Bluejacket's Manual

I visited a Frida Kahlo exhibit today at what once was NTC: Naval Training Center - San Diego. It is now called Liberty Station.
I went through bootcamp there in 1985.
Liberty Station
Point Loma
San Diego, California

[Jane Anderson]

I plan to send this to my brother-in-law, who was probably there in 1974-1978--he'll let me know for sure. This is a very creative composition.

[Jane Anderson]

Here is what my brother-in-law said: "Nice photo of NTC San Diego. I was there for 9 weeks, arriving on 12 Aug 1974. It does bring back memories." He had an interesting four years in the Navy. His ship was diverted to the evacuation of Saigon. They said to each other, "Vietnam? I thought we were through there." The ship got so crowded, they threw the evacuation helicopters into the bay (they're probably still there). In the end, his job was to push the hands of people trying to climb aboard from little boats back down. He felt so sorry for them. Over twenty years later, he received revised discharge papers saying he was now considered a veteran of an active battle (I don't know the terminology), but it changes his status for benefits.

[John Rambo]

@cejaanderson Large portions of NTC have been refurbished & repurposed: Trader Joe's, Vons Grocery, Coldstone Creamery, dance studios, an artist colony. SDFD trains there. But the place is huge, huge. Lots of it is just boarded up and slowly decaying. I plan a day trip there for photos, soon.