III William P Z German

Hardly in Harm's Way III William P Z German

A look into the life of a young man during his seven-year career in the U. S. Navy. A memoir about the years-long struggle to redeem an awkward start as a freshly commissioned Ensign. Every step (and mis-step) from an initial two years of shipboard duty through the subsequent five years as first a student, then a Naval Aviator is described in detail. His tours included: the USS Bexar (a troop transport), the USS Marsh (a destroyer escort), and three Naval Air Stations in Florida, Mississippi and Texas. Mr. German entered the military in 1966 at the height of the Vietnam conflict. Fresh from NROTC at Rice University, he volunteered for the BUDS/S (SEAL) training program at Amphibious Base Coronado. Within a week, he recognized his mistake (a lack of mental fortitude) and requested a more appropriate assignment. His next stop? A West Coast based destroyer where the world-wise Skipper and crew re-injected him with a dose of self-confidence. The ocean experiences, although deeply scary, were not to be challenge enough. A chance encounter during a fleet exercise led to a fortuitous metamorphosis. With only months left on his service obligation, he signed up for an additional five years to become a Navy pilot. During a year filled with peril, excitement and more than one heart-stopping romantic encounter, German advanced with determination. His mission to win the coveted "Wings of Gold," while not free of stumbles, was a success. As a pilot, his assignment was as a "Plowback," an advanced jet instructor pilot in the Training Command in Beeville, Texas. In his final role, he spent a year in charge of a cobbled together Seabee self-help cadre, charged with improving the facilities at Chase Field. Written with an engaging and introspective style, you will find a unique combination of technical detail and exciting happenstance woven throughout. One will not need a military background to enjoy this tale of success. The essence of this book? Moving past failure.