PRESERVING A MILITARY LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
The following Reflections represents GMSN Den C. Bulan’s legacy of his military service from 1968 to 1972. If you are a Veteran, consider preserving a record of your own military service, including your memories and photographs, on Togetherweserved.com (TWS), the leading archive of living military history. The following Service Reflections is an easy-to-complete self-interview, located on your TWS Military Service Page, which enables you to remember key people and events from your military service and the impact they made on your life. Start recording your own Military Memories HERE.
Please describe who or what influenced your decision to join the Coast Guard.
I was going to join the Navy Submarine Service. When I tried, I was told it was filled for a year.
The recruiter asked me if I wanted a sea-going service to join the Coast Guard, which I did, and I never regretted that decision.
Whether you were in the service for several years or as a career, please describe the direction or path you took. Where did you go to boot camp, and what units, bases, ships, or squadrons were you assigned to? What was your reason for leaving?
At the end of my enlistment, I needed to get away for a while to see what I wanted to do. I met my wife 3 months later and never regretted meeting her. She has been my helper in many decisions we have made. I went to college to get a degree in Astronomy, but I never completed it.
If you participated in any military operations, including combat, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, please describe those which made a lasting impact on you and, if life-changing, in what way?
We were on an exercise called Operation Steel Ring. It was off the Nova Scotia coast, and I had never seen so much fog in my life. We had 4 hours on and 4 hours off while on patrol. They had me on the starboard wing lookout when I spotted something in the distance. And the distance was not very far with all the fog. I could make out a gray object but couldn’t tell what it was. Not until I got relieved from my lookout post. As I went onto the bridge to be relieved, the Captain told everyone that I had spotted a submarine. And he was so glad about that. That wasn’t the only operation I was in.
In April ’72, we were sent to the Shetland Islands to help a Soviet Nuclear Hotel-Class sub. The Russians had their entire Black Sea naval company there. There were times I thought they would blow us out of the water. We were told to stay back 1 mile, which we did. I found out later that 20 Soviet sailors died aboard her because of the fire they had. We were relieved by the British Navy and sent back to get relieved from our weather patrol.
Did you encounter any situation during your military service when you believed there was a possibility you might not survive? If so, please describe what happened and what was the outcome.
Yes, when we were trying to help the Soviet submarine off the Shetland Islands in April of 72. The whole Black Sea fleet was there to help them. I remember our Weapons Officer stated that if we saw the forward turrets start moving to kiss our butts goodbye. After a while, we were relieved by the British Navy and went back to the ocean station to be relieved and sent home.
Of all your duty stations or assignments, which one do you have fondest memories of and why? Which was your least favorite?
Being aboard the finest 378-foot cutter the Coast Guard had for all my enlistment. I went to places I never thought of and had a great crew.
From your entire military service, describe any memories you still reflect on to this day.
I remember the times we helped other ships in all kinds of weather. That was our job, and I am proud to have made a difference in the Coast Guard. Today, I like to help those who need help.
What professional achievements are you most proud of from your military career?
I am proud to have served my country along with what my dad and my uncles did during the Second World War.
Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations, qualification badges you received, or other memorabilia, which is the most meaningful to you and why?
They are all meaningful to me. Showing what I accomplished.
Which individual(s) from your time in the military stand out as having the most positive impact on you and why?
The first and second Captains of the Gallatin showed me what being in control of a ship meant and the honor they had doing that job—also, the GMs. Without them, I wouldn’t know what to do. I struck GM and did sea watches when off duty. They were a great bunch of men.
List the names of old friends you served with, at which locations, and recount what you remember most about them. Indicate those you are already in touch with and those you would like to make contact with.
Steve Applegate, we served aboard the Gallatin and did our jobs as GMs. Today, Steve calls once in a while, and it is nice to talk to him. There are many more, and they are on my Gallatin site, where we e-mail each other. We are a great bunch of men.
Can you recount a particular incident from your service, which may or may not have been funny at the time, but still makes you laugh?
When we were at sea, a hawk landed on the mast and stayed there for a while before flying away. He could have been our mascot.
What profession did you follow after your military service, and what are you doing now? If you are currently serving, what is your present occupational specialty?
I went to college to get my Ph.D. in Astronomy, but left because my wife was pregnant with our second daughter, and I thought I should go to work. After a while, I went to a computer programming school and got into the field as a computer operator. Then, I went into PC tech repair, where I retired after almost 30 years of service.
What military associations are you a member of, if any? What specific benefits do you derive from your memberships?
In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your life and your career? What do you miss most about your time in the service?
It helped me in many ways in my everyday life. I know I’m very alert in situations and help people. What I miss in the service was the times at sea. I still have that desire to go back to sea, but being 71, that would be hard to do.
Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to those who have recently joined the Coast Guard?
It is the best service you could have joined. It is hard but well worth the effort to do the best you can, to be proud of the work the Coast Guard does, and to put 100% into it.
In what ways has TogetherWeServed.com helped you remember your military service and the friends you served with?
Getting to see the men who served with me. A great site for those who miss the military.
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