Sandy “Chief Sanchez”

Adolfo “Sandy Sanchez Jr. is a retired Chief of the Navy with over 25 Years of service.

1. Full Name?
Adolfo “Sandy” Sanchez Jr.

2.. What branch of the armed forces did you serve
Navy

3. What was your rank?
Chief

4. What were your years of service?
1966 – 1992 Retired

5. What motivated you to join?
I couldn’t afford to go to college so I went to the nuclear power school in the Navy.

6. Tell me about your boot-camp experience?
This time of my life was the second time I ever experienced prejudice. My Company Commander thought I was Mexican and from California, at least he thought I was. Despite my physical and social treatment I never showed weakness in front of him. Other than that, boot-camp was a learning experience and I matured rather quickly. I was always trying to help the guys next to me.

7. How did you get through it?
My head was held high and I kept on going. Never gave the satisfaction that anything or anybody could break me.

8. Where did you serve the majority of the time in the service?
I’ve been to many places all around the world. I spent 3 1/2 years on nuclear submarine called the “Skipjack.” During Desert Storm I served with Military Sealift Command (MSC) and 4 years of reserved active duty at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

9. Tell me about some special people you met while serving?

  • The ladies
  • Admiral Oliver while at the Pentagon
  • 2 friends: Obey / Hargrove
  • Obey – 1st Class on electrician on the submarine. We were friends for a long time. He was from Idaho.
  • Hargrove – 1st class machinist on the submarine. We were also friends for a long time. He was a funny guy who pulled stunts all the time like Obey.
  • When I was stationed at the Pentagon I met actress Maria Rosario Pilar Martinez Molina Baeza also known as “Charro,” met her outside the Capital.

10. Who was the most influential to you while serving?
Nobody. I was too independent and didn’t listen to officers. While we were running the reactor operator in the submarine I could question an officer because I was authorized to, so it was a good feeling questioning officers.

11. Tell me a funny story you experienced that could only happen in the military.
I was at the Airforce base El Segundo. While I was looking for parking I saw a sign that read “Reserved General Parking.” I pulled in and promptly found out that “Reserved General Parking” is for Generals, not enlisted. In the Navy we did not have Generals, we had Admirals.

12. What did you get out of the military?

  • Life experience
  • Maturity
  • Knowledge
  • I learned how to operate a nuclear plant and how to lead. I also became an electrician, accountant and worked at Pentagon as accountant for a period of time.

13. Best and worse food you ate?
Worse food I ate was called “mystery meat” or “shit on a shingle (SOS).” You simply don’t know what you’re eating. We also had a lot of canned foods. The second best was lobster on the submarine. Whenever we pulled into ports we had good food; however, the number one food I ate was called conch seashell chowder at the USO in St. Croix while docked for liberty. The chef also made really good bread.

14. What did you go on to do as a career post- service?

  • Nabisco, 6 years as Plant Controller
  • Campbell’s, Plant Controller, Regional Controller / Financial Analyst
  • Los Altos, Chief Financial Officer for 5 years

15. Would you do it again?
Yes, but a few things differently, particularly with the ladies. I was really innocent when I joined so I knew what I know now it’d be entirely different.

16. What do you enjoy doing on your spare time?

  • Wood building
  • Treasure hunting
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Bbq competitions
  • Collecting old model cars
  • Helping people, especially kids
  • Taking my .338 out to the range
  • Laughing
  • Spending time with my Brothers at Arcadia Masonic Lodge .278.

17. What does the American flag mean to you?

  • Freedom
  • Best country in the world.
  • Fun fact, while I still say the Pledge of Allegiance I get butterfly’s in stomach.