Facing up to Facebook

I've avoided the Internet's social networking sites for years. The way I figured it, my life had NoTime for MySpace.

But I kept getting online invitations to Facebook from NMA shipmates. Finally, I broke down and registered for the site. What a surprise it's been.

Facebook is an easy-to-use method of tracking down old shipmates. Yesterday I found and contacted a former student who went through the Basic Course when I was an instructor in the early 80s.

Shipmates will find you, too. I've been found by a friend from San Francisco, my first band. This weekend, we had an online chat, our first communication in--gulp--32 years.


Some former MUs have started Facebook groups. I've joined the Navy Band San Francisco group. Alumni of the Sixth Fleet Band have a group, as do those of the U.S. Navy Showband.


I'm also meeting MUs on active duty. I'm now in touch with a piano player and an MUCS from the 7th Fleet Band, the guys who are doing my old job (and welcome to it).

Everybody posts photos of Navy bands, old and new. That kid I taught in the Basic Course? He looks mighty sharp in the uniform of a Senior Chief Petty Officer.

Facebook is a tremendous place to meet old and new shipmates. You'll have to register to use the site, but it's quick and easy. Once a member, you can search out friends and groups, just as they'll be searching for you. New friends recommend other friends, and on and on it goes.

I guess you'd say that, now that I've tried social networking, I've made an about face.