We worked hard to earn our 9533 SWCC before the decommissioning. We volunteered to go out on the boat every time it left the dock. The live fire exercises were a blast. Just remember to wear your hearing protection, I learned that the hard way! I remember the 20mm AA gun jamming and everyone but the GMG huddling at the back of the boat while he used a big screwdriver to pry out the round! My favorite was thumper the MK19.

I wonder if anyone else remembers the cruise ship straying into our live fire range? We had hurricane Emily in 1993 and had to move the MKIII through the Chesapeake Bay and up river for protection. The swells in the Bay were the largest I had seen, all you could see was water one second and sky the next. It was an exciting ride. Our XO (who's name I can't remember) scared the crap out of us. He loved to kick the shit out of stuff in the gym. We earned the nickname "Steffy's rangers" because the Master Chief took us under his wing. We did several special details for him and he taught us rappelling and squad tactics among other things.

Bill Prior from SBU-20 is a friend of mine. He also helped me to earn my SWCC pin. Some of you may also remember the pinning ceremony when the CO and XO jumped in the Bay in their dress whites. Fun times.