BTW A Navy Vet we both served in the same time frames. I was in 76-80. It was a different Navy thats for certain.
I was in in 76 too. In fact, I spent the Bicentennial of the United States on Worm Island in NTC San Diego.
THAT part of it was more civilized, no women on ships and visiting ship ladies treated and acting proper... (Stateside anyhow), I know a QM3 who brought a gal on-board and “christened” the Capt’s Chair on the bride...
There were a lot of morale problems back then. Drugs were practically everywhere below decks and officers didn’t even dare go into P-3 or P-4 berthing late at night.
Still, when all’s said and done, those three years on Connie were the most amazing and life changing so far. Wouldn’t it be a tripe to steam into Subic Bay one more time and get ready for a refreshing walk up Magsaysay?
“It was a different Navy thats for certain.”
Yes it was. We use to wear beards. n/s