1
100
5
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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
A History of Central Florida Collection
Alternative Title
History of Central Florida Collection
Subject
Podcasts
Documentaries
Description
A History of Central Florida Podcast series explores Central Florida's history through the artifacts found in local area museums and historical societies.
Contributor
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/podcastsblog.php" target="_blank">RICHES Podcast Documentaries</a>
Cassanello, Robert
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/70" target="_blank">RICHES Podcast Documentaries Collection</a>, RICHES of Central Florida.
Language
eng
Type
Collection
Coverage
Altoona, Florida
Astor, Florida
Brevard County, Florida
Bushnell, Florida
Clermont, Florida
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
DeLand, Florida
Disston City, Florida
Fort King, Florida
Geneva, Florida
Goldenrod, Florida
Groveland, Florida
Holly Hill, Florida
Hontoon Island, DeLand, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Kissimmee, Florida
Lake Apopka, Florida
Lake County, Florida
Lake Mary, Florida
Marion County, Florida
Merritt Island, Florida
Miami, Florida
Mims, Florida
Mount Dora, Florida
Newnans Lake, Gainesville, Florida
New Smyrna, Florida
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Ocala, Florida
Ocklawaha River, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Ormond Beach, Florida
Osceola County, Florida
Sanford, Florida
Silver Springs, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Cloud, Florida
St. Johns River, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tavares, Florida
Weirsdale, Florida
Winter Garden, Florida
Winter Park, Florida
Ybor City, Tampa, Florida
Rights Holder
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES</a>
Contributing Project
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/podcastsblog.php" target="_blank">RICHES Podcast Documentaries</a>
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/podcastsblog.php" target="_blank">RICHES Podcast Documentaries</a>
External Reference
"<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/podcastsblog.php" target="_blank">RICHES Podcast Documentaries</a>." RICHES of Central Florida. http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/podcastsblog.php.
Moving Image
A series of visual representations that, when shown in succession, impart an impression of motion.
Producer
Cassanello, Robert
Director
Gibson, Ella
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
A History of Central Florida, Episode 35: Leather Fire Helmet
Alternative Title
Leather Fire Helmet Podcast
Subject
Mount Dora (Fla.)
Fire departments--United States
Description
Episode 35 of A History of Central Florida Podcast: Leather Fire Helmet. A History of Central Florida Podcast series explores Central Florida's history through the artifacts found in local area museums and historical societies. These podcasts can involve the participation or cooperation of local area partners.<br /><br />Episode 35 features a discussion of a 1920s-era leather fire helmet located at the Mount Dora History Museum in Mount Dora, Florida. This podcast also includes interviews with former firefighter Jerry Michals of the Denver Firefighters Museum and Fire Chief Stephen "Skip" Kerkhof of the Mount Dora Fire Department.
Type
Moving Image
Source
Original 12-minute and 38-second podcast by Ella Gibson, 2014: "A History of Central Florida, Episode 35: Leather Fire Helmet." <a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/podcastsblog.php" target="_blank">A History of Central Florida</a>, 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>
Is Part Of
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/podcastsblog.php" target="_blank">A History of Central Florida</a>, Orlando, Florida.
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/137" target="_blank">A History of Central Florida Collection</a>, RICHES Podcast Documentaries Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Coverage
Mount Dora History Museum, Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora Fire Department, Mount Dora, Florida
Trinity Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York City, New York
Denver Firefighters Museum, Denver, Colorado
Creator
Gibson, Ella
Publisher
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES</a>
Contributor
Michals, Jerry
Kerkhof, Stephen
Cassanello, Robert
Dickens, Bethany
Clarke, Bob
Ford, Chip
Hazen, Kendra
Kelley, Katie
Velásquez, Daniel
<a href="http://www.mountdorahistorymuseum.com/" target="_blank">Mount Dora History Museum</a>
<a href="http://www.floridamemory.com/" target="_blank">Florida Memory Project</a>
<a href="http://www.loc.gov/" target="_blank">Library of Congress</a>
<a href="http://www.archive.org/" target="_blank">Archive.org</a>
<a href="http://us.msasafety.com/" target="_blank">MSA Safety, Inc.</a>
Date Created
ca. 2014-11-17
Date Issued
2014-11-17
Date Copyrighted
2014-11-17
Format
video/mp4
Medium
12-minute and 38-second podcast
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Civics/Government Teacher
Geography Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Ella Gibson and published by <a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES<br /></a>
Accrual Method
Item Creation
Contributing Project
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/podcastsblog.php" target="_blank">A History of Central Florida</a>
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
External Reference
"<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/items/show/4574" target="_blank">A History of Central Florida, Episode 35: Leather Fire Helmet</a>." RICHES of Central Florida. https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/items/show/4574.
Smith, Dennis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/4135283" target="_blank"><em>Dennis Smith's History of Firefighting in America: 300 Years of Courage</em></a>. New York: Dial Press, 1978.
Click to View (Movie, Podcast, or Website)
<a href="http://youtu.be/TbxNH2hfgZA" target="_blank">A History of Central Florida, Episode 35: Leather Fire Helmet</a>
Extent
129 MB
A History of Central Florida
Benjamin Franklin
Bob Clarke
Cairns Fire Helmets
Chip Ford
Daniel Velásquez
Denver Firefighters Museum
Eagles
Ella Gibson
fire chiefs
fire departments
fire helmets
firefighters
firefighting
fireman
firemen
Henry Cairns
Henry T. Gratacap
high eagle helmets
Jasper Cairns
Jerry Michaels
Katie Kelley
Kendra Hazen
leather
Mount Dora
Mount Dora Fire & Police Station
Mount Dora Fire Department
Mount Dora History Museum
Mount Dora Police Department
New York City, New York
OCRHC
Orange County Regional History Center
OSHA
Robert Cassanello
Royellou Lane
Skip Kerkhof
Stephen Kerkhof
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/017149c91b62c7a4b14385f0171aea84.pdf
5e0b59b50bd857278237fec9d293f9c4
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 Gordon Pierce and Trina Cothrin
Alternative Title
Oral History, Pierce and Cothrin
Subject
Veterans--Florida
Navy
Orlando (Fla.)
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Afghan War, 2001-
Global War on Terror, 2001-2009
Description
An oral history interview of Gordon Pierce (b. 1930) and Trina Cothrin, who both served in the U.S. Navy. Pierce was born in Buffalo, New York, on September 16, 1930. He enlisted in the Navy in 1948 and served until September of 1977, during the Cold War era and the Vietnam War. During his service, Pierce was station on the USS <em>Wasp</em>, the USS <em>Coral Sea</em>, the USS <em>Franklin D. Roosevelt</em>, and the USS <em>John F. Kennedy</em>. He achieved the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer and earned a Navy Commendation Medal and a Navy Achievement Medal.<br /><br />Pierce's daughter, Trina Cothrin (b. 1958), was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 13, 1958. Cothrin enlisted in the Navy in October of 1979 and served until October of 1982, when her son was born. She was then in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1993, when she joined the U.S. Army. She left the military in 2009, after serving in Operation Enduring Freedom during the War in Afghanistan. Throughout her service, Cothrin was stationed at Naval Air Station Miramar (NAS Miramar) in California, Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jacksonville), U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) in Qatar, and MacDill Air Force Base (MacDill AFB) in Tampa. She ultimately achieved the rank of Chief Yeoman.<br /><br />This oral history interview was conducted by Roger Jordan Sims on March 12, 2014. Interview topics include enlistment, boot camp, Naval Training Center Orlando (NTC Orlando), the Vietnam War, Operation Enduring Freedom and the War in Afghanistan, life after leaving the Navy, how Central Florida has changed over time, the legacy of NTC Orlando, and the Lone Sailor Memorial Project.
Table Of Contents
0:00:00 Introduction<br />0:01:48 Background<br />0:02:23 Enlistment and boot camp<br />0:03:57 Naval Training Center Orlando<br />0:07:45 Social life and relationships on base<br />0:12:47 Hardest part of NTC Orlando, proudest moment, and unforgettable memories<br />0:15:16 USS <em>Blue Jacket</em> and the Grinder<br />0:20:46 Vietnam War and the War in Afghanistan<br />0:23:10 Leaving the Navy and post-naval life<br />0:27:23 How Central Florida has changed over time<br />0:29:36 Legacy of NTC Orlando and the Lone Sailor Memorial Project<br />0:32:44 Closing remarks
Abstract
Oral history interview of Gordon Pierce and Trina Pierce Cothrin Interview conducted by Roger Jordan Sims at Central Florida Research Park in Orlando, Florida, on March 12, 2014.
Type
Moving Image
Source
<a href="http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/VET/id/292/rec/1" target="_blank">Pierce, Gordon</a>. Interviewed by Roger Jordan Sims, March 12, 2014. UCF Community Veterans History Project, DP0014915. Audio/video record available. UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.
<a href="http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/VET/id/291/rec/2" target="_blank">Cothrin, Trina</a>. Interviewed by Roger Jordan Sims. UCF Community Veterans History Project, DP0014914. March 12, 2014. Audio/video record available. 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>.
<a href="http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp" target="_blank">Java</a>
<a href="https://get.adobe.com/reader/" target="_blank">Adobe Acrobat Reader</a>
Is Part Of
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/veterans/" target="_blank">UCF Community Veterans History Project</a>, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, 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
Digital transcript of original 35-minute and 10-second oral history: <a href="http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/VET/id/292/rec/1" target="_blank">Pierce, Gordon</a>. Interviewed by Roger Jordan Sims, March 12, 2014. UCF Community Veterans History Project, DP0014915. Audio/video record available. UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.
Digital transcript of original 35-minute and 10-second oral history: <a href="http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/VET/id/291/rec/2" target="_blank">Cothrin, Trina</a>. Interviewed by Roger Jordan Sims. UCF Community Veterans History Project, DP0014914. March 12, 2014. Audio/video record available. 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
Naval Station Great Lakes, Great Lakes, Illinois
Jacksonville, Florida
Vietnam
Naval Air Station Sanford, Sanford, Florida
Naval Air Station Key West, Key West, Florida
Naval Training Center Orlando, Orlando, Florida
Naval Air Station Miramar, Miramar, San Diego, California
Pensacola, Florida
Afghanistan
Qatar
Creator
Pierce, Gordon
Cothrin, Trina
Sims, Roger Jordan
Publisher
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a>
Date Created
2014-03-12
Date Issued
2014-09
Date Copyrighted
2014-03-12
Format
application/website
application/pdf
Extent
301 MB
195 KB
Medium
35-minute and 10-second Digital (DAT) DVD audio/video recording
21-page digital transcript
199 KB
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Civics/Government Teacher
Geography Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Roger Jordan Sims, Gordon Pierce, and Trina Cothrin.
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/292/rec/1" target="_blank">Pierce, Gordon</a>
<a href="http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/VET/id/291/rec/2" target="_blank">Cothrin, Trina</a>
Transcript
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Okay. Today is March 12<sup>th</sup>, 2014. I am interviewing Gordon Pierce and Ms. Trina [Pierce] Cothrin, uh, who served in the United States Navy. Uh, Mr. Pierce was an aviation metalsmith. Uh, Ms. Cothrin was an aviation maintenance administrator and yeoman. My name is [Roger] Jordan Sims. We are interviewing Mr., and, uh—Mr. Pierce and Ms. Cothrin 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 recording this interview at the [Central Florida] Research Parkway in Orlando, Florida. Uh, Mr. Pierce, Ms. Cothrin, will you please start by telling us when and where you were born?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1930.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>And I was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1958.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>What did your parents do for a living?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>My parents worked for the State of New York. My father was, uh, in charge of the warehouse for all the supplies for a mental hospital, and my mother was a nurse.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>And my father was, uh, a Master Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy—Navy, and my mother was a full-time, uh, mom.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, do you have any brothers and sisters?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>I do. I have, uh, three brothers and one sister. Uh, my oldest brother, uh, Tommy Foreman—he was actually stationed at, uh, McCoy Air Force Base, Uh, when it was an Air Force base, and then, uh, my younger brother Bruce [Pierce] joined the Navy. He and I joined the Navy together on the same day. Uh, He was in boot camp before I did, but we, uh—our paths crossed while we were in boot—boot camp together, and then later, Uh, when I was stationed in San Diego[, California], he came to San Diego for school. Uh, and then, Uh, when my husband and I were stationed in Pensacola, he also was subsequently stationed in Pensa—Pensacola. Then I have a sister named Tina [Pierce] and a younger brother, James [Pierce]. I don’t think I said my brother’s name, who enlisted with me, and that’s Bruce.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Okay. Um, when did you both decide to join the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>My brother and I?</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Both you…</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Okay.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>And Mr. Pierce</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I joined the Navy in 1948, after I graduated from high school.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>And, uh, my brother and I, uh, decided to join the Navy in October of 1979. Uh, uh, you know, he, uh—he had just finished high school, uh, the previous summer, and, uh, we both just decided to do it together. Um, I mean, I—I dunno what—is that enough?</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Oh, yeah. Absolutely.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Okay. Good [<em>laughs</em>]. I don’t know how in depth you want me to go.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>No, I just…</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong> Okay.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Whatever—Whatever you’d like to tell us.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>[<em>clears throat</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Um, where did you both attend boot camp?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I attended boot camp in [Naval Station] Great Lakes, Illinois.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>And I—here in Orlando, Florida.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>What were you trained for, uh—for your career in the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I was trained as an aviation metalsmith in Memphis, Tennessee, and I spent, uh, um, about three or four months there, waiting to go to school. then I went to nine weeks of school to be an aviation structural mechanic or aviation metalsmith.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>And I, uh, was an aviation maintenance administrator. I went to school in, uh, Meridian, Mississippi,<a title="">[1]</a> uh, and that was a six-week self-paced course that I finished in a month.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, when did you both begin your time at the Naval Training Center Orlando and how did that come about?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I can’t remember.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Okay. I’ll talk to mine</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Okay.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>And then I’ll help him with his. Uh, I went—started boot camp in December of 1979 and I finished up in, I believe, it was March—February-March timeframe—of 1980, and subsequently went to San Diego, California, for a month, and then, uh, went to Meridian, Mississippi, and back to San Diego.</p>
<p>My father, uh, was stationed in, uh, NAS [Naval Air Station] Key West, and in 1970—’74, we—we moved to the Orlando area for a twilight tour. My fa—grandfather had passed away and, uh, we moved up here to, you know, be with my grandmother, right?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Pretty much.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Okay.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, what did you know about the region, uh, militarily or otherwise, before coming to Orlando?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>We learned quite a bit about it, because I had been stationed in Sanford, at the, uh, Naval Air Station [Sanford] there, for a number of years, and then I went down to Key West for shore duty, from that sea duty drill, and we came back up here, because we liked Central Florida.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>I—yeah, I lived here. So [<em>laughs</em>]…</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>[<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>I knew the area.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Um, how long did you both spend at the Naval Training Center?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>I only did the, uh—spent the time there during boot camp, and my father was there for—from ’70…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>[19]75 to ‘77.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Was it ’75? or ‘74?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I think it was ‘75.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Okay.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, when you first arrived, what were your first impressions of the area?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce <br /></strong>Same old place [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>[<em>laughs</em>] I was in high school, uh, so—I mean, it was okay [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>What were your first days at the Naval Training Center like?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>They were spent primarily training out to become a Company Commander at the Recruit Training Center [Orlando], and, uh, we went to school I think for six weeks, and we learned how to give lectures, and how to march sailors around, and so on and so forth.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Well, for me, it was, you know [<em>laughs</em>]—that first day, you know, you’re getting all your gear and, uh, you’re learning how to be a sailor, and, uh—so it was interesting [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, what were your primary responsibilities while at the Naval Training Center?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I was the Correctional and Instructional Standards Division Officer, and we were, more or less, like a quality control unit. We would visit the various classrooms, and make sure the instructor was following the lesson plan, and completing all the things he had to do to get the point of the lesson across to the students.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>And, for me, I was a recruit. I was there to learn.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Um, what was your overall impressions of the recruits and their training during your time at the base?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I was impressed with the quality of all the young men and women that were brought into the Navy, and I thought the recruiters were doing a heck of a good job. There were very few people that[sic], uh, fell out, during my time as a Company Commander, and, uh, it was a great experience. I really enjoyed it.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Um, I, uh—you know, once you get past that first initial shock, you know, and you—you get into your training group, I think everything went well. I, you know—I, uh, ultimately enjoyed the time I spent there. Um…</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>What kind of social life existed among the recruits? How often were you allowed to go off base, and what places did you visit locally?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Uh, I don’t think we were allowed to go off base until our training was completed. Uh…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Well, in the middle, wasn’t there a two-day weekend?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Uh, no, I think the only thing we got to do was go to the visitors’ center and y’all were allowed to come visit us. That’s where the parents and families come—came, at the time that I was there. I do believe.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Okay, yeah. I remember that.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Okay, and, uh…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>That was about right.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Right, because we were—Bruce—Bruce went into basic training in November, and then I went in in December. So over the Thanksgiving holiday, he was there, and then, over the Christmas holidays, we were both there, and that’s where that one picture came from, where we’re all four there on those picnic—at those picnic benches.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Okay.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>How did your training experiences shape your relationships with the other recruits in your class?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>It was a team-building experience. It—it, you know—it drew you together. Um, you know, taught you how to work together, uh, to accomplish goals.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>The—the whole criteria for the Recruit Training Com—Command, As far as recruits and Company Commanders were concern—concerned, was to build them into a team, and it was 180 people on a team.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>It was a lot.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Something like that, and, uh, that was the—the goal was drill into them that they had to work as a team. They would clean the barracks, they would march, and they would do all things together, you know, as a team, and it—it was a rewarding experience to see them develop.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Who did you both interact with on a daily basis?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Uh, there were people who were, um—hey would come around and they would take the—the recruit Company Commander would take the recruits out on the Grinder, and he—there were observers, and they would mark them—see how the training was going, as far as marching and things like that were concerned, and they would come back and open ranks, and do an inspection, and—and it was all very, very formal and, uh—what else do you want?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Okay. So, uh, my daily interaction was, uh, with our, uh—our, uh—what do you call them? Our, uh…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Company Commander.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Our Company Commanders, and our, you know—our CPO [Chief Petty Officer] and then our—of course, our, uh,—the other recruits, and then you also interacted with, uh, other instructors, depending on where you were at. Whether you were in weapons training, or some other safety training, or—but for the most part you were with your Company Commanders, you were learning how to fold your clothes, put away your clothes, um, and…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Make your rack.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Make your bed a certain way. Uh, you were always having inspections. Uh, you know, how to wear your uniform, uh—let’s see. We went through firefighter training, and, you know, gas mask training—those kinds of things. They put you through your paces. You had your swim test, you know, uh, [inaudible], you had to float in the water for five minutes, uh, you know, you had to be able to, uh, swim from one end of the pool and back, you know? But, uh—so I don’t—I honestly don’t remember everything that we do. I do—I do remember the weapons training, the swim test, the marching, the folding of the clothes, the, you know—the bed inspections. You know, you’re getting up every day at 5 o’clock in the morning. Uh, you know, going to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You march there, you march back. You know, they always had somebody up there, you know, letting you know the instructions. You had 20 minutes and 20 minutes only to, you know, get through the line, and eat your meal, and back to wherever it was we met to, you know, march back to wherever we were going next.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, what do you remember about the instructors at the base? And what were your impressions of them?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>[inaudible].</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I remember them all as being very professional, and they were t—their goal was to set an example for the recruits, [inaudible] in dress and...</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Mannerisms.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Mannerisms, and conformity to the rules and regulations. Look sharp, you know? Haircuts, and so on and so forth.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>I would agree with him. Uh, the two, uh, Company Commanders that I had were, you know—they were there to set the example, as well as enforce the rules, and, you know, guide us—guide us through the process, and, you know, test us more, test us less, you know, push us harder where we needed to be pushed.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>And answer all the questions [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Yes [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>What was the hardest thing you remember doing at the Naval Training Center?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Um…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>For me, it was learning how to stand in front of a class of 180 people and teach them how to do something, you know? And, uh, I wasn’t really a formal instructor. I was a hands-on aircraft mechanic, you know, and I was taken from that environment and put in front of all these people, and, uh, it was a very different environment for me, so it was kind of a struggle at the beginning, but I worked my way into it, and I ended up liking it very much.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>I would say for me, uh—not necessarily the hardest thing, but, you know—you get there and you don’t know what to expect, and so then it’s learning to, uh, achieve the things you need to achieve in the time you have to do it, and So, you’re learning at a very rapid pace, uh, and, you know, uh—eh, so as—I don’t remember anything being [<em>sighs</em>] so terribly difficult. it was just a matter of learning it.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, what was the moment you felt most proud at the Naval Training Center?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Graduation.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>I would agree.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>When your company pass and review, in front of the reviewing officers and the assembled guests and so on and so forth, it was kind of a proud moment.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>It marked the end of the training cycle also [<em>laughs</em>]. You were done [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Can you tell me a story of a time at the Naval Training Center that you will never forget?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Not really [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Not really [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>[<em>laughs</em>] Well, I remember the swim test part. Just floating there, and the sky’s blue, and you’re watching airplanes, and they, uh—and their, uh—whatever you call the smoke thing that goes by, and, you know, that’s what I was doing. Sitting there, you know—floating there, thinking about—I was like, <em>Okay</em>, as they ticked off the minutes, you know, to complete the test, but, uh—I mean, other than that, um, uh, I, you know—the comradery that, you know—that you had. I mean, once we graduated, we all dispersed, you know, a hundred different ways. Um, I think only one person that I went through boot camp with, uh, went to San Diego—I mean, he went to [Naval Air Station] North Island. So, um…</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>How would you describe to USS <em>Blue Jacket</em>, and what was its function?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>It was used to familiarize the, uh, recruits with, uh, how confined the living spaces were aboard ship and various aspects of shipboard living, and, uh, it was very helpful. It was a—it was a very, very, very large training aid that was very useful in getting your point across.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin <br /></strong>Didn’t we do battle station drills and those kinds of things on it, as well? I…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I didn’t.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>I, uh—yeah. I, you know—I don’t—don’t really remember. I—I think we did some sort of drills on the ship. Uh, It wasn’t, eh—it was more than just familiarization with a ship. They took us on board. We did things on it. I just don’t remember what.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, what was the official purpose of the Grinder and what was its significance to you and the recruits?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>The Grinder was a very large piece of ground, where as many as nine different companies could get out there and march around, and not—not get involved with one another, if the Company Commander was paying attention [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>[<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>But it was a big area, and, uh, it was very hot in the summertime and kind of cool in the winter time, but, um, it worked very well.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Cold and wet. I—I mean, because we were out their marching in the cold and it was raining usually, but, uh, it was—it was all about marching out there. I think we did PT [physical training] out there.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>It was also used as a—if somebody was goofing off within the company, you’d tell them to run around the—the Grinder a couple of times as a—it worked off their exuberance, you know?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /> </strong>[<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, what other types of training went on at the base?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>The—the [Naval] Nuclear Power Training Command was there. Uh…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>You mean other facilities? Or other things that we taught?</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Well, you have the basic boot camp recruit training.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Right.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>And then what other types of training would also go on, like the Nuclear [Power] School?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Like the NTC part of it? Do you remember what else was out there, other than nuclear training?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>No.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>I don’t know. It wasn’t…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>But there was instructor training…</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Yeah[?].</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>And peripheral things like that, to where—to support the Recruit Training Command.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, what were other areas on the base that were of particular importance to you or the recruits, and why were these places important?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Well, there was the Firefighting School, which was very important, because, uh, firefighting aboard ship is a[sic] immediate thing that has to be done and done well, and quickly, and thoroughly. I—I was always impressed with that, and there was the gunnery range.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>[inaudible]. We went somewhere.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>They had a…</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>As I remember here, it was indoors, but in Great Lakes, where I went through boot camp, it was outside.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>I believe it was indoors. I agree with you there.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Yeah, I mean, I agree with him. The firefighting, you know—you go through the firefighting, uh, class, and one of the films they, of course, show you is the fire on the [USS] <em>Forrestal</em>, and that’s something that I think is, you know—they carry though. They still—I think they probably still use that as a training aid today. Uh…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Probably.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Yeah, I remember the—what’s the oxygen—the liquid oxygen. I remember, Uh—I mean, that was pretty gross, and they showed you a film, uh, with regards to liquid oxygen and what can happen to you if, you know…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>If it spills on you.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>It will freeze you.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Right.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Very cold.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>So, uh—okay [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, what was graduation like?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Um, for me, it was, you know, uh, the marching, and the passing in review, and you know, the, uh—the end of boot camp, and then the beginning of the next, uh, stage of my career in the Navy. Uh, so it, you know—it was being excited and being sad that you’re leaving, you know, the people that you got to know, and then excited to move on to the next thing, and Pride, you know, that you passed. That you got through it.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>For me, it was saying “Hello” to a lot of different people, where every recruit wanted to introduce you to their parents, to their loved ones, or whatever, and it was, uh, an emotional day.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, what did you do for the Navy upon leaving Naval Training Center Orlando? Did you receive specialized training after your time at Naval Training Center Orlando? And if so, where did that take place?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Um, I did not go to A School upon graduation of boot camp. I went directly to a squadron. I went to VC-7 [<em>Tallyhoers</em>] at, uh, NAS Miramar[, San Diego], California. It was an [Douglas] A-4 [Skyhawk] training squadron. Uh, and when that squadron decommissioned, I think the, uh—not even—less than a year—maybe ten months later, I then went to A School in Meridian, Mississippi, and then, uh, went back to, uh, VF-124 [Fighter Squadron 124] an [Grumman] F-14 [Tomcat] squadron at, uh, NAS Miramar, and...</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Were either of you ever in active warzone?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>What?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>An active warzone. Have you ever been in an active warzone?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I was over in Vietnam on the line for about three years.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Um, can you tell me about arriving in the warzone, and what impact that experience had on you?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Well, you work 12 hours on duty and 12 hours off duty, and that just went on continuously. There were no weekends. There were nothing—you spent 30 days on the line, and then you’d go for a week in Olongapo[, Zambales] in the Philippines for liberty, and, um, it was pretty arduous and, uh emotional at times, because you’d lose airplanes and so on and so forth.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, did you receive any medals or citations during that time?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I received, um—what’s the orange and green one?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>It’s a Navy Commendation Medal.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Yeah, and now, the green and white one is…</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Navy Achievement.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Navy Achievement Medal.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Okay.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Yeah, I received both of those and a whole bunch of service awards from various places of—of the world: Korea, Vietnam, Mediterranean Occupation Medal.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>North Atlantic? [inaudible]. Not—I don’t know if it was North Atlantic, but you were up there too.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>And I crossed the Arctic Circle a number of times, but I didn’t—they didn’t give a ribbon for that. Crossed the Equator two or three times—maybe four, to get back [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>For me, I was mobilized, uh, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Uh, spent two years at CENTCOM [United States Central Command]. Um, after that, eight months, uh, I spent in Qatar. Uh, it was a, uh, very interesting and rewarding experience, the two years that I spent, uh, mobilized. Uh, it was interesting to go to Qatar. Uh, I—that’s the second country I had ever been to, outside the United States. The first was Mexico [<em>laughs</em>]—Tijuana[, Baja California, Mexico]. So, uh, it—it was interesting seeing the culture, uh, seeing the area, and then, uh, you know, like my dad said, it was, uh, generally a 15-16-hour workday, but, uh, it was a good experience.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /> </strong>Uh, do you both recall the day your service ended? and what was that like?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Uh, I —yes. So I got out of the Navy, uh, October 1, 1982—‘82 or ’81 [<em>laughs</em>]. Okay. ’82, because my son was born in November of ‘82. So, uh, it was a sad experience for me. I wasn’t ready to get out of the Navy. So, uh, once my husband and I transferred to Pensacola, it took six months, and then I found a billet in a [U.S. Naval] Reserve unit, and then I spent the rest of my career, uh, in Reserve units. Starting out in aviation units, and into intel[ligence] units. Um, you know, and through the course of my, uh, 29 years in the—in the Reserve, you know—active and Reserve program, uh, you know, did my two years mobilization at CENTCOM, and I, uh, had worked at, uh, Joint Task Force Forge[?] [inaudible]. I did [inaudible], uh—active duty down there with them, when we were stationed down there. So, I mean, I had a very full and interesting career. So, for you, Dad, you retired in, uh, 1977.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Right. I think it was September 1<sup>st</sup>, and, uh—just another day, to me. No ceremony. I didn’t have a ceremony or anything like that.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Uh, what did you do after you left the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I got a job in, uh, Sanford with a machine shop company, and they made, Uh, what’s called a “fax machine” now, but this was the very beginning, and it was a thing that went around in circles, and it printed letters, and so on and so forth. There was no vocal, but it was all—you could transmit a—a letter on this circular thing, and it went through the air somehow, and got there and…</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Was that QWIP [Technologies]?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Yeah, QWIP.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>QWIP, and it was a company that…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Went through the telephone. You had to call up, get ahold of the machine, and then you put the thing in there, and then you turn the machine on, and it would transmit the piece of paper. Very archaic, really.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>[<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Compared to today.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>And, for me, um, I worked two jobs. So I had my Reserve career and then I had—I worked for the Army since 1993. Uh, and that’s when I started working full-time again.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Have either of you kept in touch with anyone from the Naval Training Center?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I haven’t.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>No, I—me neither. No.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>What values or characteristics of the Navy do you believe made an impression on your life?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>The discipline, the organization, and the orientation of doing your—having to plan out everything and having to work your way through it. It was an organizational—a very strict class in organizational responsibilities, and —get ‘er done.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Right. Uh, you know, I would have to say—I would have to go to, you know, uh, something similar. Uh…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>[<em>clears throat</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>And say, I mean, the caliber of people that were there that you worked with, uh, the things that you did. Uh, I mean, it was just a—it was a great experience. Um, I mean, I, you know, would recommend it to other people. to young folks that—if they don’t really, you know, have it figured out—what it is that they want to do, uh—spend four years in the Navy and—or any service—and, uh, see the world a little bit, and, uh, meet people from all walks of life. It’s a big melting pot. You learn a lot.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>You grow up in a hurry.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>How has, uh, Central Florida changed since the time you spent here?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>A lot [<em>laughs</em>]. A lot.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /> </strong>Probably expanded three- or four-fold, population-wise. We—we retired in ‘77.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>You retired in ‘77. Yes.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>So we were transferred here in ’75, I think, from Key West, Florida, and, uh, from the day I retired ‘til today, the place has—has really grown, and the population has…</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Probably [inaudible].</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Doubled—tripled, probably</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Quadrupled, probably.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>I think they can remember when, you know—I can remember my mom and dad talking about when [Florida State Road] 436 was a dirt road.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Right.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Okay[?].</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Uh…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>It only went part way down to the airport and then it was a dirt road.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>My grandparents—I don’t know when my grandparents moved here. Was it in the ‘50s or the ‘60s that they retired down here?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I think in the late ‘50s.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>The late 50s. They came down, um, from New York. So as kids, you know, we were coming—wherever we lived—because I grew up here in Florida, Uh, there was only one period of time when he was stationed outside of Florida, from the time I was born. So we’ve lived—I was born in Jacksonville. We’ve lived in Pensacola, Key West, and Central Florida. So we’ve done the gambit. So Florida—I’m a Floridian [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>The squadron I was in was stationed in Sanford, but it deployed on a carrier that was home-ported in San Diego. So it would take three days to airlift the squadron out, and then three days to bring us back. When you got home finally, it was—it was, uh—I can’t think of the word I want to say. You had to move a lot of gear around to get your job done when, uh—when you were aboard ship.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>It was a logistics, uh, exercise.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Yes.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>What do you think is the lasting legacy of the Naval Training Center and the Navy in general in the Central Florida region?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I really don’t know. I’m sure it has a[sic] historical impact, but other than that, I really don’t know.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>As far as today, the impact of the base, because it—it closed in the ‘80s? ‘90s? I don’t remember when it closed. Uh, But I mean—I think it had, uh, an impact while it was here. Uh, and it—and it had an impact for some time after it closed. Um, certainly, you know, you go there and look at Baldwin Park, you know, there’s no real sign that the Naval Training Center or Recruit Training Command, uh, ever existed. I mean, there’s little, little things, and I think that’s the purpose of the whole, uh, Lone Sailor, uh, Memorial [Project]—is—is to try to bring back something here in the Orlando area to remind folks that, hey, at one point in time, there was this, uh, Naval Training Center here and Recruit Training Command, and bring back some of that heritage.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>One of the things that I remember is: on Friday, up over the weekends, maybe half a dozen companies would get liberty and the seet[sic]—and the streets were just lined with sailors, and it would—it was just amazing, and then all of a sudden, they were gone, you know? And that—that was a visual impact I’m sure for a lot of these civilians around here.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>What do you think former naval personnel would like to see or be reminded of when they visit the site of the base and the Lone Sailor Memorial?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>They would probably like to take their parents or guests around and point out various things that were helpful in their training, and, uh, show the Grinder and so on and so forth, where we marched, and the various [inaudible] buildings where they went to school.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Well[?], they’re not there anymore though [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Well, that’s true.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Yeah, I mean, I guess part of the Grinder is still there. They use it as a—there—there’s[sic], uh, park-like areas in part of it. , uh, I mean, the <em>Blue Jacket</em> is gone. It would have been nice if something like that had stayed, but it didn’t. Uh, and it—and I’m sure it had to do with upkeep, as well. Um, you know…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>The <em>Blue Jacket</em> was a model ship, right?</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Yes.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Okay. It was just—it wasn’t very big. It was about half as big as a destroyer, maybe a little bit smaller, but it, uh—it served as a good training aid. It was a good visual thing for the recruits to see their first ship or something like that [<em>clears throat</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Is there anything you would like to share about your naval experience?</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>I would recommend it for everybody. It was a wonderful experience, as far as I’m concerned. You can’t imagine how precise everything is—the way they start flying in the morning and end up in the evening, after dark generally. Sometimes they flying around the clock, but an aircraft carrier is one of the busiest places in the world, but every hour—hour and a half—you’re launching or recovering airplanes. That goes on all day long. Sometimes 24 hours a day, depending on what kind of a mission or training exercise you’re in. There’s always—around the carrier, there’s usually a cruiser and at least [<em>coughs</em>] five or six destroyers, and the destroyers act as plane guards, in case one of the planes goes into the water. They rescue the pilot, if they get there before the helicopter and so on and so forth, but, uh, before the helicopter, they were primarily the—the guy that pulled the man out of the water that was in there, but, uh, I wouldn’t trade it.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>What was the question again? [<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Sims <br /></strong>[<em>laughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>[<em>coughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>If there was just anything else you’d like to share about your experience in the Navy.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Uh…</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>[<em>coughs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Again, like my father said, I would recommend it. Uh, certainly for, you know—it’s just a broadening experience for anybody. Uh, and there’s no better way to have a job, travel, and kind of—you’re taken care of. Uh, So I had an incredible career for, uh, nearly 30 years. I retired in, uh, 2009. I went into the Navy in 1979. So, um, I loved it, um, like[?] my dad.</p>
<p><strong>Sims<br /></strong>Well, thank you for talking with me today and for sharing, uh, your experiences with me.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>Thank you.</p>
<p><strong>Cothrin<br /></strong>Thank you.</p>
<p><strong>Pierce<br /></strong>[<em>clears throat</em>].</p>
<div><br /><div>
<p><a title="">[1]</a> Naval Air Station Meridian.</p>
</div>
</div>
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aircraft carriers
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Chief Yeoman
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CVHP
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Firefighting School
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Naval Nuclear Power Training Command
Naval Station Great Lakes
Naval Training Center Orlando
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-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/efd5049d910182e50916c3c85f53df44.pdf
b46eaec4a1988206e0a961500df2e88d
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
UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection
Description
As part of RICHES of Central Florida, UCF intends to record, archive, and make accessible oral history interviews of Central Florida veterans. Diversity is a main focus for this project since there are many different subgroups under the group veterans, all with important stories. While the histories will be largely archived and made available through the UCF library, a portion will be contributed to the ongoing Veterans History Project based out of the Library of Congress.
Contributor
<a href="http://library.ucf.edu/about/departments/special-collections-university-archives/" target="_blank">Special Collections and University Archives</a>, University of Central Florida Libraries, University of Central Florida
Alternative Title
CVHP Collection
Subject
Veterans--Florida
United States. Army
Army
United States. Navy
Navy
United States. Air Force
Air Force
United States. Marine Corps
Marine Corps
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a>.
Language
eng
Type
Collection
Coverage
Jacksonville, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Honolulu, Hawaii
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Great Lakes, Illinois
Long Island, New York
Newport, Rhode Island
Norfolk, Virginia
Germany
Qaasuitsup, Greenland
Keflavik, Southern Peninsula, Iceland
Azores Islands, Portugal
Mediterranean Sea
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>
Source Repository
<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
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/.
Has Part
<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, RICHES of Central Florida.
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 Philip Rogers
Alternative Title
Oral History, Rogers
Subject
Veterans--Florida
Navy
Orlando (Fla.)
Description
An oral history interview of Philip Rogers (b. 1953), who served in the U.S. Navy from 1978 to 1998. Rogers was born in the Bronx borough of New York City, New York, in 1953. He attended Lehman College for undergraduate school and Indiana University for graduate school. In May of 1978, Rogers was commissioned as an officer and assigned to teach engineering at the Nuclear Power School at Naval Training Center Orlando (NTC Orlando). After four and a half years, he became an Engineering Duty Office in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.<br /><br />This interview was conducted by Killian Hiltz in Orlando on November 14, 2014. Interview topics include Rogers' background, becoming a commissioned officer, teaching at the Nuclear Power School at NTC Orlando, serving as an Engineering Duty Officer in Pearl Harbor, serving in the Naval Reserves, advanced training, the USS <em>Nathan Hale</em>, the Cold War, the University of Central Florida (UCF), his wife and family, and the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001.
Table Of Contents
0:00:00 Introduction<br />0:00:31 Background<br />0:03:05 Becoming a commissioned officer<br />0:09:02 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii<br />0:10:41 Naval Reserves<br />0:11:36 Advanced training and the USS <em>Nathan Hale</em><br />0:15:24 Hawaii<br />0:17:26 Making suggestions and dry docking<br />0:18:37 Transition from active duty to Reserve<br />0:20:03 Naval mentors<br />0:22:09 Ronald Reagan, the Berlin Wall, the Cuban Missile Crises, and Bill Clinton<br />0:24:39 Final years in the Reserves and civilian life<br />0:25:54 Civilian attitudes towards the military <br />0:26:48 University of Central Florida and wife<br />0:29:06 Terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001<br />0:30:08 Lessons learned from the Navy and benefits of joining<br />0:32:48 Migrating to Orlando and working at UCF<br />0:34:29 Closing remarks
Abstract
Oral history interview of Philip Rogers. Interview conducted by Killian Hiltz in Orlando, Florida, November 14, 2014.
Type
Moving Image
Source
<a href="http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/VET/id/503/rec/1" target="_blank">Rogers, Philip</a>. Interviewed by Killian Hiltz, November 14, 2014. Audio/video record available. Item DP0016191, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Naval Training Center Orlando, 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>
<a href="https://get.adobe.com/reader/" target="_blank">Adobe Acrobat Reader</a>
Is Part Of
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/veterans/" target="_blank">UCF Community Veterans History Project</a>, Naval Training Center Orlando, Orlando, Florida.
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/24" target="_blank">UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection</a>, RICHES of Central Florida.
Has Format
20-page digital transcript of original 35-minute and 37-second oral history: <a href="http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/VET/id/503/rec/1" target="_blank">Rogers, Philip</a>. Interviewed by Killian Hiltz, November 14, 2014. Audio/video record available. Item DP0016191, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Naval Training Center Orlando, 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
Bronx, New York City, New York
Washington, D.C.
Naval Training Center Orlando, Orlando, Florida
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Jensen Beach, Florida
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
Creator
Rogers, Philip
Hiltz, Killian
Publisher
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a>
Date Created
2014-11-14
Date Issued
2015-02
Date Copyrighted
2014-11-14
Format
application/website
application/pdf
Extent
306 MB
196 KB
Medium
35-minute and 37-second Digital (DAT) audio/video recording
20-page digital transcript
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Civics/Government Teacher
Geography Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Killian Hiltz and Philip Rogers.
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/503/rec/1" target="_blank">Rogers, Philip</a>
Transcript
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Today is, um—it is November 14<sup>th</sup>, 2014. I am interviewing Mr. Phil—Philip Rogers, um, who served in the Navy from 1978 through—to 1998. Mr. Rogers served as an instructor at the Naval [Nuclear] Power School. Uh, he retired as a Commander. My name is Killian Hiltz, I am interviewing, uh, Mr. Rogers as part of the UCF [University of Central Florida] Veterans Community History Project. We are recording this interview, uh, at Orlando, Florida. Um, thank you, Mr. Rogers. Um, uh, where and when were you born?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>I was born in the Bronx[, New York City], New York, uh, in 1953.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, what was your childhood like?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Uh, grew up in a modest, you know, tenant apartment. Went to public schools, um, two years of private schools, went—and then Lehman College, which is a ci—city school. Did that, uh—did that for, you know—through—and then I worked a little bit. Um, and probably when I was like 22, I went off to graduate school in Indiana.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, what was the private school like?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>It was good. It was a little more disciplined. The schools I was[sic] in was[sic] a little rough, so my parents took me out to a more, you know—less chance of getting hurt [<em>laughs</em>]—school. Um…</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, what was, um—what was college like, for you?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>I liked it. I was a commuter. I went back and forth on the train, uh, eh, because we didn’t have a car. So we—I travelled on the train to high school and to college for eight years. Uphill both ways—just joking [<em>laughs</em>]. Um, uh, so I traveled that way, uh, and did my four years there, and I got a degree in chemistry from, eh, um, Lehman College.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, you mentioned that you went to graduate school, as well.</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Yes.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, what was your gra—what was your grad…</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Uh, I got a Master’s degree in chemistry, entomology, from Indiana University. I was in the PhD<a title="">[1]</a> program, but when the Navy came looking for people, I kinda said, <em>Well, I wanna do that.</em> so I kinda left with a Master’s degree and went on to, uh, um—the, um—took the Master’s and then went on to the Navy.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, what did your parents do for a living?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>My father was a laborer, worked in a baker[sic], and my mother was just stay-at-home—stay-at-home mom.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Did you have any siblings?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Brother. Still have a brother. Actually, he lives in Orlando. So…</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, did, uh—your brother also join the service?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>No, no. He never did. No.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, did, uh—did anyone in your family before you, uh, serve as enlisted or commissioned?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Yes, my father was—was, um, enlisted in, uh, World—World War II. Um, and my grandfather was in World War I.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, what branches did they serve?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Army. Both of them, Army.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, did they see combat?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Uh, yes. Both of them did. Uh, my—In fact, my grandfather had a Purple Heart, and, uh, my father didn’t get a medal, but he had—he had some kind of foot injury or something, but—yeah. So…</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, uh, what caused you to become a commissioned officer?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Well, it was a—it’s a long story. It was like, um— let’s see. Indiana University—it’s kind of cold up there—Bloomington, Indiana. It was like six degrees below zero [<em>sniffs</em>], and, uh, the Navy had a little brochure says—saying, “Would you like to fly to Orlando on the Navy this weekend?” Free. Orlando, Florida. So I said, “Sure.” I had no intention to go into the military—zero. So I went, “Okay. Fine.” so I signed up, and then I had to go take some tests, you know—you know, academic tests and physical tests, and, uh—and then they said,”Well, You know, Admiral [Hyman George] Rickover,” who is the Father of the Nuclear Navy, “would like to interview you in Washington D.C.,” you know, “Would —you—would you like to go?”</p>
<p>So they sent me to—first, let’s go back up. Before I went there, they—they told me I was going for an interview. So they showed me the school—so they sent me down here as promised for the trip down here, so I went to the trip in Orlando, and it was great. [Walt] Disney World—they took us to Disney World and showed us—the Nuclear Power School, by the way, was in Orlando, at that time, okay? Just up the road here, by Bennett Drive. Um, so they showed me the school, and it was like 80 degrees. It was really nice. They hooked me in, so I’m like, <em>I’d like to go there.</em> It was—it was an academic job, because, you know, I liked teaching, and it was an academic job, and, you know, I would get paid a lot more there as a graduate student, than as a graduate student. So, uh—so I said, “Okay. It sounds good to me.”</p>
<p>So then I went to Washington D.C., uh, for an interview, and, uh, one thing you got to understand that in that the nuclear—in the nuclear program, it’s kind of a select program, and that the admiral that is in charge—the four-star admiral is about as high as you can go in the Navy. He interviews all the applicants, you know, that—that—that come into the program, and so you go there for a day of tests. Take a bunch of written tests, oral exams. They ask all kinds of physical questions, and—and then they ask how to explain things and they do that, and at the end, you go see Admiral Rickover—Hyman Rickover. So I go into this guy’s office, and he’s a four-star admiral, and he’s sitting in a chair. Very little man, probably 5’5”, uh, white grey hair, he was about 78, at the time, and, uh, he—so I sat down. I had long hair, I was a graduate student, I had no inkling of military at all in me.</p>
<p>So I sat down, and, uh, the Admiral says to me, I had an American Chemical Society pin on me and the Admiral says to me— um, I had an American Chemical Society pin on me, right? So the Admiral says to me, “Wha—what’s that? What’s that pin on your, uh, lapel there?” So I took it off and I said, “Well, um, this means I’m a member of the American Chemical Society.” And he jumped at me, and he says to me like this—he says, “Let me see that blicity pin.” ‘Kay? I don’t want to put any expletives on this tape, but he—but, uh, he said, uh, um, “Let me see that pin.” so I put it in his hand, and—and he said—looked at me in the eye—and he goes, “How do you know I know more chemistry than you do? Maybe I should keep this pin.” And I said, “Admiral, if that’s the case, then you can get your own pin.” Then he threw is back at me, and then he says, uh, “Did any of the girls tell you that you were good-looking?” I said, “Sure. All the time.” He says, “That’s a proposition. You don’t even know the facts of life. Get out of my office.”</p>
<p>So this was my interview with a four-star admiral. So I said, <em>Well, I dunno. I guess I didn’t get that job. </em>So I Walked down the hall, and this captain, that[sic] went in there with me, said, “Congratulations. The Admiral selected you to be an instructor at Nuclear Power School.” So I said, “Great.” so I signed up, finished my—my dissertation for my Master’s degree, and then I, uh—I came down to Orlando. Went—went to some school—uh, Officer School—Officer Indoctrination School, and then I came to Orlando in 1978. I was commissioned in March of 1978, I believe, and, um, —then I, Um, uh, came to or—Orlando in May. Went—went to some—in the school—I went to the school in between then about six weeks. So I—I arrived down here in like May of 1978—in Orlando, and I spent the next four and a half years here.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, what was your officer, uh, training like?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>It wasn’t the standard training that—that you’d normally get. It’s kind of like training—‘cause we weren’t expected to stay in the Navy. We were expected to go in for our four, you know—our—our—our four-year promise, and then leave, Right? So it was very watered down, so to speak. It was not very rigorous as some—some. It was like the same training lawyers get, the doctors get, and—and nurses, the—the professional, you know—the training the professionals gets. It’s [inaudible] how do you—how you act like an officer, and—and, you know—so nothing—nothing too, uh, exotic.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, what was your family and friends; reaction to you becoming a commissioned officer?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Well, that was funny, because my father was enlisted and he—he had some grumbling about officers. He goes, “I remember—I remember this officer made me salute him.” He goes, “He was a big jerk. I hope you’re not like that.” So [<em>laughs</em>]—so he was a little—he was proud, but yet, he was saying, you know, you gotta be a little humble, you know, when you’re doing this stuff too. So—But I think he was proud that—that I went in there, you know, and—and did it. So, like I said, I had no— I just did it, because hey, it was great. I wanted to go teach and the Navy’s got this job to go teach, you know? I said, <em>I’m not staying in. </em>I said, <em>Honest,</em> <em>no way I’m staying</em>, you know?</p>
<p>So then I did my four years. I taught thermodynamics, I taught nuclear physics, you know, regular classical physics, I taught chemistry, radiological—all the stuff, and the thing about that Nuclear Power School: they—they teach you how to teach a class, you know? They teach you how to talk to people, how to make eye contact, how to go back and forth and relate information. I still carry that—that talent to this day, with how they taught me how to do that. So, it was really—it was really good. So I really had—it was the best job of my life. I mean, it was, you know, basically, a day job. No deployment—nothing. It was great for four years. You know, unfortunately, you know, after four years, they want you to leave, ‘cause in the Navy, you get to move up or you move out. So—so that’s what happened.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>‘Kay. So, uh…</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>[<em>sniffs</em>].</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>What happened after those four years?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Well, after four years, normally, you get out, right? And this was right at the height of the Cold War, ‘round 19—it was around 1982, and they needed people with engineering background—not necessarily ship driving experience, but with some engineering background, and some knowledge of chemistry, physics—To work on shipyards, to help when the ships—Submarines come in [<em>sniffs</em>]. They help the submarines get ready for sea, and—and fix them, and things like that—to oversee that. So they asked if, you know, I would like to go do that, and I said, “Eh, I’ll think about it,” and then they said, “Would you like to go to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and do it?” [<em>laughs</em>]. So I said, “Hm. Okay. I’ll—that sounds good to me.”</p>
<p>So I did—I went into what is called the “Engineering Duty Officer Program,” so I went in—which is basically engineering. I—I was very restricted, because I’m colorblind. Eh, when I took my physical, I was actually—they determined that I was colorblind, so I could not drive a ship. So I was restricted as to what I could do. So, I mean—but I could do the engineering stuff, so I was—I became a Restricted Line Officer, which means you don’t drive the ships, but you can do a lot of other things naval officers do. So—so I did that.</p>
<p>I was—I went to Submarine School after that, I went to Engineering Du—Duty Officer School, and Nuclear Ship Superintendent School, which show you—show you how to manage repairs of a ship. Not that I would do the repairs myself, but I oversee the people doing it, right? And interface with the ship, as a—as a representative from the Navy to get[?] that, and I did that for about—about, uh, three years, right? And then—it was okay, but it wasn’t teaching. I really wanted to teach.</p>
<p>Um, so what—what I did after that time is: I—I—I got out of the Navy in 1986, but I stayed in the [Naval] Reserves, uh, as a—as a[sic] Engineering Duty Officer. Oh, also, on that time while I was on active duty, I got my Engineering Duty Officer Dolphins, which is, you know specialized in submarine repair, and then, after that, um, I got out of the Navy and tended my resignation, but I stayed on—I stayed in the Reserves, and then, I came down to, uh—went down to, um, South Florida. I took a job at a nuclear power plant. I was an instructor, right? Teaching down there, and I stayed in the Reserves, and I drilled for the next 12 years. I—I drilled, uh—drilled my—my—from Jensen Beach, which is about 130 miles from here, to Orlando. I drilled every week—once every week—and two weeks a year, and I—I went up through the chain there, [inaudible], and got my rank there, up to—and made Commander in the Reserves in 1994.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz</strong><br />Uh, what, uh—what was your schooling like, when you were going through the Submarine and Engineering [Duty Officer] Schools—Oh, um, when you were still in the active? What was that like?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Oh, that was, uh—it wasn’t—I mean, it was okay. It was a—was a—it was kinda challenging, because, Uh, you had to—you had to go and know—know how to—and they put you in a room, and they start leaking the pipes, and, you know, you gotta, you know, repair the pipe, so you don’t drown and stuff like that, and then, you know that—you learn a little bit about navigation and how to—how to basically, uh, go through it. I was a little bit senior. I was a Lieutenant when I went through, and most of them were ensigns that[sic] went through there, but, Uh, you know, it was basically how to respond to emergencies on submarines, and then, you know, dive the ship up and down. I was able to do that[?]. I did a—I was able to surface the ship and dive the ship. I did that several times on the simulator and—and in real life— in a real submarine.</p>
<p>You know, and one thing that I did not—I neglected to mention is that I was on a submarine for two months, as part of my qualification program. So I was on the <em>Nathan Hale</em>, and we went out—and I can’t tell you where we went—but we went out somewhere in the ocean, and we had missiles on the ship. Uh, we—that was a deterrent patrol that I had to go through to get my qualification, you know, to do that.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>So—and then—then that’s [inaudible]. Nuclear Ship Superintendent School is very technical. It was like how to ma—manage radiation. The Navy is very sensitive to—to nuclear safety and the shipyards have to be—everything perfect. So they want people who are going to follow the rules and know what they’re doing. So they send us to special school to—to kinda—to kinda help us understand how to manage this[sic] nuclear, uh, projects at the shipyard.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, what, uh— was your, uh—the submarine’s class? Do you—do you know?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Yes, it’s a—it’s a—it was an SSBN [Nuclear Power Ballistic Missile Submarines]. It was a ballistic nuclear submarine, uh, it’s since, has been way since decommissioned. It was a pretty old ship, when I was on it Um, so it carried <em>x</em> number of missiles, and, uh, I ‘m not sure if that is classified anymore, but it’s so many missiles, and what we did was just go out there and wait—wait for launch orders, which, thankfully, never came. So I never really fought in hot war, but I was in the Cold War, which kinda was preventing the big war [<em>laughs</em>]. So…</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, what was it like—what was life like on the submarine?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Um, it was very, uh, interesting. It was kind of lonely. Uh, Now, I knew I was only going to be on it for like one patrol, so it was okay, you know? It was interesting. Got to do some—some interesting things, but, for the most part, you really eat a lot. They have—they have—you can eat up to four times a day. It’s just like a cruise ship, but you work [<em>laughs</em>], right? So you have breakfast, you have lunch, you have dinner, and then you have MIDRATS [Midnight Rations] at night, depending on your shift. They always got meals going on in a submarine, so you can eat, eat, eat, and I actually gained 15 pounds, you know, on the submarine, you know? So it was a—it was a bit of a weight curve, trying to get the weight off [<em>laughs</em>], but, uh, you know, it was good. I got the up and down—A lot of stuff in the submarine, you don’t know everything, because a lot of it’s classified, like what they targeted—the stuff—I couldn’t see that. So I never knew where we really were at. So it was all a part of, you know—it was kind of a tense time, with the Cold War. We were in secret locations and stuff like that.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, what was the crew like?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Crew was good. I mean, they were—they knew I was a short-timer, so they—they kidded me around a little bit, and—and—‘cause they knew. They called me the “rider.” You know, and they said, “You’re just in your rack all day. That’s all you do. You don’t do real work.” but they were kinda—they were in a kidding type of way, right? And I was called—they called me the “assistant engineer.” So I—I—I oversee some training lessons and did stuff like that for them, but I stood the watch. You know, on the submarine ship, you stand a watch, you’re—you’re good, because, uh, somebody else doesn’t have to stand the watch for diving officer. I did that. So, uh…</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, what was your time in Hawaii like?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Oh, it was great. It was, uh, beautiful—the most beautiful places on Earth. It’s, uh—nice mountains, and the job was pretty stressful—getting the ships out—because, like I said, this is the height of the Cold War, and the ships came in. they had to get repaired in a certain window, Because there are only so many submarines out there. One comes in, and, uh, they only got coverage for a certain amount. So you gotta get that ship out on time, and if it’s not on time—not out on time, some people up high up don’t get too happy about that. So we gotta make sure that everything’s done timely and safely. So not only—and we just couldn’t—since it’s a nuclear submarine—First of all, nuclear submarines can be hazardous in themselves, and you got reactors on ‘em, and you gotta be extra special careful with respect to nuclear safety, and so sometimes, some things take a little longer than you might anticipate. So, uh, you always have that—you always have that bal—and I was in charge, so if the ship was late, it was on me. You know, I had to answer for it. So...</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, did, uh—did you ever have any incidents happen, during that time?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Well, yeah. Um, I was on one submarine. When—when I was in the shipyard, we occasionally had to go out ride submarines when—after repairing them, and then one of the hydraulic plants went on fire. So it was a submarine underwater, and it was on fire, but the crew is so trained. It was like, “Okay. Fine.” Just like training—t was no different than when we had the training. We went over there, <em>swoosh</em>, they put it out, and then we—we went on to eat for lunch. So it was like okay.</p>
<p>They were very seasoned, very seasoned crew. Um, the chiefs in the Navy—they really—I was an officer, but the chiefs in the Navy—they, you know—they run the show. They—they get the people to do the work, and so my admiration is for the chiefs, you know, [inaudible] folks. They’re—they’re the ones that make it happen, you know? We get the credit, most of the time. Sometimes, we get the blame, as the officers, but that’s kind of the way it is, but they’re the ones that—the enlisted guys—they’re the ones that[sic]—that[sic] make it work. So my father kind of sent me a lesson, when he said, “You’re gonna—you’re gonna be this hotshot officer, but you’re going to learn who does the work.” And I did.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, do you have any, uh, moments that stand out, during your time in, um, Hawaii or Orlando?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Um, well, one day, uh—well, I can say that, at the end, I—I—I made a suggestion to move the repair somewhere where it would be cheaper or a little more cost-effective, and—and still do it safely, and that—they—they actually listened to me and did it. So when I left—I don’t know how that went, but it wa—it did save some money. So that was—that was a good, good part of it, uh—good part of it, but a lot of that—I remember it was a lot of stress on that, but—but that was a good part of it, at—at—at—at the end there.</p>
<p>So—and I would still dock ships, you know—dry docked ships that come into the shipyard, and a dry dock is: you—you—you bring a ship in, and to work on the hull of a ship, you can’t—can’t be in the water, right? So you—you put the ship on blocks, you drain the dry dock down, and then you go into the ship, and you do what you gotta do, back—and back up. Then you put the water back in, and then you float the ship out, but Putting the ship on blocks is a—a, you know—a very engineering-involved thing. So, as the docking officer, I had to do the calculations to make sure the ship would sit on the block right and stay there, and do all those calculations and stuff.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz</strong> <br />‘Kay. Um, so, um, coming back now to, uh, your—your—how was your transition from being active duty to Reserve?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Uh, not really—not really, um,—because I never had too many deployments, so I was always with my family. Like I said, I had a[sic] atypical career. I [inaudible] —I had it good, really. Um, so I didn’t have a lot—other than that one deployment, right? So when I went to Reserves, you know, I really was away from home more in the Reserves than when I was active duty, ‘cause I would have to drive to Orlando on—on the weekends, And then the two weeks a year, uh, I mean, again, I was with a lot of engineers. I had in my group, we had like PhDs, we had, you know, professional engineers. All highly, you know—highly educated people that[sic] worked for NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration], or worked for the [John F. Kennedy] Space Center, or whatever, and then they did the Reserves stuff, you know, on the side, ‘cause they were—they had this engineering background.</p>
<p>So I didn’t find too much of a, uh—uh, a transition. I went from a kind of academic environment, uh, to that. Now, I had a little more experience than a lot of the Reserves, ‘cause I actually was a[sic], uh, active duty—engineering duty officer, and a lot of them just came in the Reserves. So I had a little—a little more experience actually being there. I had the qualifications for the Dolphins and stuff like that. So that helped me a little bit, you know, with getting my advancements, you know, as I—as I, you know, got promoted on. So I also had some good leaders that[sic]—that[sic] showed me the ropes in the Reserves. That—that really helped me.<strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Do you remember any of those?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Oh, I do. I, uh—can I say their names?</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Oh, yep.</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Or whatever?</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>I remember one, uh—one key person that[sic] was a—was a, eh—he was a[sic] Admiral: Rear Admiral Steve Israel. He was, uh, a great mentor to me. Um, when I first came in the Reserves, he kinda took me under his wing, kinda showed me the—the life in the Reserves, and, uh—and we worked together. I worked within several of his units, when he was a—When I met him, he was a Commander, and then, as he went through, he became Captain, and then ultimately, he became—became an Admiral, and I still, you know, am still in contact with him, you know, to this day, but He was very, very—he was a [United States] Naval Academy graduate, very good about dealing with people, and stuff like that, and another person gr—Captain Jim Tully. I worked for him, and I took his Reserve unit when he—when he left that unit to go to another unit, I took over for him in, uh—in—for him, in that—in that capacity. So he always mentored me too, and he’s—he’s actually the Mayor of Titusville. Yeah. So [<em>laughs</em>]—but He’s great—he is one of the—one of the best leaders I’ve ever met, and one of the most, uh—most—talk about people—talk about people with integrity, and people in political office. Well, he’s got political office, and I don’t know anybody with more integrity than that man does have. He’s just amazing. So we still keep in touch. Yeah. So…</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Do you, um—do you have any stories or memories from your—from your time in the—in the Reserves that stand out?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Well, again, going back to the, you know—the enlisted people run the show. Uh, When I got—when I got command of my unit, I—I—I had a chief who was a Mensa [International]—high IQ [intelligence quotient] guy. Much smarter than I would ever be, and I asked his advice, you know, all the time, and that’s why my unit was so successful, and he helped me, give me advice on how to do things, and, you know, it went on from there. So I relied heavily on that. So I never—I never—I only made a couple of mistakes when I was a junior officer, thinking I knew it all, but that didn’t last out. Found out: the more senior I got, the less I thought I knew [<em>laughs</em>]. I knew more I had to rely on people that[sic] working[sic] for me. I mean, that’s the key to success. Um, and, uh—so—so that was very, very helpful.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, during—during the time in the Navy, um, did you, um—Um, what was—what was life like, um, in the [Ronald Wilson] Reagan years?<a title="">[2]</a></p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Oh, life was good. Reagan was president—in fact, I saw Reagan come in the airport in Hon—Honolulu[, Hawaii], and, uh, you know, I am a big Reagan fan. Uh, and, uh, ‘cause I, eh—we grew up to kinda get the Cold War—and one of the beautiful things was when I finally got into the Reserves, there—there—the war we were fighting, we really won it, because even though it wasn’t a hot war, the Soviet Union collapsed. We stood up to them and they’re gone. Now, they’re rattling their little sword again, but—but, at—at least at that time, they were—we—we won that. So, I mean, I liked the war. I felt like we had a strength in the nation for—for—for that, due to Reagan and the buildup—the buildup he did. I just kinda make the Russians<a title="">[3]</a>—“Well, we can’t keep up with this.” So…</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz</strong> Uh, how did the—the—in that case, how did the, uh—the breaking down of the Wall in Berlin[, Germany] make you feel?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>I thought it was great. I says[sic], “Wow. This is a great thing.” Because I grew up—when I grew up in the—in the [19]50s, the—the—I mean, I grew up during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and we thought we were going to World War III. I mean, it was right—right around the corner. I mean, my father was shaking and white ashen[?], ‘cause I looked at him—well, and I was only—what? I don’t know. 11—10 years old, or something like that, and—and it’s just like—he’s shaking white. Something—something’s going on here, and—and that was the closest we’ve—we’ve ever come, right? And, um—and there were some things—even during the Cold War, there were some things that happened, which we don’t want to go into, but, you know—but, for the most part, there was peace, right? So when the—when the [Berlin] Wall came down, Reagan said, “Tear down this wall,” and it happened. So that was—that was a good thing, and then, when, uh—I would never had believed it when it happened—they said the Soviet Union collapsed. It was like, <em>Wow.</em></p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, in co—and in comparison, how are the [William “Bill” Jefferson] Clinton years in the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Well, uh, Clinton—I mean, to a—see, Clinton was—he— ‘90s, uh, I got my senior—I think he signed my, uh—uh, my—my, uh—my promotion to Commander, and also he signed my discharge—my—my retirement paper, uh, in ’98, right? So—so I have some good—good, uh, Um, you know—He treated, you know, the military well too, you know? He was a smart, smart guy. Uh…</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, how were your, uh, final years in the Navy, eh, eh—in the Navy Reserves?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Good. Um, I mean, it was good. Uh, I was like—I had command of the unit, and then I was traveling so much back and forth, it was like, okay, you know? I was getting up for Captain, and I just decided that was time to, you know—time to—I didn’t make Captain the first pass. So I said, “Okay.” I had another chance, but I decided, you know, to get out. Um, so I decided just to—to go spend more time at my other job.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>What was your other job, at that point?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Oh, I worked at a nuclear power plant, teaching chemistry, physics. The same thing I did in Nuclear Power School, right? So—right.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>So what was life like after the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Well, it just went from teaching for the Navy and the submarine stuff and still have the resources—so it was really—To me, it wasn’t an abrupt end. It was a, uh, gradual transition over the years, ‘cause I was, uh, in active duty for eight years, Reserves for 12. So it was kind of a long—and then I—well, during the 12 years, I had my civilian job. So I—I kinda worked the two together, you know? Worked the two together. So—and As, you know, eh—as I went through my job, and I got more senior in the Navy, more senior in the Navy, and then got up there. I mean, Commander is pretty high up, I guess. So, you know…</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, how did the Americans actually treat you, while you were in the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>The who?</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>The Americans. The civilians.</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>The civilians? Oh, yeah. No problem. We didn’t have that Vietnam Syndrome, where, you know—where they—they spit on me or anything like that. Uh, I think today though—I mean, I think people are more appreciative of the military today, than they were even back when—when I was in there. I did used to do some recruiting for—for, uh, the Nuclear Power School, when I was at Nuclear Power School. I went out to the West Coast, and sometimes, I didn’t get a very friendly reception by the—the people on the campus at Washington University. Over there, they didn’t quite like my presence there. So—But I think today, I—I think the American people are more—are a lot more behind the troops. A lot more than compared to Vietnam [War] and even than when I was in. I think they realize what really they do for them.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Did you have any dealings with UCF at that time?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>I did actually. I, uh—I took a couple of classes here in 1982, when this campus was just a few buildings. So Industrial Chemistry, I took a few courses, because I was living in Orlando, and, you know, I just—I just did that. It didn’t end up in degree—I didn’t end up in a degree. I just have the classes. I think I have like 15 credits. Um, uh, Dr. [Gerald] Mattson—I think I had him, and I think he is still here, in the chemistry department. Um, so, uh—so I had that, and, you know, we were just kinda starting out. My wife was pregnant with our first child, and we—we came to UCF. She had to take an education course and sit in these little seats, you know, she could barely fit into it. It was kinda—we went together. She took a [inaudible] some education courses, and I did the chemistry stuff. So—so yeah. UCF is a little part of my time here.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, you mentioned your wife. Um, did you—you met her while you were in the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Actually, I met my wife in Orlando, okay? Um, uh, when I was an instructor here, I worked with another instructor, and his wife worked at a school, and she knew somebody. So they set this up on a blind date, and, uh, I mean, that was it. We’re married for 34 years.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Fantastic. Um, did she go with you to, uh, Hawaii?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Oh, yeah. You bet she did. Now, obviously—and, In fact, we were on the submarine. Um, they did a dependents’ cruise. Now, what a dependents cruise is: you can actually come on a submarine, right? They let the dependents come on the submarine. So she actually came on the submarine with her father, and we did, uh, some op[eration]s for them. We dove the ship, and surfaced the ship, and did all these things, and they got to eat.</p>
<p>You know, so she comes in—she comes into the submarine. Now, on a submarine, you gotta understand: there’s a wardroom, just like this, and at the head of the table, there’s the Captain, and that’s the Captain’s chair. Nobody sits in the chair. So what does my wife do? She comes in and plops down right in the Captain’s chair, and I kinda say, “I don’t [inaudible] you need to sit there.” [<em>laughs</em>] So I rise her about that [inaudible], but she is probably one of the few ladies that[sic] were ever on a submarine—a nuclear submarine. Now, Of course, they are getting women into the program, but at that time, you know, she—she thought was kind of fun. So after being at sea for a little bit on the submarine, And then, I—she went off, and then shortly after that, I—I came back home. So that was—that kind of fun.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>That’s fantastic. Um, um, how did the events of 9/11<a title="">[4]</a> effect you?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Uh, I was pissed, right? I was really mad that we couldn’t—that something like that could happen here. Uh, and I don’t know. You can point fingers and blame, but, you know, I, eh—it—it’s just one of those things that we got to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Uh, it’s one of those—it ripped every American apart, you know, and—and including me. Now, I was actually retired already. Um, so I, um, was already done. Uh, I mean, I could have been called to active duty, but they didn’t. I’m too old already, I guess. So—so they didn’t bother, you know, calling me up, but, uh—so yeah. That was kind of…</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Did you still have any, uh—were any of your friends still in the—in active…</p>
<p><strong>Roger<br /></strong>Yeah, I think Captain Tully, that[sic] I talked to you about. I think he was still in at that time, and, uh, then he retired subsequently after that. So, um, yes.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, what was one of the most important lessons that you learned from the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Uh, leadership. How to manage people and how to respect people, and just, of course, you just gotta—because you got all the stripes on doesn’t mean you know everything, and, I mean, that was the lesson my father tried to let me know before I went in there, and I did some stupid things. “Oh, I am in charge, because I’m an officer.” You know, I only did that once or twice, and then I remembered that I had better relying on the chiefs more, because they’re really the ones that really kinda know what’s going on [<em>laughs</em>]. So I did that. So a little humility’s a good thing.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, do you have any, uh, messages that you would like to tell the young people of America today?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Uh, yeah, the military’s a great way to go, especially if you got some technological talent. Eh, you—that—that Navy instructor program is a great way to get in, serve your country four years. You don’t have to stay in. You can teach at the Nuclear Power School, you can teach [inaudible] people who are really willing to learn, and they have to be, and they are really good students, and you—you get to teach stuff, and you come away with some great teaching skills that, at the end of it—that you can—that you can use anywhere else, you know? So, you know, To this day, I could teach anybody off the street how—how a steam engine works and so they would understand it. So, I mean, it’s am—an amazing thing.</p>
<p>So—so that’s—and don’t overlook that service. I mean, you know, my sons are likely not—not to go into it. I didn’t influence ‘em either way. One’s an engineer and one’s a—one’s a—a [inaudible] MBA [Master of Business Administration]. He’s got his MBA and he is a HR [human resources] manager over at Seaman’s[sp], so my sons are pretty successful, but I never influenced them to go one way or the other, but they’re proud of me that I did it.</p>
<p>Like I said, I did not have the career that some of these guys out there. They really put their lives on the line, and I never really had to do that. I was never shot at, okay? Um, but I served my country the best I could, you know? But the guys that really—the guys that went into Iraq and Afghanistan, and it’s just amazing how they—they sacrificed—a lot of them—just so much: their lives, limbs, and everything else. It’s just—and—and—and did it, and they get—they get something—they get like their hand shot off, and they wanna go again, and go back and do it again. It’s just, you know—how do you—how do you instill that in our youth? That—that sense of duty. You know, it’s just a great, great thing. Not that they got hurt, but that they have this, uh—this dedication, and their patriotism for their country, and to do the right thing.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Um, uh, uh, um, what, um—How did you actually end up at UCF, after, um, your time in the Navy?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>[<em>laughs</em>] Well, I, um—a granddaughter comes into that. I was, uh—worked at the nuclear plant for 25 years. I—I retired from the Reserves in ’98, right? And in 2001, I went back to school again, got a Master’s degree—another Master’s degree—online, um, for—for, uh, education—online distance learning. So I did that for about—took me about four years to get it. I got that degree in 2006. Uh, and then finally, uh—Uh, what—what was your question again?</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Oh, how did you end up at UCF?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Oh, yeah. Okay. So I—I graduated—after 25 years, I, you know—I retired from—I retired from FPL [Florida Power & Light Company] and I got bored, okay? So when I got very bored, um, I decided to come back to work. So my granddaughter—we had a new granddaughter that[sic] lives down in, uh, Oviedo[, Florida], here. So they—I saw this job at UCF as a Safety Training Coordinator. When I’m training, it looks good to me. So I applied for that job. I got it, so we moved down here. So my wife’s a—a full-time grandma, babysitter type, you know—help out with the kid, and I—I come here. I like my job, I’m teaching, and I got something to do. I got a sense of purpose, other than sitting at home doing nothing.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Uh, what year did you guys, uh—did you come here?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Uh, June 2013. So I haven’t been here that long. I’ve only been a UCF employee about a year and a half. Uh, you know, Two years it will be in June. So…</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Well, congratulations.</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>So…</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>[<em>laughs</em>] Um, is there anything else that, uh, we missed that you would like to talk about?</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>No, I mean, I think you about hit all on the head. I mean, it’s all—in the military, it’s all about—it’s about duty, honor, country, leadership. I mean, everybody should kind of get that experience. Well, not for everybody. It’s not for everybody, and—and I don’t know if I would have gone in, if it weren’t for the nuclear program. I don’t think I would have enrolled to just go, you know, to drive a ship. I couldn’t have anyway, because of my—my color—they wouldn’t—they wouldn’t have accepted me in anyway, but because I had some academic potentials, they used me for that, right? So the Navy kinda used me for what talents I had, and—and so, you know, anybody can do that. Yeah. So it’s a great thing. My thanks is for all the people that[sic] have gone on, and—and help, and, today, that[sic] continue to serve.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Well, uh, thank you for your time. Uh, and thank you, um, on behalf of UCF and myself, for answering our, um…</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Yeah[?].</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>For answering our questions and having this, uh, wonderful interview.</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Alright. Well, thank you very much. I appreciate your—your interview.</p>
<p><strong>Hiltz<br /></strong>Thank you.</p>
<p><strong>Rogers<br /></strong>Thank you.</p>
<div><br /><div>
<p><a title="">[1]</a> Doctorate degree.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p><a title="">[2]</a> January 20, 1981 - January 20, 1989.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p><a title="">[3]</a> Correction: Soviets.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p><a title="">[4]</a> September 11<sup>th</sup>, 2001.</p>
</div>
</div>
9/11
advanced training
American Chemical Society
Bennett Drive
Berlin Wall
Berlin, Germany
Bill Clinton
Bronx, New York City, New York
Caribbean Crisis
cold war
colleges
colorblindness
Commander
commissioned officers
Community Veterans History Project
Cuba
Cuban Missile Crisis
CVHP
dependents' cruises
deterrent patrols
dry docks
education
educators
Engineering Duty Officer
Engineering Duty Officer Dolphin Program
Engineering Duty Officer Dolphins
Engineering Duty Officer School
Father of the Nuclear Navy
firefighting
fires
Florida Power & Light Company
FPL
Gerald Mattson
Germany
Hyman G. Rickover
Hyman George Rickover
Indiana University
instructors
Jensen Beach
Jim Tully
Killian Hiltz
Lehman College
mayors
military education
military spouses
military training
military wife
military wives
Nathan Hale
nuclear power
Nuclear Power Ballistic Missile Submarines
nuclear power plants
Nuclear Power School
nuclear safety
Nuclear Ship Superintendent School
October Crisis
Officer Indoctrination School
OIS
orlando
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Philip Rogers
presidents
Restricted Line Officer
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan
Safety Training Coordinator
September 11th
South Florida
Soviet Union
Soviets
SSBN
Steve Israel
SU
Submarine School
submarines
subs
teachers
terrorism
terrorists
The Missile Scare
training
U.S. Naval Reserve
U.S. Navy
UCF
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
universities
university
University of Central Florida
USS Nathan Hale
USSR
veterans
Washington, D.C.
William Jefferson Blythe III
William Jefferson Clinton
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/3e1590995719dfd5cf72744679ab11eb.pdf
5911567d122649679ac6fde15328da34
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
Oviedo Historical Society Collection
Alternative Title
Oviedo Historical Society Collection
Subject
Oviedo (Fla).
Description
The Oviedo Historical Society Collection encompasses historical artifacts donated for digitization at the Oviedo Historical Society's History Harvest in the Spring semester of 2015.
The Oviedo Historical Society was organized in November 1973 by a group of citizens. The society is a 501(3) non-profit organization. Its purpose is to help preserve the community identity of Oviedo by collecting and disseminating knowledge about local history, serve as a repository for documents and artifacts relating to Oviedo history, promote the preservation and marking of historic sites and buildings in the Oviedo area and foster interest in local, state, national, and world history.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/128" target="_blank">Oviedo Collection</a>, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Language
eng
Type
Collection
Coverage
Oviedo, Florida
Contributing Project
<a href="http://oviedohs.com/" target="_blank">Oviedo Historical Society</a>
<a href="http://history.cah.ucf.edu/staff.php?id=304" target="_blank">Dr. Connie L. Lester</a>'s Introduction to Public History course, Spring 2015
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
External Reference
"<a href="http://oviedohs.com/" target="_blank">Oviedo Historical Society</a>." Oviedo Historical Society, Inc. http://oviedohs.com/.
Adicks, Richard, and Donna M. Neely. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5890131" target="_blank"><em>Oviedo, Biography of a Town</em></a>. S.l: s.n.], 1979.
Robison, Jim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/796757419" target="_blank"><em>Around Oviedo</em></a>. 2012.
"<a href="http://www.cityofoviedo.net/node/68" target="_blank">History</a>." City of Oviedo, Florida. http://www.cityofoviedo.net/node/68.
"<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/audio/Ep41-Oviedo.mp3" target="_blank">RICHES Podcast Documentaries, Episode 41: Oviedo, with Dr. Richard Adicks</a>." RICHES of Central Florida. http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/audio/Ep41-Oviedo.mp3.
Document
A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text.
Original Format
1 newspaper article
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
Lars White Tries Out Job as Oviedo Fire Chief
Alternative Title
Lars White as Oviedo Fire Chief
Subject
Oviedo (Fla.)
Fire chiefs
Firefighters
Fire departments--United States
Description
A newspaper article published in <em>The Oviedo Voice</em> around 2004. The article discusses the appointment of Lars White as acting fire chief of the Oviedo Fire and Emergency Services Department until the city finds a permanent replacement for its retiring chief, Wayne Martin. According to the article, White was considering applying for the permanent position of fire chief. White was hired as one of the department's first paid employees in 1983, after serving for several years as a volunteer. His experience includes his service as a firefighter, a captain, a lieutenant, a battalion chief, the public information officer, a training coordinator, the public education director.
Type
Text
Source
Original newspaper article: "Lars White Tries Out Job as Oviedo Fire Chief." <em>The Oviedo Voice</em>, page 1 and 7: Private Collection of Edwin White and Carolyn White.
Requires
<a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/reader.html" target="_blank">Adobe Acrobat Reader</a>
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/147" target="_blank">Oviedo Historical Society Collection</a>, Oviedo Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original newspaper article: "Lars White Tries Out Job as Oviedo Fire Chief." <em>The Oviedo Voice</em>, page 1 and 7.
Coverage
Oviedo Fire Department, Oviedo, Florida
Publisher
<em>The Oviedo Voice</em>
Contributor
White, Edwin
White, Carolyn
Date Created
ca. 2004
Date Issued
ca. 2004
Date Copyrighted
ca. 2004
Format
application/pdf
Extent
292 KB
Medium
1 newspaper article
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Civics/Government Teacher
Provenance
Originally published by <em>The Oviedo Voice</em>.
Rights Holder
This resource is provided here by <em>The Oviedo Voice</em> and is provided here by <a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
<a href="http://oviedohs.com/" target="_blank">Oviedo Historical Society</a>
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
Private Collection of Edwin White and Carolyn White
External Reference
"<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/audio/Ep41-Oviedo.mp3" target="_blank">RICHES Podcast Documentaries, Episode 41: Oviedo, with Dr. Richard Adicks</a>." RICHES of Central Florida. http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/audio/Ep41-Oviedo.mp3.
Adicks, Richard, and Donna M. Neely. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5890131" target="_blank"><em>Oviedo, Biography of a Town</em></a>. S.l: s.n.], 1979.
Robison, Jim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/796757419" target="_blank"><em>Around Oviedo</em></a>. 2012.
"<a href="http://www.cityofoviedo.net/node/68" target="_blank">History</a>." City of Oviedo, Florida. http://www.cityofoviedo.net/node/68.
Carolyn White
Edwin White
fire chiefs
fire departments
fire protection
firefighters
firefighting
OFD
Oviedo
Oviedo Fire and Emergency Services Department
Oviedo Fire Department
The Oviedo Voice
Wayne Martin
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/c7bc219cf87c0f5905a5b76aaefa5a98.jpg
7e73a7677d43d3649f6e39819e518d1a
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
Oviedo Historical Society Collection
Alternative Title
Oviedo Historical Society Collection
Subject
Oviedo (Fla).
Description
The Oviedo Historical Society Collection encompasses historical artifacts donated for digitization at the Oviedo Historical Society's History Harvest in the Spring semester of 2015.
The Oviedo Historical Society was organized in November 1973 by a group of citizens. The society is a 501(3) non-profit organization. Its purpose is to help preserve the community identity of Oviedo by collecting and disseminating knowledge about local history, serve as a repository for documents and artifacts relating to Oviedo history, promote the preservation and marking of historic sites and buildings in the Oviedo area and foster interest in local, state, national, and world history.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/128" target="_blank">Oviedo Collection</a>, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Language
eng
Type
Collection
Coverage
Oviedo, Florida
Contributing Project
<a href="http://oviedohs.com/" target="_blank">Oviedo Historical Society</a>
<a href="http://history.cah.ucf.edu/staff.php?id=304" target="_blank">Dr. Connie L. Lester</a>'s Introduction to Public History course, Spring 2015
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
External Reference
"<a href="http://oviedohs.com/" target="_blank">Oviedo Historical Society</a>." Oviedo Historical Society, Inc. http://oviedohs.com/.
Adicks, Richard, and Donna M. Neely. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5890131" target="_blank"><em>Oviedo, Biography of a Town</em></a>. S.l: s.n.], 1979.
Robison, Jim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/796757419" target="_blank"><em>Around Oviedo</em></a>. 2012.
"<a href="http://www.cityofoviedo.net/node/68" target="_blank">History</a>." City of Oviedo, Florida. http://www.cityofoviedo.net/node/68.
"<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/audio/Ep41-Oviedo.mp3" target="_blank">RICHES Podcast Documentaries, Episode 41: Oviedo, with Dr. Richard Adicks</a>." RICHES of Central Florida. http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/audio/Ep41-Oviedo.mp3.
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials.
Original Format
1 newspaper article
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
City Appoints New Fire Chief, Finance Director
Alternative Title
New Fire Chief, Finance Director
Subject
Oviedo (Fla.)
Fire departments--United States
Description
A newspaper article published in <em>The Oviedo Voice</em> on September 16, 2004. The article discusses the appointment of Lars White as acting fire chief of the Oviedo Fire and Emergency Services Department until the city finds a permanent replacement for its retiring chief, Wayne Martin. According to the article, White was considering applying for the permanent position of fire chief. White was hired as one of the department's first paid employees in 1983, after serving for several years as a volunteer. His experience included service as a firefighter, a captain, a lieutenant, a battalion chief, the public information officer, a training coordinator, the public education director. The article also discusses the appointment of Cindy Lindsay as Finance Director. A certified public account, Lindsay's experience also included service as the assistant for the Oviedo Finance Department, service for the City of Casselberry, and experience running her own business.
Creator
Scoles, Darla Kinney
Source
Original newspaper article: "City Appoints New Fire Chief, Finance Director." <em>The Oviedo Voice</em>, Vol. XIV, No. 38, September 16, 2004, page 1: Private Collection of Edwin White and Carolyn White.
Publisher
<em>The Oviedo Voice</em>
Date Created
ca. 2004-09-16
Date Copyrighted
2004-09-16
Date Issued
2004-09-16
Contributor
White, Edwin
White, Carolyn
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original newspaper article: "City Appoints New Fire Chief, Finance Director." <em>The Oviedo Voice</em>, Vol. XIV, No. 38, September 16, 2004, page 1.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/147" target="_blank">Oviedo Historical Society Collection</a>, Oviedo Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Format
image/jpg
Extent
289 KB
Medium
1 newspaper article
Language
eng
Type
Text
Coverage
Oviedo Fire Department, Oviedo, Florida
Accrual Method
Donation
Mediator
History Teacher
Civics/Government Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Darla Kinney Scoles and published by <em>The Oviedo Voice</em>.
Rights Holder
This resource is provided here by <em>The Oviedo Voice</em> and is provided here by <a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a> for educational purposes only.
Contributing Project
<a href="http://oviedohs.com/" target="_blank">Oviedo Historical Society</a>
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
Private Collection of Edwin White and Carolyn White
External Reference
"<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/audio/Ep41-Oviedo.mp3" target="_blank">RICHES Podcast Documentaries, Episode 41: Oviedo, with Dr. Richard Adicks</a>." RICHES of Central Florida. http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/audio/Ep41-Oviedo.mp3.
Adicks, Richard, and Donna M. Neely. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5890131" target="_blank"><em>Oviedo, Biography of a Town</em></a>. S.l: s.n.], 1979.
Robison, Jim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/796757419" target="_blank"><em>Around Oviedo</em></a>. 2012.; "<a href="http://www.cityofoviedo.net/node/68" target="_blank">History</a>." City of Oviedo, Florida. http://www.cityofoviedo.net/node/68.
Bentkofsky
Carolyn White
city government
City of Oviedo
Cynthia Lindsay
Darla Kinney Scoles
Edwin White
finance director
fire chiefs
fire departments
fire protection
firefighters
firefighting
Gerald Seeber
government
local government
OFD
Oviedo
Oviedo City Hall
Oviedo Finance Department
Oviedo Fire and Emergency Services Department
Oviedo Fire Department
The Oviedo Voice