In 1952-53 I served on board an Atlantic based DER and my best friend was Joseph Ortega, ET1. Jake as he was known back then, had the ET shack next to the ship's office where I was located. Jake was by best friend. When he left the Navy he attended the Chicago Institute of Art, worked for an ad agency there, and eventually moved to San Diego. He was a very talented artist. Jake died several years ago and I miss him. There is quite a facial resemblance between you two Ortegas...and both ETs! Congratulations on making CPO!

Subsurface ETs have 3 communities, actually. Nuclear-trained Electronics Technicians are responsible for the safe operation of a nuclear reactor and maintain vital monitoring and control equipment necessary for the safe operation of a reactor on a vessel that goes beneath the waves.