John Stiefel:  

Life I left for bootcamp at Recruit Training Center Orlando just 9 days after graduation. Lots of recruits were missing home, but it was harder for me with just a fence seperating me from home! I spent 12 years in the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician. I worked on the E-2C Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning aircraft with squadron VAW-121, as well as the SH-2F helicopter with squadron HSL-32. I also worked component level troubleshooting and repair on a variety of airborne communication, navigation, and flight control systems at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia. I served on 4 long term deployments onboard the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), the fast frigate Thomas C. Hart (FF-1092), the guided missle cruiser Josephus Daniels (CG-27), and the amphibious assault ship Guam (LPH-9). In addition I was involved with many short-term deployments involved with Counter-Narcotics Operations in conjunction with the Coast Guard. In all, I've spent a little over 3 years of my life at sea. I've been in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, all over the Gulf of Mexico, in the Mediterranean, Black, Red, Baltic, and Adriatic Seas. as well as transiting the Suez and Panama Canals. I had the fascinating opportunity to visit 22 countries all over Europe, the Caribbean, and South America. I came away with quite a number of unique and memorable experiences. Most importantly, I came away with a profound appreciation for living in the greatest country in...Expand for more