 June 1954 . Thia was at a time when all Military Instlations, Training Centers, Bases, etc. were manned and Guarded by Military Personnel , Sailors, etc. unlike at the time of the writing of this book 2010 .

Although the fire fight of the "KOREAN CONFLICT" had ended the year before, in the Summer of 1953, there was no real peace as yet and "Peace Talks" were still going on. American and allied forces were still deployed at the border between North and South Korea. The US and the rest of the "Free World" were still in the midst of an undeclared war, commonly referred to as a "COLD WAR" with communism, and the communist ideology dictated by the Soviet Union.

When a bus load of new recruits ( including yours truly ) stepped aboard the Naval Training Center ( NTC ) in San Diego, California. 4 June 1954, was a bright, sunny warm day when we arrived at Lindbergh Field in downtown San Diego. We were then loaded aboard a big gray Navy bus, for the short ride to the Naval Training Center.

This is where the bus dropped us off and we received a "Welcome Aboard" greeting from a Chief Petty Officer. This was where we undressed, packed all our civilian clothes and sent them home. This was where our new way of life began & we got our first taste of being in the US Navy. After a quick basic Physical, ear nose and throat, etc., we all had our ears lowered (first Navy Haircut) . There was a new recruit with a a good head of styled hair. He was the first in our group to sit in the Barber’s Chair, the Navy Barber asked him if he wanted to keep his hair, the recruit responded yes. The barber proceded to give him a really close Navy Crew Cutand handed him a handfull of his cut hair. The rest of us had a good laugh .

A new Recruit Company ( CO 137 ) was formed, made up of new recruits from many different walks of life and from almost every corned of the United States. During the first week, they gave us a battery of test ( Knowledge and Scholastic ), I don’t recall that they really stressed how important the tests were. Perhaps it was just the fact that I was in an entirely new and different environment, and did not comprehend the true meaning or how important the tests were and the fact that the scores on the tests would determine my career in the US Navy however short or long it might be

Whatever the reason was, I missed the cut off score to qualify to go to Flight Training (to become a pilot) by a mere 3 points. The fact that the quality of your entire Naval Career, would be greatly impacted by the scores you made on the battery of knowledge and scholastic tests was not stressed enough at that time period.

After 8 weeks of intensive training, each new recruit was interviewed, to determine what rating category ( job description ) they were qualified to strike ( apply ) for, determined by you test scores. The US Navy, has many different ratings a sailor can strike for, if he meets the qualifying ARI / GCT score required. Many different rates can be found aboard a ship, as well as on land, at US Naval Shore Stations around the world.

Although I did not cut a test score to qualify for Flight Training, I did qualify for a Navy School in several different ratings. I was still interested in becoming an Airedale ( strike for an Aircraft Related Rate ), Aviation Machinist Mate. I was informed that my second choice had to be from one of the critical sea going rates.

I was really GUN-HO ( PATRIOTIC ) and wanted to be in a rating that was both a shipboard rate and a rate that was on combatant "MAN-OF -WAR," like Battleships, Aircraft Carriers, Cruiser’s, Destroyers, Submarines, and MTB’S ( Motor Torpedo Boats,). The PT Boats of WW II fame, like in the movie "THEY WERE EXPANDABLE" with actor John Wayne. I thought about what kind of ships the different rates are assigned to.

I knew that Torpedoman ( Ordnance Rating ) were stationed on Weapon Stations, ashore, Tenders, on fighting ships, like Destroyer, Submarines and MTB'S, etc. So I decided to strike for Torpedoman's Mate as my second choice. There was a great demand for sea going Torpedoman at the time I enlisted in "Uncle Sam’s Canoe Club," and in fact, the Torpedoman’s Rating was a very critical rating back in 1954. I received orders to report to Torpedoman's Mate Class A Underwater Ordnances School located in Newport, Rhode Island. After completing my 11 weeks of Boot Camp Training. The true Torpedoman's Rating, no longer exist as a single rate, as I approach completion of my First and Last Literary effort. The Tribute to my beloved Best Friend, my wife TYYNE ( TIINA ). In 2010.

Front of the first Post Card I sent home, after arriving at the Naval Recruit Training Center, San Diego, California, 4 June 1954.

The Post Card each new recruit was given, after our arrival. It was the first order of business, to let the folks at home know we had arrived safely and to give them our new mailing address. The postcards were collected and mailed for us.

Cover of the book depicting the Journey of Recruit Company 137 through out the intensive 11 weeks of Boot Camp. NTC San Diego, California, 4 June - 19 August 1954.

A photo in the book, the land mark of NTC San Diego. the USS Recruit TDE 1, a training mock up of a US Navy Destroyer Escort, built of steel, wood and concrete. It was located at the west end of the NTC, only about the distance of one football field length from Recruit Company 137 Barracks.

Here are just a few lines to say hello and to let you know that I received your most welcome letter. I hope this letter finds you all in the best of health, like it left me.

I am pretty low on funds, I only have $2. 30 to go on liberty with. I am suppose to meet Ruben tomorrow, to go on liberty with him, but I lost his telephone number and I was suppose to call him. If I go with him, I do not have to worry about money, but if I do not, I can’t do very much.

Yesterday, we got three shots, one in one arm and two in the other. Boy! that third shot really hurt. You take about two steps and "WHAM," it hits you like a ton of bricks, you can even taste it in your mouth, and your shoulder drops a mile.

I bet El Paso is really going to be green. I bet Whueco Tanks (a camping location in the desert) is really pretty. How is my Dusty (dog) doing? How is double trouble (baby sister Rosalie) doing? Send me some more pictures of her, and of you all too.

I went to interviewing yesterday and I was not able to get what I wanted. The aviation field is pretty well filed up and they are not taking too many for aviation schools. I managed to get recommended for Aviation Fundamentals School and Torpedoman’s Mate School. I pray to God I get the Aviation Fundamentals School. Torpedoman’s Mate, works with underwater explosives. They are taking all the men they can for this rating, that means there is a better chance to advance, because it is not as crowded as aviation. I am sending the paper I got. A torpedoman’s mate is stationed on Land Stations, Sub-Tenders, Destroyer Tenders, Destroyers, Submarines, Aircraft Carriers and Battleships.

NTC San Diego, June 1954. SR Granados, standing at parade rest. Close to the barracks, just before reporting for watch (Guard Duty). In right background, part of the USS Recruit TDE 1, training mock up of a Destroyer Escort ( DE ) is visible. Her superstructure, bridge, mast, smoke stack and two life rafts. On the left of photo, a recruit company marching in formation.

Just a few thousand letters ( J. f. g. - - - -) to say hello and to let you know that I received your most welcome letter yesterday. I hope you have not gotten "writer’s cramp" from writing to me so often, the same for mom.I have not written, because I have not had time.

The only time I can write, is on Saturday and Sunday and then only until 6: 00 PM. When I get through taking a shower, shaving and washing my clothes, it is 9: 00 PM and time to hit the bunk.

You have not heard anything about Gayle (a girl I knew in High School), have you? I did not think you did. Ruben, wants you to send him a cake or pie if you don’t mind. I will get his address next time I see him. We are planning to go to Mission Beach this Sunday.

Did you get Sudna’s home town address? Have I received anymore catalogs on Archery equipment? If you have, send it to me. Well, I guess that is all for now. Don’t forget to go down to Chistafers (a Model Airplane Shop, where I had a model jet plane I had designed and built on display) and see my airplane and tell him to hold it for me.

Tell mom, that the refill that she sent me is not worth a "plug nickel," because it will not write, tell her to send me another one and to make sure it works.

We took our company pictures yesterday, you know the ones like daddies Navy picture you have. Except, we are in "Whites" (Summer white uniform). I will send them home as soon as I get mine. I also bought a Company Year Book. It has the history and pictures of our company all through boot camp, but I won’t get that until after boot camp.

The photo was taken just before Taps, 2200 (10:00 PM ), " Lights Out and Silence about the Deck." Getting ready to get some shut eye, because reveille comes early at 0500 ( 5: 00 AM). Notice the vintage Springfield rifle hanging from my bunk. It is held by Navy Issue multi-purpose Clothes Ties. NTC San Diego July 1954

A rare photo, SR (Seaman Recruit) Granados caught out of uniform. Getting his uniform shipshape(ready) for tomorrow. We had to be ready to pass a personal and barracks inspection every morning. before we were allowed to go to breakfast by our Company Commander ADC J. W. Lucky. It was bad news for the entire company, if any one should fail a personnel or barracks inspection.

I did not have a camera, one of my fellow recruits was a "Candid-Camera" type shutter-bug. He had one, he took all of the non official photos of a new recruit's life at the NTC San Diego (Boot Camp) that appear in this book. July 1954.

I am really thankful for my fellow recruit that had the foresight to capture / record events in our daily life, as new Recruits in the US Navy. <

Gayle Picket, a very nice girl I got to meet and learned to know, due to our common interest in the Sport of Fencing. We used to practice fencing against each other at Austin High School. Gayle, was a better fencer at first. That is the primary reason I used to keep fencing with her. In time, I became a better fencer, because of her. I was in the school Fencing Club, she was in a different Girls Fencing Club, May 1953. I received this photo from Gayle, while I was in Boot Camp. June 1954

Another photo I received from Gayle Picket, while I was at NTC San Diego, July 1954. Inscription on the back:
Dear Javie, I am thinking of you and I hope this reminds you of me. Keep your chin up, Javie, you’ve got enough to keep you going from there. Until we see each other again. Yours always, Gayle

NTC San Diego July 1954. A view from the top floor (2nd floor) of our barracks. A daily routine, after the evening meal, washing our clothes and hanging them up to dry. No Washing Machines, or Clothes Dryers. We hand washed all our uniforms. No Clothes Pins, we used special Navy Issue Clothes Ties to secure the clothes to the lines. The line was inspected to make sure all the clothes were properly hung, with proper Square Knots with no Pig -Tails showing anywhere, prior to being hoisted up to dry.

When everybody was done washing and hanging their clothes on the line, the loaded clothes lines were hoisted up to dry. The lines were heavy, weighing several hundred pounds and required the use of "Sailor Power" to hoist them up. NTC San Diego July 1954.

USNTC San Diego, July 1954. Javie, at the wash table at right, scrubbing his white hats. I still have the leggings on, which also have to be washed. I am very glad I found the rare photos taken during the beginningof life as a young sailor in the US Navy.

Seaman Recruit ( SR ) Granados (center without leggings) hanging up his white hats -- Notice the special clothes-ties. We did not use any clothes pins, everything was secured with Navy Issue Clothes-Ties. Every article of washed clothing, was physically tied to the ropes (clotheslines) with a proper Navy Square Knot, no Granny Knots or Pig-Tails were allowed. The loaded clothes lines wereinspected by the Duty Petty Officer in charge,before being allowed to be hoisted up to dry. NTC San Diego July 1954.

A "birds-eye view" of my home away from home while at the US Naval Recruit Training Center ( USNRTC ) San Diego July 1954. My barracks is center left. Photo is from The Anchor.

A photo from The Anchor. Our Recruit Company 137 passing in review on the parade grinder(Preble Field). NTC San Diego, July 1954.

NTC San Diego, July 1954. Standing in formation. Every Friday, all the Recruit Companies would assemble on Preble Field and Pass in Review. I was selected Right Guide, for Company 137 ( CO 137 ), because of my marching ability. The ROTC Training at Austin HS taught me basic Military Marching, Formations, etc. The entire company marched to my cadence (pace). Photo from The Anchor

SR Granados, practicing the Kneeling Firing Position beside his barracks, to the left. NTC San Diego, July 1954

Boarding the buses, that took us into downtown San Diego. On our first Liberty Ashore while in Boot Camp, July 1954.

A view of Mail Call from my point of view, our barracks window. USNTC San Diego, July 1954. All of the photos from The Anchor.

I was appointed Mail Petty Officer for our Recruit Company. I am at the window conducting a "Mail Call," after our work day was over, at 1600 ( 4:00 PM ) USNTC an Diego, July 1954.

Group photo of Recruit Company 137, Company Commander and Petty Officers. I am holding the US NTC flag, far right. 23 July 1954 NTC San Diego

Company Commander Recruit Company J. W. Lucky, ADC (ChiefAviation Machinist’s Mate). Chief Lucky, was a hard Company Commander, and we were the better for it. NTC San Diego July 1954.

Certificate of Advancement to Apprentice Petty Officer Third Class (APO3). USNTC San Diego, California, 22 July 1954

Late July 1954, my 2nd liberty ashore in San Diego. While still in Boot Camp. I found out my older cousin Ruben Castillo who had enlisted in 1953 and his younger brother Robert, also a sailor (Naval Reserve), were both in San Diego. We had a mini reunion, at Mission Beach in San Diego. L-R Javie, Ruben in his civies -- compared to Robert and me, he was an "old salt" -- and younger cousin Robert.

El Paso Texas, August 1954. Home on 30 days leave after completing 11 weeks of Boot Camp, bbefore reporting to TMA (Torpedoman's Class "A" ) School in Newport, Rhode Island. My mother, my father, my little sister and yours truly. My sister Lydia was taking the picture. The Blue Dress uniform was the Official traveling uniform,year around. We call them "Dress Blues." We also had a Blue work uniform, we referred to them, as "Undress Blues."

Home on 30 days leave, to El Paso Texas. After completing 11 weeks of Recruit Training at USNTC San Diego, California, August 1954. I am in my Summer "Dress White" uniform. My mother always wanted to see me in my uniform. You can see her shadow in the photo, as she took this image. I had acquired a deep tan .

We also had a working summer white uniform, we referred to them, as "Undress Whites." Undress Whites, were worn aboard a ship or shore station. You could notgo on Liberty in the Undress Uniform (Blues or Whites)