US Navy Recruiting Brochure, - , 2020 Versus 1970 ?

[SweetMK]

I was at a LGS (while waiting for my wife, who was at the dentist) but, found no non-lock S&W's to look at.

As I was leaving, there was brochures for most anything near the door,,
I decided to pick up the US Navy Recruiting brochure.

I thought it would be a hoot to see what had changed since I walked into a US Navy recruiting office in 1970.

WOW, was I surprised,, other than a few minor statements, and some reminders (that my parents had taken care of) the 2020 recruiting process is IDENTICAL to my experience of 1970.

The first major difference was the statement referring to pay being adequate.
When I was recruited, the Navy felt that money only got sailors in trouble, my E3 pay was $66 every two weeks.
The reminders in the current brochure that my parents had take care of were things like, "be on time" , "do not wear gang related clothing" , "leave your excessive jewelry at home", things like that.

I was amazed that the brochure was written so accurately, nothing was exaggerated, nothing was sugar coated.

Several of the "jobs" were described, one of my duties was included, the brochure was very accurate, even as to what I had done, 50 years before.

Reading the brochure, was a little emotional for me, because if I had been asked to write my recruitment process today, I feel the brochure was identical to what I would write.

If you haven't been there, the brochure might not mean much,,
but, for us ex-Navy guys, I recommend reading one of the brochures,, it will sure bring back memories.

I would never trade that part of my life for anything,

50 years later, the Navy is still bringing in recruits almost the same way I entered the service.

I really started the thread to see if any other branch guys have looked at the current recruiting brochures,,

Have you noted similarities to your experiences??

 

[colrhino]

IMHO, the simplicity and genius of this recruiting slogan has never been equaled.... "We're looking for a few good men."


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[mdf9183]

I wonder if they ever found any.

 

[clipper1]

quote: mdf9183
"I wonder if they ever found any."

If 'dogs are better than people' I would guess that your dog, if you have one, doesn't have much of a challenge.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I wonder if they ever found any.

Yes, a few.

 

[Texas Star]

I guess it beats press gangs for recruiting sailors, eh?

 

[caduceus]

I remember. 1969. 17 yrs. Old. Not a clue what I was in for. I also remember that young gal dressed as a sailor on a large recruiting poster . NTC San Diego was my home for several weeks.

 

[fordson]

I wonder if they ever found any.

Yes, they did.....quite a few as a matter of fact and continue to do so.

Semper Fi............

 

[Dave.357]

I remember some had a hard getting through
Boot camp. I did not find it that hard.

 

[MTC(SS)Ret]

My only issue with Navy boot camp was being at Orlando Training Center in JULY-AUGUST!!!! The freaking grinder was hot enough to fry eggs on. But I guess that was better than going to Great Lakes in January and freezing to death.

 

[colrhino]

I wonder if they ever found any.

Well you obviously weren't one.


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[Robspeire]

I joined in 1970 also & was @ Great lakes in the middle of winter. Still the coldest place I have ever been.
I will check out a brochure.
Spent my whole time on the Destroyer Charles R Ware DD865.
I was a Boatswain Mate

 

[SweetMK]

I joined in 1970 also & was @ Great lakes in the middle of winter. Still the coldest place I have ever been.
I will check out a brochure.
Spent my whole time on the Destroyer Charles R Ware DD865.
I was a Boatswain Mate

I was scheduled to go to boot camp at Great Lakes February 1970,, they accidentally overbooked.

At the last minute (like a week before I was to go) our entire group (about 15) was switched to Orlando,,

WOW, did we suffer, it must have got down to 70 degrees every day,,,

 

[STCM(SW)]

Great Lakes Navy Boot camp, July till September. Hand washed clothes froze over night on the line we tied them to.......
Company 293....
Still remember that for some reason.

Two billets I would never take, Boot pusher & Recruiter!

 

[Frank46]

Enlisted in August 1964 right out of high school. Off to Great Lakes Recruit training center. Company Commander was Bosun's Mate 1st class Hickey and he hated everyone. Graduated Boot camp and off to sunny Jacksonville Florida. Spent the next week painting the 75mm projectiles on the golf course. Guy in charge gets chewed out as all the shells are pointed the wrong way. Board the Swanky Franky and shown my berthing comp't and taken to stores for new bedding. Next day out we go over the choppy seas. They pair you up with an experienced watch stander. Monkey see, monkey do. When I got separated from active duty we were in the Philadelphia Naval shipyard. The USS New Jersey was in dry dock getting overhauled to to vietnam. Good for then as we'd already been there. About a year earlier they didn't have enough bodies to fill out a proper watch schedule. Went from 4x4,6x6, And I'd always have the wrap up watch or lighting off watch. Spent two weeks at the naval shipyard. One day was told to go over to the base's Chaplains off ice to wash his windows. Chaplain comes out and asks what the heck do I think I'm doing?. Washing your windows. i'm thoroughly convinced that the Navy is a firm believer in the old saying " An idle mind is a devils workshop". two days and I'm home. And a Vietnam Vet at 21 years of age. Frank

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

San Diego in May 69. Don't remember much about recruiting posters. Boot camp was one week longer for us as we got there before Memorial
Day and the Navy does not start anything on Tuesday.
From boot camp to Pensacola Corey field A school. My rating doesn't
even exist anymore.
Compared to Marines, Army we had it pretty easy.

 

[41 fan]

NRTC Orlando 1969. My rate is gone too, CYN (Communication Yoeman).

 

[NYlakesider]

Great Lakes Navy Boot camp, July till September. Hand washed clothes froze over night on the line we tied them to.......
Company 293....
Still remember that for some reason.

Two billets I would never take, Boot pusher & Recruiter!

My older cousin retired with 34 years in the Marines. He started in about 1950 and retired at I believe a E9. He was offered a recruit training billet but managed to do other things. He has said " I just do not have the heart to put other young people through what I went through''.

He was tough had 3 tours of Nam! I know he was offered Warrant but did not want it he called it a ******* rank.

RIP Bernie

 

[oddshooter]

In the summer of 1968, I reported aboard the Coral Sea aircraft carrier as a young midshipman.
The Coral Sea was just back from Yankee station off Vietnam and we were loaded with young rookie pilots. We spent 24 hours a day doing air ops for marines trying to make their first carrier landing. After three misses they were waved back to the land base; their naval aviator career was over. When we saw a pilot heading in for his third and last try, we cleared the deck and called the crash crew. We all knew that guy was not going to take a wave off and he would plant that plane on the deck whatever it took. It takes a lot to crumple landing gear, but it can be done. We lost three pilots that summer. I never read a word about it in the local media.

Grandpa was a for-real B17 bomber pilot with 35 missions and a boat load of metals. He died 2 months ago at 95.
Brother in Law was a Lieutenant in Seal Team One.
Yep, lots of military in the family.

50 years later, my son is now in the Navy. The Navy gave him a 2 year age waiver and a big bonus for signing up at 37 years old. He gave up a great position and huge salary as a big-time network security specialist. The Navy wanted him badly.

Looks like he has lifer written all over him.
He was awarded Honor Cadet at Boot Camp.
He was nominated for Sailor of the Year.
He just won Mentor of the Year.
He also volunteers for Wounded Warrior taking disabled vets shooting.

Yea, I'm kinda proud of my boy.

If I'm to be judged by one thing in my life, I hope it's my son.
Prescut

 

[Ziggy2525]

...
Compared to Marines, Army we had it pretty easy.

From what I've seen, Marines had a difficult boot camp.

Army basic training wasn't hard. Physically you needed to be able to do 45 pushups, 50 situps, and run 2 miles in combat boots in 15 minutes. Daily PT wasn't much different from football or wrestling practice. Not hard for an 18 year old. Pretty much everything else was just a mind game.