Retired from the USN as Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1996. Trained as an aircraft mechanic. After retiring, took odd jobs, driving concrete mixers, stocking shelves and just having fun trying new things. My better half asked me if I was ready to get a real job after 2 years of playing around!
Went to work for an extremely wealthy man restoring his personal WWII era aircraft to a flying status. He crashed 2 planes due to pilot error. Ran one out of gas with a sight glass and bobber in front of his face. The other he attempted a landing in an open field in a Spitfire because the pilots in WWII did it. Dug the wing in the dirt and ground looped it. Time for me to go!!
Been with Northrop Grumman since 2003. Maintain aircraft at the Test and Development Squadron at Naval Air Station Patuxant River, MD.