In July 1982, Ronald Reagan was president, the space shuttle Columbia was landing at Edwards Air Force Base following its fourth mission, and a southern California truck driver, frustrated in his dream of becoming an Air Force pilot, went airborne in the skies over San Pedro with the help of a lawn chair and 42 helium-filled weather balloons.

Meanwhile, in the heart of Los Angeles’ downtown, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Park, the 36-piece band from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro played the National Anthem just before 80 Hispanic youth held up their right hands and were sworn into the Navy. Then they boarded buses heading south to San Diego to the Naval Training Center for boot camp.

The special all-state, all-Hispanic, all-city recruit company, “Los Marineros” (The Sailors), was conceived as a way to commemorate the outstanding achievements of Hispanic members of the Navy – Mayor Tom Bradley even issued a proclamation calling the day “Navy Hispanic Heritage Day” – and the event was seen as a valuable recruiting tool and a way to stimulate interest in Navy careers within the Hispanic community.

One future Sailor, Angel Nolasco, the first born of six siblings, was born in Mexico before moving to Fillmore, a small town outside of Oxnard, and joined the Navy as part of a 3X6 commitment; three years of active duty as enlisted, followed by six years of reserve duty.

At the time, Nolasco said, “Both of my parents came from the ranch life, my mother ended up packing the lemons and oranges my dad picked. My father would talk to me about life and how he suffered. He wanted me to make my own decision as long as it would help me. He just wants the best for us.”

On the other hand, his friends really weren’t so sure he was making the right choice for his future.

“My friends said I should go to college, especially since I had received scholarships … but I wasn’t sure I was ready for college, and I wanted to travel.”

Thirty years later, Nolasco, now the Fleet Support Distance Support leading chief petty officer at SSC Pacific (Code 422) and set to retire in August, has a different perspective.

Looking back over all the successes his service in the military has afforded him, Nolasco says the thing he will miss the most is obvious – his shipmates.

“Thirty years ago I was a young 18-year-old without a plan for success. Now, looking back, I know I will miss this ability to integrate with military personnel,” he said.

While in boot camp, the class was assigned eight company commanders because the brass assumed the enlistees were gang members and druggies. As boot camp progressed and the weeks passed, the commanders began to slowly fade away. But, as Nolasco points out, a lot of the recruits came in with waivers, and they weren’t all angels. Roughly one-quarter (20 out of 80) washed out of boot camp.

Nolasco stuck it out and in his forward leaning fashion forged a new life and a new career.

First assigned to USS Enterprise (CVN 65), homeported at Naval Air Station, Alameda, he attended Interior Communications “A” School before returning to the Enterprise serving for 5½ years as a visual landing aide. Subsequent tours included stints aboard USS Gary (FFG 51), SERVCOLCOM San Diego, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), COMSPECBOATRON ONE, and USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).

While in service, Nolasco completed one dream - gaining his degree in work force education at Southern Illinois University - before moving on to his proudest accomplishment, attaining the rank of master chief petty officer.
“I’m very proud of this accomplishment,” Nolasco said. “It has put me at the highest level in the enlisted community; in the Navy only 1 percent of military personnel are master chiefs.”

In addition, Nolasco’s awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various campaign and unit awards.

Along the way, Nolasco took time out from his maritime duties to travel with his wife to Italy for a spectacularly romantic gondola ride through Venice, the City on the Waves.

What does Nolasco most look forward to, after a 30-year stint with the same boss?

“I look forward to spending much needed time with my wife traveling to all the places that the military only allowed me to visit before,” he said. “Now I will take my time and really call vacation a time for relaxation and enjoyment.”

Patric Petrie is lead staff writer for SSC Pacific.