What's your life like as an OTR trucker?

You know what would be a killer job is Bartending.

here is some info on the first SeaBee, this guy was in my union


John Sorenson – The First SeaBee
By Mike Munoz

In January 1941, the United States Navy constructed a military base on Wake Island. Shortly thereafter the Morrison Knudsen Company began recruiting construction workers to build storage depots, and bases throughout the Pacific.
On December 8, 1941, the Japanese Navy attacked Wake Island. Denied support from the U.S Navy in Hawaii, the isolated U.S. garrison was eventually overwhelmed by a reinforced and greatly superior Japanese invasion force on December 23. American casualties numbered 52 military personnel (Navy and Marine) and approximately 70 civilians killed. Japanese losses exceeded 700 dead, with some estimates ranging as high as 1,000. Wake's defenders sank two Japanese destroyers and one submarine, and shot down 24 Japanese aircraft.
In the aftermath of the battle, most of the captured civilians and military personnel were sent to POW camps in Asia, though some of the civilian laborers were enslaved by the Japanese and forced to improve the island's defenses.
Pete Sorensen was born February 18, 1899 in Waterbury New York to Danish immigrants Erasmus and Georgiana Sorensen. Erasmus Sorensen was called the “Human Crane” by his fellow Danes. He was a big man and could lift the front end of a car while the tire was changed. According to family legend, Erasmus passed his size and strength on to his son Pete –“Who could lick any man with one hand behind his back.”
Sorensen joined Pile Drivers Local 34 in 1935 and worked for the Healy Tibbett’s Company. He lived in San Francisco with his wife Edith Barber Sorensen until his departure for Wake Island. The Morrison Knudsen Company had been contracted to build the airfield on Wake Island. Sorensen would become one of the eleven hundred construction workers to construct the airfield on the furthest American possession in the Pacific Ocean.
The last weeks of Pete Sorensen's life have been accounted for in Gregory Urwin's book "The Siege of Wake Island - Facing Fearful Odds".
After the first bombing attacks a small number of construction workers began to appear and volunteer in the defense of Wake. These men were led by Pete Sorensen who was already in his 50's, described by Major Putnam as a rugged big-hearted man. "These men carried on day after day in the face of all hardships and danger as cheerfully as my own Marines".
Sorensen crew had attached themselves to VMF-211 combat group and the 16 construction men demand rifles and ammunition so they could participate in any ground fighting. When informed that there were enough weapons to go around they performed services and rendered themselves useful in keeping VMF-211 in the air.

By December 14, 1941 VMF-211 was down to two airplanes. VMF-211 was led by Capt. Henry (Hammering Hank) T. Elrod who would receive the first Congressional Medal of Honor of World War Two for his heroism while performing his duties under fire on Wake Island. As a pilot he shot down two Japanese fighters, sunk the Japanese destroyer Kisaragi, the first destroyer sunk during WWII, was shot down once and survived.
When there were no more airplanes for VMF \-211 to fly Capt. Elrod his remaining marines and civilians were assigned to defend the airfield positions.
As Major Putnam led the remainder of VMF-211 to the positions Pete Sorensen and the remaining 14 construction workers fell in behind the marines. The major tried to convince them to leave and seek refuge. He pointed out that they had no weapons, and that if they were captured they would be executed. Though well into his fifties Sorensen told Major Putnam “you just aren't big enough to drive us away". Sorensen and his men appointed themselves ammunition carriers for the Marines bearing Tommy Guns and BARs.
On December 23, 1941 the fighting was hand to hand, overwhelming numbers of Japanese had broken through the American lines, and Americans were shot or bayoneted all along the line. Marines attacked, civilian construction workers marched forward with ammunition. Captain Elrod beat back the attack charging the Japanese with a tommy gun only to die as he threw a hand grenade at the attacking enemy. John (Pete) Sorensen went down hurling rocks and curses at the onrushing enemy.
In a citation signed by James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy. It is stated: The president of the United States takes pride in presenting the Bronze Star Medal posthumously to John Peter Sorensen, for service as set forth in the following citation.
“For heroic service as a member of the civilian construction crew on Wake Island when Japanese forces landed on that Island on the morning of December 23, 1941. Volunteering to assist the men of the Marine Aircraft Squadron 211 when they went forward to make a final stand against an overwhelming enemy landing force. Mr. Sorensen fought bravely for approximately nine hours of continuous combat in the brush along the beach, refusing to seek security in the rear despite his lack of training for combat and the insufficiency of weapons for all. By his outstanding courage, patriotism and determination in the face of tremendous odds. Mr. Sorensen rendered invaluable service in our heroic defense of Wake Island. The Combat V is authorized with this award.”
Major Putnam would latter state to the Marine Corp Commandant “It is my opinion that these services were above and beyond what could be normally expected from the average citizen, and that the individuals who voluntarily performed such services are deserving of the highest recognition their government can bestow."

Following the disaster at Wake Island the United States Navy created the construction battalions known as the Seabee’s.
Sorensen’s Bronze Star Medal with the “V” for valor was not recognized until 1947, when it was award to Sorensen’s wife Edith, living alone in San Francisco. The medal has since been passed on family members.
The award of Military Honors has seldom been given to civilians. Only two have been given for bravery in a combat situation, John Peter Sorensen member of Pile Drivers Local 34 was the first to give his life.

 

You live on the ship in home port. If you're married and your family is nearby, you can go home after working hours. If you're single, it's a lot more convienient to just live on the ship in your home port.
You get used to the berthing close quarters. When I was in the bottom bunk was best because you had a solid foundation under you plus maybe storage under the mattress. The bunks above that were canvas laced in with rope. I slept in both and both were comfortable in my opinion.
Smaller ships are best in my opinion because in some ports an aircraft carrier can't tie up to the pier so you anchor out and have to ride small boats to shore. The smaller ships can tie up to a pier which makes it easier to go ashore and visit the massage parlors.
I would go to souvenir shops and buy pictures of things in the various ports then send the pictures home. I would enclose a letter about seeing all that stuff while on a tour and how horrible is was that the other guys were chasing women and getting drunk.

 

Sorry about cutting all that, but... no matter.

It is a cool job.
So is being a waiter in any good place. I did both for many years.

 

Plenty of them stay for 20 or 30 years. Some get out because they're sick of it, then later have lots of regrets when they get back in the grind of the real world routine.
There's around 40,000 military vets living in the Philippines. All you need is Social Security to live pretty good there. NO, Social Security is not going to go broke and then cancelled; it's permanent; that's just a scare tactic corrupt politicians use to garner votes. "Vote for me because I'm the only human on earth that will protect your Social Secutiry benefits!" It's a big scam!

 

Google : 'ASVAB Study Guide' and start memorizing the tests. The higher the score the more jobs you qualify for. The recruiter will arrange for you to take the test.

 

Also Google "Betel Nut Beauties" to get an idea of what's waiting for you in the Orient.