I miss the USCG so much!
1979 -- Jimmy Carter was president and unemployment was 11% -- At least in upstate New York. Almost everyone I knew in HS went into the military, others (rich kids) went to college. I was the last hold out, I guess you could say from the HS graduating class of 1979, to join the military. I spent the summer either stoned, or trying (in vain) to help my older brother-in-law with his construction business, which didn't quite work out. So many times, I thought he was going to kick my a$$ like you wouldn't believe! My older sister told him to give me another chance... etc... Finally, it just wasn't working out and, I had to swallow my pride and return home to the wrath of my WWII Army/Air Corps father.
Well, truth be known, we got into it. I was 18 years old, I was a man, and 10 feet tall and bulletproof as the saying goes. I did the most stupidest mistake any young man can make... During an escalation with my WWII dad and myself, I actually lunged forward and TOOK A SWING AT HIM!
All I remember is connecting with the cigar is his mouth, knocking it out of his mouth, and then I saw a look in his eyes that I will never forget. I will take it to my grave... My father 6'3' 250lbs. Me a punk 18yr old kid with an attitude problem, 5'11" and
maybe 150lbs, 160lbs... You know the outcome...
To this very day, all I remember is a giant "grizzly bear paw" type of hand pressing down on top of my head, while I flailed away with lefts and rights, swinging away, while my father instinctively knew how to avoid them. He soon had enough and pressed down with all his might, and collapsed me to my knees. All I could do was cry out for him to stop. I cried out for him to stop. He continued pressing downwards. Soon enough I was almost face down in the gravel driveway with my head in between my legs.
It was at THAT EXACT MOMENT that my life had changed. In retrospect, "Thank you, Pop!" I guess I needed that proverbial "swift kick in the a$$" and he provided it, let me tell you!
Then it was on to the discussion of joining the military, since jobs were nowhere to be found with 11% unemployment (thank you, Jimmy Carter). I remember my older brothers-in-law (Vietnam Vets) telling me to NEVER join the Army or the Navy. Then I had this realization that I have been involved with boating since I was like 10, 11, years old. I knew lakes, rivers, channels, buoys, etc... So the best bet was the US Coast Guard. But then I also had another option of the US Air Force (since both my parents were in WWII in the Army Air Corps (which developed into today's US Air Force).
Coast Guard or Air Force
Coast Guard or Air Force
Coast Guard or Air Force
In summary, The US Coast Guard won out, since I had way more experience (even as kid with small boating, navigation, lakes, rivers, etc...) And that was that. I served a career in the Coast Guard and wish I could do it all over again!