USS Miller FF-1091

I was attached to the Miller in March 1973. 

I was in the barracks also, 2nd floor.  Beer in the vending machines on the 1st flr.  Steam radiators sucked the moisture out of the air.  I slept with the window slightly ajar and sometimes open all the way.  I needed the air.

Oh yeah, how could you forget the barracks! Wasn't it J-51 or something like that? All I remember is people saying,"Man you don't want to be stuck in J-51, it's a HOLE" guess it was a transient barracks for people waiting to move to a ship or shore station.

Got to the barracks Spring of 73...February? Just out of MM school at Great lakes...mostly remember hitting the mess hall, hanging around doing a lot of nothing, avoiding lifers...picked up a motorcycle and got off the base...seem to recall a group of us going to damage control school...Portsmouth wasn't much better than N.O.B. Norfolk...

Damage Control School and the USS BUTTERCUP.  That was a hoot.  I wonder if they ever got a group that kept that simulator afloat?  Now the boiler room fire at fire fighting school that was a kick in the ass.

Something changed for me during my stay in the barracks.  I know the exact time.  I wasn't under the influence of anything.  I was walking on base and something changed.  I don't know if I loss something or gained something, but a change happened.  Sounds crazy, but it is a memory I have of that time of my life.  I felt like something had changed

Hadn't had the feeling before or since.

John Gargano at 06:11PM on Dec 28, 2008

Oh yeah, how could you forget the barracks! Wasn't it J-51 or something like that? All I remember is people saying,"Man you don't want to be stuck in J-51, it's a HOLE" guess it was a transient barracks for people waiting to move to a ship or shore station.