Kevin Cullens
Petty Officer Second Class, U.S. Navy (1982-1992)
In my more than nine years active duty in the U.S. Navy, I served approximately five years on sea duty, 1.5 years on land-based training commands and nearly three years on instructor duty at a shore command.
While on sea duty, I was first assigned to the USS Charles F. Adams, a guided missile destroyer with a crew of 320 men. While on the Adams, I completed multiple peacekeeping operations, joint drug interdiction and law enforcement operations and a six-month tour of duty in the Persian Gulf. I was selected as sailor of the quarter, completed all qualifications — including a board review for the enlisted surface warfare specialist designator, and completed an interview that was published in both a local and military newspaper. I also answered the call for volunteers with certain specialties, and in 1987 and 1988, I was assigned to the Special Boat Squadron.
With Special Boat Unit-24 (SBU-24), I completed a second tour of the Persian Gulf with the Special Warfare Task Group Atlantic assigned to Patrol Boat-738 (PB), a 65 foot, seven-man crew patrol boat. SBU-24 and PB-738 were assigned the duties of escorting and protecting civilian tankers, patrolling for surfaced mines and supporting special operations teams during combat actions involving hostilities with the Iranian government.
After completing sea duty rotation, I re-enlisted and accepted shore duty at the Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Center (NAEC) in New Jersey. While assigned to NAEC, I performed duties as armorer and the lead small arms weapons instructor for all Department of Defense personnel assigned to the station, as well as the lead petty officer for the base's auxiliary security force.
I served and was discharged honorably.
I loved my Navy experience and would have served 30 or more years. But during my final years, while assigned to shore duty, I had to admit to myself that no matter how much I loved what I was doing I would never be able to continue to live a double life. When I was forced to do this on sea commands, I saw myself developing a drinking problem. I believe this was because I was being forced to be dishonest with my shipmates.
In 1988, shortly after taking the assignment in New Jersey, I met my life partner, Jim, who was assigned to a Navy aircraft carrier in a nearby shipyard. I knew that staying in the Navy after Jim completed his enlistment would force an end to our relationship. If I were assigned to a sea-going command, I would be forced, as an E-5, to explain with whom I was living if I wanted to live off the ship. I knew this wouldn't allow me to explain who Jim was or what he meant to me.
I finished my second enlistment, accepted my honorable discharge and Jim and I moved to Arizona. We are still together and recently celebrated our 14th anniversary.