Last week we left Steve Davis as he began “Army Basic Training” at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey and was definitely feeling culture shock. Apparently, it was not Forney or Sunnyvale!
Training to be a Strategic Microwave Equipment Repairman for the Army Communication System from the start appealed to his scientific interests and was “just interesting in general,” as they began with the most basic electrical/electronic theories and then followed through to the total microwave system operations and repairs.
The training ended with testing, and, again as with the opening tests, he scored high enough that he was interviewed to be assigned to the WHITE HOUSE Communications Team! Steve says that “fortunately, he was not chosen and at the time he was, for some reason, glad, even though that would have definitely kept him out of ‘NAM.’”
After a 30-day-leave to go home, he was shipped to his duty station in, of all places, Taiwan, and says that “he does and did not think he had ever even heard of that place—and was most definitely out of his comfort zone but says that he ‘reasoned’ that anything would be better than Viet Nam!” By that time, he had earned the rank of “E-2,” which (Themer thinks.) is Private, 2nd Class, and pay grade #2, and had been in the service for almost one year.
Steve was stationed at an Army Communication System relay site on top of a 10,000-feet-high mountain in a (Free) Chinese Air Force Radar Site, and relates that “I had never been to or at a mountain in my life, but there I was, living on top of one. The view and isolation were breath-taking. Being on/in a tropical paradise and yet having SNOW was not the norm for me!”
“My infrequent days off were spent in Taipei, the Capital of Taiwan, and while there, I became acquainted and then good friends with a ‘couple,’ who were missionaries from Pennsylvania, and through them became good friends with several native Taiwanese residents. And this was another cultural and dietary shock for a ‘country boy.’ I bought a Nikon camera and took hundreds of photos, as I ‘fell in love’ with this new place.”
“However, as time passed and I gained higher ranks, other duties and assignments ‘called.’ I became an ‘E-5’ (Specialist 5) and due to my ‘2nd Enlistment,’ received more pay than was average. At that point a couple of others and I were sent to South Korea to do testing for three months on some new communication systems being installed there. The new area brought more culture shock and ‘awe’ and a definite change in the weather! One special thing I did enjoy was travelling around by helicopter, especially with knowledge that no bullets would be flying around or at us. All too soon, it was time to return to the U. S. A., as the war was being down-sized—and I was DISCHARGED in 1972.”
“I WAS OUT and had only served a few months of the extra year for which I had signed up! And, I had been places and experienced things and events that were to become life-long memories. Several of the friends I made during my time in the military have visited me back here in the United States.”
After becoming a civilian again, Davis went back to North Texas State University on the “G. I. Bill” and graduated with a Degree in Industrial Arts (major) and Business (minor) and says that “for some reason I made good grades this time!” (Themer: I think most of us learn that some things change as we grow older and some stay the same, and it is not the same for each person. I learned that my parents and teachers, etc. were smarter than I had thought (maybe wiser) and that after about age 30, I could run a little slower and shorter distances than I once could!—but I digress!)
Steve: “I also picked back up where I had left off with my activities in the antique autos/hot rods hobby and was making new friends and having unique and gratifying experiences involved with finding, procuring, working on, and driving these vehicles. I also went back to construction work while finishing college but did not pursue a career that utilized the training that I had received in the military. Looking back now (hindsight), I sometimes feel that might have been a mistake! I did work in the electronics field part-time for a while with a business guy I met through my car hobby, and I did utilize my industrial arts degree when I went to work for an architectural metal fabricating firm, doing welding and fabrication of steel, stainless steel, bronze, and aluminum fixtures, accents, railings, and furniture of unique and custom design and function for a great variety of businesses, architects, residences, and well-known people, such as Jerry Jones. I worked in that field for 30 years and also at times was self-employed part-time doing restoration and custom auto fabrication, again meeting many interesting personalities, such as Johnny Harrah (well-known Elvis impersonator) and musician, Steve Miller.”
*Let’s go back a little.* At the time Davis was in Taiwan, President Nixon was sending Henry Kissinger to mainland Communist China, and we will leave Steve back in Taiwan until next week.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.