Traveling With The Admiral

In this episode we're looking at the trunk of one of the ship's admirals.
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The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the content creator only and may not reflect the views and opinions of the Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial, the Home Port Alliance for the USS New Jersey, Inc., its staff, crew, or others. The research presented herein represents the most up-to-date scholarship available to us at the time of filming, but our understanding of the past is constantly evolving. This video is made for entertainment purposes only.

[@Mariner311]

Ah that Flight Bag - was issued one on completion of Aviation Rescue Swimmer School in 1986 - for all my wet-suits and flight-gear - used that original bag for my first 7 years before I could get it replaced. YES, I lived out of a Seabag, Flight Bag, Helmet Bag and Garment Bag for the first 3 years of my career - almost 2.5 years was moving regularly in training - 3 months here, 9 months there, 2 months off somewhere else, etc. Watching a Student Aircrewman moving was a HOOT because we carried it ALL at ONCE. Amusing regarding The Lord of The Rings - I carried my 3 books and The Hobbit on every cruise - 12 danged deployments.

[@PNurmi]

One of the best, if not the best, senior officers I ever served under during active duty or in the USN Reserves.

[@midriffzero]

As a army Vet a sea chest would have been great. We had to shove our entire lives into 2 army issue duffel bags and one small-ish personal bag

[@jamestorrence9340]

In my stint in the USAF, I. didn't have to worry much about bagging it for moves. I spent 9 months at Lackland AFB, basic and my first tech school. Then a year at the next school, and 6 months at the third. 1.5 years at Norton AFB, 2 years at Yokota AB and 1 year at Key West Naval Station. The navy tried to get me to re-enlist in Key West because I was the only one who really understood the new computer system, but I was getting tired of taking orders, so I knew it was time to get out. I spent the next 24 years working for a military contractor, and I talked with military people most days, so it was like I was still in,.

[@franklinwerren7684]

Plus you make more money!!!! DE N2JYG

[@Cleatus46]

Interesting....Lord of the Rings, huh? When I got back from almost a year of security duty at the Marble Mountain transmitter site next to 3rd Amtrac, they gave me a safe easy job supervising the barracks cleanup crew at Camp Carter as I only had about a month left in Vietnam. An NSA security guard had an upper bunk in one of the barracks and it was totally enclosed up to the ceiling in sheets. When he came back from security duty, I asked him what was up with the sheets...he just laughed and said, take a peek inside. So, I pulled back the sheet/door opening and looked inside, and it was of another world. He called it Hobbit land and it was all decorated with Lord of the Rings posters, books and paintings. I knew nothing about Lord of the Rings, but this guy was obviously a fan and decided to make a place where he could spend time and get away from all the crap that Vietnam had to offer. 😊

[@baridaddy]

That space is looking a 1000% better than I remember it but that was 18 years ago! Time for you to take a break, Ryan! One again, BRAVO ZULU AND SEMPER FORTIS 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸⚓️

[@ante90]

Ryan how many times have you been up the Admirals passage ?

[@Ehrandil]

Traveling.... one of the benefits of having an e-book reader. :)

[@garywagner2466]

Which they didn’t have back then.

[@zyzzy1944]

You mentioned your liking to read Lord of the Rings. I'm reading that now, again. I just got to a stopping point in the first book and decided to watch this video before going up to bed. What a coincidence. Jack

[@gerald5344]

Thanks to our friend Drachinifel's many book recommendations my sea bag would bulge, but I'd definitely make room for the multivolume collection of archival photographs of Japanese warships from the Kure Maritime Museum, published in English translation a few years ago by the Naval Institute Press.

[@peters6366]

"What books would you bring?" ... Sounds like the question asked on the BBC's Desert Island Disk podcast! 😂

[@charlesmaurer6214]

My book list for such a trip would include works of CS Forester (Hornblower series), David Weber (Honorverse and Safehold Series) and maybe some of Eirc Flint's Ring of Fire series. (Light Pleasure reading) I would also include some History books like Lord Adm. Cochran's autobiography or Thomas Scarf's History of the Confederate Navy and of course from the prior writer list Sink the Bismarck by Forester that I once read in grade school. I am currently reading three books on Cochran including his own. He was a man that inspired Forester, O'Brian and even Gene Rodenberry from his time in four navies and helping to found 4 nations including 3 in S. America and Greece before retuning to England to lead his home navy into steam power. Many of these books should be required to be on larger ships like Carriers and Battleships for sailors to check out along with Tom Clancy books as they teach naval warfare in a story form..

[@Plaprad]

Loved the Honorverse books. Got into them after reading Webers Wing Commander book. Great author.

[@vincentwesolowski459]

Ryan, I served on the USS Galveston CLG-3, back in the late 60’s. The admiral’s and the captain’s cabins were a lot more ornate than this cabin. I’m talking wood paneling, beautiful white drapes and curtains. Even more impressive decoration’s and nick-knacks.

[@x1heavy]

As a old trucker fitting kit into small is easy. One suitcase that I still have smaller than that chest. 6 days clothes. One storm kit and one arctic kit. Briefcase for all required paperwork and books. (DOT Green and Hazmat plus Rand Motor Carriers Atlas etc) and one shaving kit bag with just the basic stuff in it. Thats it. Plus money in chain drive wallet and smokes under a shirt sleeve. Plus a hat. And we're off anywhere in the N. American Continent. there was for a very long time nothing else to speak of. And no bills either. Later on I became a homeowner and acquired cars and so on with the rest of the tonnage. All of that is disposed of as I work back towards my light trucking time with the limited lifespan left to me as terminal. When Im gone the stuff would make up one dumpster load and the ashes disposed of. Born with nothing leave with nothing. That should answer the big question about fitting into that space. Thats easy. We lived in cabs about the size of a large walk in closet most of the months per year. I especially enjoyed the information about the last RADM that stayed on the ship. And particularly enjoyed the late 80's vibe in that whole space. No computers, no smartphones, no gadgets no nothing. Just 80's baby. Damn that was a very good time.

[@isaacshaver6218]

Many more safe journeys my friend

[@Norbrookc]

There was a time early on in my military service where I could carry everything I had in one duffel bag and a small suitcase. No books, but that was what libraries were for

[@jhs8496]

The Seabag Drag.

[@michaelhuffor6732]

I was privileged to carry every thing in a Sea Bag

[@JS-by7wd]

As a civilian nearing retirement, I envy those who enlisted young and saw the world. I greet and thank every sailor and serviceman I meet, and am thankful for each one who did not come home. I am privileged to be an American, and to all who read this I would say... our finest hour has not yet come, and we all have a part to play in it. "I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." JRR Tolkien, -The Lord of The Rings

[@jefesman]

I'm really excited to view that interview! What a great space and opportunity to interpret the space with the help of the Admiral!!!!

[@CalifgalCindy1]

Great that you are able to interview and get the cool donations

[@TheSrSunday]

A salute to a fellow Tolkien fan!

[@franzfanz]

The first few times I went backpacking, I ended up with a much heavier pack at the end because I couldn't bear to leave any books behind. Now, I use a Kindle, which goes with me everywhere. It's just so handy to be able to grab it out of my bag and start reading. It also allows you to buy a book in a place where stores with English language books may take some time to find. Athens was a particular pain when I went there.

[@TomHill-xh7ec]

Serious hikers carry books and use the pages they've finished to start their next fire. Weird group, those hikers.

[@dutchman7216]

Thank you Ryan . This was a wonderful episode.

[@josephstevens9888]

An Army Sergeant Major once told a class I was in that everything a person truly needs in their life can be carried on their back.

[@user-gx8bm1fv7t]

My grandfather was one of the Iowa captains (McCann) in WW2, and VIP. space was used for FDR. He was also along with a couple of other presidential journeys on cruisers.

[@timothymaroney2121]

Love watching this channel I know I will never get to step foot on board the ship. I am learning a lot about the ships.

[@carmatic]

it must be like a dream come true, to have a museum recreate your workspace based exactly on how you remembered it

[@markgordon2260]

Another great and insightful episode. My Robinson Crusoe book would probably be Lord of the Rings. I once read it in a day.

[@danielmkubacki]

What a great gift! THaty Adniral sounds so cool!

[@dragonburst8489]

This was really cool to see

[@Plaprad]

Spent a lot of time lugging around those bags. In the AF we called them A-4 bags. Easy to carry once you learned the trick. They were also big enough that a smallish person could fit in one. Cut some cardboard to put in one to keep it's shape while someone else would crawl inside and wait. Then, we'd tell one of the new guys to "Run over there and make sure everything is in the bag." Some of the biggest, meanest looking guys I've ever met ran in fear after that. One guy just left. Ran out and went to the breakroom and just sat down. Good times.

[@klsc8510]

Oh our military practical jokes!

[@rickdecastro4584]

I've got 4 of those canvas kit bag, flyers....I never got a new nylon one...

[@kevinpresley3136]

The first book I would take would be the latetest Jane's Fighting Ships annual volume.❤😊.It would have been a pleasure to serve under the Admiral.

[@JustSomeCanuck]

Of course Tom Clancy's The Hunt for Red October has to be included - USS New Jersey makes an appearance! I would take some Frank Herbert, some Ray Bradbury, maybe some nonfiction science history books.

[@dom1310df]

It's like Desert Island Discs from BBC Radio 4 except you're stuck on a battleship not a desert island.

[@crakkbone]

That’s pretty nice Bag of Holding you have there 😅

[@klsc8510]

When my GF had to make an emergency flight to Florida from Michigan, I packed her two bags for the flight. She laid out her cloths and I packed them in one bag. Being now retired military, I rolled and packed all in the bag. When she got to Florida and was unpacking looking for one item at the bottom, her aunt looked in amazement at all that came out of that bag! We joke about that being her Bag of Holding!

[@garywagner2466]

The entire Patrick O’Brian series. Start at 1, go to 21, start again. Challenging reads, too.

[@veganguy74]

Nice video! Seems it’s past time to get Admiral Reason back on board for a visit (if he is so inclined and able to).

[@ShukenFlash]

I spent a few years living out of two suitcases and a duffel bag traveling for work. It's rough. Now I travel in a camper which allows me to bring a lot more of my things with me and have my own space

[@steelrain4362]

I always packed several Clive Cussler books.

[@warrenjones744]

Oh I want to hear Adm. Reasons story. Get that baby up Ryan.

[@gregkarkowsky967]

Man! An admiral is a hell of a thing. Must have been exciting to meet him. Were you nervous ?

[@klsc8510]

Ryan, Military moving, NOT one of my favorite times! I was in the USAF when I got orders to go to then West Germany. Part of what I took was my library. The movers at Grissom AFB, IN packed all my books in one big box. I lived on the first floor of the BNCOQ. When I got to my base 6 months later as I had a 4.5 month TDY for a computer repair school for the new system I was to work on, my room was up on the 3rd floor. I quickly learned most of the good German swear words as the mover had to carry that heavy box up the stairs to my room in the Station barracks. He put a cloth strap around the box and around his forehead so the box was on his back and up he went improving my German vocabulary as he climbed the stairs with his view of the person that packed that box! While in West Germany, I was sent TDY to Saudi Arabia. This was kind of a remote station with few things for off duty time. So I packed a mobility bag with Avalon Hill War Games. When I got to Dharan, I had to go through civilian customs. The inspector spoke no English and of course, I didn't speak his language. He had quite a time trying to figure out if these games were allowed or not! I am trying to tell him that they are games. Thankfully he didn't look inside one game as one of the Army pieces was labeled, "Free Jews". That I know he wouldn't have allowed! Finally he put his soap mark on the bag saying it passed! Speaking of Lord of the Rings, I learned to play D&D while at Keesler AFB, MS going to that new computer school. Once in West Germany, my roommate had a hard cover Lord or the Rings that he graciously allowed me to read. Now when I was in the MI Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq, everything I was to take had to somehow fit in 3 duffle bags, a ruck sack backpack, and a civilian airline carryon ( a backpack ). Ryan, let me tell you with all my uniforms and other stuff, it took some very creative packing to do it! One book I took with me was a book called "Riding the Red Rooster". This was about riding various passenger trains in Red China. I fell in love with Dale Brown novels in Iraq. Those somehow found their way back home with me! My current library, lets just say I am a bit behind Drach! Between us we could give the Big J a bit of a list!

[@DavidSmith-cx8dg]

Obviously Forresters Hornblower series , also Douglas Reeman and Alexander Kent Naval fiction were my favourites . Lately Lindsay Davis Falco and Flavia Alba books set in ancient Rome . But I would give anything a try from the ad hoc library during breaks and downtime and there were always a few gems to be discovered . Books are so much better than trying to read from a screen .

[@DeviantOllam]

I'm so curious as to how much of the furniture and such in a stateroom like that is bolted down or otherwise secured in case of rough weather or battle action. I'm a GSA safe and vault technician and the new standards that were developed for shipboard containers included a base plate so that they could be bolted or welded to the deck. Do things like bed frames, end tables, or even that lamp that we see over your shoulder have the ability to be fixed in place?

[@keithrosenberg5486]

I see he had Samuel Eliot Morison's history of the US Navy in WWII.

[@bwatt1000]

I have that set it's heavy

[@TomHill-xh7ec]

Great found footage from 1999! Looks like it was filmed using an early digital camera. Could be made into a horror movie. My books would be the Expanse series, though I currently just carry them on my phone.

[@user-ux9my7io4p]

Yeah I could fit everything in those. As far as books, I’m a John Maxwell fan.

[@sparkplug1018]

The sailors moving my stuff would have loved me, because I wouldn't be traveling with the books. The battleship already has them onboard. I love reading technical manuals, and I swear I would be constantly be borrowing manuals from literally any department onboard that I could.

[@andreasherzog2222]

LOTR is certainly a good choice. One of the very few books I ever read (besides tons of technical manuals). "The Medicus" is also recommended ...

[@kmbbmj5857]

As a non Navy guy, it would be interesting to understand what staff an Admiral travels with and how they relate to the rest of the ship. Is there a difference between using it as a headquarters for a fleet vs TDY? (Or is it TAD in the Navy?)

[@TheSquidie]

One of the Hornblower omnibuses

[@Buckeystown]

LOTR was the first one that came to mind. I use a Kindle these days though

[@tedmiles2110]

I have a lifetime library; not sure what my favorite book is; maybe International Register of historic Ships by Norman Brouwer in three editions. And in faction, Horatio Hornwblower series by C.S. Forester. I am glad the USS New Jersey was a Flag Ship. TM who likes historic ships

[@zachjohns2178]

Be cool if you played the interveiw on the tv in the room.

[@klsc8510]

Great idea! I sure hope Ryan reads your suggestion!

[@alexwilliams9900]

Books probably the “Arisen” series an amazing zombie action military books. The most realistic one iv ever read.

[@joeb5316]

My library would be Hobbit/LotR/Silmarillion, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series, and everything by Stephen Coonts, W.E.B. Griffin, and Tom Clancy's own books.

[@keitheckensviller250]

Yes. Yes I could move with only a foot locker and a duffel bag. As for books, the only one I can honestly say I brought everywhere with me is my New English version of the Bible.

[@bigsarge2085]

⚓️

[@zyzzy1944]

Books... Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander series of novels--all 20 books.

[@williewilliams6571]

My book collection would (and DOES) include the C.S. Forrester "Hornblower" series, "The Bluejacket's Manual", "Brave Ship, Brave Men", and "The Sand Pebbles". I don't think I've ever thrown out a book. I probably still have my old AO rate training books somewhere.

[@Ghauster]

The Horn series by Ben Sloane, the Nero Wolf series, the Dragonlance series, and any by Elizabeth Moon.

[@steveskouson9620]

What books? Michener's Hawaii. Clancy's Hunt for Red October. And, another 10 or 20 books, some I've read, and some I haven't. (edit.) Oh, C S Forester's Hornblower series. ALL of Tom Clancy's library. (/Edit.) steve

[@anthonynofi4871]

and the film Hunt for Red October had three superb Naval Officer performances by Scott Glenn, Fred Thompson, and James Earl Jones - Vice Admiral James "Jim" Greer (Ret)

[@penchant4]

During World War II, when New Jersey carried various flag officers such as Spruance and Halsey, what accommodation did they use if there was no admiral's cabin?

[@jonjdoe]

Those flight bags can hold too much to carry comfortably. I found them a murder to carry as the handles where so small they dug into the palms - and did not have a shoulder strap.

[@CAPNMAC82]

The Complete Works of Wllm Shakespeare; An Anthology of Rudyard Kipling; the Complete Ogden Nash; and what ever the most current DC Poyer or PT Deutermann novel was out.

[@michaelhuffor6732]

What books would you bring? I reached an age, that the following books would accompany me: The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games by Tom Clancy, some Louis L'Amour westerns, Holy Bible (RSV-CE edition), a copy of The New Testament that is bilingual in English and Cherokee, The Art of War by Sun Tzu, a Daily Missal, and the Four Volume Liturgy of the Hours, and an Astronomy book.

[@steveo601]

My Kindle paperwhite😂😉

[@lostiburonesoffroad4x4]

i’d carry “ Admiral Halsey’s Story” , “the drama of the Graf Spee and the battle of the River Plate” and “the admirals”

[@davelewandoski4292]

The first book I'd grab is Cmdr Stafford's The Big E.

[@garywayne6083]

I met Gritty in there

[@blue387]

I own a Kindle Paperwhite and an Amazon Fire tablet so I can carry a bunch of books anywhere.

[@hanktorrance6855]

Definately lord of the rings, amd ill throw in the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy set.

[@wdcjunk]

I recently flew for the first time in 14 years - and likely never will again. So uncomfortable. But - could I travel with a sea chest? Look son, if I can travel with 5 days of stuff in an old craftsman tool bag l, the sea chest is more than enough.

[@lolroflroflcakes]

Infinite storage capacity you say? So if you put one bag inside the other do they explode and turn into a portal to an alternate dimension?

[@garywagner2466]

Yes. Like a tardis.

[@ProfessionalNoodler]

In the age of battleships, was it common for Admirals to choose battleships over aircraft carriers as their flagship; or is their something else to ship assignment that I am missing?

[@doctordoom1337]

I prefer the Hobbit to LotR but probably both. Additionally Metro 2033, 2034 & 2035 and Walter Lord's Incredible Victory

[@shusky59]

Whats the story about the reading lamp?, it looks like it's made from items from the ship. Is that a large nut on the bottom?

[@chrisslky7018]

Ryan. Have you read Robert Jordan? The Wheel Of Time is 15 books including the prequel New Spring.

[@whatever8282828]

Interprit the space as a Holiday Inn?

[@glennac]

What was the point of converting these spaces if NJ was going to be decommissioned soon? Or, were the decommissionings unplanned and sudden? 🤔

[@charlesjohnson4933]

Books....what not wifi?

[@beaviswallace2290]

Battlefield Earth

[@GeneCash]

I expected to see a 16 year old Ryan in the "janky B-roll"...

[@kathykuecker]

LOTR

[@jayrigger7508]

while its great you say the close every time, you say it so fast and you often sound bored of it. .. have you tried out a fixed trailer you can add to video with closing part?

[@christianbuczko1481]

Is there a backdoor for the seamen to enter the admirals passage??

[@merlinwizard1000]

1st, 8 July 2024

[@blackbuttecruizr]

After you, I'm first... Haha

[@timreed-dq3nx]

I used the Admiral's head on the USS Lexington museum ship in Corpus Christy, Tx.

[@1mouseman]

What did you use his head for? I hope he didn’t mind.