I joined the Navy in 1972. The pay wasn't that great but enough back then and the food was great. I had more fun at the E-Club on Subic Bay naval base playing nickle slots and drinking cheap beer with buddies than going into Olongopo. Although I did make some cool Phillipino friends in town. Some even invited me to their homes for holiday dinners. (No fish heads and rice for me, thank you! No balut either!) I also remember the beer machines in the barracks. Very convenient. I wasn't much of a drinker but it sure was nice to be able to sit around in your skivvies watching TV with cheap beer. Someone would always wanna run for some pizza and gedunk. Usually it was "We buy, you fly" and everyone chipped in except the guy making the run. Good times. Lots of laughs. Out of 3 years active duty I spent all but about 6 weeks in foreign/sea duty. No regrets.