Enlisted right before high school graduation in May 1968 and was called up the week of my birthday in June. Went to NTC Great Lakes. Was in a COMDESRON 52 out of San Diego, but was also at Long Beach Naval Station and had a Yard period at Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco. My step-parents got my draft notice 3 weeks after I got to NTC. Sure glad the Navy didn't release me for anything. Made my first West Pac Cruise in Dec. 1968.
so you were a tin can man. most all the ships in Nam were hand me downs from WW2 and Korea. hell even the ammo we used was used. much of which was so old they rolled it over the side. my dad went to boot at Great Lakes. I asked to go there because it was close to home. but noooooooooo off to CA. 3 days on a train. 4 westpacs for me. 66-70.