The Burgh's Military Page
I entered the U.S. Navy on July 27, 1990, and was discharged (honorably) on December 26, 1997. My rating was Aerographer's Mate (or weather observer), and the highest rank I attained was Second Class Petty Officer.
Job Description
I was primarily a weather observer for the U.S. Navy. I took observations and encoded them into World Meteorology Organization format for transmission. I also plotted weather charts for analysis by the forecaster. My rate used computers for a wide range of data collection. In my later duty stations, I was also in charge of keeping the communications of the equipment running.
Rank and Date of Rank
Airman Apprentice - July 27, 1990 to February 3, 1991
Airman - February 4, 1991 to August 22, 1991
Third Class Petty Officer - August 23, 1991 to February 15, 1993
Second Class Petty Officer - February 16, 1993 to December 26, 1997
Duty Stations
Naval Recruit Training Center Great Lakes, Illinois - July 27, 1990 to September 28, 1990
Aerographer's Mate "A"-school Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois - October 13, 1990 to March 9, 1991 (Now located at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi)
Naval Oceanography Command Detachment (NOCD) Sigonella, Italy - April 1, 1991 to April 6, 1993
Naval Support Force Antarctica (NSFA) Port Hueneme, California - May 2, 1993 to October 8, 1993 then went to Naval Support Force Antarctica McMurdo Station, Antarctica - October 12, 1993 to October 4, 1994 (while in Antarctica I also went to Byrd Surface Camp, Antarctica - December 15, 1993 to February 2, 1994)
Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NPMOC) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (now the Joint Typhoon Warning Center) - November 26, 1994 to December 26, 1997
Medals and Ribbons
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - Received for my service during the period January 1, 1992 to March 31, 1993, while at NOCD Sigonella, Italy.
Navy Good Conduct Medal (2 awards) - First award received for 4 years of service completed on July 26, 1994. Second award received for 3 years of service completed on July 26, 1997.
National Defense Medal - Received after Recruit Training was completed on September 28, 1990. Given out for the time frame of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
Antarctic Service Medal (with Winter-Over clasp) - Received for service during October 12, 1993 to October 4, 1994, while at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Winter-Over clasp is only given to those who complete an entire year on the continent during the 6-7 month isolated winter.
Armed Forces Service Medal - Received for service during January 1, 1993 to April 6, 1993, while at NOCD Sigonella, Italy. Given out to units serving or providing support to U.S. Military operations in the Bosnian Theater.
Humanitarian Service Medal - Received for support during the 1992-1993 eruption of Mount Etna Volcano while at NOCD Sigonella, Italy. Supported operation to help divert the lava flows threatening the town of Zafferana Etnea.
Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (3 awards) - Received one award for each year of service during April 1, 1991 to April 6, 1993, while at NOCD Sigonella, Italy. Also received one award for service during October 12, 1993 to October 4, 1994, while at NSFA McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
NATO Medal - Received for service during the Bosnian conflict while stationed at NOCD Sigonella, Italy.
The United States Navy
"The best damn Navy in the world!" - Former U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry