US Navy man Chuck Wiser enlisted in 1963 at the age of 17 and started a family tradition of service
By Chuck Wiser, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels
Since I sloughed off last week and didn’t Wramble into your life, in honor of Veteran’s Day I thought I would sneak in with a little personal Veteran’s story and end it with a Thank You to current enlisted and past Veterans.
My early 60’s entry into the United States Navy as a 17 year old, fresh out of high school somewhat mirrored the path that a close family relative followed at about the same stage of his life. Richard (Dick) Searl went into the Navy fresh out of high school in the early 50’s, just about a decade ahead of my journey’s start. Dick had been looked up to my entire growing youth, and I used to work with him helping my grandfather on the farm in Rushford, NY. He taught me how to drive the tractor around 10 years of age. I’m surprised that my first solo attempt to drive the old Ford tractor didn’t disqualify me for future use. As I sat in the seat for the first time solo, or so low, with the clutch pressed down I started the engine. Dick said, “now release the clutch.” I did! Only problem was that he didn’t say “Gradually release the clutch,” so I just pulled my foot away all at once. My first “Wheeley” scared the hell out of him, my grandfather, and me. If you’ve ever had the privilege of driving a standard transmission vehicle with a clutch, you’ll know about this. For others, the clutch has to be released slowly so as to gently engage the gears and the drive train. Our family holiday celebrations were normally hosted by my grandparents or an aunt, but I always looked forward most often to the one’s when Dick was on leave from the Navy.
Fast forward a few years until I graduated from Friendship Central School in 1963 at the ripe old age of 17. My career path had already been decided and was influenced by Dick, as I was to follow in his footsteps and joined the Navy fresh out of high school. I was still a “wet behind the ears” youngster in boot camp. Our company commander (CC) didn’t take that into consideration when he was tasked with the job of selecting a “recruit” to be the team leading “Recruit Petty Officer in Charge.” Based on my high aptitude testing grades he selected me to be that recruit leader. I was way over my head in showing or practicing responsibility given my age and lack of experience, and didn’t last long in that job. I was a smoker at the time and whenever the CC left us alone and me in charge, I would give us numerous “smoke breaks.” I was responsible for signing up our company into any and all activities and keeping our records up to date and intact. I was pretty good at that aspect of the job so the CC finally tired of my other undesirable leadership traits and “retired me” from that appointed position and made me the “Company Clerk.” I guess our CC learned his lesson and picked as my replacement the oldest guy, several years older than me, as my replacement.
I remember one verbal (and physical) exchange I had with the CC, as on one occasion when I did something wrong he sternly said: “Wiser, if you screw up one more time I’ll stick this size eight right up your arse. (sic). I got into really deeper trouble when I asked the CC if “that was his shoe size or his hat size?” Have you ever tried to do push-ups with a 190 pound guy with one foot pressing down on the middle of your back? It ain’t easy 😉
Boot camp went well after that and I functioned well as the Company Clerk.
Fast forward through a stint in Gun Fire Control Technician school where I was first acquainted with what eventually turned out to be “computer controlled” equipment. The massive banks of radio tubes and transformers and all other non-digital electronic devices became my job and eventual responsibility to maintain. BTW, I was still “way in over my head.”
I was blessed to be re-acquainted with my relative, Dick, as he lived in Little Creek, Va. off base. I spent many weekends with him. Upon his transfer I was fortunate enough to have another episode of monumental coincidental events occur. This next chapter in this story started with a most amazing combination of events while I was stationed on a ship based in Norfolk Virginia. As I was standing guard watch on the “Quarterdeck” one night, a sailor came up the gangway, saluted, and asked permission “To board the ship.” I stared in disbelief when Dave Cummins, a former (and future) neighbor in Nile, NY was boarding the ship after having been assigned, completely randomly, to the same ship that I was on.
Consider this! Nile, NY has a population of slightly more than 100 people. The ship I was on had about 200-300 sailors on board. The number of naval personnel in 1964 was probably around 700,000 to 800,00 sailors. What are the odds that one guy from a little town the size of Nile, would be assigned to the same ship as a neighbor from that same town.
As luck would have it Dave had an Uncle that was also US Navy and who lived in Virginia Beach. Wow! Dave and I ended up living off base and stayed with them. I can’t think of many places where I would like to live, than Virginia Beach. Were it up to me alone, and it would have to be, I would have settled down and lived in that area after my enlistment ended in 1966, and for the rest of my life thereafter.
That brings to mind an edict I used to pass on to my male students nearly every year whilst teaching at Alfred State College, later in life. I used to tell them; “Before you marry, move to the town or city where you want to spend the rest of your life, and get the car of your dreams, at that time as well.” It is unlikely that you will have those choice options after you marry. My new mantra is; “In marriage, a one to one vote is not a tie.”
Fast forward a few decades and our youngest, son Shawn, when faced with his future plans decided to take a military route. I’m not exactly sure why, as there was no influence from me as far as I know, but he did. One odd event turned and dictated his fortunes as his first plans included becoming on Army Ranger. Fortunately, I think, for him, the Army recruiter mis-played his hand and turned Shawn away from the Army so he joined the US Air Force in 1995. Shawn recently retired from the Airforce having honorably served, lived, and progressed into the upper enlisted ranks in the Air Force. I had always looked forward to his moving back to NY State upon his retirement, but I think Montana has more than welcomed his ongoing residence. Big game hunting and the “endless big skies” of Montana won his heart.
On this Veteran’s Day, I thank Shawn, his also retired military wife Toni Ann, and all of those currently enlisted, formerly enlisted, and reverently all those who have gone before us, for their service.
Chuck Wiser is a columnist for the Wellsville Sun, residing in Scio NY and writes a weekly “wrambling” column. You can reach him anytime at, ChuckWiser@roadrunner.com.
