Randy Enlisted in the US Navy’s Delayed Entry Program in June of 1982 and entered active duty on July 6th, 1983. He attended advanced technical training at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Millington Tennessee, graduating as an Aviation Electronic Technician, Third Class (AT3). He was assigned to Helicopter, Anti-Submarine Squadron, Light Forty-Three (HSL-43) at the North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego where he became a Plank owner of both HSL-43 and the west coast’s 1st Ticonderoga Class cruiser, the USS Vincennes (CG-49). He then went on to become an avionics instructor for the SH-2F, SH-3D and SH-60B and associated mission avionics at North Island. In 1992 he was assigned to HSL-37 in Barbers Point Hawaii where he was awarded Sailor of the Year, qualified as a Full System Quality Assurance Representative, Ordnance Quality Assurance/Safety Observer, Ordnance Certification Board Member and certified to release aircraft as "Safe for Flight”. It was in Hawaii that Randy was advanced to Chief Aviation Electronics Technician, Enlisted Air Warfare Qualified (ATC/AW). After Hawaii, he was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron Twenty-Two at the Lemoore Naval Air Station. Here he ran the Maintenance Control Desk (in port & ashore) and served as the Flight Deck Coordinator (underway) during combat sorties. He earned his VFW eligibility during his deployment to the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Storm and Southern Watch where he was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary & Southwest Asia Service Medals. His final tour was with the Strike Fighter Weapons School in Lemoore where he was the Conventional Release System Division Head and inspector for the Convention Weapons Technical Proficiency Inspection. He retired after 20 years of active duty in July 2003.

 

After 20 years of service, Randy retired from Active duty, he worked as an aviation electronics technician at Corporate Aircraft at the Fresno airport for a year during a lengthy government hiring freeze. In January 2004 he was finally offered a job with the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division where he earned the NAWCWD Logistician of the Year and continues to work as a Product Support Team Lead and Branch Supervisor. In January of 2024 he was recognized for 40 years of Federal Service. Randy also serves as a Director and Committee Chair on the Indian Wells Valley Airport District Board of Directors.

 

Randy is a Gold Legacy Life Member of Ridgecrest VFW Ship 4084, Life Member of the VFW National Home, member of The American Legion Post 684 and member of Masonic Lodge #684.