Update in OP: Hard copy orders in hand for RDC

November 08, 2023, 11:22 PM

ZSMICHAEL

As a teenager we used to ride the train to the Lasalle street station and window shop at Fields. I know Macy's bought the place and true Chicogoaans will not shop there.
THere were always a bunch of Navy guys in their Peacoats and Dixie Cups walking up and down State Stree hoping to get lucky. They never did to my knowledge. Nice memories of Chirstmaes past. Shopping in Chicago is not New York or Paris but it is pretty good. Have fun with the months you spend there.

November 09, 2023, 12:13 AM

Rey HRH

quote:
Originally posted by sourdough44:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rey HRH

I'm confused. I thought Great Lakes was shut down???

https://www.glenview.il.us/abo....%20Navy%20buildings.

You may be thinking about Glenview NAS, kinda nearby, shut down in the 90’s.

Nope. Never knew about Glenview. I got my info at least a decade back talking with people who went to Machinist Mate A school same as I did. And it wasn't a surprise to me as I saw the closures of Alameda Naval Base in Oakland, CA and Mare Island Naval Shipyard. At least, I'm glad Great Lakes is alive and well.

I have great memories despite of being chased with another sailor in the Chicago loop after the bars closed. Fortunately, we escaped into a rescue shelter that gave us bunks and free breakfast in the morning, Pacific Garden Missions. That became my regular AirBnB back then after nights out in Chicago drinking.

"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.

November 09, 2023, 06:53 AM

OttoSig

I started in Honolulu, thought H1 traffic was the worst.

Went to Korea, talk about a DIFFERENT kind of traffic, thought it was the worst.

Moved to DC/Baltimore area, now convinced this is the worst.

So you're telling me Chicago is worse than those? Tell me No.

November 09, 2023, 07:49 AM

CPD SIG

quote:
Originally posted by OttoSig:

Moved to DC/Baltimore area, now convinced this is the worst.

So you're telling me Chicago is worse than those? Tell me No.

Pretty close!

But you're going to be way up north, and not in the city, you'll be ok.

______________________________________________________________________
"When its time to shoot, shoot. Dont talk!"

“What the government is good at is collecting taxes, taking away your freedoms and killing people. It’s not good at much else.” —Author Tom Clancy

November 09, 2023, 10:09 AM

ZSMICHAEL

There are some pretty high class neighborhoods near Waukegan. Look them up:

Kenilworth · 2. Winnetka · 3. Highland Park · 4. Lake Forest · 5. Glencoe · 6. Wilmette · 7. Evanston · 8. Lake Bluff

November 09, 2023, 03:42 PM

rat2306

The Waukegan area was quite popular even 45 years ago. Close enough, but far away enough for duty assignments. If not mistaken, there's now a light rail that would take you into Chicago proper.

November 09, 2023, 04:12 PM

trapper189

The Metra will take you from Waukegan (Kenosha, WI even) to Chicago. It’s not light rail though and the particular rail line is operated by Union Pacific.

November 10, 2023, 04:37 PM

400m

ZSMICHAEL
Not Naperville, I grew up in Montgomery.

November 10, 2023, 06:14 PM

ZSMICHAEL

My brother lives there. Could not afford Naperville.

November 10, 2023, 07:25 PM

400m

ZSMICHAEL, shoot me an email. It’s in my profile.

November 10, 2023, 09:35 PM

Redhookbklyn

Don’t forget to bring your brass monkey warmer. Wouldn’t want the balls to freeze off!

November 11, 2023, 07:20 AM

Patriot

I did boot and A School there…

My “fondest” memory was shoveling snow around Snipes Castle at 0200. There were two of us shoveling side by side. It was snowing so hard that by the time we got around the building, we started all over again. Shoveled for a few hours straight.

Next in the old memory locker was the “near beer” at the enlisted club. Nasty stuff, but cheap!

November 11, 2023, 10:06 AM

357fuzz

quote:
Originally posted by armored:
Welcome to the Chicago area, misery loves company!
At least you can sneak through enemy lines and escape to Wisconsin.
I think IL. Beach State Park in Zion is open year round, but no hookups.
No Campground in the Midwest will have hook-ups available till Spring.

Maybe around Chicago there are no hookups at camp sites during winter but, there are several within an hour driving time from me that are and people live in there all year round.

June 21, 2024, 06:30 PM

OttoSig

Update in OP.

June 21, 2024, 09:16 PM

quote:
Originally posted by SpinZone:
I spent 4 yrs there as an RDC from 98 - 02. One of the best jobs I've ever had at the absolute worst command I've ever had. Most of my experience there will not be relevant to what you would be getting into.

We hated being there for many reasons but we made the best of it. There are so many world class things to see and do, both in Chicago and the surrounding states. Love it or hate it, if you are bored, you can only blame yourself.

We lived in base housing to minimize my travel time to work and back due to the insane hours I was working but many others lived up in Wisconsin because, well, it’s not Illinois. One RDC i knew did live in a 5th wheel but i don't remember where he parked it. There was a campground on NTC with RV spots but I don't know it they have long term options.

Then we crossed paths. 511 in sept 00. Luckily we were on our way in November so I didn’t see the cold some of these other folks did. Look fondly back at it probably just because I was much younger then.

Just remembered: Lamont, Schmidling, and Shive. My RDCs