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Ron Gorman - Member since 2013
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Ron was born in Southern CA in 1943. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Colorado where he attended school and graduated from High School in the early 60s. After kicking around for a couple years, he decided he was going to enlist in the Navy. About a week or so later, he raised his right hand and said “I do” and was on a plane heading to Recruit Training Depot at San Diego, CA. After graduating, he received orders to Viet Nam (VM) where he was stationed in the Delta with the Mobil Riverine Force (MRF), RIVDIV 91 on a Tango Boat 91-10. He was a 20mm gunner. The MRF worked closely with the Army 9th Infantry Division out of Dong Tam. The MRF provided transportation for the Army to places they needed to go in the Delta, plus many other duties they were tasked to do.
After spending about a year in VN, Ron received orders to the USS Tallatachie County which was home ported in Naples, Italy. The ship had a photo lab and a Photographers Mate (PH). This was where his interest was peaked into becoming a Navy Photographer Mate. Ron spent as much time as he could in the photo lab, learning everything he could about the job. He knew this was the Navy career path he wanted to follow and did everything he could do to make sure it would happen. Which it did and he never looked back.
The ship was due to be de-commissioned and Ron received orders to the Atlantic Fleet Combat Camera Group (AFCCG) at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Norfolk, Virginia. His career goal was starting to get off the ground. Ron went to Photo “A” School in Pensacola, Florida, then re-enlisted for an additional four years. He worked his way up through the ranks to a PH2 (E-5), and traveled all over Europe on many interesting photo assignments. Many of the pictures he took were published in various Navy and civilian papers. His five year tour of duty with the AFCCG was now ending and he was on to his next duty station.
Ron got orders to COMNAVAIRPAC NAS North Island, San Diego CA as one of two staff photographers for the Commander Naval Air Pacific. It was basically a Public Information job. He took a lot of “grip and grin” pictures, as well as photos for publication in various Navy and civilian publications. Ron also wrote articles’ even though he wasn’t a Navy Journalist. This assignment was a great job which he really enjoyed and gave him the opportunity to learn many new things. He had the opportunity to work with many great Officers and enlisted personnel that helped him during his eight year enlistment. He will always treasure the fond memories he has and take them to the grave when that day should come.
After receiving an Honorable Discharge after eight years in the Navy, Ron headed back to his home in Denver CO, where he landed a job with the USPS as a Tractor Trailer Driver delivering mail in the Denver Metro area. During this time, he received a College Degree which took about eight years, since he was going to school part time and working full time. Ron finally retired from Government service with over 35 years. Now he is enjoying the easy life and doing whatever he wants and whenever he wants.
After spending about a year in VN, Ron received orders to the USS Tallatachie County which was home ported in Naples, Italy. The ship had a photo lab and a Photographers Mate (PH). This was where his interest was peaked into becoming a Navy Photographer Mate. Ron spent as much time as he could in the photo lab, learning everything he could about the job. He knew this was the Navy career path he wanted to follow and did everything he could do to make sure it would happen. Which it did and he never looked back.
The ship was due to be de-commissioned and Ron received orders to the Atlantic Fleet Combat Camera Group (AFCCG) at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Norfolk, Virginia. His career goal was starting to get off the ground. Ron went to Photo “A” School in Pensacola, Florida, then re-enlisted for an additional four years. He worked his way up through the ranks to a PH2 (E-5), and traveled all over Europe on many interesting photo assignments. Many of the pictures he took were published in various Navy and civilian papers. His five year tour of duty with the AFCCG was now ending and he was on to his next duty station.
Ron got orders to COMNAVAIRPAC NAS North Island, San Diego CA as one of two staff photographers for the Commander Naval Air Pacific. It was basically a Public Information job. He took a lot of “grip and grin” pictures, as well as photos for publication in various Navy and civilian publications. Ron also wrote articles’ even though he wasn’t a Navy Journalist. This assignment was a great job which he really enjoyed and gave him the opportunity to learn many new things. He had the opportunity to work with many great Officers and enlisted personnel that helped him during his eight year enlistment. He will always treasure the fond memories he has and take them to the grave when that day should come.
After receiving an Honorable Discharge after eight years in the Navy, Ron headed back to his home in Denver CO, where he landed a job with the USPS as a Tractor Trailer Driver delivering mail in the Denver Metro area. During this time, he received a College Degree which took about eight years, since he was going to school part time and working full time. Ron finally retired from Government service with over 35 years. Now he is enjoying the easy life and doing whatever he wants and whenever he wants.