From the Coast Guard to NTC

By the early fall of 1967, my Coast Guard experience included 19 months at sea and a year at the old (and late) Lakefront Coast Guard Station In New Orleans. I was “striking” (…or, apprenticing) dental technician. True to his word, my original commanding officer got me into the Navy’s DT-A school at NTC.

The dental technician school was situated, literally, at the southwestern-most point of the sprawling base. A Der Weinerschnitzel was directly Across Rosecrans Boulevard from the back gate, and a church-related college (cannot recall its name) was over the hill with a beautiful Vista of the Pacific.

Highlights of my time in San Diego include sitting on the 50-yard line for the Changers-Broncos Thanksgiving Day game; seeing the first Ever game played by the San Diego Rockets basketball team; and, seeing all of the San Diego State Aztecs (Don Coryell, coach) home Football games.

In our A school class of DT wannabes, I was one of three Coast Guard members. The tradition was that the man (all males in this, the Viet Nam Era) with the highest average grade got first choice of assignments. So, I chose Juneau, Alaska and the Public Health Service dental clinic.

My memories of San Diego are all positive. Later, I separated from active duty and re-enrolled in college as a 25-year old freshman. Somehow, I managed to finish a degree four years later and…re-enlisted into the Coast Guard and wound up serving for slightly more than 20 years.

These days I work as evidence & property officer for a local police agency in North Texas. A couple of years ago I earned a master’s degree From Southern Methodist University (conflict resolution/mediation). I married a girl I met while in college in Abilene, Texas and in January we Happily observed our 27 anniversary.

So…thanks to the U.S. Navy and San Diego, the path I have traveled has been upward bound.

Regards,
Raymon D. Fullerton III
USCG: 1965-69; 1973-88
NTC: September-November 1967

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