STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of NCC Don Richards, U.S. Navy (1980-2004)

Growing up I was influenced by war movies, TV and history involving the military (and I still am) so; I felt a sense of duty. In 1980 (age 20) I knew I wanted to join but, I wanted some control over what I would be doing. One day I drove to the recruiting office, grabbed some pamphlets and left. I didn’t look at the recruiters or give them a chance to talk to me.

I looked at the material over, talked to my brother-in-law (who was a Navy Vet) and went back a week or so later to negotiate IC “A” school.

When I learned I could be promoted to E2 by referring two others to join; I parked outside the recruiting office almost every day, during lunch. When someone came up I’d ask, “are you thinking about joining the Navy”? If they said yes I’d say “my name’s Don, come on, I’ll introduce ya! The recruiters must have thought I knew everyone in town and at least three of them enlisted (so, since I referred them, I was promoted to E2).

After Boot Camp, BEE and IC “A” School in San Diego, I reported to the USS Whipple in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as an ICFN. I was proud of that ship; I have many good memories of her and I loved Hawaii. I met my wife there and we were married at the base chapel, a year later. As an IC man, I saw every space of the ship (from the pilothouse to the boiler room and from staterooms to fan rooms) I worked on 1MC speakers, SP telephones and specialized in alarm and indicating systems.

After 5 years; I then got out of the navy and became a Journeyman (Alarm Technician) in Portland, Oregon.

I soon realized installing alarms was not to be the career that I was looking for. It was a good job but “be careful what you wish for” is the best way to describe it after I had reached my goal of becoming a Journeyman alarm tech it was just not what I thought it would be. My wife and I also discovered (the hard way) that the military benefits we had once enjoyed were now costing us money, as civilians. So, we decided to make the Navy a career and returned to active duty. However, I had lost my time in rate as an E5, due to bad advice from an NC. Those 9 months I that was out of the Navy had cost me 3 years of “time in rate”. Had I known this I would have returned 3 months earlier and been able to take to the E6 exam right away. As it was I had to do my 3 years as an E5 all over again.

So this time, I was determined to take advantage of the Navy benefits and be prepared for the next time I would get out (when I retired). I volunteered for recruiting duty and discovered “recruiting was what I wanted to do” So, I studied for CLEP exams, took off-duty classes and managed to get a degree (majored in Human Behavior (psychology). Eventually, I became a full-time Navy Counselor (NC) to practice my major and help Sailors make career decisions.

As an NC I was personally challenged because no NC had ever helped me with my career. In fact, I lost those 3 years (time in rate) because of bad information from an NC so, I was determined to make a difference as an NC by d building a Career Information Program that would be recognized as the best. I won the Gold Anchor Award for three different commands and helped a lot of Sailors and shipmates.

My first ship, the USS Whipple, was deployed to the Persian Gulf during the Iran / Iraq war in 1983/84. The Persian Gulf was full of mines back then and, it was a very unstable place. The Iran Navy (little as it was) would point their guns at us and we were threatened in many ways daily.

The USS Carr was hit by a missile in the Persian Gulf and the USS John Rogers hit one those mines. We were lucky I think but we were there, facing the threat of uncertainty.

Was there a particular incident during your service when you believed you were in a situation you might not survive? Please describe what happened and what was the outcome.

There were certainly times of uncertainty. I think the Typhoon that the USS Proteus had to steam through in 1987 (because we could not outrun the storm) was when I was most worried for survival. It was category 5 wind storm creating huge 50 and 60-foot waves, and the ship could only do 12 knots. Had we lost power we would have been at the mercy of that storm and I think she would have fallen apart and sunk. The ship had been cut in half to make her 40 feet long, so we were afraid she would break in half. There was water sloshing throughout the ship because of poor watertight hatches and ladders and fire pumps were breaking loose from the bulkheads and decks.

It was an exhausting two days.

The USS Whipple stationed out of Pearl Harbor Hawaii, for many reasons. My first ship, it was Hawaii, I met my wife and I was young.

Duty and Sacrifice. We all want to be home; we miss our families and personal freedom. I hated missing out on the first 7 months of my boys’ life, my first wedding anniversary (and many more) but, there we are, sacrificing family and personal freedom.

On the flip side; homecomings were exciting and my wife and I had promised each other not to be separated more than 3 months (if possible). So, we enjoyed being together in places like Hong Kong, Korea, and Greece. I’m glad my ship schedules made this possible.

Great memories, worth every penny!

This is a photo of my wife & I had dinner in Greece.

My first Navy Achievement Medal (NAM) means the most. NAM’s are handed out like candy in the Navy Today (so it seems) but, it was rare to see one on a Junior Sailor in the 80s.

My first NAM was awarded to me for being named “Recruiter of the Year”.

It represents phone calls, interviews, high schools and many hours of driving, to influence young men and women to serve their country,

It also represents 36 one month tours of shore duty, I could have been home with my wife and family (had I chosen real shore duty) but, this tour changed my life. It helped me make Chief and prepare for a career after the Navy. I learned a lot. I need to thank my wife (again).

This photo, of my wife pinning on my Chief Anchor, was one of our rewards.

My wife. We met and married in Pearl Harbor. Her ears, advice, and support made the Navy a “career” for us. She was a Navy wife for 21 years and she endured more challenges than most wives ever have to. We are fast approaching our 40th anniversary now.

This photo was my last day in uniform (for our son’s wedding).

My Division Officer on the USS Whipple, back in 1983, was an out of shape history teacher just doing his time. He was nothing to look at and we (E division) were not impressed with his military bearing.

I never heard the captain call him by his name, only “Damn it, Harry”.

The ship was in the Persian Gulf, Harry was the OOD. It was after midnight and the sea was like glass (not even a ripple). I had a trouble call (as an IC man) and was working on one of the bridge phones. Suddenly the ship was rocking so much it woke the captain up. The captain began barking (into the voice tube) “DAMN IT HARRY what’s going on up there”! Harry began mumbling into the voice tube “Well… Ummm, you see Captain. Um…” (DAMN IT HARRY; WHY IS THE SHIP ROCKING)? “Well… you see Captain… umm” … Harry was still mumbling into the voice tube when the Boatswain yelled THE CAPTAIN IS ON THE BRIDGE! … Then Harry closed his eyes as he turned and whispered (loudly) “Oh SHIT”!

The captain looked into the radar and screamed: “GOD DAMN IT HARRY”!

He had cruised the ship “BETWEEN” two supertankers.

The experiences I developed from recruiting duty, managing educational services and retention programs (capped with a degree) allowed me to go directly into college recruiting in the private educational system.

I quickly progressed to the Director of a private college to manage a team of advisers, and support staff, of a 5 state region (Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Montana).

I’m a member of a few organizations, however, because of my weekly travel, I am not actively involved. When I am home; I want to enjoy my family and influence my children and grandchildren. I’m certain I will be more involved in my later years.

The core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment still influence my life. I believe I’ve passed them onto my children as well; I’m sure it was tough for them to have a Navy Chief as a father but today, as I watch my oldest boy raise his three sons, I know I did him right. You see; I believe we can only judge our real success by “watching our children raise their children”. That is why we are here. Life will go on.

Most importantly; I don’t take a day (or anything) for granted anymore. Especially the little things… like a smile or a simple “good morning”! You never know if that will be your last sandwich so; make it a good one and “MAKE IT” a great day! It’s your call.

1. Don’t bring the ship home. If you can’t have a conversation without mentioning work your priorities are out of sync.
2. Take care of yourself. Your career and your family can thrive if you are healthy, confident “and happy with the person you see in the mirror”.

Seeing old friends, and forgotten shipmates have been great. TWS is reviving memories and keeping them alive for my grandchildren to see.

In this photo: a few members of the USS Carney Chief Mess in 1997 (the best men I ever served with). We helped Commission the Carney (DDG-64) and won her the Gold Anchor Award in FY 1997 (which was her first year as a commissioned ship)! What a crew!