Duty Stations. What were yours?

Boot Camp Orlando 76
MM “A” School 76
Navnucpwrsch 77
USS Dixie AD-14 77
USS Midway CV-41 77-80
J.E.S.T School in PI w/ Midway Marine Det. 79
AC/R & Cent. AC/R School 80
USS Worden CG-18 80
USS Reeves CG-24 80-82
USNS Mispillion AO-105 82
NavSta Long Beach SRF 82-84
MDSU-1 Det-319 Long Beach 84-89
Navy Divibg School Coronado 85
Project Seamark - Dove on USS Arizona & USS Utah Pearl Harbor,HI.;Guam Apra Harbor Kitsagawamaru WW II ship, Kormoran German WW I, Palau - plane wrecks 86-89
Navy Dive School Panama City,FL 89-90
MDSU-2 Det-819 Great Lakes,IL 90-91
NavAmphibase Little creek,VA. Diesel Engine & small boat engineer School 91
ST- 8 Little Creek,VA & Gary,IN 92-00
Int. Multi- National Ice Diving Halifax,NS 91

COMSEVENTHFLT onboard USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CLG-5) - 1972 - 1974 (2 Years)
NAF Atsugi 1974-1977 (3 Years)
USS WICHITA (AOR-1) Homeported Alameda CA - 1977 - 1979 - WestPac Cruise - Swap to USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) enroute to replace USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CLG 5) (2 Years)
USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) - 1979 - 1980 (1 Year)
COMFLEACT Yokosuka - 1980 - 1982 (2 Years)
VAQ-136 onboard USS MIDWAY (CV-41) - 1982 - 1985 (3 Years)
PERSUPPACT Far East - 1985 - 1988 (3 Years)
USS OLDENDORF (DD-972) 1988 - 1991 (3 Years)
COMNAVFORJAPAN - 1991 - 1994 (3 Years)

Reported onboard COMSEVENTHFLT as a YNSA and retired as a YNC. Made YNC onboard USS OLDENDORF.

With the exception of USS WICHITA, all duty stations were in Yokosuka and Atsugi

Not including boot camp and A School:

CONUS - 2 Years (excluding WESTPAC onboard USS WICHITA including long port visit to Japan)
Japan - 20 Years
Total - 22 1/2 Years

Obviously I enjoyed my time in Japan. How did I do it. Each time I contacted the detailer, I always let him know how much the Navy would save by leaving me in Japan. Always given an exception, always a new detailer each time I was again up for orders. In the end, I was told I'd never get Chief, unless I went to Washington DC, stateside, etc etc. Made it anyhow.

During retirement ceremony at COMNAVFORJAPAN, admiral noted in his speech (of which I have a copy) to everyone, that my first duty station was in Japan and my last duty station was in Japan.

No, I'm not still in Japan. My sons needed a stable environment with decent schools, so I finally headed back CONUS. I now live in Florida, but my heart will always be in Japan. 

I'd try to go back to Japan, but at my age I'll probably stay where I am at. I do try to get back to Japan occasionally to see family and friends. Not many people have the chance to live overseas for so many years. I wouldn't have wanted my career any other way.

Looks like we were shipmates at various times. Where were you on the Blue Ridge? I worked in the Ship's Office with YNC Napovanice. As far as the USS WICHITA (The Wicked Witch), that ship was probably my favorite. Great crew and CO - Capt Dan A. Pedersen. The other best CO - Capt Cyrus H. Butt III (later Commodore of DESRON 15). What separated them from the others I served under? Hard charging CO's that expected and got the best the crew could provide, but also gave a lot back in return. No nonsense leaders. I don't know what happened to the officer corps nowadays. Seems like CO's are being relieved of duty all the time now. Kind of sad to see. Favorite shore duty - had to be NAF Atsugi. Worked COMFAIRWESTPAC Legal, Special Services, and Shore Patrol (Admin Office). The guys there including the LPO/Chief and OIC were the best. Cooliest sea duty assignment - Of course the Okie Boat. Nothing could turn heads more when it was inport or showing the flag.