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BRENT MAGURNO
MM2(SS) U.S. NAVY 1991 - 1997 |
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About Myself
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In February 1991 I enlisted in the United States Navy for no
better reason than it was something to do at the time. I had graduated from SUNY
Delhi in New York with an Associates Degree in Architecture in 1989 and promptly
decided that that was not the field for me. I worked and generally had a
real good time for the next year an a half in good old Pleasant Valley, NY. Then
it just became as simple as I needed something else to do. So on a whim,
with absolutely no intention of signing up, I walked into the recruiters office.
The Navy's office happened to be the first door on the left, followed by the
other branches of the service. Six days later I was on a plane bound for
Orlando, Fl. to start the next 6 years of my life. There was no grand
plan, no ambitions, no direction, just an off-the-cuff decision that took all of
about 30 seconds to make with not a clue in the world about what I was getting
into, let alone where I was going. All I did know was that whatever lie
ahead would involve the US Navy and something called nuclear propulsion -
whatever that meant.
As I look back on it, that six years
seemed to last an eternity and just the blink of an eye all at the same time.
When I think off all the places I have visited, all the things I have learned,
and above all, all the people I have known; it is simply staggering. Those
six years are wholly the toughest and the best time I have ever experienced in
my life. Bar none.
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Academics
The academics and training provided by the U.S. Navy was a very demanding, ever evolving , and continually intensifying process. The first two years of study in the fields of mechanical engineering, nuclear power physics, nuclear propulsion, thermodynamics and chemistry was a combination of classroom theoretical training and extensive hands on practical experience. That knowledge, including additional training in chemistry and health physics (radiation protection and contamination control), was then applied and constantly expanded upon for 4 years as a member of nuclear engineering departments aboard two nuclear powered submarines, USS Pargo SSN650 and USS Trepang SSN674. This training and experience provided me the direction I was looking for and is the reason I am where I exist today.
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Travel
Next there is the travel.
That's one of the main reasons people join the service. To travel to and
experience cities, countries, and peoples that would likely otherwise not be
explored. I must say, I think I experienced my fair share. To list, my time in
the service has allowed me to live in Orlando, FL, Bremerton, WA (across the
sound from Seattle), and Saratoga, NY for nearly a year each and to be based out
of Groton, CT for roughly three years.
I have driven from NY to FL, Groton to
Denver, Groton to Dallas to Bremerton, Bremerton to NY, and from Bremerton to
San Diego.
I have visited Cuba, Panama, every coastal country in South America,
Puerto Rico several times, Portsmouth & London England, Lisbon Portugal,
Bergen Norway,
Vancouver & Victoria Canada, and Halifax Nova Scotia along with Coco Beach FL, Kings Bay
GA, Key West, Ft. Lauderdale, Datona Beach, Tampa & Clearwater Fl and San Francisco CA.
I have crossed the equator, the international
dateline, and the artic circle.
I have been through the Panama Canal 3
times, Skied in the Andes in South America, visited Angel Falls in Venezuela,
been to Devils Tower in Wyoming, visited the badlands of South Dakota and
Mount Rushmore twice, been to The Grand Canyon, and finally to me the most unique and amazing spot on
earth of all the places I have been , I have stood on the ice 500 yards from the
North Pole.
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Picture Gallery
In the following pages I have assembled various pictures from over the years that attempt to capture some of the people and places of my days spent in the service. With each photo you will find commentary describing (as best as I can recall) the location, circumstance, and the individuals pictured.
Pictures from 1993 - 1995 USS PARGO Pictures from 1995 - 1997 USS TREPANG