Kenneth Bray:
CLASS OF 1973
Stuart High SchoolClass of 1973
Valley station, KY
Eastern Kentucky UniversityClass of 1977
Richmond, KY
Our Lady Consolation SchoolClass of 1969
Louisville, KY
Kenneth's Story
Ken.Bray-at-disa.mil < You know the "at" symbol here...
This email goes away on May 27, 2011
I attended Stuart HS. Band was my focus.
Graduated from Eastern in 1977. Geology / music.
College
EKU 73-77.
I started with a music scholarship but there was no job market. I changed major from an art to science (Geology) thinking energy (coal) will always be needed.
Transitioning from music to science was an academic shock! I nearly flunked out in my 2nd year under the stress. My eyes were opened at Eastern and it was my life's toughest time, and probably making it to graduation was my greatest achievement.
Workplace
I joined the Navy in 1979 and I went through the boot camp that was featured in "An Officer and a Gentleman", except that the real school is in Pensacola, FL, and tougher than it looks.
I was stationed in Guam for a year and Hawaii for 18 months. I flew in C-130s.
1983, Shore duty in NJ. I started my career in computer standards.
1986, left the Navy for a civilian DOD job doing the same thing.
1989, moved to Virginia near DC still working with military computers.
Met Laura in 1991, married in 1999. Laura is from Delaware and has a son from a previous marriage.
Retiring in 2011. Will see America, then find a beach - changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes! Sail, fly, scuba, show ski, watch the girls, ... write a book, I've got several ideas already in the works.
I visit my folks in Louisville about 3 times a year. They moved to Fern Creek, outside Louisville.
MILITARY:
VQ-3 was a strategic communications squadron that flew EC-130...Expand for more
Q, turbo props with a special communication package build in the back. We forwarded national messages from the President to our nuclear subs. Needless to say, I had a great time in both Guam (flying the South pacific) and in Hawaii (who wouldn't?).
1983 - My shore duty was at Ft. Monmouth, NJ where I became the senior test director, testing tactical data link systems for software compliance. I left the Navy because they double crossed me on sea duty assignments, offering me a ship billet rather than a flying billet. The nerve of those guys! I joined the Navy to fly, not float.
1989 - I moved to Northern Virginia to work with computer messaging standards. I work at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), in an office in Falls Church, VA. I chaired several DOD development groups and have acted as the U.S. Head of Delegation to NATO on a couple of projects.
2008 - Life at a high plateau. Have been scanning photos for our families. Am interested in sharing photos with anyone who may have old pictures of me.
2010 - I dragged Laura to dance lessons, and now we ballroom dance. Won 3rd place in the DC area for our level at the time (Bronze II). I got my motorcycle license in the spring.
2011 - Set to retire, Bradenton, FL. I have traveled to 23 countries and 49 states (I can't come up with a reason to go to North Dakota). I've been to the Arctic Circle, and I hope to visit Australia in 2011-12. I've flown, hang glided, parachuted, scuba, snow ski, ... not sure how many things are still on my list of "TO DO" items. But, there are some.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Reunions
Photos
Register for Free to view all photos!