Recruited and Reunited

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Throughout our lives we meet people and move on. We normally never see them again, but life works in mysterious ways and brings us back to some of these individuals. Sometimes when we least expect it.

Aviation Electrician's Mate (AE) 1st Class John Greenlee made the choice to leave Anchor, Ill., and join the military because he wanted to do something in the aviation field. He originally planned to join the Air Force.

"I was actually at the recruiter's door two days after September 11th, (2001)" said Greenlee. "9/11 was like the spark plug, the catalyst on getting me going."

Though Greenlee saught to join the Air Force, he could not find any representatives at the recruiting office. Then his military pursuit took an unexpected turn.

"I was already walking away when I heard a 'Hey! Hey!' from behind," said Greenlee. "I turned around and the Navy guy was dragging me in."

Greenlee had never considered joining the Navy since he thought the Air Force was the right choice for him.

"Next thing you know, I was talking to the Navy guy about all the opportunities that the Navy had," said Greenlee.

After Greenlee learned about the aviation jobs available in the Navy, he decided to join. A couple years later, he found himself doing a recruiting tour of his own in Ohio.

"Me and a buddy of mine both played football together, so I was going to join the Army with him," said Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Tyler Seebach, Akron/Canton, Ohio.

Seebach was looking at a $24,000 signing bonus with the Army when he came across Greenlee at the recruiting station.

"He was an AE2 at the time when I met him," said Seebach. "He'd always come to my school and play basketball with us."

Both Greenlee and Seebach shared similar interests, especially sports. Greenlee said they've even watched their favorite football teams, the Cowboys and the Seahawks, go head-to-head against each other.

"I had a different connection with him than the Army recruiter," said Seebach. "I always worked with cars as a kid, and I told him that if I could work on engines then I'd join the Navy."

During his recruiting duty in Ohio, Greenlee did not find many recruits interested in the aviation field.

"I really latched on to him because he seemed like the type of guy who would do well in aviation, and I know he was wavering between Army and Navy," said Greenlee.

Seebach made the decision to let go of the Army's $24,000 signing bonus.

"I chose the Navy over the Army because of who my recruiter was. He was a cool dude and got me the job," said Seebach.

The two went their own ways after Ohio. Seebach left for Navy basic training. Greenlee ended his recruiting tour and returned to the world of aviation.

"I liked getting back to getting my hands dirty and working on aircraft again," said Greenlee.

While he was working out of Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., he was surprised to run into a familiar face once again.

"I was actually driving down the street on base one day and saw a figure that I recognized," said Greenlee. "I holla'd out at him. He turned around and it was Seebach."

They talked for a while and found out that they were working on the same base.

"He was at a shore command then," said Greenlee. "Pretty soon I ran into him again on base and he said he's coming to (VFA) 146. That's even cooler."

Today, both Greenlee and Seebach are assigned to the Blue Diamonds of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA 146, currently embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

"Coincidentally, he's one of my first contacts when I go to talk to his work center," said Greenlee. "I work on wires and he basically works on the aircraft engines. So, we have to work together a lot."

"It's pretty cool how it all worked out, it's unique for sure," said Seebach.

Seebach has recently reenlisted and said he plans on taking the same steps as his predecessor toward making the most of his Naval career. Greenlee is considering getting back into recruiting to bring in the next generation of Sailors.

"It's just crazy to have this guy I recruited and that I've seen every step of the way, come along and work right beside me," said Greenlee.

For more news from USS Nimitz (CVN 68), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn68/.