U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association
Sea Stories
49 Years to IWTC Monterey
In August 2025 my wife, Marlene, suggested we visit Monterey, CA. OK. We hadn’t gone anywhere after moving back to Oregon from Washington state in late December 2023. Let’s do it.
As “senior” seniors (me-87, she-92), this Monterey trip would be a ‘nostalgia’ visit. On 1 August 1976, I retired in Monterey where I served at the Defense Language Institute as the Naval Security Group Liaison Officer and then as the first Officer-In-Charge of Naval Security Group Detachment Monterey. Marlene and I met in Carmel, CA in 1978, and we were married in the Navaly Post Graduate School Chapel.
Trip preparation included mailing a written “Visit Request” to CO, Information Warfare Training Command Monterey in August, stating my previous DLI association, my “anchor legacy”, and that my visit with specified available time frame was ‘informal’ only. Not knowing how stringently visit requests to military installations are processed these days or what is required, I attached my military career synopsis,a copy of my DD 214-N, and my DOD ID and OR DR license numbers.
Commanding Officer Miles G. Alvarez, CDR USN (LDO) responded soon via email and welcomed my visit warmly. He explained my available visit period of September 16 – September 19 coincided with a ‘heavy week’ of activities: ‘pinning’ new Chiefs, an ALL HANDS CALL, and a VIP visit. He would talk with his crew to see how to fit me in. Good.
His next email was indeed a surprise! Included were the times for two events: Chiefs pinning on 9/16 at 1000 in KING HALL, Naval Post Graduate school; and an ALL HANDS CALL at 1530 on 9/17 at KENT NAVY YARD, the ceremonial courtyard in honor of Senior Chief Shannon Kent*. CDR Alvarez asked if I would consent to attend the ALL HANDS CALL as Guest of Honor. Yes.
My wife and I attended the Chief’s pinning. It was my first time witnessing this time-honored event. Marlene, with no previous military exposure, found the pinning ritual quite a memorable event, and it was. The NPS band was on hand, family and friends, many visitors, including former Chiefs and members of other services attended this ritual.
Soon seven mixed male & female new Chiefs were lined on stage to be pinned. Ah, but there was a twist. One Chief was a female Marine Gunnery Sergeant; slight of height and build, yet with a commanding voice easily heard! Gunny faithfully experienced the honor bestowed upon Chiefs.
The ALL-HANDS CALL was held in the courtyard dedicated to Senior Chief Shannon Kent. I drove to the courtyard and a Chief escorted me to the courtyard’s raised platform. There in formation in front of the platform were the command’s 368 language students. Impressive! (Way more Navy students than years before when I was OIC at DLI)
The C.O. arrived shortly and then the unnamed VIP (earlier referenced in an email) arrived—Commander, Naval Information Forces, VADM Michael Vernazza.
CDR Alvarez immediately introduced me to the Admiral and remarked I had been the first Officer-In-Charge of Naval Security Group Detachment Monterey. CDR Alvarez opened the ALL HANDS CALL with his remarks and then invited me up front. He introduced me, presented a short bio, and included that I had placed the first large anchor at Defense Language Institute 49 years before. I gave some brief remarks and returned to the rear of the platform.
VADM VERNAZZA’s motivational presentation included a Q&A session in a relaxed fashion. When his Q&A session was finished, Admiral Vernazza motioned me to the front of the platform with him. He then thanked me, we shook hands, and he presented me with his command coin.
Another surprise followed the ALL HANDS session when I was escorted to the command conference room. There I watched CDR Alvarez, with the XO, MCPO, a LT, and three command civilians in attendance, present a detailed, rich visual arts-supported command and language training briefing to Admiral Vernazza. A number of exchanges took place.
After the briefing I was called into CDR Alvarez’s office where he and MCPO Heise presented me with a command hat and the Commanding Officer’s challenge coin before saying farewells.
IWTC Challenge Coins
A Special Time
Although very busy, CDR Alvarez carved out some time the night before the ALL HANDS CALL and invited me to meet him in the TRIDENT ROOM at the Post Grad school. There we had a light dinner, beer, and shared comments and experiences for more than an hour. This was a very special occasion.
Some Comments
Language training has come a very long way since my six months in 1956. Courses now go as long as 64 weeks (language dependent). Competency level can reach Level 4 — the same minimum level of the military Presidential Translators assigned to the Washington-Moscow Emergency Communications Link, “the HOTLINE”—where I served in enlisted status between January 1964 and September 1967.
I learned at the admiral’s briefing that the Navy now produces more linguists than the Army and Air Force combined. Assignments are many and varied and even heard a reference to non-military attire and appearance.
*Engraved on the reverse of the IWTC Command coin are: SEND WHO…SEND ME. has information on a forthcoming movie on CTICS Shannon Kent based on the non-fiction book: “Send Me: The True Story Of A Mother At War”.
See a related article by Marty Skovlund Jr—former Ranger and good writer.
For me, this visit was an awesome experience. It made me yearn to be ‘back in the business’. I feel very privileged to visit IWTC Monterey and “rub shoulders” with its leaders, language students, see ‘my anchor’ again, and meet VADM Vernazza.
A wonderful experience and new memory that will not fade!
And, it was time to say, “Good bye, ole friend” to ‘my anchor’, I have thoroughly enjoyed the legacy of finding, arranging, and watching the installation of the first anchor! And, repeating the story.
Related Story…
Shortly after being ‘piped over the side’ at my retirement, my family and I stood in front of the anchor for pictures. The Commandant of the Presidio approached, placed a hand on my shoulder, leaned close, and asked, “Harry, now can we get rid of this damn thing?”
The Presidio of Monterey
Harry Rakfeldt and "his" U.S. Navy Anchor at IWTC Monterey Navy Barracks, September 17, 2025This anchor was placed here on 14 July 1976, two weeks before my retirement. I am, I believe, that I am the first Navy person to ever set an anchor on Army soil. Later, it was joined by another anchor. Both can be seen in satellite pictures.
- Written by: Harry Rakfeldt
- Parent Category: History
- Category: Sea Stories
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