I was aviation Navy, but after shore duty in Rota, I was facing more 0-dark-30 flight deck hours, so I converted to the new rating of Navy Counselor (admin) while in Spain. That rating started closing up and CPO was looking further off. I got an unexpected offer to take over a small company so left after 11 years as an E-6. Just wish the offer was one year later so I could wear a gold Crow and hash marks as an E-6. With that gold on my sleeve, I may have held out for CPO and did my 20. The business offer was just too damn good.
While I proud of my 11 years, I have a problem with my era (75-86) not being able to wear the basic National Defense Service medal that every recruit now gets out of basic. I would think that being chased by Soviet subs and surface just itching to send us to the bottom would justify that medal. Whoa is us Cold War types...ha.
I agree as a Cold Warrior we we received no recognition. You are going to love this: everybody gets to wear gold hash marks you no longer have to earn them.