About garygwilliam
Hi folks. I guess if folks look for identifiers as to whom someone is, so that it might be easier to identify with what that person has to say, the value of what they say, and if it is someone they feel that they can relate to, then I hope I can check a box or 2 for you.
I am originally from the UK, the 2nd oldest of 5 siblings. I was raised by Loving parents in a full of energy home, and who taught us all good manners, good ethics, morals, and who taught us all that your word is everything, because without that, you have nothing of value to give.
I was born in Herefrodshire, UK into a military family. My father was Royal Air Force, and we moved every 3 to 4 years from 1 place to another, both nationally, and internationally up to the age of 15 for me. I left the UK on my 1st solo adventure at the age of 20, and went to Algeria, North Africa. After 2 years of working in and around Africa, I came to the US with a job sponsor, and offer of employment. Worked for an additional 2 years with this company, and travelled extensively, both domestically, and internationally. Left that job to serve in the military.
I am a US Navy Veteran of 24 years. I have served aboard 3 Aircraft Carriers with Squadrons, with cruises in the Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Ocean. I later moved over into the Flightcrew area of the Navy, and flew as a C130 Flight Engineer for 18 of the 24 years I served. I have travelled extensively throughout the world, to include all 7 continents (North Amerca, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica).
After I retired from the US Navy in 2008, I moved to Thailand to persue a career that I have had as a hobby since the late 80's, and that was Scuba Diving. I completed a 6 month internship in Pattaya to become a Dive Instructor, and am now a PADI certified Diver at the Master Scuba Diver Trainer level. From 2008 to 2013 I worked as a Dive Instructor as my primary employment working in S.E Asia, The Mediterranean, and The Caribbean.
In 2013 I left the PADI family, and moved back to the US where I married, and settled down to what I thought I was ready for....retirement in New Orleans. For 6 months me and my wife travelled around the World, but I felt restless.
In 2014 I chose to go back to work to save my sanity, health, and self worth..lol. I went back to school for a short while and got my FAA Airframe and Powerplant License to work on Aircraft. With this license in hand, I went job searching, and found an ideal job in Mesa, AZ. After 1 year in AZ, I applied, and tested for my FAA Flight Engineer License. With that license in hand my present employer transferred me to Stennis, MS where I flew as both a Flight Engineer on 1 of the comapnies 5 C130's, and also as 1 of the Aircraft Mechanics.
In 2016 I chose to seek employment within the same field of aviation, but one that offered better flying, better pay and benefits, and potentiually a change of scenery. Since Sept 2016 I have been working as a Contractor for the US Navy as a Flight Engineer in Maryland.
Me and my wife still like to travel extensively, together, solo, and also because of work. Our primary home is still in New Orleans, and we keep an apartment in Maryland for work.
We have 1 cat called "Blackie" who also travels quite extensivelly too :)
