Randy Adair
Well I guess after I was ratted out about “lurking” around the reunion site, I decided that I would sit down and try writing a little something about what I have been up to. I think that everyone would agree the last twenty years has passed at various speeds: some days seeming to pass in the blink of an eye and some days that seemed to never end. But then when some “days” last 96 hours that can kind of skew your perception some.
I had realized as graduation was approaching that Los Alamos had nothing left for me and that I needed to get out. I am sure that a lot of you can understand that feeling. So after talking to a few people about possible employment I ran into someone who told me about these guys that jumped out of planes, got to blow things up, and got to go SCUBA diving all the time and I thought to myself that sounded pretty cool… little did I know or understand what was in store. So, I joined the US Navy right after graduation in July of 1988.
I headed to Great Lakes IL for boot camp and got to enjoy my first (and luckily last) summer and winter on the Great Lakes. With temps ranging from 120 above to 50 below I was truly ready to head to milder temps when I was finished with my “A” School. I headed to Coronado, CA during the spring of 1989 for Basic Underwater Demolition Training BUD/s (a.k.a. Navy SEALs).
I will have to admit that either I was one of the lucky ones to make it straight through or I was just too stupid to quit, but, either way the next six-months were some of the hardest of my life. Training is hard to explain to someone that has not done it or tried doing it. It consists of countless push-ups, pull-ups, miles upon miles of running, being wet, cold, and covered in sand. I started training with 128 people, and graduated six months later with 43 and only 11 of us started this training class together. The others in the class quit, got rolled back for performance or academics, or got hurt during training. I learned a lot about others and myself during that first six months. It is amazing what one can overcome if you set your mind to it. After graduation I went to Jump School and then to my first Command back in Coronado.
With work I have had the opportunity to train and travel around the world. It seems the only place I haven’t been is Australia. Maybe one day I will get there.
Looking at all to bios it is a little funny to me at how many people from our class either live or have spent some amount of time in California. This was the last place that I figured I would spend twenty years in. But I have had the best of both worlds with the world travel and a steady place for the family to live in.
I married Jennifer Rea (class of 89) in June of 1990 and we have been able to keep it together ever since. She has had to endure countless hours of being a single parent while I was off running around the world. Times when the beeper goes off at 3:00 am calling me to work, not to return for any number of weeks with no phone calls, only to be told that I was “at work” when I did return with a bag of dirty clothes just to go do it again the next night. If I remember it right, we were “together” for about fifteen months during our first seven years of marriage. I remember one time I was driving home after a long trip just to be told that I was driving to the wrong house! She had up and moved us to a better place while I had been gone. She is an extraordinary wife and mother. Somewhere along the way we had three beautiful girls: Jessica, Jodi and Jordan. They are a great mix of Jen and I. They got their looks and brains from her and they got my……… Well, not sure just yet but I am sure there is something there from me.
Jessica is 16 and will be a junior next year. She gets great grades (when she is not too distracted with the boys) and has played volleyball, water polo, and has been a starting Varsity Softball player for the last two years. Jodi will be a freshman and is currently on the All-Star team that I Manage. She was the starting short stop until she broke her wrist and has had to turn into our cheering section until she is cleared to play again. We will be playing in our State finals July 11-13th to earn a trip to the National Tournament at the end of the month. Jordan will be in sixth grade and is in the Visual and Performing Arts program. The kids in this program not only do the normal curriculum for the grade they are in, but, they also put on three or four full stage productions with back drops, costumes, dances, and songs. Very impressive to watch what 3rd to 6th graders can do. The downside to this program is the homework. Last year she had four hours of homework each night.
I was able to clear my schedule so will be coming out for the reunion. I haven’t said a whole lot about work because this is not the place to post that sort of stuff. But if you have questions track me down and we can talk some. If anyone is golfing and is willing to put up with a “Hacker” let me know.
Just a quick shout to Dan (who graduated with us but chooses to remain nameless), Steve, Otto, Andi Brinsko, and Dr. Teeth!
Randy
rjadair@cox.net
President Bush SR during his farewell to the troops. This is off the coast of Mogadishu, Somalia. Some of the guys are still actively working so that is what is up with the faces.
Me a little younger cleaning up after a mission off the coast of Somalia
A day at the range for some light shooting 1200-1800 meters. The curve in the top hill (top picture) as seen thru the scope (bottom picture)
The two sides of me: Getting ready to head out again, and resting in between games.
The girls and me a few years back in Hawaii. They didn’t look so happy after we got back from the hike.
Some fun days out on the water. 7’1” Marlin and some 300 lb Ahi Tuna.
The Girls
