I was at Argentia from Dec. 1961 until Feb. 1963 as a SOG2(formerly SOO) and we moved from old wooden barracks to new concrete barracks in 1962. My question is, when did the move to the BOQ take place? Another question, how many e-5's(sonar) were sent to the "Leadership School" on the base? during their tour.
Jim, I’m not sure which BOQ you’re asking about. I didn’t get to Arg until early 1970 and we used the Atlantic Charter barracks then. We made the move to the hi rise which housed officers early summer of 1970, to the 4th or 5th deck as I recall. Officers were on the 10th. It’s only a silly rumor that sailors shook their beers on the elevators and when it opened on the the 10th deck said beer was sprayed all over.
Thank you, Those wooden barracks when I arrived were like a wind tunnel, at night all would take blankets to rec room in the center and huddle up to keep from freezing to death. The new concrete barracks were much more comfortable. I was in the BOQ once during my time there for a party in the watch officers room to celebrate our section for passing an ORI inspection.(The only section to do so.)We had to sneak in a door on one end(left open for us). Most of the postings on this board reference the BOQ, so I was curious as to when the move took place. Again, Thank you.
Jim, I was assigned to NavFac ARG after completing OCS, COMM School, and Key West Sonar School in July 1964, along with Ensigns Cope Hiemenz, Dan Lambert and Tom Wing, all moving into the “ARG Hilton.” It was quite new then, decked out with dining facilities, a snack bar, small gym, and bowling alley – a vast improvement over the old wood frame barracks in Key West where I sprayed shaving creme late one night in the corner of the ceiling and wall to stop a swarming termite attack from suffocating me while asleep.
I checked my computer notes, gathered over many years but could find no info regarding the BOQ’s opening following its completion. Obviously, it was prior to your tour in 1963. Sorry, I could not help!
FYI, I departed ARG for COSL in NORVA in early November 1965, served on numerous operational readiness inspections on the Atlantic coast, and was released from active duty in April 1968. Best of luck to you in your search for info regarding ARG. Hopefully, a shipmate out there somewhere has the answer.
Ben, thank you for replying. I also was housed in those wooden barracks at Key West during my time there. Mid-watches in the barracks carried extra responsibility because of the fire hazard. I had the same experience in boot camp at Great Lakes, but my company was the last to use the wooden barracks. Was there an Ensign Bill Walsh(maybe Lt.jg by then) there when you arrived at Arg. ?
Jim
