Today I was going through my old pictures from when I was in HMCS OTTAWA (III) and found this.

Classed as an Ordinary Seaman in OTTAWA, in reality I was an eighteen year old Sea Cadet on a three month  OJT, (On the Job Training).

What an incredible experience!  I joined OTTAWA in Halifax on 2 January 1981 and after a week of preparations, we sailed on CARIBOPS.  Three months in the Caribbean, visiting many islands. Also performing training evolution’s, working up to our Combat Readiness Inspection and painting ship in the US Navy base at Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico.

In the photo, we were at St. Thomas, VI waiting for the ship’s whaler to take us in for a run ashore.  The cruise ships had used up the available space alongside and we were anchored in the harbour.

After Sea Cadets I became an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve.

I still have the DDH 229 ball cap.

Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL 12841015)