The first phase of my Navy flight training involved 16 weeks of instruction called Preflight. There was no flying during that time. It was the equivalent of Officer Candidate School and included a grueling indoctrination week some referred to Hell Week. There were 46 of us, all college graduates with one exception. The exception was a Marine cadet who later became a Marine colonel who was highly decorated in the Vietnam War.

I recently received an email from one of my navy buddies, reminding me that it has been 60 years since our preflight experience together. He suggested I ought to send an announcement to other classmates noting that milestone. Of the 46 classmates, six had died, two in aircraft during Vietnam.

A reunion of that preflight class was held in October 2010 and was documented in a journal I sent to each member. The first two pages of that journal are included.

Rereading the journal reminded me of the achievements of our class. The 46 members of the class went on to contribute 475 total years of military service. We produced five Navy Captains, one Marine Colonel, and one Air Force Colonel. Flying 25 different aircraft, we flew 96,000 flight hours and had 2,790 carrier landings. Did the Navy get its money worth? I think so.

                                            Ensign J. F. Stark (Top row, 7^th from left)

After the Navy, armed with military discipline and determination, three of our classmates earned PhDs, two got law degrees, three got MBAs, and five were published authors.

I’ve had a life full of rich rewards and few regrets, but leaving the Navy after only one tour was a decision I wish I had reconsidered. I loved the Navy, loved the regimentation, loved the uniforms, and think fondly on those unforgettable, amazing classmates of my preflight class.

I just wanted to share.