Marines: What experiences did you have when you served onboard ships?

2015-10-09T05:30:46-04:00

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 9 at 2015 5:36 AM

2015-10-09T05:36:28-04:00

I was on the USS Fremont in the Caribbean.. We had Liberty Call for 3 days in Havana Cuba which made all the boredom onboard ship worthwhile.

I think the sailors loved having our Btl onboard because all the Chief Boats has us on maintenance & cleanup details... they just stood around watching us cleaning their ship.. And we left it looking better than before we came onboard...IMHO

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 9 at 2015 6:21 AM

2015-10-09T06:21:09-04:00

USS Kittyhawk,
USS Essex
USS Cleveland
Got stormed into Sidney Australia. Had to stay there for an extra 4 days because we couldn't leave harbor. It was amazing.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 9 at 2015 7:00 AM

2015-10-09T07:00:46-04:00

I was told if I shipped over for another tour I would be considered to go onboard the USS Forestall for a one year shakedown cruise but I had already been accepted by BC..So I didn't get that onboard assignment... But a few of my buds did go and they loved every minute of being onboard a carrier which is better ship board duty than an APA..

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 9 at 2015 7:17 AM

2015-10-09T07:17:31-04:00

USS Bonhomme Richard
USS Boxer
USS Dubuque
USS Pearl Harbor
USS Ogden
13th and 15th MEU (SOC)...

Response by Sgt Ken Prescott made Oct 9 at 2015 7:46 AM

2015-10-09T07:46:15-04:00

USS Coral Sea, deployed with VMFA-451 as part of Carrier Air Wing 13, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, aka "back when I had more follicles and the music was better."

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 9:26 AM

2015-10-09T09:26:06-04:00

USS Guadalcanal LPH-7 (1988 Workup, switched to LPH-9)
USS Guam LPH-9 1988-1989 Med Cruise 22nd MEU HMM-261 (REIN)
USS Nashville LPD-13 1988 Med Cruise (Moved to the Nashville to accommodate AV-8B Det.)
USS Saipan LHA-2 Joint Exercise SOLID SHIELD 89
USS Saipan LHA-2 1991-1992 Persian Gulf 22nd MEU (SOC) HMH-362 (REIN) ARG 3-91

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Oct 9 at 2015 9:30 AM

2015-10-09T09:30:06-04:00

Aye, aye Sir! USS Tripoli, 79-80

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 9 at 2015 10:44 AM

2015-10-09T10:44:41-04:00

Hey, haven't you been watching the series, "The Last Ship"? We be bad MFers, and don't need Marines. :)

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Oct 9 at 2015 11:47 AM

2015-10-09T11:47:21-04:00

Yeah, a bunch. USS Simon Lake, USS Raleigh, USS Nashville, USS Ponce, USS Fairfax County, several others. I also got to ride an SSBN, the USS James K. Polk for a couple of days.

Walt

Response by LCpl Justin Cuevas made Oct 9 at 2015 12:32 PM

2015-10-09T12:32:56-04:00

My first tour was a WESPAC; spent time on the Peleliu, Germantown and Ogden.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 9 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-10-09T13:10:38-04:00

I understand Sea Duty & being in the Marine Detachment on a Battleship or Carrier is outstanding ..These guys were really squared away and got promotions faster than the rest of us..

Response by SSgt David Nace made Oct 9 at 2015 1:34 PM

2015-10-09T13:34:46-04:00

I never had the privilege of serving on a ship. I was stationed in 29 Palms for 8 1/2 years then got put with a reserve unit as I&I staff. I did do two pumps and one war time deployment. 3/7 and 3/4 were the best times I ever had.

Response by SGT William Howell made Oct 9 at 2015 2:16 PM

2015-10-09T14:16:09-04:00

You know why they have Marines on ships...Because sheep are way too obvious!
I am only kidding. Just seemed like a good time to put out my only Marine joke I know.

Response by Sgt Franklin B. made Oct 9 at 2015 4:28 PM

2015-10-09T16:28:18-04:00

I served on a few in my day. I really enjoyed the time aboard.

Response by Cpl Chris Cargile made Oct 9 at 2015 5:05 PM

2015-10-09T17:05:23-04:00

Yep, Marine Detachment onboard the USS Long Beach for about two years.

Response by Sgt Cody Dumont made Oct 9 at 2015 5:57 PM

2015-10-09T17:57:32-04:00

USS Debuke, USS Spartingburg, USS Sapian. 2 Med Floats and a small cruise in Far East.

Response by SSgt Randy Saulsberry made Oct 9 at 2015 11:21 PM

2015-10-09T23:21:07-04:00

USS Enterprise with VMFA-251. OEF cruise 2012 we were attached to Carrier Air Wing 1

Response by PO1 Kenneth Cardwell made Oct 10 at 2015 1:18 PM

2015-10-10T13:18:22-04:00

Yes the USS Midway CV- 41. I saw some marine slam an O-5 Cdr. On the deck because he would not get on the deck during a drill!

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 8:31 AM

2015-10-12T08:31:50-04:00

Please post an opinion, or at least a comment, when starting a discussion thread ... not just a question or a link to a news story. For example, what are your experiences serving on board a ship? That would be a great comment to get this discussion started.
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Response by LCpl James Robertson made Oct 13 at 2015 12:13 PM

2015-10-13T12:13:42-04:00

I served aboard the USS.Tripoli LPH-10, 1973 on the way to Vietnam, we also had to cross train with Navy personnel to learn there jobs aboard ship in case of emergencies. Also served on the USS. Peoria., for a short stay.

Response by Sgt Bradley Lowran made Oct 13 at 2015 12:18 PM

2015-10-13T12:18:01-04:00

Never ceased to amaze me how the Corps could screw up a ham sandwich...yet I could be aboard some lousy little LST with a tiny galley and we'd eat like kings.

Response by Sgt Loren Petty made Oct 13 at 2015 1:00 PM

2015-10-13T13:00:41-04:00

My first Wespac was onboard the USS Okinawa LPH3, now retired. I had started my mandatory mess duty at K Bay before boarding, and had to finish it in the scullery onboard ship. I worked with a sailor there who somehow figured he was senior to me, as he had been in the scullery long before I arrived. One day he got the bright idea to throw a filthy rag in my face. I choked the living shit out of him, and got much more respectful treatment thereafter. The sooner swabs learned that all jarheads are crazy, the better for everyone.

Response by Cpl Thomas Mcdonough made Oct 13 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-10-13T13:49:51-04:00

USS INDEPENDENCE CV-62 MAR-DET
BEST DUTY HANDS DOWN, ONLY COMPLAINT WOULD BE THE SHIP WAS TOO BIG. BUT THE NAVY WAS BOOTING US OFF ALL THE SMALLER SHIP'S, SO WE MADE THE BEST OF IT, BUT I'AM TOLD THERE ARE NO MORE MARINE DETACHMENTS AT ALL.MAYBE SOMEONE CAN TELL US IS ALL THAT TRADITION OF MARINES ABOARD NAVY SHIPS GONE FOREVER???

Response by Sgt Scott Cruse made Oct 13 at 2015 2:32 PM

2015-10-13T14:32:47-04:00

Ah, let's see, not sure I remember all the names of the ships. But between 1979 thru 1987 was on four Med floats to include Beirut in 83 w/22d MAU.

USS LAMOURE COUNTY, USS GUAM, USS SIAPAN, USS GUADALCANAL.....

I remember getting lots of sleep and eating some pretty good meals.......

Response by LCpl Lynn Beamon made Oct 13 at 2015 4:47 PM

2015-10-13T16:47:36-04:00

I served in TF 62 in the MED with LF6F. I was on LPD-4 Austin, and LPH-2 Iwo Jima (HQ for 24 MAU May-Dec 1983)and TDY on LCC-20 Mt Whitney.

Response by LCpl Nitram Ztul made Oct 13 at 2015 5:29 PM

2015-10-13T17:29:15-04:00

1985 with Cuba in the background, approached on the USS Guam LPH
Sailed from Norfolk to GITMO, spent about three months there, lived with Banana rats and lizards.
I was a 2512 wire-man with 3/2 Kilo company on our way there we practiced rappelling from the flight deck to the hanger deck, the Navy guys thought we were a bit crazy, but the extra training paid off in GITMO where were used those skills in Cuba and patrolled the fence lines along the borders of the base, we also swam to shore with our rifles and packs, with just a Mae West. I saw many barracudas in the water, it gave me extra motivation to swim faster. We never got liberty in St. Thomas, because a storm chased us out of Cuba, through the Bermuda triangle up the east coast.
They called general quarters, and the seas were very violent, our troop compartment was one level below the flight deck. We were pretty high up, atleast 7 stories or so above the ships water line. I open a hatchway, looked up about 15 to 20 stories above the ship, that was the sea swelling and I felt so small, on board this giant ship. It really put the world into perspective for me. I will never forget that feeling. SMALL !

Response by SSgt James Howerton made Oct 13 at 2015 6:56 PM

2015-10-13T18:56:32-04:00

I had a few the first time I was aboard a ship. On the ship I was on they had ladder wells with a bar across the top for the Sailors to grasp and swing themselves down the steps quickly. Unfortunately for me, no one told me about the bar and being 6'2" I caught it with my head and then went down the rest of the metal steps on my back. Another was when we were in the North Atlantic on an aircraft carrier getting tossed around like a cork in a Jacuzzi. I was sharing an office with the S-2 SNCO and he didn't bolt the safe down like he was supposed to. We hit a large wave and that safe came screaming across the deck like a 300 lb. car. Scared the sh*t out of both us. I hated being aboard ships except at night when the sea was calm and I could go out on the fantail or a side platform with railing and look at the ocean, the stars and the moon. Off the fantail I'd look at the glow-in-the-dark jetsam and flotsam being trailed behind the ship. Another was on another exercise, we were accompanied by hundreds of NATO ships. We spotted a Soviet submarine following the armada. There were probably a few of them bur I guess they knew (or didn't care) that we knew they were there. The Navy was always kind enough to put Marines in the bottom racks in the bowels of the ship, where it was hot, smelly and just a crappy place to sleep. Oh yeah, the first time I took a shower someone played a trick on me by covering up the sign that told you that you only had a certain amount of time before the water shut off. Of course it shut off just as I had shampoo on my head and soap all over my body. Went around smelling REAL good that day. But unlike Marine Corps chow halls, the food was outstanding.

Response by Sgt William Barr made Oct 13 at 2015 7:37 PM

2015-10-13T19:37:02-04:00

I had a great duty as MAR-DET USS CORAL SEA CVA 43 I served with some really great Marines and we help with Vietnam Evac and Mayaguez in 75 Capt. J.R.Kelly was a Real Marine Leader and 1Sgt Banta was like Clint Eastwood but bigger and Stronger the GYSGT Hyman was a nice guy but didn't take no crap.

Response by LCpl David Camacho made Oct 13 at 2015 9:24 PM

2015-10-13T21:24:49-04:00

My experience while serving upon ship was infantry training. How to kill my enemies sufficiently, quick.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 9:25 PM

2015-10-13T21:25:31-04:00

I did have a very odd experience while i was ship board many years ago. What happen was this. I was walking around attempting to find the 'Communication-Center'. Of course i had instructions on how to get there. I was tired and excited about being there for the first time. I walked past a room with many , many people looking over MAP's. I looked inside the area and low and behold i see the series commander from 'Boot-Camp'. I got so upset due to the fact that i thought that the man was demoted. Very sad at the time. Latter i came to understand that the Officer was in a NAVY uniform and switched service branch. He did not get in trouble and was not demoted at all.
(2) - Also i was walking down a tight hallway and a large man with M.P.'s came my way. It was the CMC himself , larger than life. (3) - i was also privy to communication by American Pilots . Their communications which i received stated ( something or other was viewed and it was unidentified ) i felt some kind of a UFO. But it was an object in the water. (4) - Lastly on that same trip on board the USS-SAIPAN. Russian ships were following us and i was told the fishing boats that were there were in fact Russian and they were observing our movements (Spy Ships). O yea one sad comment is that there was a Capt.Haskel , the Asst.Series Commander. He may have been killed when the Marine Barracks were blown up in Beirut , Lebanon. Sorry to add that unrelated matter. But the whole Platoon (1009) LOVED to see the guy during Boot Camp. He was so kind to us , the way he talked with us. At times it was the best part of the day. Semper-Fi...

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 9:36 PM

2015-10-13T21:36:40-04:00

2 West Pacs on flat bottom boats, head's a nasty place, know when to bet, know when to fold, sweepers fore and aft, like that. Air Op's from the observation deck of the USS Tarawa was badass. Harriers so close you were looking at the pilot and him back. Helo ops in the 46's doing air assualt Valiant Blitz '83, '85 Diving off the back of the USS Juneau in an AAV was pretty cool. Liberty rocked. PI, Hong Kong. Nice '82-'86.

Response by Cpl James O'Rawe made Oct 13 at 2015 10:42 PM

2015-10-13T22:42:45-04:00

Served on USS Indepence CV-62, Freedoms flagship(88-90)Served with great Marines. Still in touch with some of them to this day. Was there for the filming of Flight of the Intruder. Good Times. Semper Fi

Response by Capt Ralph Thomas Eiff made Oct 14 at 2015 12:44 AM

2015-10-14T00:44:42-04:00

I was on an LST with 3d Tanks; spent most of the time seasick

Response by Cpl Norman Rodriguez made Oct 14 at 2015 1:56 AM

2015-10-14T01:56:55-04:00

I was on the USS St Louis in 1987! Got lucky and was not part of any working parties! "Ships Plt".

Response by Cpl William Soffel made Oct 14 at 2015 8:42 AM

2015-10-14T08:42:47-04:00

I was on USS NASSAU LHA 4 as part of 22nd MEU SOC for a MED TOUR.

Response by Cpl Reginald Zenkewich made Oct 14 at 2015 9:43 AM

2015-10-14T09:43:05-04:00

USS GUADALECANAL !st bat 6th Marines
USS Iwo JIMA H&S company, Bat Scouts, 5th Marines

Response by Sgt Arthur Grant made Oct 14 at 2015 11:34 AM

2015-10-14T11:34:05-04:00

I didn't have any problem with being onboard ship (USS Ogden as part of BLT 2/4). My lieutenant "CommO" had a problem with me, short story I was a radio tech in my second week out of school in the FMF the IG came to see me and the Lt called me to attention when I was at my tech bench ... and the General screamed at him for it. You could hear him a block away ... "I can get ten of you for one of him!" ... anyway, back to the story, because the f*cker's ego was bruised, he stuck me on permanent mess duty as soon as we deployed and I no longer had radios to fix. I worked closer with the Navy folks, and I could routinely go into "Navy" areas of the ship. I went forward a couple of times at night to see the sky with millions of stars. When the Seventh Fleet pulled into Hong Kong, the deployed Marines did not get liberty. BUT ... I was working for the Navy folks! Ha ha ha Me and my two Navy buddies from the chow hall went out and we ran into a British Royal Highlander who was there with the Royal Navy (Hong Kong was still British at the time). I am of Scottish descendancy, a distant relative to a certain well-known Army General, and I recognized his kilt as being the Clan Grant hunting tartan. I questioned him on it, and he invited us to join him. We had quite a time, he drank all three of us under the table, and I have a junior officer's bruised ego to thank for it. I always wished I ha bought one of those "Ogden" hats because for me me it WAS a duty station.

Response by Sgt Ken Crouse made Oct 14 at 2015 12:43 PM

2015-10-14T12:43:36-04:00

LPH's Okinawa and Iwo Jima with BLT 1/4 in 1974. I was 0311 with A/1/4.
Brief periods of time on the Duluth and Blue Ridge following the evacuation of Saigon in 1975 (I was on Embassy Duty at the time and went to the Blue Ridge with Dept. of State personnel).
Liberty calls in Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong with BLT 1/4.
1975 was just a few days to get from the coast of Vietnam to Manila.

Response by Cpl Vernon Cunningham made Oct 14 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-10-14T14:54:25-04:00

I never got into a hot war zone. But I did go to Cuba . On the way the seas were so bad that I slept on deck under a life boat. All the guys below were puking their guts out. I had an attitude, so I never got picked for a work detail,. People thought I was an officer. So I played on that . One time I bought a tin of peanuts and a coke,. Talk about stopping the plumbing up. Like concrete in the bowels . And I learned that the ocean is beautiful at night .

Response by Cpl Cole Davis made Oct 14 at 2015 4:13 PM

2015-10-14T16:13:17-04:00

USS Essex coast of California. USNS Sirius Marine guard on supply ship Gulf of Oman, Persian gulf

Response by GySgt Randy Anderson made Oct 14 at 2015 5:01 PM

2015-10-14T17:01:11-04:00

My mos was a 1833 AAV but I did security also, as did most Marines.

Response by Cpl Bruce Raftery made Oct 14 at 2015 6:53 PM

2015-10-14T18:53:57-04:00

I HAD TO HAVE EXTRA DANCE CARDS. THE NAVY GETS TIRED OF DANCING WITH EACH OTHER. NEEDED NEW BLOOD. HA,HA!

Response by LtCol Frank Ball made Oct 14 at 2015 7:34 PM

2015-10-14T19:34:54-04:00

USS Desoto County
USS Grant County
USS Guadalcanal
USS Alamo
USS Okinawa
All in 1969 and early 70s
2 Carib floats, 1Med Cruise,
2 Westpacs
Most interesting time was standing JOOD on Yankee Station during Easter Offensive in 1972. Close enough to shore to see impact of B-52 ARC LIGHT missions helping stop NVA movement South. USMC helos and Amtracs landing RVN Marines in I Corps managed to prevent the fall of the country in 1972. After we left they came back in 1975 and the rest is history.

Response by 1stSgt Ron Gallegos made Oct 14 at 2015 9:11 PM

2015-10-14T21:11:13-04:00

USS Tripoli
USS Iwo Jima
USS Peleliu, USS Tarawa, Awesome times doing WEST PAC Tours. P.I. before they closed it. Australia!!!!

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Oct 15 at 2015 5:02 PM

2015-10-15T17:02:13-04:00

Experiences? i could write a book. I have 2 years at sea between 5 MEU's. I made good friends and had some great times. Even looking back on the hard times, I can laugh at them now. I use to enjoy listening to the Navy comment about us as we got ready for a mission. In 2003 we were prepping for Iraq. Most of the navy thought we were nuts. Our Chaplain was a former artilleryman in the Marines. The night before we started operations he said the prayer before taps. He actually prayed for war and our safety. The entire ship of Marines yelled out a motivating OOOOORAH!
Uss Anchorage LSD 36
USS Ft McHenry
USS Belleau Wood
USS Oak Hill
USS Carter Hall

Response by SSgt Tom Ryan made Oct 15 at 2015 6:43 PM

2015-10-15T18:43:54-04:00

USS Denver
USS Duluth
USS New Orleans
USS Iwo Jima
USNS Obregon
USNS Kocek
I can't recall all the ships we did boat ops off of, 2-3 days here and there.
A couple nuclear refuel/de- fuel missions on subs if that means anything..lol
If anybody is in the Massachusetts area I volunteer on the USS Salem restoring her. Been doing it for about 6 years now. if you want a free tour, get ahold of me, she is one
awesome piece of fire power.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Oct 15 at 2015 6:48 PM

2015-10-15T18:48:55-04:00

USS San Bernardino, Ogden, Essex --Each ship exactly the same: Eat, Clean Weapons/Equipment, PT, Eat, Sleep, Play Spades, Eat, GQ (more sleep), Wait for flight ops to secure. Read, Sleep. Repeat tomorrow.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Oct 15 at 2015 7:20 PM

2015-10-15T19:20:45-04:00

A lot of water????

Response by Cpl Daniel Mercer made Oct 16 at 2015 4:46 PM

2015-10-16T16:46:51-04:00

USS Iwo Jima LPH-2 First Gulf War August 1990-April 1991

Response by LCpl Donald King made Oct 19 at 2015 2:52 AM

2015-10-19T02:52:56-04:00

USS Point Defiance LSD31 1972

Response by Sgt Roderick Kimball made Oct 21 at 2015 4:19 PM

2015-10-21T16:19:37-04:00

Loyal Blue Nose,Arctic Circle indoctrination.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 23 at 2015 6:25 AM

2015-10-23T06:25:53-04:00

I was not part of the USS Constitution Ship's Company but was one of the Marine sentries assigned to Formal Guard Mount who watched over her from 2400 hrs - 0400 hrs at the Boston Navy Yard in Charlestown MA. Although the winter temps that Boston Winter were below zero, I was privileged to protect this old ship.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Oct 23 at 2015 6:32 AM

2015-10-23T06:32:58-04:00

Aboard the USS New Jersey (off the coast of Beirut in 1983) ...

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Oct 27 at 2015 12:33 PM

2015-10-27T12:33:29-04:00

As an 1833, all of my time was aboard amphibs save for couple MPF vessels. I must add that the MPF was the best experience of all the naval vessels – good quarters, good chow and I got to drive/operate nearly everything in the Navy/Marine Corps inventory. The one vessel with which I spent the most time aboard was the USS Belleau Wood. She was also the vessel that I became a Shellback aboard – that made the deck of that ship an extremely long journey. As far as condition goes, she was also probably the worst ship that I spent any time aboard. Dead in water several times, water rations and the toilets would back up through the shower drains so you were dodging floaters in shower shoes. Oh the good times.
USS Dubuque
USS Cayuga
USS Germantown
USS Belleau Wood
USS Cleveland
USS Anchorage
USS New Orleans
USS Comstock
USS Rushmore
USS Denver
USNS Williams
USNS Lopez
And there are probably several more that I can’t recall at the moment.

Response by Cpl Vernon Cunningham made Nov 5 at 2015 6:34 PM

2015-11-05T18:34:11-05:00

I was part of the 5th MEB 1st mardiv during the cuban missle crisis. We were loaded for bear, and ready to face off castro and the Ruskies. A lovely trip aboard the USS Okinagan. We hit a rough sea and I spent the next day or two sleeping under a little boat on deck while all the troops puked their land lubber guts out below decks. At one point I ate a whole tin of peanuts and drank cokes. Well, that is a recipe for concrete in the guts, and you can imagine the difficulty of getting that out of my body. Later I was walking around the deck with such an attitude that others thought I was a lieutenant, ( we wore no insignia) so I nevert got on a work detail. Spent time on land at guantanomo base. . A pl;easant cruise. We didn't know how close we came to being atomized.

Response by CWO5 Ray Lee made Jun 3 at 2021 2:53 PM

2021-06-03T14:53:25-04:00

Seasickness from Nam to Subic in 69 onboard the LPH-2, Iwo Jima. Stormy weather

Response by SSgt Tom Neven made Jul 8 at 2021 11:28 AM

2021-07-08T11:28:29-04:00

I'll date myself, but I served in the Marine Detachment aboard the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) back in the day when there were Sea Duty billets. Later, while in 1/4, floated from Okinawa to San Diego aboard the USS Juneau (LPD 10) by way of Guam, Kwajalein, Einiwetok, and Hawaii.