CWO4 Roy C Hooper Jr. graduated from high school January 1973 and enlisted in the US Navy in September of that year. After completing Basic Training in San Diego and being meritoriously promoted upon his selection as Company Honorman, he was sent to Millington, TN for Aircraft Electrician's Mate (AE) School. Upon designation as an AE, he was sent back to San Diego where he spent time with RVAW 110 and VAW 111 aircraft squadrons onboard aircraft carriers off both coasts. After these tours of duty, he was transferred to Naval Air Station (NAS) Cubi Point, RP, where he was assigned as the Jet Engine Shop Test Cell Electrician. After this tropical spot of duty, he was sent to the farm land of central California, NAS Lemoore. This assignment found him in an adversary squadron, that is, the "the BAD guys". Their aircraft flew air-to-air combat missions against our air wings that were preparing to deploy onboard aircraft carriers. Lots of time at NAS Fallon, NV. By this time he had promoted through the ranks and was an AE1 (E6). From here he transferred to another squadron (VA), only this time, this one was not only overseas, but part of the air wing assigned to the USS MIDWAY. The MIDWAY battle group was forward deployed to Japan. The ships were at Naval Station Yokosuka, and the Air Wing at NAS Atsugi. It was an exciting 36 month tour. AE1(AW) Hooper transferred to NAS Barbers Point, HI to a squadron that had three different types of aircraft assigned. A VC squadron, it was made up of A-4 jets and P-3 turboprop aircraft, and for awhile, H-3 helicopters. This turned out to be his introduction into the rotor head world. The squadron upgraded or downgraded (depending on who you ask) from the H-3 to the CH-53A. From here, AEC(AW) Hooper transferred across the base to a VP squadron. Days after checking in, he was promoted to AECS(AW), relieved of duties as the AE Shop Chief, and immediately assigned as the squadron's Quality Assurance Division Senior Chief. About halfway through the normal tour length, while on deployment to NAS Adak, AECS(AW) Hooper received his commission to Chief Warrant Officer 2 at midnight during shift change and at 0800 he was on a plane to Anchorage for further transfer to a VA squadron at NAS Whidbey Island, WA via NAS Pensacola, FL. His stop in Pensacola was to provide Officer Indoctrination and Advanced Leadership courses. After his tour with VA 155 and, oh yes, another deployment, he was transferred to ship's company onboard an amphibious ship out of Naval Station San Diego, CA. Seemed like we were always underway, but, that's what you do with a newly commissioned gator, you it her to sea to ensure all the kinks are worked out so when the US Marines come onboard, and deployment comes, "the team" is ready. The Navy transferred CWO3 Hooper to HSL 47 across the bay to NAS North Island. After this tour, two hangars down to HSL 84 where he was introduced to the Navy Reserves. The squadron was made up of full-time reservists and weekend warriors who would deploy mostly on counter-drug operations. A very interesting and fairly rewarding tour as he made CWO4 and completed 28 years of service. This brings him to a BIG decision... If he opts to stay in San Diego, there are only ship billets available... The only shore billet the detailer is willing to discuss is one at Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Pensacola, FL. Federal law states that CWOs are permitted to thirty years of service... CWO4 chose NATTC where he finished his thirty year active duty career, met the folks at Headquarters NJROTC, and you know the rest........