Edward Clevenger:  

*Oceanographic Research Analyst for U.S. Navy *Marshall University - BA, Salem College/WVU- MA *Two sons with Betty Harper: Eddie (!976) & Robert (1979), and three grandsons: Cody (1994). Kyle (1996), and Mason ( 2009). *Retired Mathematics and Science Teacher - 33 years *Screenplay/Director of feature length, motion picture - Into the Wilderness: The Jesse Hughes Story *I was told by Facebook and Classmate friends that my story was terrible because I only had listed a few events that covered about forty-five years; therefore, if you have the time, here's the PG story. *I graduated from RHS in 1967, enlisted on the delay program in the U.S. Navy, got married to Betty Harper, and got a job until my four year enlistment in the U.S. Navy began. Since I had enjoyed the freedoms of democracy for eighteen years, I felt obligated to assist others who were being terrorized by Communism. I was too young and naive to understand the crooked, money making methods of our lawyers, turned senators and congressmen. We won every battle in Vietnam, but we weren't allowed to win the war; only continue the manufacture of wartime supplies to make the greedy rich, richer! *Before I completed boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in February 1968, I was told that I couldn't become a Fire Control Technician, computerized gunfire, on a Vietnam Swift Boat because a four year enlistment didn't guarantee the Naval "B" School as required for the position; therefore, I extended for another two years. *I attended the Naval "A" School in Bainbridge, MD, but before attending the Naval "B" school, I was placed in a facility on base to wait for orders with several hundred other men. However, my orders didn't come for several months. Finally, I received my orders, but the orders were for the U.S. Naval Base at Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. When I questioned the orders at the personnel office in Bainbridge, MD, I was told that the Naval "B" School was probably backlogged with men, so maybe, I was being sent to meet a ship where I'd receive OJT until a space opened in the "B" school. *After arriving in Newfoundland, I was assigned at the Naval Facility rather than the Naval Station because my job was associated more closely with the Sea Bees at the Facility rather than the positions at the Naval Station. I waited for several months, but the Bureau of Personnel in Washington, D.C. seemingly had forgotten about me. On Friday of each week during my lunch, I'd go to the personnel office and check on my orders. Finally, my orders never arrived, and I was told that the Navy Bureau of Personnel in Washington, D.C. didn't know why I was sent to Canada, but I was to wait there until the orders came for the Naval "B" School. *The repeated comments that my official orders might arrive anytime, a ship might pull in any day to pick me up, or a flight might be scheduled to "B" school caused a lot of stress. I had taken my wife to Canada with me, and I refused to leave her stranded in eastern Canada about 2,000 miles from WV. This didn't set will with the military. *While I was waiting for orders, I attempted to increase my rank. I quickly learned that I was the only Seaman on the two bases who was striking to be a FCT/Guns; therefore, I couldn't advance in rank or pay. I voiced my concerns to any officer who would listen, and finally, since I couldn't strike for the Sea Bees because that required being a "construction man" instead of a "seaman" rank. One day, the commander of the facility called me into his office, and he said that my Naval IQ scores were excellent, and he offered me a job working on electronic equipment with the Oceanographic Research Analysts/Sonarman, known inside of the top secret building as OT for Oceanographic Technician, as a temporary solution. Since I wasn't a "construction man," I agreed to take the placement change. After two midnight shifts, I had read every book about the equipment and job that the facility had. Since the entire OT program has been declassified and they now utilize satellite technology to locate, identify, and track Soviet submarines and surface craft, the actual job was repairing and utilizing sonar equipment, from the North to South poles around the continents, to track Soviet naval movements. Since I was a seaman, I was allowed to take the OT test, and I advanced to a Petty Officer Third Class. In the Navy, to advance, the men must take an advancement test, and the number of men advanced varied because of the need. This is the only branch of the military where you could score 99 out of 100 and still not be advanced. In the winter of 1969, I was the first American to discover and report the Soviet, Yankee Class, Nuclear powered submarine. I received letters of commendation from the Naval Facility Commander, Atlantic Fleet Commander, and President Richard Nixon. The lifers hated me!!! After I had given up on the "B" school, I completed the dream station request forms for my next placement. I chose a destroyer, destroyer escort, or battleship. In the infinite knowledge of the U.S. Department of Personnel, they sent orders for Eleuthera, Bahamas. At that point, I gave up on "B" school and saving the world from communism because I had a firsthand look at the ways of our military. Therefore, I bought some swimming trucks, surf board, and spear guns to enjoy as many beaches as I could throughout the Bahamas. Although the waves weren't large without a storm offshore, the water was absolutely clear and filled with beautiful creatures and coral reefs. One day when I was in the library on base, I mentioned the story of extending two years for "B" school without receiving it to a friend who worked in personnel. A few days later, he dropped a bombshell. Since I didn't go to the "B" school, the two year extension should be dropped. He had me come to his office and sign the paperwork requesting that the two year extension of my enlistment be dropped. I forgot about it, and a couple of months later, I was called to the commander's office. Just for fun, I always carried a civilian airline schedule in my front shirt pocket and looked at it when officers were around. Since the commander had called me in about the airline schedule, etc., in the past, I wondered what he wanted. Within a few seconds, he announced that I could go home anytime I wanted to go. Immediately, I said today! Of course, given some time, I stayed another two weeks, without duty, said goodbye to everyone, and had some wonderful parties a...Expand for more