WELCOME ABOARD!
from VICTOR (Knork) KNOROWSKI
Former USN CT(M)-3
My Footprints:
In 1962, I was attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and majoring in Mechanical Engineering. WPI had a policy at that time that all freshmen and sophomores had to take Army ROTC unless the individual had a prior committment with another branch of the military. In my infinite wisdom (as a new sophomore) and really having a problem with the seemingly daily drills and spit shining of shoes, buckles etc, I (and about 30 other students) enlisted in the local Naval Reserve. We enlisted in a surface division and five months later I was transferred to NRSGDIV 1-4. During the first year, I attended boot camp in the Great Lakes and went on my first two weeks reserve cruise aboard the USS Parle (DE-708). I remained in the Naval Reserve Security Group Division until I graduated. After graduation I was transferred to NRSGDIV 3-9 and three months later I reported for active duty. I entered active duty through the Brooklyn Receiving Station. I had spent three years and eight months in the active reserves prior to reporting for active duty and had attained the rank and rate of CT(M)-3.
When I was filling out my dream sheet, the Chief told me not to put three places that were not close to each other, because the Brass would say "This guy doesen"t know where he wants to go." . So I dutifully put in for Spain, England, and Germany. When the orders came through, they were for Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico, after a small detour to the north. That Chief sure knew what he was talking about!
While stationed at Sabana Seca, I lived in Levittown (on the north shore highway), and later in US Navy housing at San Patricio.While living in Levittown, my first daughter was born. She was delivered by Army doctors in a part of Fort El Morro, which was used at that time for a military hospital. I passed the qualifications for CT(M)-2 but because I did not have one full year left (at that time), the Navy would not give me the promotion unless I shipped over. I really loved the work, and in fact still consider it the most important work that I have done in my life. But, my wife (at the time) did not like the idea of having to move every 2-3 years, so I told her that if I could get a civilian job that paid at least $9000.00 a year that I would leave the service. In a bitter sweet turn of events, two companies offered me $9100.00. So ended another chapter of my life.
I now have two daughters that are older than I was at that time, so that tells you where I stand in this big tour of duty. The hours were long in Sabana Seca. We worked a Day, Mid, Eve with two days off most of the time and had a little TAD sprinkled in for flavor. From those hot days to my last breath I will honestly believe that the work done by the U.S. NAVSECGRU Spooks was extremely important and the most important work I did in my lifetime. I feel proud and safe knowing that this type of work is still getting done and knowing that the Spooks of today are helping to TRIM OUR SAILS SO THAT WE CAN WEATHER ANY STORM ON THE HORIZON.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!