Back in Time
First Navy Tour
School in Washington DC
By Al Bliss

The first and surprising information about my almost a year in Washinton DC was the title of the School. “FIRE CONTROL” technician was added later after the school year actually started. As one of two boot camp lowlifes selected to go immediately after boot camp leave to a training facility, I selected this unit because it was in Washington DC where the ratio of women to men was extremely favorable. I did wonder why it took sooo long to control a fire but I did discover my error on arrival at the school on a Sunday night in April 1951. The school taught all aspects of GUN FIRE CONTROL, from the simplest of math to computer design and maintenance state of the art at that time.

My class did not begin for three weeks which permitted a number of things included the availability of various sports activities, the fact that the school students coexisted with the members of the US Navy Ceremonial Guard. These guys were all spit and polish ALWAYS compared to us it was a joke. We also were housed with the members of the Navy Band. I did learn early on that these guys were really great musicians and in one case a Pennsylvania all state wrestler. The process of meeting others waiting to go to school plus performing grunt jobs during the day filled my waiting period and set the stage to look forward to the commencement of class

The beginning week was devoted to everything math from addition to geometry to spherical trigonometry with frequent tests for each section and a two hour final exam on Friday afternoon. One of my favorite teachers in high school was Miss DeJoung, my math instructor for 31/2 years. Although her attire was very unique, one dress per semester, she was a great teacher and for some reason selected me for a few of her advanced classes – which really helped. I enjoyed math and worked hard to do well on the quizzes and tests.

On the Monday morning of the second week, I was summoned to the school Commanding Officers office (a limited duty officer promoted from the Fire Control rating). The reason for this attention was that I was accused of cheating because I had perfect scores on all my tests and quizzes. When the CO completed the accusation, my response was somewhat profane but it concluded with a promise that I would not 4.0 any future tests but would still be either first or second in my class when I graduated. I was second. One final comment: at the end of school I was picked to work with another student to complete installation of a new MK 56 system for the FIRE CONTROL B School and the CO had been transferred.