Military History
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Military History |
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United
States Navy (U.S.N.) Two enlistments with Honorable Discharge.
 Navy Eval 88 Jun 28 |
 Navy Eval 89 Mar 31 |
 Navy Eval 90 Dec 07 |
 Navy Eval 90 Mar 31 |
 Navy Eval 91 Sep 30 |
 Letter of Appreciation |
 Letter of Appreciation |
 Letter of Recognition |
 News Artical Pistol Class |
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Achievements & Experience
- Achieved the standing of "Top Platoon Leader in the 25th Battalion."
- Coordinated security watchbills for buildings and radio communications.
- Coordinated and supervised groups of professional and non-professional personnel in the repair and rework of radio communication facilities.
- Served as radio station liaison between various Commands, organizations, and the general public.
- Coordinated the procurement of supplies and personnel for construction projects with overall cost savings.
- Initiated, designed, and instructed various training and morale programs.
- Earned Letter of Recognition "for superior scholastic achievement."
- U.S.N. July 1986 to April 1990: Honorable Discharge.
- Boot Camp, Great Lakes, IL. Triple Threat-Company 930-Division 24 (band, choir, & drill-team).
- 22 July 1986: Seaman Apprentice (rank E-2), Assistant Recruit Chief Petty Officer.
- Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Millington, Tn.. Student Duty Platoon Leader.
- 30 September 1986: Airman Apprentice (rank E-2)
- 30 September 1986: Primary Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) 9710-0000, Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician.
- 16 February 1987: Airman (rank E-3).
- 06 August 1987: Petty Officer Third Class (AX3)(rank E-4).
- 24 May 1988: Secondary Navy enlisted Classification (NEC) 0000-9577, Military Affiliate Radio system (MARS) Operator.
- 16 January 1989: Petty Officer Second Class (AX2) (rank E-5).
- NATTC Job Oriented Basic Skills/"A" School Skills Enrichment Training School (JOBS/ASSETS), Occupational Knowledge (OK) Program Supervisor.
In the search for a more rewarding career, and an inside warning that "reorganization" would be occurring at Burns, I enlisted in the Navy under the Delayed Entry Program on 01 August 1985 with a scheduled departure date of 22 July 1986. I signed up for the avionics electronics field as an Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician. My contract included advanced schooling that guaranteed the rank of E-4 (Petty Officer Third Class).
In boot camp I tried out for and entered the "Triple Threat Company," the performing company with the band, choir, and rifle drill team. Not only did I perform in the choir, but I also served in the position of Assistant Recruit chief Petty Officer (ARCPO). As the ARCPO, I was second-in-charge of the company after the company commander.
Major Event: Leg injury and Navy Doctors.
After boot camp, I was transferred to NATTC, Millington, Tennessee, for my avionics' schooling. I was injured by a vehicle shortly after arriving at NATTC, which would complicate and limit my naval service and duties. I was able to complete my service schools with high grade point averages, complete my advancement to Petty Officer Third Class, and receive a Letter of Recognition "for superior scholastic achievement" from the Commanding Officer of NATTC, Captain J. F. Healy.
Although my injury placed me in a "limited-duty status," with the completion of my secondary Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) as a Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) Operator, it allowed me to move into the position of the Chief Operator of the Amateur Radio and MARS station at Millington, under the supervision of the MARS Officer, Lieutenant R. D. Alley - who was also the Assistant Director of Training at NATTC. I supervised in the operation and maintenance of the MARS station as well as reconstruction projects. Also during this time, I completed my advancement to Petty Officer Second Class. I received "Outstanding" evaluations for my performance as well as two Letters of Appreciation from the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Memphis, Captain R. Grant.
Major Event: My dad, Maurice Vivian Holding dies on March 27th, 1987 after a long battle with cancer.
When Lt. Alley transferred out of Millington, I was still on a limited-duty status and awaiting corrective surgery. So with the recommendation of the Department of Training, I transferred to the JOBS/ASSET school to organize and supervise the new O.K. Program. After I returned from surgery in Bethesda, Maryland, I spent the next year working with newly arrived students under the OK Program. I was medically cleared for full duty and I put in for a West Cost HSL squadron, for which I had to extend my enlistment contract time. So I received an Honorable discharge and I re-enlisted in a nice little ceremony at the JOBS/ASSET school.
- U.S.N. April 1990 to September 1991: Honorable Discharge.
- Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, San Diego, Ca.
- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Forty-One (HSL-41),
- Primary specialty Listing, 9376-0000, SH-60 (Lamps MK III helicopter) System Organizational Maintenance Technician, Tool-room Control clerk, Assistant Squadron Duty Officer (ASDO).
- May 1992: Veterans Affairs disability rating, 40% combined.
Major Event: The Berlin Wall Comes Down!
Major Event: Desert Shield and Desert Storm
I transferred to HSL-41, North Island, San Diego, California, in April 1990, for training. Unfortunately, my injuries gave me further problems. Nonetheless, I was able to complete my squadron schooling and receive my Primary Specialty Listing, but I was once again placed on limited-duty and could not transfer to my target squadron, HSL-49, for sea-duty. I remained at HSL-41 while I went through further medical surgery and evaluations. I spent my last days in the Navy as the ASDO for the squadron till I received my disability discharge - something I hoped would never come. I remained in San Diego to await completion of my Veterans' processing and to make plans for college under the VA's vocational rehabilitation program.
Although I was injured shortly after entering the service, I
was able to complete schooling with high grade point averages; thus, I received a
"Letter of Recognition" for "superior scholastic achievement." I was
also able to complete courses towards my Secondary Enlisted Classification of M.A.R.S.
Operator, as well as complete a large number of Non-Residential Correspondance Courses in
my spare time (some of the good things that my injury forced me to do by restricting my
partying). Thanks to my secondary NEC, I served as Chief Operator of the MARS in
Millington for a little more than a year,. The service provided a good deal of training
and experience, but due to my injury, I eventually had to accept a disability discharge.
Through my disability qualified me for benefits and vocational rehabilitation under the
V.A., it is not how I wanted to obtain my college degree opportunity.
Rank/Rate Advancements and Enlistments
* Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series (NEETS) Modules
College credit for military training and schools was credited on 6 February 1995 at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kansas, from an evaluation of military credit per recommendation by the American Council on Education for a total of 19 hours.
