[Eddy Smiles]

Squint... I did in the beginning. After my 8-1/2 regular tour I signed up for the reserves but it wasn't the same. My entire enlistment was wartime (Vietnam and Cold War) and the reserves was filled with a bunch of guys that had never seen a ship, nevermind sail on one. I got tired fast of pooping and stooping and after my first year was up I went inactivate for the last year. During Desert Storm I went back down to the recruiter to see if they'd take me back in but I'd already passed the cut-off age. After the recruiter got through rolling around on the floor from laughter he loaded my pockets down with Navy promotional materials and sent me home. Now when ever I'm near a Navy recruiting office I always stop by for a mug or pens. The Navy hands out excellent pens! I think the one thing that I regret the most is not ever have made chief. I hung my sextant up (I was a QM) as an E-6 and had been diligently studying for the chief exam. But overall I'm happy with my decision. I've had a great life and I thouroughly enjoyed my naval expereince. Like most guys that did naval service I went places and did things that others can only read or dream about.