When I graduated from High School I entered into the Merchant Marine Academy at Fort Schuyler in New York. From then until I was in my mid thirties I was involved with ocean liners, tankers and ships. For periods of one year at a time I would be on a ship traveling the world, making shipments and patrolling the seas. The controlled environment was both on the ship and in the academy. Once on the ship I had to obey the rules and morals taught to us in the academy.

Was there an effort to separate you from your former identity?

No not really. Contrary to the NAVY, ARMY or Marines our boot camp was less severe and did not include such physical conditioning. Our personalities were not changed because we were not in combat and did not have to learn to be a killing machine.

What were the most important rules you had to follow?

Besides not falling in the water, we had to obey almost everything our captain told us. Our captain was like our parents his wishes were our commands. The captain set the standards and the rules for us to follow.

nd less important rules you had to follow?

When my kids are bothering me I miss the solitude of the open ocean. However, at the same time I have also had my fill of that lifestyle.

Do you consider your experience in the controlled environment beneficial?

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Approximate Word count = 772
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)