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100
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https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/0b990020107e0d56317297dd472eadae.pdf
cacb275a5be012930c31e1cb34c46e87
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project Collection
Alternative Title
Lone Sailor Collection
Subject
Veterans--Florida
Orlando (Fla.)
United States. Navy
Navy
Sailors--United States
Description
Collection of digital images and oral histories related to the former Recruit Training Center Orlando (RTC Orlando) for the United States Navy. The training center transformed raw recruits into highly effective sailors. This process took place over an intensive eight-week training period, commonly referred to as "boot camp." RTC Orlando occupied roughly one half of the former Naval Training Center Orlando (NTC Orlando), which was located at present day Baldwin Park, Orlando, Florida. Between 1968 and 1994, over 650,000 men and women graduated from RTC Orlando.
Contributor
<a href="http://www.lonesailorfl.com/" target="_blank">Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project</a>
<a href="http://digitalcollections.net.ucf.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/VET" target="_blank">UCF Community Veterans History Project</a>
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/24" target="_blank">UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection</a>, RICHES of Central Florida.
Language
eng
Type
Collection
Coverage
Naval Training Center, Orlando, Florida
Contributing Project
<a href="http://www.lonesailorfl.com/" target="_blank">Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project</a>
<a href="http://digitalcollections.net.ucf.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/VET" target="_blank">UCF Community Veterans History Project</a>
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
External Reference
"<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/veterans/" target="_blank">About the Project</a>." UCF Community Veterans History Project, RICHES of Central Florida, University of Central Florida. http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/veterans/.
"<a href="http://cfnavyleague.org/lone-sailor/" target="_blank">The History</a>." Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project. http://cfnavyleague.org/lone-sailor/
"<a href="http://rtcorlando.homestead.com/" target="_blank">The History</a>." RTC Orlando. http://rtcorlando.homestead.com/.
<a href="http://www.lonesailorfl.com/" target="_blank"><em>A Guide to Historic Orlando</em></a>. Charleston, SC: History Press, 2006.
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
Oral History of Chad Etchison
Alternative Title
Oral History, Etchison
Subject
Veterans--Florida
Orlando (Fla.)
Global War on Terror, 2001-2009
Description
An oral history interview of Chad Etchison (b. 1974), who joined the U.S. Navy in December of 1992 and served during Operation Active Endeavor and the Global War on Terror (GWOT). Ethicson was born in Anderson, Indiana, on December 12, 1974. He attended boot camp at Naval Training Center Orlando (NTC Orlando) and later served on several Navy frigates. He also served President Bill Clinton (b. 1946) as part of the White House Communication Agency and attended the Fleet Combat Training Center in Dam Neck, Virginia. In Orlando, Etchison served at the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command Operations Force Center and the Navy Operations Support Center. Ethicson achieved the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer (CPO) and earned a Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, five Navy Achievement Medals, and a Presidential Service Badge.<br /><br />This interview was conducted by Chad Eric Joyner on March 15, 2014, three months before Etchison left the Navy. Interview topics include enlistment, boot camp, NTC Orlando, the Grinder, Ethcison's naval career after Orlando, and how the Orlando area has changed over time.
Table Of Contents
0:00:00 Introduction<br />0:01:35 Enlistment<br />0:02:42 Boot camp and training at Naval Training Center Orlando (NTC Orlando)<br />0:07:50 Taking leave and helping with recruitment<br />0:09:06 Relationships with other recruits<br />0:11:12 Instructors<br />0:12:58 Hardest part of NTC, proudest moment, and memorable story<br />0:16:22 USS <em>Blue Jacket</em> and the Grinder<br />0:20:53 NTC in comparison to other bases<br />0:22:15 Important locations at NTC Orlando<br />0:24:04 Graduation<br />0:24:54 Naval career after training<br />0:29:48 Boarding vessels and contraband searches<br />0:31:45 Contacts from the Navy<br />0:32:47 Naval values<br />0:36:50 How Orlando has changed over time<br />0:38:50 NTC€™s legacy and the Lone Sailor Memorial Project<br />0:42:20 Closing remarks
Abstract
Oral history interview of Chad Etchison Interview conducted by Chad Eric Joyner at the UCF Libraries in Orlando, Florida on March 15, 2014.
Type
Sound
Source
<a href="http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/VET/id/274/rec/1" target="_blank">Ethcison, Chad</a>. Interviewed by Chad Eric Joyner, March 15, 2014. Audio record available. Item DP0014895, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.
Requires
<a href="http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/" target="_blank">Adobe Flash Player</a>
<a href="http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp" target="_blank">Java</a>
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Is Part Of
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/veterans/" target="_blank">UCF Community Veterans History Project</a>, Orlando, Florida.
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/109" target="_blank">Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project Collection</a>, UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Has Format
18-page digital transcript of original 43-minute and 22-second oral history: <a href="http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/VET/id/274/rec/1" target="_blank">Ethcison, Chad</a>. Interviewed by Chad Eric Joyner, March 15, 2014. Audio record available. Item DP0014895, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.
Conforms To
Standards established by the <a href="http://www.loc.gov/vets/" target="_blank">Veterans History Projects</a>, Library of Congress.
Coverage
Anderson, Indiana
Jonesboro, Georgia
Recruit Training Center Orlando, Orlando, Florida
Naval Training Center Orlando, Orlando, Florida
Naval Training Center Great Lakes, Great Lakes, Illinois
Naval Training Center San Diego, San Diego, California
Baldwin Park, Orlando, Florida
Naval Station Mayport, Jacksonville, Florida
Des Moines, Iowa
Navy Operations Support Center, Orlando, Florida
Creator
Ethcison, Chad
Joyner, Chad Eric
Publisher
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a>
Date Created
2014-02-22
Date Copyrighted
2014-02-22
Format
application/website
application/pdf
Extent
39.7 MB
198 KB
Medium
43-minute and 22-second audio DVD/MP4/CD
18-page digital transcript
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Civics/Government Teacher
Geography Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Chad Eric Joyner and Chad Etchison.
Rights Holder
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a>
Accrual Method
Item Creation
Contributing Project
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/veterans/" target="_blank">UCF Community Veterans History Project</a>
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
<a href="http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/VET" target="_blank">UCF Community Veterans History Project</a>, UCF Digital Collections, University of Central Florida
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
External Reference
"<a href="http://cfnavyleague.org/lone-sailor/" target="_blank">The History</a>." Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project. http://cfnavyleague.org/lone-sailor/
"<a href="http://rtcorlando.homestead.com/" target="_blank">The History</a>." RTC Orlando. http://rtcorlando.homestead.com/.
<a href="http://www.lonesailorfl.com/" target="_blank"><em>A Guide to Historic Orlando</em></a>. Charleston, SC: History Press, 2006.
Click to View (Movie, Podcast, or Website)
<a href="http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/VET/id/274/rec/1" target="_blank">Etchison, Chad</a>
Date Modified
2014-09-01
Transcript
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Today is March 15<sup>th</sup>, 2014. I am interviewing Chad Etchison, who served in the United States Navy. Mr. Etchison currently serves as Command Senior Chief at NOS—NOSC [Navy Operational Support Center] in Orlando. My name is Chad Eric Joyner. We are interviewing Mr. Etchison as part of the UCF [University of Central Florida] Community Veterans History Project and as research for the creation of the Lone Sailor Memorial Project. We are doing this interview at the UCF Library in Orlando, Florida. Senior Chief, if you will please start off by telling us when and where were you born?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>I was born in Anderson, Indiana, on December 19<sup>th</sup>, 1973.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What did your parents do for a living?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, my dad was a mechanic, uh, for Delta Air Lines and, uh—prior to the Navy, and my mom was a schoolteacher.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Did you have any brothers or sisters?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Yeah, I have a[sic] older brother, Mark, who’s, uh—currently works for Anderson University in Indiana. He’s a football coach, and I have a younger sister, Lana, who, uh, works in advertising in Atlanta, Georgia.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Growing up, where did you go to school?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, well, when I was a very young age, we moved to Jonesboro, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. So I, uh, grew up in Jonesboro, went to elementary school all the way through high school right there in Jonesboro.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner <br /></strong>What did you do before entering the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>High school. I joined right [out of] high school. I—I—actually, I joined the Navy, um, just a couple months into my senior year. So I know what I was going to do.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Um, when did you join?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>I joined in December of [19]91.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner <br /></strong>Why’d you join the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after high school. Um, my brother had received a football scholarship. He was a big sports star. I got a couple offers, but I kind of wanted to step outside—or from under his shadow a little bit. Do something different. Uh, and both my grandfathers and father were Navy veterans and they talked about their time in the service, so figured I give it a shot, and that’s what I did.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>So that’s why you selected the Navy over the other branches?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Initially, I wanted to join the Army, but, um, my dad kind of talked me out of it and talked me into talking to a Navy recruiter, and, uh, once I talked to them, I got offered, uh the job I wanted, so I went with the Navy.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>How did your family feel about you joining the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, they were a hundred percent behind it.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Where did you attend boot camp?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, I left Georgia in November of ‘92, um, come down here to Orlando, and, uh, I was here for a couple of days, uh, classing up there waiting for all the recruits to get here for my class. Then we officially started boot camp on December 1<sup>st</sup> of ‘92.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What were you trained to do for your career in the Navy? What—what were you trained to do for your career in the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>At the time, I was just planning on, uh, doing my—I enlisted for six years, so my—my initial thought was just do the six years get the training and get out. See what was—well, what life had to offer me, but, uh, 21 years later, I’m still here so…</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>When did you begin your training at NTC [Naval Training Center] Orlando, and how did this come about?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, I graduated boot camp in February of ‘92.<a title="">[1]</a> Got two weeks leave and then started, uh, beginning of March—end of February of ‘92<a title="">[2]</a> at NTC Orlando. Uh, I went there, because of—that was the first phase of Electronics Technician School. Uh, the basic electronics was here in Orlando. Um, so I went through there and then from there I moved on to the [Naval Training Center] Great Lakes to finish my training.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What did you know about the region, military, or—or any other information about Orlando, before arriving?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, actually, my—my grandparents—my dad’s parents—live in Winter Haven, Florida. So we’d been down here quite a bit vacationing and spending time with them. So I knew about the area—of course, the attractions and stuff, but as far as the military, um, I really didn’t know there was a boot camp here, until I joined the Navy. That’s—that’s where they told me I’d go.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>How long were you at NTC Orlando?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, I was there from Nov—at NTC? I was there from March until July of that summer, so several months.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What was your first impression of the base?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>I loved the base. Uh, it was a training facility, so, uh it—it was nice. Um, act—actually, at the time, they were building some new schoolhouses, and, uh, I had several friends at Nuclear School there, so, uh, it was kind of like a college campus almost, you know?</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What were your first days of the service like?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Confusing. Very confusing. Um, had no idea what was going on—on—all I knew was just they pointed this and told us to go somewhere, I just followed along and went with whatever they told me.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What were you primary responsibilities at NTC Orlando?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, at NTC, I was, uh just a student primary. As a student, we would stand duty and have watch responsibilities, and, um, that’s pretty much it.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What did the watch responsibilities consist—contain or consist of?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, watch responsibilities, uh—you had watch every four days or one weekend a month. Uh, mainly just staying quarterdeck watch at the barracks, uh, making sure everybody who entered the barracks had proper ID, and a reason for being in there and you’d clean. Basically, cleaning duties, making sure the barracks stayed clean and the—all the showers, they stayed clean.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What was your overall impression of the recruits and their training at the base?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>At the beginning, you hated it, but at the end, um—I—I got a lot out of it. I thought it was a great experience. Um, you kind of grow up really fast, so the experience was—was for—for a young kid, to me, was a great—was great. I learned a lot—learned a lot about myself, you know? And the thing back then is there is no such word as “quit,” ‘cause they wouldn’t let you quit. They’d push, push, push, and when you thought you couldn’t go anymore, they’d push more. So it was a—it was a great experience for me. An eye-opening experience being, uh, fresh out into the world, right out of high school. So, um, I got a lot out of it, and I look fondly back on—on those memories.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What kind of social life existed amongst the recruits?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, first and foremost, respect, you know? Um, they demanded respect. Uh, it’s a little bit different nowadays, we’re more PC [politically correct] with the training, but back then, ultimately, you learned respect and you gave respect. Uh, that was the primary, and then, um, just the basics of being a sailor, what it was like to be a sailor, the routine of, um—of being a sailor and how to survive, uh, in the Navy [<em>sniffs</em>] [<em>clears throat].</em></p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>How often was leave granted?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, in boot camp, it wasn’t. Um, when I was in training, if there was[sic] any special holidays, you got—you can request leave. Um, But everybody was offered two weeks leave, right out of boot camp, So I took advantage of that.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Where did you go?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, I went back home, and actually, I started a week with the, um, local recruiters, going back to my high school and talking about my experiences in boot camp and stuff, And doing that, they only charged me for one week.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>How did you feel about going back with the recruiters?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, it was a proud experience to walk back into your high school and see, uh, a lot of the students that were still there. Walk back in uniform and stuff, and—and knowing—even though, looking back, it wasn’t that big of accomplishment, but at the time, to me, you know, going through boot camp and doing that was a big accomplishment for me. It’s kind of, uh, rewarding to go back and have everyone see you in uniform.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>How did you training experiences shape your relationship with other recruits in you class?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>It—it taught me, um—the biggest thing I learned is—is, uh—there were recruits from all over the country. So many different backgrounds and, uh—and I didn’t realize how diverse the military was and, uh—and how different, you know people’s upbringings was[sic] all over the country. So you learn to adapt to people and learn to, uh—to accept people for who they are, and—because—because you got to work together as a team, and ultimately, that was one of the things they taught us in boot camp—how to work together as a team. So regardless of your differences—your background—ethic, religion, whatever—When you are part of that team, it does not matter. You’re all one team. You have to work together. So that was an eye-opener too.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Who did you interact with on a daily basis?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, during boot camp, there was a couple of people that I interacted with, Uh—several recruits. One—one—one—his name was Tom Johnson. Um, he was from, uh, Red Wing, Minnesota, and I don’t know why, but me[sic] and him just got along. So me[sic] and him would talk on a daily basis.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>While you were at NTC, was there anybody…</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, actually, uh, he was also, um, in the electronics technician program too, so me[sic] and him were actually in the same class, and we ended up being roommates, and, um, a third roommate joined us. His name was Troy Slewroo[sp], and I become close friends with him and, uh, he’s still serving in the Navy as well, so I talk to him on a regular basis too. Um, after about a year, after I graduated Electronics School, I kind of lost track of Tom, so I’m not sure what happened to him, but Troy I still talk to on a regular basis.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Who were your instructors?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>At boot camp, I remember there was a Chief K, and, um BM1 Conner, and, uh, I’ll never forget them, ‘cause they made a huge impact on me, and actually, several years ago, I ran into—who’s now Master Chief Conner. He was a Command Master Chief at Naval Station Mayport, and I was on a ship out there. I was at training and I heard the voice, and I—<em>I know that voice.</em> So I walked around the corner, and, uh, there’s Master Chief Conner. I had a conversation with him and I was floored when he actually remembered who I was. So and, um, in—in A School— I don’t remember his name, but I know he was a retired chief—electronics technician—and, uh, he was my instructor. I don’t remember his name.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What were your instructors like?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, during boot camp, the two instructors—they were hardcore workout fanatics. So, um, we got in pretty good shape, ‘cause, uh, they were all about pushups, sit-ups, doing all that kind of stuff all the time. So, um, they—they were pretty strict, but they also kind of had a joking side. They—they would joke with you and, um, they let you know when it was time to be serious and time to joke.</p>
<p>Um, my instructor for A School, um—he was great. He was a very personable person. Um, very strict in the classroom, but very approachable, and, uh, he helped us out a lot. Willing to do whatever he could to make sure we understand what he was teaching. So…</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What was the hardest thing you remember doing at NTC?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, the hardest thing was going through Electronics Technician School. It’s just so much information thrown—THROWN at you at one time. Um, and, uh, it was fast and furious, and—and coming out of high school, um, the—the pace was just so much quicker than I was ever use to, And a lot of information to try and retain and, uh, just trying to figure out how to study and—and how to be able to regurgitate that information during our labs and during our tests. So, eh, that was very challenging for me, and—and I struggled a little bit at first, and, um, eventually the instructor to help me along kind of—I went to him and he taught me actually how to study and the proper ways to—to study to help us out, ‘cause the pace was just so fast.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What was your proudest moment?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, making it through basic electronics training. Um, I was proud when I graduated boot camp, but, uh, moving on with Electronics Technician School—that was the first hurdle you had to get through. Um, Otherwise, you could have went to—if you failed out, which we had a couple guys drop out, you got sent to the fleet to a ship—basically undesignated. So you were working with the boatswain, which is not the funniest job, and I joined to do electronics work, so once I got past that first hurdle of graduating electronics school, that was a big—big moment for me.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner <br /></strong>Tell me a story of a time at NTC you will never forget.</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>There—there’s a couple, but the one that stands out the most is, um—was in boot camp, ‘cause, uh, the first time we really got, uh, a PT’d [physically trained] really hard, they called it “cycling.” And, um, we did what they call a “rain party,” where all the windows were shut, all the bunks were pushed back, and they just PT’d us until condensation formed on the ceiling. We were just going and going, and going, and, uh at the time, we were, uh, [inaudible] <em>This is the worst thing in the world, </em>but looking back on it, it was like, <em>Wow.</em> That was—that was—that was the big start of it all, you know? The—the defining moment of how—how far you were going to be pushed, and you just kept going, because, you know, you were scared to stop, ‘cause these guys were on you, you know? So, um, that’s something I’ll never forget. Looking back on it, I—I kind of chuckle. Uh, that’s kinda fun, because they do not do that kind of stuff anymore, but, uh, um—yeah. I—it’s kind of a fond memory now, even though it wasn’t fun at the time.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>And that was when you first arrived or the first few months [inaudible]?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, no. In the first week or so of being there, once we finally classed up and got moved into our barracks and started to settle in.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>How would you describe the USS <em>Blue Jacket</em> and its function?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, unfortunately, when I was there, we didn’t get to do much on the USS <em>Blue Jacket</em>, ‘cause, uh, they were doing some work on it. So, um, we just got the basic tour, got to do some, um, simple line handling drills on it, and that’s about all we go to do, but like I said, because they were doing work on it. So, um, I remember seeing it though and, um, thought it was kind of small for a ship, but, uh, um, I wish we got to the full training, but we just didn’t.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>And what class of ship was the <em>Blue Jacket</em>?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>You know, I don’t recall. Um, if I had to guess, I’d probably say it’s a frigate. A small vessel. Kind of really don’t recall.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What was the official purpose of the Grinder and what it—it’s significance to you and the recruits?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>The Grinder, um—that was the— main thing—that’s where we learned how to march, and—and how to follow, uh, calls and military protocol. Um, a lot of work was done on the Grinder. We—in the early mornings, we’d PT’d on the Grinder, and then, uh, we spent a lot of hours in the afternoon just doing marching drills, learning formations over and over and over, you know? Um, it was a big deal when you got your—your, um, dungaree uniform, and, uh, as soon as we got them, um, they took us back to the barracks, and dressed out in them, and went right out to the Grinder, and marched for hours, just to break in your boots. Which we, uh—actually, they were boondockers. They weren’t even boots. They were three-quarter inch, uh—three-quarter inch boondockers. So, um, a lot of blisters [<em>laughs</em>] and stuff, but—yeah. A lot of times, just learning drills and marching quite a bit.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>How would you defi—how would you define the Grinder to other people? What would you—How would you—what did it mean to you?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Oh, um, gosh. At the time, it was a work area, you know? Um, at the time, it meant you—when they said, “Hit the Grinder.” You kind of like—<em>Aw, man. Here we go</em>, you know? You never knew what you were in for, um, whether we were going to PT at the time, even though we had a set scheduled for stuff, you know? If they said “Hey. We’re hitting the Grinder,” you kind of—you didn’t know what you were in for. You were kind of hesitant at the time, but, uh, that—that was the foundation for learning, like I said, the drills and protocol and all them calls, and, um—and on the Grinder, that’s where we become a team, ‘cause if one of us messes up in formation, we all paid the price, so we learned, you know, uh, about being a team.</p>
<p>So when—when I think of the Grinder, I think of, you know—that was the formation of teamwork there and that’s how—where we really learned, uh, to be one, and I guarantee you: by the time we did our graduation ceremony, um, we were all in perfect harmony and perfect step, because of we—we worked it all out there on that Grinder, and we were on that Grinder—we were on the Grinder every day, rain, shine, and, uh, I was here during the winter. It doesn’t matter what the weather was. We were out on that Grinder every day. So, um, a lot of hard work, but, um, a lot, uh—a lot of teamwork came out of that, you know?</p>
<p>So I guess I look back on the Grinder as a, you know—just a—probably a— significant place in Naval history, you know? Because if you think of all the sailors who walked on that Grinder—who learned the same lessons I did there, you know—it’s kind of sad that it’s gone now, you know? But it’s, you know—I never really thought about it until—‘til you asked me, so it—it’s—it’s a pretty—pretty significant, I would say, in my past.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What other training bases did you go to?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, [<em>clears throat</em>] when I left Orlando, um, I went out[?] to Great Lakes, Illinois, and, uh, did Phase 2 of Electronics School, which is advanced electronics, and then, I also went to, um, the [Naval] Training center out in San Diego[, California] for some follow-on schools before reporting to my first ship.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>How would you compare the other bases to NTC [Orlando]?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>I always questioned why they closed Orlando and—and, uh, kept Great Lakes open, because, uh, to me, the base here was nicer. It was in, uh, better shape. Um, But, understandably, the—the history up in Great Lakes, You know—the historical buildings. There’s a lot of history up there, as well, but, um, I always favored this base. It was just, you know—and—and those of us who been through—went through Orlando, kind of take ownership of it, and, you know, um, I [inaudible]—when I first moved down here, uh, six months ago, when I got transferred, I drove over to Baldwin Park just to see what was still there, and, uh, I was kind of sad to see it all gone, you know? I didn’t recognize anything over there anymore.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What other areas of the base were particularly important to the recruits?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, on boot camp, um, of course your barracks were very important, because, uh, if you ventured outside of that, you know, it—you—that was kind of your safe zone when you were with your—your company commanders, um, that and, um, there was a USO [United Service Organization] right outside, and, um, it was a big deal, ‘cause I know we were there over Christmas, and, um, we got, uh—I think it’s like 45 minutes-an hour. They let us—we were allowed to go over to the USO and just kind of let our hair down for a little while, and, uh, the USO would have some snacks and stuff for us, and, uh, that was always a—a—a great place, you know? I remember going over there and just loving it, and when, uh, we graduated boot camp, everybody migrated over to the USO and that’s where you met your families and stuff.</p>
<p>Um, on the NTC side, I remember there was a little club that had the ar—ar—arcade games, and jukeboxes, and pool. Um, that was—that’s kind of the place we all congregated either after school or on the weekends, um, and there was a McDonald’s. I remember the McDonald’s. Um, there was a volleyball court right across from it, um, in front of some barracks. So usually after school, we—we’d run over get changed and go to the volleyball court, and, uh, you know, spend the majority of the afternoon there, and the, uh, go for McDonald’s, grab something, and go back to barracks and study for the night, and be ready to go the next day.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Is that McDonald’s still there or no?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, I don’t think so. Not that I remember.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What did it feel like to graduate and finally put the hat on?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Oh, the white hat? Yeah. Uh, that was a big moment. Um, you strive, and, uh, I remember wearing, you know, the other cap—your—your stocking cap all the time, and you’re looking[?] and you’re like, <em>Aw, I can’t wait until I get the white hat. Can’t wait to get</em>—you know, ‘cause to use that was the signal of a sailor, and once you got the white hat, you know, you knew you were almost there. Um, so that was a big goal that everybody was striving for, was to get the white hat, and then once you got it, you kind of, you know—you kinda strutted around, you know, ‘cause you saw all the other companies that didn’t have theirs yet. So you felt a little better than everyone else. So it was—it was a good feeling.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What did you do for the Navy after you completed your training?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, when I finished, um, I reported to my first ship the USS <em>John A. Moore</em>. Um, I was on there for, uh, three years. Um, deployed a couple times with them. Um, I got to do some work on the USS <em>Wadsworth</em>—help out some fellow ETs [Electronic Technicians] for some time.</p>
<p>After that, I—I transferred to the White House Communications Agency [WHCA]. I was fortunate to get picked for that, and, um, I was—I served under President [William “Bill” Jefferson] Clinton—his last three years, and, uh, Got to setup and maintain all the communications equipment for the President and Secret Service, and, uh, one—one of my primary jobs was to work in the limo shop, so I got to install maintain the presidential limousine, the communications equipment.</p>
<p>From there, I went to Fleet Combat Training Center in, uh, Dam Neck, Virginia, and, uh—and worked on radar systems there. Um, and I—I was fortunate enough to make chief while I was there, and, um, after graduating there I went to the USS <em>Simpson</em>—was on the <em>Simpson</em> out of Mayport, Florida, for, uh—for three and a half years. When left the USS <em>Simpson</em>—when I deployed on to a NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] cruiser, during the [Global] War on Terrorism,<a title="">[3]</a> with the <em>Simpson</em> and then, um, from there, I went to the, uh, Naval Expeditionary Combat Command. I—I helped stand that up. It was a small staff when I got there. Probably 30-40 people, and, uh, we built up the expeditionary force and when I left we were a staff of 300, uh, plus sailors, and, um, from there, um, I went to Des Moines, Iowa, of all places, with the Navy. Um, I was a Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Navy Operations Force Center out in Des Moines, Iowa. While I was out there, I, um—I made Senior Chief at NACC, and when I was out there, um, I went to the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy and got, uh—and applied and got selected for a Command Senior Chief program, and so, uh, I was at a, uh—a Command Master Chief conference and my [inaudible] was there, and, uh, I got to talking to him, and—and, uh he told me that the, uh—that the Navy Operations Support Center here in Orlando had just, uh, received a Command Senior Chief billet[?], and, uh, asked me if I was interested in coming down here. So, uh, Aft—I thought about it, and I was like, <em>You know, I’m getting to the point where I might want to retire. </em>I figured that would be a great place to retire. So I started my career there and—and I thought it would be neat. If I do retire here, to end it here. So this is where I’m at now.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Of all your previous deployments and stations, which one to you is—was the most influential and significant? Which one means the most to you?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, probably the USS <em>Simpson</em>. Um, that was my first, um, real command. I was a new chief when I got there, and, um, I learned so much on that ship. I had some great people. I had a few people above me that I didn’t think was[sic] great, but still, um, I—I learned a lot of lessons there on how to treat people, on how not to, um, uh, what it takes to run a division on a ship, um, to be that leading chief.</p>
<p>Um, a lot of that lessons learned on that stuff—on that ship, uh—experiences I—I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else, except for being at sea, you know? So, um, I’m very grateful that I, uh, chose to enter[?], and, um—and the lessons learned—you know—good and bad—that—that was just the biggest learning curve for me—was that 3 years, and, um, I was very fortunate to have a couple, um, of chiefs and senior chiefs I still talk to, to this day, that kind of helped mentor me. From, you know, being a new chief, and I feel when I left that command, I was a seasoned chief, and, um, you know, a lot of great, great chiefs helped me along, and—and we had some good officers that really, you know, helped me learn even more. I kind of thought I knew a lot, and then when I got there, I thought I was in over my head, but, um, it was just such a great experience and a learning experience [inaudible]. I’ll—I’ll look fondly on that command.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Where you ever in an active warzone?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, active warzone? No. Um, we did do, um, boardings, um, outside in the Mediterranean [Sea]. Um, the ships going to and from the Gulf. [inaudible] there’s, um—we did boardings—non-compliance boardings—but I was never in an active warzone though.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Could you talk about the boardings, or no?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, some—some of the boardings, um, [inaudible]—some of them—we did the same thing on—on, uh, my first ship, down off the coast of South America, as well. It’s just, uh, you know, um, looking for contraband. Uh, we go, uh, trying to make contact with the ships. If—if they’re will to stop, great, and let us board, great. If not, for the non-compliance ones, we kind of forced them to stop, and, um—boarding, and I was fortunate to be part of a boarding team on a couple of those, and, uh, whether they are compliant or not, boarding a ship is always nerve-racking, ‘cause you don’t know what to expect, and Of course, you’re looking for contraband and—and, um—and, uh, going through the ship is always kind of nerve-racking, ‘cause you, you know—you don’t know what—there’s so many places to hide on a ship, and, um—so it—it was—it was interesting, to say the least. Um, nerve-racking, but, um, fortunate enough, um, uh—the few, um, kind of situations that happened, I wasn’t involved in those. So I was—I was extremely fortunate, you know? So that’s about that. Nowadays, they don’t do that.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>You mentioned you kept in touch with one of your buddies from the NTC.</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Mmhmm.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Is there anybody else you kept in contact with from the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, I got a couple mentors. Uh, two—two of them have retired from the Navy, but I still keep in contact with them. I touch bases with them, um, if I got a situation I am in and I’m not sure how to handle that, or what to do. Or, uh, if I make a decision on what I’m going to do, I usually call them and run it by them. I—I kind of get their take, um,and—and I’ve made a couple of real good friends along the way that—that I keep in touch with. So I would say—and my dad gave me this advice when I joined the Navy—He told me, um, you know, “Mot everybody’s your friend. You’re going to make a lot of acquaintances, but your—your friends, you’ll keep in touch with.” And so, um, I would say, out of all the sailors I served with, probably about 4 or 5 I keep in touch with.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What values or characteristics of the Navy do you believe made an impression on your life?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Well, the, you know—our core values are honor, courage, and commitment, and, um, with honor, it’s just not, you know—I feel honored to wear the uniform, but, uh, it’s—it’s an honor to represent not only the United States, but all those sailors that have served before me, and, uh, especially those chiefs who, uh, have made the Navy strong. Because, you know the saying is “The chiefs are the backbone of the Navy.” And my ultimate goal in the Navy was to make chief, once I decided to make it a career, and obtaining that goal and being a part of the mess is, you know, the big honor, and I just want to live up to the standards that, you know, all the sailors before me have set, you know?</p>
<p>Um, and another characteristic is—is courage, and courage doesn’t mean you’re not scared, you know? Um, being courageous is when you’re unsure, maybe a little scared, but you do—you do the job anyway, and—and being courageous is, you know, sometimes making an unpopular decision, you know to, uh—with some of my junior personnel, you know, I know the decision is not going to be popular—not going to like it, but you gotta make it and—and—and be committed to the—to the decision, and, you know, [inaudible] that goes along with commitment, you know? Um, Not only being the decision-maker, but as somebody making the decision, whether you like it or not, or agree with it or not.</p>
<p>Um, we have this saying in the mess, you know: “Acceptance doesn’t mean agreement.” You don’t have to agree with it, but you’re committed. That’s the way we’re going, so let’s go and you drive your sailors to—to follow along. So, um, the values that the Navy hold dear—honor, courage, and commitment—that’s[sic] the ones I take on and try to live up to, and I’ll tell you this: not only in my professional life, but in my personal life as well. ‘cause I—I’m always mindful that my actions out in the civilian world, um, Can affect my professional world, as well, and I—I don’t want to do anything that would discredit, you know, the Navy, as well as discredit my family.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>So overall, what would you say is the most valuable lesson you learned from the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Wow. Um, you—it’s—it’s—I’ve changed so much in my way of thinking, in the Navy. Um, I think the most valuable lesson is being, uh, tolerant of, uh, different points of view, different, um, people, you know? Um, it’s okay to have your own opinion and to state your opinion and have your belief, as long as you’re willing to accept the fact that there’s[sic] people out there that’s[sic] gonna disagree with you and have a different point of view, and, um, that’s one thing [inaudible], uh—uh, where I grew up, um, I kinda had a mindset of a way things should be and my beliefs, but, um, sitting here 21 years later, I’m a totally different person. I think I’m more open and more, uh, subjective to—other people’s, um, either backgrounds or, you know, ways of life, and, you know, the way I look at it—I, you know—we’re all people. We all have a right to our own opinion, our own way of life, so as long as it doesn’t affect me directly, you know, I haven’t put much thought into it.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>You said when you returned back to Orlando, you didn’t recognize the base, so—or the area at all. So how would you say the NTC base or the Central Florida region changed since you left?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, from what I remember, um, there—there’s a few landmarks that are here that I remember going to, um, around the base. Church Street Station is still there. Um, there’s a couple of restaurants—still there, but the landscape has changed, you know, to being primarily housing now, and, um, I think the demographics of the population has changed too. Um, I think there’s more of a Hispanic culture here than I remember.</p>
<p>Um, so, um—and this is the—since boot camp, you know, this is—the last six months is the first time I’ve really been here—living here, you know, not just kind of visiting to visit the theme parks and stuff like that. That’s totally different than actually being—excuse me—being a resident here. So, um, I think the demographics has[sic] changed and, you know, that whole area around Lake Baldwin now, you know, just seems to me to be all housing and stuff now, and, uh, there—there was a club—I think it was called Manatees—outside the gate there—that I was looking for to see if to see if it was still there, and, uh, it might be there, but I couldn’t remember my way around, because I didn’t recognize the area. Um, I remember that and, uh, there was a hotel in the area we use to stay at on the weekends, just to get away. It was the Colonial Plaza. I don’t know if it is there or not. Uh, I’ve [inaudible] —I’ve talked to my wife. I was like, you know, “I want to take some time and drive around see if we can find it,” or, you know—so—But, uh, yeah. It’s totally changed.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What do you think the lasting legacy of the NTC Orlando—of is—of the NTC Orlando?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>I would hope people remembered it was here, you know? And, um, I know the [Central Florida] Navy League has worked hard, uh, to get the—the Lone Sailor [Memorial Project] statue out in Baldwin Park, which, um, that would be a good reminder. Even talking with some of the younger sailors nowadays, uh, when I told them, “Hey. I went to boot camp in Orlando,” they didn’t even know, you know, that Orlando even existed as—as a RTC [Recruit Training Center] or that we had a base down here, Other than where we’re at now. Um, so I—I just hope people remember, you know, that we were here—that we were a big footprint here, at one time, and, uh, I think that Lone Sailor statue would be a lasting memorial, At least to all the sailors, you know, that[sic] served here, and at least we get some kind of recognition that we were here and did something here. So, um, sad that it’s gone, but it is what it is.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>What do you—what do you think former Navy personnel would like to see or be reminded of when they revisit the site?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Um, I think just having a statue that, you know—the Lone Sailor Statue just represents a—a lot to sailors, and, uh, seeing that there would be a, you know—hopefully, just a good reminder, uh, of the things that went on, you know, at RTC and NTC, and, uh,it’s funny when—when I got asked to do this—and looking through my book and thinking about, you know, um—you remember all the good times, you know? The bad times—you just forget—kinda forget them, unless somebody brings something up, but, uh, you remember the good times, and hopefully, having a memorial there, you know, when—when the sailors come back to visit and they see that, it will bring back the good memories of—of that, and the positives that they experienced there.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Before we finish I want you to fill in the—fil in the blank for me.</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Okay.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>NTC Orlando means what to me.</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>[<em>sighs</em>] I tell you: NTC Orlando means a new beginning for me. Um, because I was there at, uh, RTC and NTC, where I got the first taste of the world and experience the world on my own, not in a family environment or setting, and, uh, I had to rely upon myself, you know, to get things done or to be more responsible. Um, I—I had to answer to a higher authority for my actions. So it was a total new beginning for me, and, um, looking back, I think I made the right choice for myself, ‘cause I couldn’t, um—I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else, and—and, um—and having that experience there and getting to experience life, uh, on my own being, able to make my own decisions and do things, you know, um—that’s, uh—that’s where it all started for me. Right there.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Is there anything I haven’t asked you about or anything else you would like to talk about, sir?</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>You know, I—I can’t think of anything. Um, not at the moment. No.</p>
<p><strong>Joyner<br /></strong>Thank you, Senior Chief Etchison, for taking your time to conduct this interview for us. We appreciate your service and we look forward to—hopefully to this going forward to become part of the Lone Sailor Memorial Project.</p>
<p><strong>Etchison<br /></strong>Uh, thank you for—for inviting me, and, uh, service is a pleasure. So it’s my pleasure to serve—serve the United States and to be able to serve its great people. So, um, I appreciate your “thank you,” but it—it’s—it’s a pleasure and it’s an honor to be able to do this. So, um, thank you for inviting me.</p>
<div><br /><div>
<p><a title="">[1]</a> Correction: 1993.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p><a title="">[2]</a> Correction: 1993.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p><a title="">[3]</a> Correction: Global War on Terror (GWOT).</p>
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</div>
advanced training
Anderson, Indiana
Baldwin Park
basic training
Bill Clinton
Blythe, William Jefferson III
boot camp
boot camps
Central Florida Navy League
Chad Eric Joyner
Chad Etchison
Colonial Plaza
Command Master Chief
Command Senior Chief
Community Veterans History Project
Conner
contraband
CVHP
cycling
Dam Neck, Virginia
Des Moines, Iowa
Electronics Technician School
electronics technicians
enlistment
ET
Fleet Combat Training Center
Global War on Terror
graduation
GWOT
Jacksonville
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Jonesboro, Georgia
Lake Baldwin
Lana Etchison
Lone Sailor Memorial Project
LSMP
Manatees
marching
Mark Etchison
Mayport
McDonald's
memorials
military training
NACC
Naval Expeditionary Combat Command Operations Force Center
Naval Station Mayport
Naval Training Center Orlando
Naval Training Center San Diego
Navy Achievement Medal
Navy Commendation Medal
Navy League
Navy Operational Support Center
Navy Operations Force Center
Navy Senior Enlisted Academy
NECC
NOSC
NS Mayport
NTC Orlando
NTC San Diego
Operation Active Endeavor
orlando
Presidential Service Badge
rain parties
Recruit Training Center Orlando
recruits
RTC Orlando
sailors
San Diego, California
Secret Service
Senior Chief
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Senior Enlisted Advisor
The Grinder
Tim Slewroo
Tom Johnson
U.S. Navy
U.S. Secret Service
United Service Organization
USO
USS Blue Jacket
USS John A. Moore
USS Simpson
USS Wadsworth
USSS
veterans
volleyball
WHCA
White House Communications Agency
William Jefferson Blythe III
William Jefferson Clinton