11/20 - Jason did a great job assisting me this year. He covered me towards the end of the year when I started working again. So much for retirement.... Ryan, Weston and Jacob seem to be getting some very stern direction. It was funny to watch Ryan and Jason interact during practice. I remember one practice Ryan was so pissed at Jason that he didn't talk to him for 2 days.  

11/20/05 The regular season is over and the Tidy Whities had a pretty good year. We won the midseason tourney and our reqular season record was 5-3-1. Here we have Ryan making one of his patiented thrown in's. Ryan's hard work this year paid off with his selection to the Valley Center All-Star team. He'll be at Mira Mesa 10 Dec. Getting his game on. Good Job Ryan!! 

This is where the show got a little wierd. Kieth Richards got to sing one of his songs. He should really stick to playing guitar. Mick Jagger had a awesome show. The voice is good. The entire band was in great shape considering they are almost 60 years old. Nik said this maybe their last concert tour. I don't think so. They were good, damn good. I just wish we had a good opening act. Toots and Maytals openned. People in our section said that they were the worst openner they have ever seen. I would have prefer to see the local bands Common Sense or Sprung Monkey over this bad reggae band. Toots = Sucks. 

This was an interesting 3-D graphic. I took movie footage of this too. I know someone in the crowd was tripping when they saw this. Thank god Kieth Richards gave up drugs or the show might have ended right there. 

Here's another great view of the stage. This was the first concert ever at Petco Park. The weather was great. Interesting that as soon as the Stones started, alcohol sales secured. Never fear I had the Capt onboard. Soda sales skyrocketed in section 322. 

Nik and Wanda were enjoying themselves. They went to the concert with us. We had a great time at Dick's Last resort just before the concert.  

They had large screen displays on the sides of the stage too. The center screen was almost as large as the Western Metal Supply building.  

Rolling Stones concert 11/11/05: This was the opening song, "Start me up". The stage was huge. They say that it's the size of the wing span of a 747.  

This is the famous Merlion of Singapore. Can you see Diana in the picture?

Diana and I in Singapore. I had been to Singapore 10 times and never saw the things that I saw that week.... 

Diana at the National Orchid Garden in Singapore. She visited me in 2003 when I was on a 10 month long WESTPAC. I don't think we ever thought we'd be in Singapore together but what a great week of vacation for both of us. Even the day Diana missed her flight back to San Diego. That gave us another day together. BTW that was a $800 day and every cent was worth it. 

Me, Joe Whalen, Mike Morera having breakfast in DC.  

Randy and Diana on hallowed ground. San Diego Stadium (Jack Murphy/Qualcomm) This is one of the legendary tailgate events that Diana and I put on every year. Where's the Captain? 

Diana and Ryan a top Diamond Head. If you haven't been it's a good walk and the view is great. Takes about an 1hour and 30 minutes to get up and back. Worth the effort and the time. 

Diana enjoying a cup a Kona coffee at Black Sand beach. It is Black but not much sand where she's standing. It was beautiful.  

Here the Boys and I are creating a lava rock monument on Mona Loa Trail, the Big Island.  

Jason didn't let this big one get away. Again can you guess where he is? The picture will reveal the location.... 

Ryan at the World's most active volcano. Can you guess where he is?  

Diana and Ryan at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. What a beautiful place even 600 years after most of it distruction. 

Ryan with the puppy's Harley and Kayla 

Diana wondering who this guy is that is talking to her? 

Randy's Retirement Ceremony 

Retirement Ceremony

Randy’s Retirement Ceremony.  

This was a big day. 31 Aug 2005.  Soon I’ll be free.  Another awesome San Diego day!!  

Excerpts from my Speech from that day.

Commodore, Distinguish Guest, Family, Friends, and Shipmates.  Thank you for joining my family and me on this beautiful San Diego day.  

  Monday Diana asked me if we are just going to wing it.  I told her we probably could since most of us have been to a number of these events.  However, most of you know that I would never wing anything.  Normally, we over plan and then we execute.  When I thought about it.  Controlled winging has been a way of life for us.  Normally, you have a Plan of the Day…….  Everything goes to hell in about the first 5 minutes of the day then we have officer’s call at 7:05 so the XO can change the plan…  Then you break into your Departmental group, at 7:15 only for the DH too tells you there plan.  Then the Divo and Chiefs go off to their division, at 7:30 to tell them the plan… First, the Divo has no plan the Chief has the plan and then your workers tell you what there plans are for the day, at 8:00… There goes the plan….  How we doing so far?  Now we are going to wing it…


In 1994 was selected to Chief Petty Officer.  During the initiation process I had lot’s of Chief’s tell me take care of your people and they will take care of you…..  Don’t forget where you came from….   Back when in those days the leaders that took an active role in your transit to Chief you formed a strong bond of loyality.  Those were the guys you never wanted to let down.  Those leaders I would like to thank the most are Senior Chief Frank Mayer, Master Chief then Senior Chief Dave Horner, Chief Marlin Howze, Master Chief Rick Dillard, LT Bobby Pullin (My first LPO on USS FIFE), and the one Senior Chief I use to call the Mayor of the OS rate.  Tell them why I call Wylie the mayor…… I learned what it meant to be a strong leader.  Little did I know that several years later I’d be doing the same thing?  People are seeking leadership and with a little direct they will do amazing things.  Be the leader that our young sailors need.

What is the difference from the Chief’s mess and the Wardroom?  The mess is like walking into an episode of the night at the Apollo.  The Wardroom is like a Bill Cosby comedy show.  Both have a lot to offer.  The mess is raw and in your face.  The Wardroom is proper but ……

Diana and the boys.  
     During my commission ceremony I mentioned that Diana is my lighthouse which has always provided me direction and kept me clear of the dangerous shoal.  Diana you were there from the beginning.  We married 4 months before I joined the NAVY.  She has always provided a solid foundation for our family life and without you none of the thing that I’ve achieve would be possible.  Even if they were achievable they would not mean as much. Thank you for giving me a great family and a great life.  I look forward to the next phase of our life together.  Cuca you should be very proud of your daughter she is a wonderful person.
Jason two comments you’ve made to over the years that have really stuck with me are; Business as usual and were scared of you….  Although deploying was part of the job I want to let you know the leaving you and Ryan was never business as usual for me.  I was happy that you could except that I was leaving again but every time I left I did with a heavy heart knowing that I was going to miss part of your lives.  I’m glad that part of my new business does involve me leaving you guys for extended periods.  As for you being scared of me it’s always good to have a little fear don’t lose that….  Thank you for being good kids.  I’m proud of both of you and I love you both.

  20 years ago I would have never believed the People, Places, Experience, and World changing events, some which I’ve been part of my life’s journey.  I’ve been on every continent on this planet with the exception of Antarctica (I was 90 miles from there).  I was the boarding Officer on a non compliant Iraqi Oil smuggler, I’ve been to the green table (By the way there was no table), Briefed Ministers of Defense and CNO equivalents of Australia, South Korea and Japan.  Been on ships in the most dominant Navy in the world and fired weapons with a purpose.  I’ve been the Conning Officer of a 10-ton ship that is 150 yards from a 97-ton Aircraft while taking on fuel.  Given and received engagement orders to fire live ordnance.  Logged hundred of thousand Laughs and memories of people place and experiences.  
Civilian Friends, and Strangers when hearing that I’m in the NAVY offer their sincere appreciation for my service to the country.  Most of the things I’ve just mention flash to mind.  It is you I must thank…. Thank you all for the privilege it is to serve for this great country and I also thank you to those who continue to serve in the greatest “military power” in the world.