NTC: A Special Place

My experience at Naval Training Center, San Diego began with me arriving for boot camp at 12 midnight, November 21, 1965. It was pouring down rain. I remember wearing these grey ponchos and standing so close to the next guy in line that you couldn’t slip a comb between us. I was in Company 684. My Company Commander was BM1 Charles Barkley. He was a tough but fair Commander. I graduated on the grinder located within RTC to the delight of my parents and family members who traveled down from Fresno, California. I spent the next three years on the base as I went from Yeoman A School to Ship’s Company RTC. During my time there I met and married my wife of 38 years. We were married by a Navy Chaplin in the Naval Training Center Chapel. I hope the Chapel will remain as it received the prayers of a many Sailors passing through during times of peace and war. Naval Training Center remains a very special place in the heart and mind of this old sailor.

Kenneth Dodd
Company 684
RTC, Ship’s Company

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