Navy

1992 - The Great Buddha, Kōtoku-in Temple, Kamakura, Japan

22. June 1992 bart General, Navy (0)

Today we had time off from our work at FISC Yokosuka and took a day trip to Kamakura. Kamakura is the former Samurai capital of Japan and is the home of many cultural attractions. Today we visited the Kōtoku-in Temple and Hase-dera Temple, both of which are Jōdo-shū Buddhist temples. Kōtoku-in Temple is home to one of Japan's most famous icons, the Great Buddha.

The Great Buddha here is the second largest Buddha in Japan, which was built in 1252. Legend has it that in the year 1495, a great tsunami rolled in and washed everything away leaving only the Great Buddha standing.

The Garden of Jizo was named for the Patron Saint of the Departed Children. I was told during my visit that the small idols lined up in the garden represented the souls of children lost to miscarriage, abortion or other premature death.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

1992 - Hase-dera Temple, Kamakura, Japan Hase-dera Temple in Kamakura	1992 - Kōtoku-in Temple, Kamakura, Japan Praying at the Hase-dera Temple	1992 - Hase-dera Temple, Kamakura, Japan The Garden of Jizo, honoring departed children
1992 - Kōtoku-in Temple, Kamakura, Japan The Great Buddha Idol at Kōtoku-in	1992 - Kōtoku-in Temple, Kamakura, Japan Bart at the Great Buddha Idol	1992 - Kōtoku-in Temple, Kamakura, Japan Bart and group at the Great Buddha Idol

1990 - Jungle Environment Survival Training

13. December 1990 bart General, Navy (0)

Jungle Environment Survival Training, otherwise known as JEST, is a course in the United States Navy originally designed for Navy pilots and Marine combat units. On my last active duty for training at NSD Subic Bay, Philippines, I had the opportunity to take this course. While it wasn't without trial and tribulation, it is an adventure I would repeat in a heartbeat. After the United States left the Philippine Islands in 1992, the JEST camp was converted into a survival training facility for civilians and classifies itself as an amusement park.

1990 - Jungle Environment Survival Training

Jungle Environment Survival Training Certificate

1990 - U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) Port Call, Subic Bay, Philippines

10. December 1990 bart General, Navy (0)

While on duty at the tropical NSD Subic Bay, Philippines, I had the privilege of experiencing the historical U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) as it pulled in for a port call. In reality, the Mighty Moe was pulling in for replenishment on its route to the Persian Gulf in the middle east. We had not been expecting the famous ship and just happen to be on "beach duty" as the Missouri ran through the channel into Subic Bay, where we watched it make its way to the harbor.

As suggested by one of our enlisted crew, our commanding officer arranged for us to visit and tour the ship. It was not like any other ship museum tour. We got the full tour from the working crew and could more or less visit any space that was not under security patrol (engine room, ammunition lockers, etc).

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

1990 - U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) Port Calls at Subic Bay, Philippines The Missouri pulling into Subic Bay The Missouri pulling into Subic Bay	1990 - U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) Port Calls at Subic Bay, Philippines The Missouri being helped into its parking place The Missouri being helped into its parking place	1990 - U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) Port Calls at Subic Bay, Philippines The Missouri moored at Subic Bay The Missouri moored at Subic Bay
1990 - U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) Port Calls at Subic Bay, Philippines Request permission to come aboard.. Request permission to come aboard..	1990 - U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) Port Calls at Subic Bay, Philippines Underneath the 16" guns Underneath the 16" guns	1990 - U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) Port Calls at Subic Bay, Philippines Maintenance taking place on an early drone prototype Maintenance taking place on an early drone prototype
1990 - U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) Port Calls at Subic Bay, Philippines An early drone prototype getting prepared for flight An early drone prototype getting prepared for flight	1990 - U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) Port Calls at Subic Bay, Philippines Maintenance taking place near the surrender memorial Maintenance taking place near the surrender memorial	1990 - U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) Port Calls at Subic Bay, Philippines Work being performed on the teak deck near the surrender memorial Work being performed on the teak deck near the surrender memorial
1990 - U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) Port Calls at Subic Bay, Philippines Group picture once back on shore Group picture once back on shore

1987 - Dollies Tavern, Olongapo City, Central Luzon, Philippines

20. December 1987 bart General, Navy (0)

I was recently perusing through my Navy enlistment files when I stumbled upon this photograph hidden among the papers. The actual date of this picture is unknown but it was taken mid month, December, 1987, at Dollies Tavern. Dollies Tavern no longer exists but it used to be located in the New Ever Hotel on Fendler Street Extension, just off Magsaysay Drive, behind Police Station "B" in downtown Olongapo City, Central Luzon, Philippines.

Click thumbnail for larger view..

1987 - Dollies Tavern, Olongapo City, Central Luzon, Philippines

Dollies Tavern

1987 - Magsaysay Drive, Olongapo City, Central Luzon, Philippines

19. December 1987 bart General, Navy (0)

A dreary day looking down Magsaysay Drive, Olongapo City, Central Luzon, Philippines

Click thumbnail for larger view..

1987 - Magsaysay Drive, Olongapo City, Central Luzon, Philippines

Magsaysay Drive

1986 - Storekeeper Class A School, Meridian, MS

10. October 1986 bart General, Navy (0)

Following Navy Basic Training, I attended the Storekeeper Class A School, located in Meridian, MS. The Storekeeper (SK) rating was awarded once the technical requirements of the Naval Technical Training Command (NTTC) were met. As of 2009, the United States Navy consolidated the Storekeeper and Postal Clerk ratings into a single rating which is now called Logistics Specialist.