I joined the U.S. Navy in October 1977, and graduated from Electronics Technician (ET) "A" school August 1978.  After graduation form ET school I was transferred to Fort Gordon, Ga, where I attend some advanced electronics equipment training.  In January, 1979 I was sent to sunny Puerto Rico, where for the next 2 1/2 years I spent most of my off-duty time snorkeling and hunting Spine lobster.  (This was where the seed was planted that eventually led me to take up diving.)   Alas, all good things must come to an end, and in June of 1981 I was transferred to Lackland AFB for more advanced electronics training.  While at Lackland AFB I got my P.A.D.I. Advanced Open Water Certification.  In August, 1981 I was transferred to my first ship, the USS Stephen W. Groves FFG-29, home ported in Mayport, Fl.  While on the S.W. Groves I was able to make some great dives all over the Caribbean. 

USS Stephen W. Groves FFG-29

I served aboard the S.W. Groves up until January 1984, at which time I re-enlisted for orders to attend 2nd Class Deep Sea Diver Training at U.S. Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, Panama City, Fl.  

2nd Class Dive Pin

Dive school in Panama City, Fl

Upon graduation from 2nd Class Deep Sea Diver training in June 1984, I went home on leave to get married, and then transferred with my wife to Charleston SC, where I reported for duty on the USS Sierra, AD-18.   As a member of the Sierra's dive locker I made many dives performing various ship husbandry tasks, including hull inspections, valve inspections, cleaning, patching, plugging, salvage, ...  It was during this time that I learned that you could make gear for most of your diving needs.  Even though our Do-it-Yourself gear didn't always look bright and shiny, and didn't have all of the bells and whistles, it sure worked great. 

USS Sierra AD-18  Destroyer Tender

In July, 1985 I was selected for advancement to Chief Petty Officer (E-7). In January, 1986, I was transferred back to the U.S. Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, Panama City, Fl. for 1st Class Deep Sea Diver training. 

1st Class Dive Pin

Upon graduation from 1st Class Deep Sea Dive school in June of 1986, I was transferred to the USS Canopus AS-34.  While onboard the Canopus I performed ship husbandry tasks on Fleet Ballistic Submarines.

USS Canopus AS-34  Submarine Tender

   I transferred to the Naval Aviation Training Command, Pensacola, Fl. in January 1990, where I taught Aviation Water Survival.   In April of 1990 I was commissioned as an Officer under the Navy's LDO program.  

After being commissioned as a Naval Officer I was transferred to the USS Ponce, LPD-15.    I served onboard the Ponce for 3 and 1/2 years as the Electronics Material Officer (EMO).

USS Ponce LPD-15 

My next duty station was in Sicily, Italy, where I served for the next 4 years as the EMO at the Naval Computer and Telecommunication Command.   My last duty station was the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Command in Guam.  

Guam is where I designed and built my first Diving Camera housing.   When I took the housing out on dive trips I would always have other divers asking tons of questions and wanting to know how to get one for themselves.  I started building the housings for other divers, and soon realized that this was something that could be offered as a kit to others over the internet.

I retired from the U.S. Navy in September of 1999 and moved to Kentucky.