November 1981 to September 1987

Having graduated from Heald, it wasn't long before I went looking for job openings for something involving architecture.  Turns out my father was looking out for me by checking out the announcements at his workplace.....Mare Island Naval Shipyard (aka MINSY)

After submitting my SF171, I received an interview from a person who reminded me of St. Nick.  He looked as someone of authority and brimming with kindheartedness.  This person, Curt Nichols, would later become my boss for the next six years I would be employed in this shipyard in Vallejo, California.  I would be a member of the elite Ocean Engineering Division of the Engineering Department at MINSY, Code 280.  It combined all branches of the Engineering Departments from Mechanical to Electrical.  I was in the Structural Engineering branch, Code 280.1, specializing in arrangements.

The Original Staff

Left to Right:  Dennis, Bill, Ann, Curt, Lisa, Fred, Me

Starting pay grade was GS-4 Step 4.  My official job title was draftsman, but that changed to Naval Architect Technician once I proved myself.  It was an intimidating environment at first, but with all the help from co-workers and Curt, I felt like part of the team shortly thereafter.

The shipyard was huge.  I would often require the use of a bike to get to jobsites within the shipyard itself.  My time with naval vessels were confined to submarines.  Seeing them in drydock was an experience that was like seeing an enormous pipe that was sealed at both ends.  The magic however was inside.

Early on, one of the other perks working at MINSY was that I was part of my father's commute and that I rode to work and back home with my father every day.  I did not have to drive my car.  I drove the larger, more comfortable family car.  Unfortunately I couldn't handle the commute and found myself nodding off at the wheel.  I ended up moving to Vallejo after just a year, disappointing not only my father but also the other members of the commute.

Highlights while on the job...

• Curt thought I did a good job with my first solo project that he put in a request for me to receive a monetary award for "Special Achievement".  The project, which took a few months to complete, was for the arrangement of the 20K upgrade to Seacliff (DSV-4), a three manned sub similar to that used by the well known sea explorer, Jacques Cousteau.  I was responsible for coordinating the arrangement of the sub with every discipline in the Engineering department involved in the project.  I even interfaced with my father (Code 260 Mechanical) and other departments outside of Code 280.  I could see the gleam in his eyes of approval when he learned of the award.

• Received training for the newbies to the group on how to draw and create frames to ships by Curt.  We had a little shop next to our office where we'd cut the frames out of plywood and assemble them as "to scaled" models.  There were three of us "newbies"....me, Dawn and Fred

• Groomed to take over creating paint schedules and attend paint conferences from Bill, I learned the ropes as it pertained to painting the ships/boats we worked on.  The paint conferences were considered part of my job as a temporary duty (TDY) assignment not at MINSY.  After one such conference I bundled a week of personal leave to visit our nation's capitol. 

• We were encouraged to join the union.  Not that it was as powerful as say the nursing unions in San Francisco, but it did provide that entity that represented us.  They were responsible for the "zero sick leave" awards and to maintain an open relationship between the civilian staff and the military.

...and off the job

• Learned how to sail the Red Cross way with a visiting intern from NAVSEA, Terri Mulata, at the Mare Island Yacht Club

• Replaced my red Dodge Colt sedan (my first car) after a warning from AAA pertaining to using the free towing service in excess.  My first and only new car was its replacement.....a gold colored Mazda GLC hatchback (GLC as in Glenn's Little Car).

  The gang signed a "happy new car" card created by Curt.

• Survived the Bay to Breakers with the gang.  Completed the course in the official examiner cap, a tee-shirt, boy scout shorts, boots, scout stockings with green garters and a hoodie tied around my waist.  It was something to brag about at the Lowell 10 year reunion.
  

          
  

• Attended two weddings of co-workers (Bill Smith's and Dick Murray's) and invited the 250.1 gang and a few others to mine

• Played D&D with the engineers.  My characters included The Cloaked one, a half orc cleric (aka "T-CO") and Hyperion, a suicidal ninja. Game night was held at member's homes.  Calculating the volume of mud converted from stone was a thing with the engineers.  While they calculated, I took a break and snacked.  There were times when game night became an all-nighter event.  Fortunately I lived just blocks away when the all-nighters were held, and simply walked back home when the game ended.

• Lisa and Dawn helped to move me from SF to Vallejo by finding the flyer ad for the house

• Curt sold magnum sized bottles filled with coins for $50 that was worth more.  The only downside was one would need to sort and roll the coins on one's own.  I bought one of those bottles and the amount in the bottle came to about $75.  Most people would have taken the rolled coins to the bank.  I used the money like cash.  One time when the group went out to a company dinner, I ordered a virgin daiquiri and paid with the coins.  The bartender was OK with it, but I did get glares from my coworkers as they knew why I paid in coins.

• One event brought three couples together right before I transferred from MINSY.  Mike and Lorie Miller, Randy and Terri Randolph, and me and Marlene took in a day at Scandia Family Fun Center.  We all got to race in go-karts, play a few rounds of miniature golf and enjoy the arcade games.

• Was introduced to the Toastmasters in Vallejo thru Larry Philips.  Did not attend many meetings, but I got a chance to see what it was all about.

I got married in 1987 and had to move as my new bride was not too keen moving to Vallejo, and commuting even more so.  Fortunately a position was available for a lateral transfer.  I'd still be with the Navy, but this time I would be working side by side with my father's former coworkers.  I moved back to the city when I started the new position.

I had a grand send off.  The code all got together to give me this card....