Navy Deployment Shopping

USS Sellers (DDG-11) 1971 Mediterranean Cruise.  I was a YN1.

We were homeported in Charleston, S.C. and during the deployment I used the opportunity o conduct some onboard shopping.  The Armed Forces Exchange System had a list of approved Vendors who would visit ships and sell merchandise to the Sailors.  Some would be delivered while inport and some would be shipped to an address in the USA depending what was purchased.

During one port visit a Shipmate ordered a custom tailored leather trousers for $150.00 which was to be delivered on the morning of our departure.  Unfortunately the Sailor had spend his funds on Liberty so the Vendor was looking for anyone to purchase the trousers at the reduced price of $75.00.  Fortunately I had the same body profile and the cash so I purchased them.

I also purchased a set of china and crystal as well as a set of stainless steel flatware.  This was shipped to me and arrived after I returned to Charleston.

This is just one square of a corn husk floor matt which I purchased and took delivery before we left port.  There are fifteen squares in this, five squares long and three squares wide.  I do not recall what  paid for this, however I suspect that it was a great value.  

While we were in Athens, Greece I frequently went on Liberty and visited the Daphne Wine Festival.  We were in port for 30 days during September and also anchored out in the harbor.  So we had to catch the Liberty Launch to return to the ship.  This was a 26 foot Motor Whale Boat.  However at the Fleet Landing there was a Merchant who sold urns to us Sailors.  The price always was $5.00 cash.  I ended up purchasing a total of five.  The two shown here are what I have left.  Two were given away and was broken.  I was able to store these urns in the Commodore's Shower for the Trip back to Charleston.  We did not have an embarked Staff for this trip.

In summary I think I enjoyed the shopping opportunities I had while on this Cruise as part of the U. S. Sixth Fleet.

USS Hull (DD-945.  1978 Western Pacific Cruise.  I was a YNC.  The Hull was homeported in San Diego, CA.  I purchased the following and took delivery while on the Cruise so there was no waiting for the shipments to arrive once back in the USA.

The USS Hull had a proto type eight inch gun for test and evaluation while I served in her!!

This was the WestPac Gift that I purchased for My Wife.

This is a reproduction of the "Flying Cloud" of 1869.

The U. S. Navy Exchange in Subic Bay, the Philippines had a great selection of Hand Made Wicker Furniture.  I was able to purchase ten items for less than $225.00.  The Exchange delivered it to the ship in a Sunday afternoon just before we departed to return to CONUS (Continental United States).  I was able to put this in the Captain's Sea Cabin just behind the Bridge for the return trip Home.  The Captain never used the Sea Cabin and I hoped that we would not go to War so my Stash of Wicker would go undetected.  The Officers were all at the Club for a Party and the Wicker was loaded onboard undetected by any Officers assigned to Hull.  The Wicker traveled well and once we returned to San Diego it was offloaded while we were pier side during the Afternoon we returned.  Once again, there were no Officers on Board.  Some Chiefs and a few  Sailors assisted me and I was able to get all this WestPac loot to our Home in South San Diego with one pickup load.  It was a large load, yet light weight, but well secured with ropes which I most likely borrowed from the Hull.

Again, a Navy Cruise with plenty of shopping opportunities which I enjoyed!!

I post this today, 9 November 2020 to point out the excellent opportunities that we who serve in our Nation's Military have to shop overseas while on deployments.  The separations were a challenge, but there is some reward!!