I was blinded by sound then technology took hold. Not literally blinded, but in the sense because sonar systems on submarines fascinated me and the sound was on full volume, wow! I must admit, the technology bug bit me when I was still in elementary school. How that happened is a post for another time.

The official phrase is “acoustic analysis” for what I did as a sonar operator in the Navy onboard submarines. I stood sonar watch on the USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678) and the USS WYOMING (SSBN 742). I might have stood the watch onboard the USS OHIO (SSBN 726), my memory is fuzzy on that one.

Anyway . . .

The technology used at the time was fascinating. In a sense, I was blinded by sound then the technology took hold because the sonar array took analogue noise and converted it into a digital signal. I could look at the noise on a display and “see” if it was harmless or a threat.

This analogue to digital conversion was all it took to pull me into the information technology career field. I was completely unprepared for how fascinating the world of sonar and ACINT (acoustic intelligence) would be. The tech bug bit me harder and has never let go since then!

For me, this was and still is, the intersection I can point to that set me on the path to find a solid career. My interests continue to orbit around technology, but with a twist. Now those interests consider the human factors involved in building technology.

With that in mind, I’ll share more of my military technology experience in future posts. Hold on tight as this is just the beginning! You will be in for quite a ride!