ABRAHAM-STEVEN

My Personal Log

I entered the United States Navy in March 1971 after serving six months in the Navy’s CACHE delayed entry program.  In June 1971, after completing 12 weeks of “boot camp” at RTC in Great Lakes, IL as a squad leader in Company 110, I reported to Service Schools Command, Great Lakes, IL for Basic Electronics & Electricity School.  In September 1971, I transferred to Fleet Sonar School, Key West, FL for Sonar “A” School.  Upon completion in February 1972, I was promoted to Sonar Technician (Surface) Third Class (STG3) and transferred to the USS WILLIAM M WOOD (DD-715) homeported in Norfolk, VA to receive practical seagoing experience as a sonar operator and technician.  I met the ship in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and completed the remainder of Refresher Training.  After a short yard period in Hampton Roads, VA for upgrades, I moved with the ship to become part of Squadron 12 homeported in Athens, Greece.  After numerous exhilarating encounters with the Russian surface and submarine fleets during the then “Cold War”, I departed in November 1973 for Fleet Sonar School, Key West, FL for Sonar Intermediate Electronics School.  I advanced to STG2 in May 1974 and transferred to Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center - Pacific, San Diego, CA where I completed MK 114 Underwater Fire Control System Technician “C” School and Operator training.  In October 1974, I transferred to the USS W. S. SIMS (DE-1059) homeported in Mayport, FL.  We went through an extensive shipyard overhaul period at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard where I supervised new equipment installations and overhaul evolutions.  Upon completion, the ship proceeded to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for six weeks of refresher training.  After advancing to STG1 in July 1976, I transferred back to Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center - Pacific, San Diego where I completed the AN/SQS-26CX Sonar System Technician “C” School and Operator training.  In April 1977, I transferred to the USS AYLWIN (FF-1081) homeported in Charleston, SC where I served as the A/S Division LPO and Work Center Supervisor.  When I reported aboard, I discovered my new LCPO was none other than GMGC Robert “Bob” Sipka, my former boot camp Company Commander, a great guy.  After completing the end of yet another shipyard overhaul at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, I proceeded with the AYLWIN to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for another six-week Refresher Training period.  During my shipboard tours, I served as a ship’s swimmer/diver and completed torpedo and ASROC exercise shot recoveries, SONAR dome inspections and general underwater repairs.  After completing one-half of a Mediterranean Cruise, I transferred in April 1978 to Service Schools Command, Naval Training Center, San Diego for Instructor-Basic Training.  Later that month, I transferred to Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center - Pacific, San Diego where I was an Instructor for the AN/SQS-26CX Sonar System and Louis-Allis Power Supply.  During this time, I was the Class Supervisor for five 15-man classes.  Prior to completion of this tour in July 1981, I was awarded the designation of TRACENPAC Master Training Specialist.  My Navy active duty tour was completed on July 24, 1981.

I enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves on August 20, 1981 at Naval Reserve Center, La Crosse, WI.  I was assigned to NR SUBASE Pearl Harbor Det. 1016 and applied my recent training experience to the duties of Training Officer.  I was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in September 1982 and “Initiated by Choice” at NRC La Crosse, WI.  Changes in the Navy required a transfer in October 1992, this time to the NR FF-1052 KNOX Det. 5211 unit at Navy & Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center, St. Paul, MN.  There I served as a Division CPO and Division Officer.  In September 1993, I was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer.  In June 1994, I was transferred to NR MOTU 9 Det 616 for four months due to the KNOX unit decommissioning.  I soon found out that my second application to the Reserve Chief Warrant Officer Program was successful and in October 1994, I was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer Two (Designator: 7288 - Electronics Technician, Submarine) and transferred to NR SUBASE Pearl Harbor Det 716, also at NMCRRC St. Paul, MN.  I again served as a Training Officer and Division Officer.  In April 1997, the Subase Unit was decommissioned and became the NR USS Frank Cable AS-40 Det L unit.  Promotion to CWO3 came in October 1997.  In January 1999, I transferred to Mobile Mine Assembly Unit Nine at Naval Reserve Center, NAS-JRB, Fort Worth, TX and served 21 months as Executive Officer.  In October 2000, I transferred to Navy Submarine Support Command Pearl Harbor, Maintenance Det F serving again as the Training Officer.  I was promoted to CWO4 in October 2001.  As a member of these various Reserve units, I supported diverse repair facilities at Subase Pearl Harbor, HI, Subase San Diego, CA, Trident Refit Facility, Kings Bay, GA and MOMAU 8, Guam.  I transferred to Retired Reserves effective March 01, 2002 and had an emotional and memorable retirement ceremony on May 11, 2002 at JRB NRC Fort Worth, TX.

 

My feelings are best summed up in an observation President John F. Kennedy made during an address August 1, 1963 at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.  “Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile… can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction, “I served in the United States Navy”.

While serving my Country, I received a great education, saw a big piece of the world and enjoyed the privilege of meeting great people and making life-long friends.  God Bless the Navy, the Flag and the United States of America.

Significant awards are as follows:

• Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
• Navy and  Marine Corps Achievement Medal
• Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon
• Navy Good Conduct Medal w/ Bronze Star
• Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal w/ 2 Bronze Stars
• National Defense Service Medal w/ Bronze Star
• Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ Silver Hourglass
• Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
• Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon - Sharpshooter