William Chinworth:  

My grandparents had given me something priceless - a sense of independence (and a hopelessly unbounded wanderlust). With that sense of independence, I no longer worried about being an outsider in school. At the end of my Junior year, I entered an application to be a Rotary International Exchange Student. A year and a half later, I departed for New Zealand where I lived throughout 1981. I learned to ski, scuba, sail, and a little hang gliding. Tramped the Milford Sound, walked the edge of Mt. Narrahoe (a live volcano) and starred down sealions in Invercargill. Drank myself silly too many times, danced with Maori warriors, and sheared a sheep or two with shearing gangs on the South Island. Burned my feet on black sand beaches that gleamed of pure silver under the South Pacific sun. Stood on the same hill that would later be featured in an extraordinary film as the home of the Rohirim. From a jet boat, delivered mail along the Wanganui River to places so remote an occasional glance at the calendar was the only reminder that it was the twentieth century. Oh, and did find time to hit the books with 50 7th Formers at Onslow College in Johnsonville. They taught me rugby - I survived. I taught them baseball - they chuckled. Fabulous year! College Auburn University. Wish I could remember more. All I remember is Doug, Dennis, a little of Mark and 21 credit hours every quarter for three years. Was talking to a Mech E. student outside Halley Center on registration day, my first of 12, for the summer quarter in June 1986. He was a sophomore. Crossed paths with the same guy in the same line, my last, in March 1989. He was a junior, I was graduating that May. Amazing what the Navy can propel you to accomplish. Yes, it is entirely possible to complete a degree program in 36 months. In fact, it's the only way to do it! Workplace Go Navy! Beat Army! Military After putzing about in Tucson for two years, figured I'd finally follow through with what I wanted to do since my junior year at Willcox High School. I enlisted in the United States Navy in February, 1984. My Dad was infuriated. Didn't talk to me for weeks. Thought I was a damn fool. Nevertheless, went off to Boot Camp at the picturesque Great Lakes Naval Training Center just north of Chicago. Finished as the top recruit. Amazing that there were folks in Company 269 that thought they wouldn't have to go to sea. Following Machinest's Mate "A" School, went to sunny Orlando, Florida and the Naval Nuclear Power School. Married Cookie enroute. Moved into our first apartment on Bumby Street. Graduated in the upper 10% in October 1985 and moved to Saratoga Springs, NY. Miserable winter. But while at NTPU, Ballston Spa, was advanced to MM2 and selected for the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program. In April 1986, Cookie and I packed the truck and travelled to Auburn, Alabama where I attended Auburn University and graduated in 1989. During this time, Nichelle arrived. Went to Newport, RI where I earned my first stripe. After doing Nuclear Power School and Prototype training again as an officer, the arrival of Ian and completing the Submarine Officer's Basic Course in Groton, CT, I reported to my first submarine, the USS STURGEON (SSN 637) in June 1991 in Charleston, SC. Qualified in submarines and served as MPA and CRA on board STURGEON. In March 1993, was given the opportunity to split my JO tour aboard the Pre-Commissioning Unit TUCSON being built in Newport News, VA. This was a huge blessing from above. STURGEON was not having a good time and I was happy to leave. Reported to TUCSON in July 1993 and commissioned her in September 1995. Left USS TUCSON (SSN 770) in February 1996 with my second stripe and qualified as an Engineer Officer. This was a terrific tour. CDR Baker showed me what a fun wardroom could accomplish. Served as a Submarine Watch Officer at COMMANDER, SUBMARINES ATLANTIC FLEET until January 1998. This was a dream shore tour. I got to drive submarines all over the globe from the comfort of an armchair in a concrete box. The envy of every Commander standing watch at the misnamed Fleet Operations Center, we Submarine Watch Officers, mere Lieutenants, weilded operational authority with the blessing of a three star admiral. Heady days. After completing the Submarine Officer Advanced Course at the Submarine School in Groton, CT, reported as the Strategic Weapons Officer aboard USS PENNSYLVANIA (SSBN 735)(GOLD) in August 1998. Served aboard her until June 2001. Proud to say that during my time as PENNSYLVANIA (GOLD)'s Weps, she earned three Strategic White "S", a White Tactical "T", a Battle Efficiency "E" twice and the Omaha Trophy for best strategic platform in the entire Department of Defense in 2001. Those three years were truely magnificent. CDR Gherke pushed my leadership skills to places I certainly didn't think possible. Reluctantly leaving PENNSYLVANIA; but happy to leave Kings Bay, GA, Cookie, I and the kids returned to our adopted home, Norfolk, VA where I expected to finish my time in the Navy as the SSBN Scheduling Officer at COMMANDER, NAVAL SUBMARINE FORCES. However, the Navy had different plans. In June 2002, I was informed by my detailer that I had been selected to serve as a submarine Executive Officer. In June 2003, after completing the Prospective Executive Officer's Course in Groton, CT, I relieved as the Executive Officer of USS BOISE (SSN 764), my fourth submarine. Will put on my third stripe this year. And now the Navy is sending me to Carlisle Barracks in Pennsyvania to spend a year at the Army War College. The Army for cryin' out loud. God has a wicked sense of humor.