"For years growing up, my grandparents lived in Dalton Georgia, and I would go spend the summers with them. My Grandmother always had a picture of my Dad sitting on the counter, wearing his Navy Uniform. That was one of the things that drove me, that was one of the things that I wanted to do after high school.”
- Chief Warrant Officer, Gary W. Rollins, USN
The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program is honored to announce the October 2019 story of the month has been selected to recognize the service of United States Navy Veteran, Chief Warrant Officer Gary W. Rollins. The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program was privileged to interview Chief Warrant Officer Gary W. Rollins at the USS Nimitz CVN 68 reunion held at Philadelphia Pennsylvania in the Fall of 2018.
Chief Warrant Officer Gary W. Rollins shared, "For years growing up, my grandparents lived in Dalton Georgia, and I would go spend the summers with them. My Grandmother always had a picture of my Dad sitting on the counter, wearing his Navy Uniform. That was one of the things that drove me, that was one of the things that I wanted to do after high school.” He joined the Navy in 1974 and was sent to Recruit Training Command in Orlando Florida. Following basic training, Rollins was ordered to Aviation Ordinance A School in Memphis Tennessee. He would learn intricate nature of all the ordinance used for naval aviation, especially for aircraft carriers. Rollins remarked, “learning all of the types of fuses and bombs, and how it all goes together, was tough.” Upon successfully completing A school, he was sent to Lemoore California and after a year of service he learned of the new construction of the USS Nimitz. After submitting a request of change of orders, he was accepted to the newly commissioned USS Nimitz CVN 68. Rollins was quickly promoted and marveled at the size and complexity of the USS Nimitz.
Rollins would serve on the USS Nimitz from 1975 to 1979 and participated on many of the firsts the USS Nimitz would take part in. From the first North Atlantic Cruise, first Mediterranean Cruise, and more; all during the height of the Cold War. He spoke fondly of the camaraderie developed among the crew and their shared mission at home and abroad. From the Weapons Department on the USS Nimitz, Rollins would be ordered to the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71. While on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, he served with VF 41 during the Gulf War.
Part One Joining the Navy in 1974 and Memories of Basic Training at Orlando
Part Three Joining the Crew of the USS Nimitz in 1975 and Memories of the Weapons Department
Part Five Redeployment on the USS Nimitz and Service on the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71
Part Seven Final Assignments in the United States Navy and Reflections of Service
Part Two Memories of Aviation Ordinance School in Memphis Tennessee
Part Four Service Memories on the USS Nimitz from 1975 to 1979
Part Six Service on the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71 During the Gulf War and VF 41
Part Eight Serving with Shipmates at Boot Camp through the USS Nimitz
The United States Navy Memorial honors United States Navy Veteran, Chief Warrant Officer Gary W. Rollins, featured within this series titled, Stories of Service, Story of the Month. Each month, this series honors a Veteran’s story recorded by the Stories of Service Program at the Navy Memorial. To learn more about this story and to explore the Navy Memorial archive, visit the Navy Memorial Stories of Service site at https://www.navymemorial.org/stories-of-service.