As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles highlighting local Navy service members—sharing their stories, experiences, and the lasting impact of their service. These articles are a tribute to the men and women whose commitment to duty reflects the maritime heritage at the heart of Windjammer Days and the deep appreciation of our community. Unfortunately not all current or former Navy service members in the area can be individually featured. To have a Navy veteran or active-duty member mentioned on the Windjammer Days webpage, please email Friends of Windjammers (www.boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org). Please include name and rank. 

By Howie Carter

I was motivated to join the US Navy partially because my grandfather, father, and uncle were all in the Navy. In addition, I wanted to obtain some skills and life experience, meet some awesome people and secure a future for my family. The pride and honor that came from joining the Navy were just a bonus.   

I decided to join the Navy in August 2020. It was a few years out of high school, and I was hauling traps with my dad, which seemed like the best place to be because it was peak Covid. While at boot camp we had to wear masks most of the time and I was just glad we didn’t have to wear them when we did physical training.  

I am a Master-At-Arms; we are the Military Police for the Navy.  After graduating boot camp, I reported to Lackland AFB (Air Force Base) in San Antonio Texas, where I completed by A and C schools for more specific training.   From there I reported to the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, in Yokosuka, Japan. In my three deployments, we traveled to Guam, Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea and the Philippines.  

There are a couple of experiences from those deployments that really stand out to me, one was the experience of doing a gun shoot off the side of the ship in the South China and on the 4th of July, we did a swim call and saw a pod of whales breach just a few hundred yards away.   

In the Navy, more than anything else, I have learned patience and not sweating the small stuff as much.  It’s given me leadership skills and confidence in areas I was lacking. Spending a month at a time away from my wife, family, and friends, while working where you live gave me a new appreciation for time and what’s truly important.  The exposure to fellow service members and the experiences you share with them certainly expands the mind.  

If you are considering a career in the Navy, there’s a saying “choose your rate, choose your fate” and it holds very true.   A rate is your rank and your specific job. Before you join up, research exactly what you want to do and where that job may take you.  For example, some rates deploy on ships a lot, while others do not.   There are a lot of benefits and sacrifices, and those two usually coincide.  

I am proud to serve in the same Navy as so many brave individuals before me.  Thank you all for your service.  For all others, you are just as important as anyone else, and despite our differences and the state of the world we are all Americans and on the same team. Wishing everyone a Happy Memorial Day!