Captain Robert J. Haught

I enlisted in May, 1968 and underwent basic training at Great Lakes. I returned to Great Lakes for 7 weeks of Basic Electricity and Electronics (BE & E) training, after which I reported to Bainbridge for RM "A" School. Following "A" School, I reported aboard the heavy cruiser USS Boston, home ported in Boston. We made a Westpac cruise from May-November, 1969, transiting the Panama Canal twice. The Boston was decommissioned in May, 1970, after which I was transferred as an RM3 to Navcommsta, Iceland until May, 1971. I then reported to the USS Hawkins (00-873) as an RM2 in Norfolk in Mid-may, 1971. We made a Mediterranean cruise, returning to Norfolk shortly before Christmas, 1971. The Navy was in the process of granting almost everyone 3-month early outs then, and I was separated on February 1, 1972.

As previously stated, I attended Radioman Class "A" School, Class 68-40, at Bainbridge from October, 1968 - January, 1969. A large contingent of: Service School Command personnel from Bainbridge marched at President 'Richard M. Nixon's inauguration on a cold January 20, 1969. I spent many a cold evening marching on the grinder near the indoor pistol range in preparation for this event. After leaving the Navy Norfolk shortly before Christmas, 1971. The Navy was in the process of granting almost everyone 3-month early outs then, and I was separated on February 1, 1972. I applied to the Pennsylvania State Police the day following my separation, and was accepted into their ranks on January 25, 1973. I currently hold the rank of Captain, and serve as the Safety Program Director, within the Bureau of Patrol, at our Department Headquarters in Harrisburg.

I have been a member of the USS Boston Shipmates since 1991, and have attended reunions every year except 1994 (I had no desire to re-visit Norfolk, the site of that year's reunion). I have many fond memories of my time at Bainbridge. I spent some time at Fiddler's Green (the EM Club), as it was a short walk up the hill from my barracks. When I first reported to Bainbridge, I worked at the pistol range (waiting for my class to form). I had some dental work done at Bainbridge, and as I recall, Dental was close to "A" School. I recall going to the base barber shop, and I believe the going price was either a dime or a quarter for a haircut (unbelievable). We marched to class every day, which was no picnic during a freezing rain or any kind of snowfall on the hills. Bainbridge was nice in that it was out in the country, and was like a breath of fresh air, after having been at Great Lakes, which was quite large and rather unfriendly Several of us spent some time at a tavern near Perryville called the White Horse, I. believe. I remember the excellent holiday meals that the cooks prepared for Thanksgiving and Christmas of 1969. The WAVES still had.basic training there in 1968-1969, and I recall an old fighter jet on display near their drill field.