William Cummings:
CLASS OF 2000
Chino High SchoolClass of 2000
Chino, CA
Chaffey CollegeClass of 2013
Rancho cucamonga, CA
Don Antonio Lugo High SchoolClass of 2000
Chino, CA
Chino High SchoolClass of 2000
Chino, CA
Sultana High SchoolClass of 2000
Hesperia, CA
William's Story
I joined the United States Navy shortly after high school. I spent a year and a half in Illinois training to be an electronics mechanic. I then transferred temporarily to the USS Denver while I waited for my advanced training to open up in San Diego where I learned how to fix and repair a ship's defense robot called CIWS that shot down inbound projectiles heading for the ship.
From there I transferred to my first official ship: The USS Russell out of Honolulu, HI for 3 years. Couldn't begin to tell you how many countries I visited while onboard but it's safe to say that Europe is my final frontier since Africa doesn't interest me much. Hawaii was nice but not where I would want to live permanently. Nice place for a vacation though and I wouldn't mind visiting again.
While there I married and adopted a beautiful baby girl named Kyli Jade. [Sweatheart, if you ever read this: Your daddy loves you very much and I think about you always. I'm sorry I gave up on fighting to be with you. I regret it every day. I only hope you can forgive me someday. I miss you so much and I keep our pictures up in my room.] I picked out the name of course (rubs knuckles on chest) hahaha. I enjoyed being part of a family more than anything in the world but my military career continually interfered with my ability to be there for them when they needed me to keep us together. After three intense years we divorced which was easily the lowest part of my life. It has taken me a long time to mentally recover from such a profound loss. I do not have my daughter with me anymore for reasons I do not wish to discuss publicly on a website.
After Hawaii I changed careers and became a military police officer so I could spend more time at home with my family. Hahaha, that decision backfired horribly on me. I was transferred to Silverdale, WA to take part of project the Navy was trying where we supposed to relieve the Marines stationed there so they could rotate into Iraq during the war. That didn't happen the way it was explained at the beginning. I, essentially, became a marine (had a marine CO, wore their uniform, taught their courses, adapted to their system) and became the ...Expand for more
Navy's first Sergeant of the Guard for the forces there. As one of the first MP's to arrive for he project, I took part in trail-blazing the foundation to be built on by the forces to arrive.
In order to establish a functioning transfer cycle for the new command I was transferred after only a year and a half across the Puget Sound to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. There I was actually able to learn how to be true MA (Navy Master at Arms) and practice law enforcement the way I had originally intended. I picked up on my duties with surprising speed and was about to have my Patrol Qualification in under 2 months but my training was suspended after running code (police lights) while transitting to the other side of the base during a medical emergency. My chain of command didn't agree with my decision, I gave them the finger. Hahaha. After all, if someone is dieing and I need to be there as fast as possible without colliding into another vehicle how was it not justified? I kid you not, they told me that I should have taken my time and obeyed traffic controls. Now you know where the finger mysteriously came from.
Not one to be kept down for long, I bounced back and became one of the leading Second Classes for my Watch section. Though it was only a brief year that I spent there, I met some amazing people while I was there. The kind of friends that you want to pack in your seabag and take them with you wherever you go for the rest of your life. I miss you guys if you are reading this.
I was honorably discharged from the Navy in January 2008 where I took a much needed break from everything stressful in my life and rebonded with my family that I was only able to see for two weeks out of the year while I was serving our country. I was there for the birth of my niece Natalia and my nephew Jack.
Now, after nine long years, I am attending school at Chaffey College at Uncle Sam's expense. I am getting my general ed out of the way for now but plan on transferring to a university that has a bachelor's degree program for elecronic engineering. I am considering Cal Poly Pomona or Cal State Fullerton. I want to tour the campuses before I make decision.
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