As we honor those who have served, and are serving, we are humbly grateful for their dedication and sacrifice. Moreover, it is an honor and privilege to feature such an individual. Lavaca’s Jeff Stout has an amazing heart for service, not only to our country, but also to the community.
Stout, the son of Bell Stout and the late Thomas Stout, graduated from Lavaca High School in May of 1971. He enlisted in the Navy, and departed for Orlando, Florida for boot camp. “I went to boot camp as an E-1, that’s a seaman recruit,” explained Stout. “Upon graduation from boot camp, I was advanced to an E-2, that’s a sea apprentice.”
In January of 1972, Stout boarded the ship USS Neosho, an auxiliary oiler (AO-143), in Norfolk, Virginia. “While onboard the USS Neosho, after about six months, I was advanced to E-3, that’s a seaman. After about a year, I was advanced to a BM3, that’s a boatswain mate third class.”
A boatswain mate is responsible for various duties, including dropping the anchor, driving the small boat or ship, and landing the helicopter as needed. “The boatswain can be considered a deck hand as they are responsible for the ship’s external appearance as well as the ship’s life rafts,” Stout added. “I think that’s kinda important, as it would be nice if they worked if they were needed!”
Stout recalls his first encounter with the USS Neosho. “I remember flying into Norfolk airport and this grey Navy bus was at the airport. I got on the bus…I was a 18 year old kid from Lavaca, whose sea bag may have weighed more. It was late at night, I had no idea what a pier was or how to tell which ship was the Neosho. I do remember someone on the bus telling me the ship was at pier 5…Then I saw the hull number on the front of the ship…I remember getting off the bus and standing at the front of the ship. I looked up thinking this was the biggest piece of metal I’ve ever seen in my life. Wait, metal? The ship is made of metal? In Arkansas, metal does not float, what I have I gotten myself into?”
In October 1974, Stout left for the USS Whipple (FF-1062), a Fast Frigate, home ported in Pearl Harbor. Stout explained that the Fast Frigates are the first line of defense for aircraft carriers in the event of war. While on the Whipple, Stout was advanced to BM2 (E-5).
After three years on the Whipple, Stout transferred back to Norfolk. He reported to the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Mississippi (CGN-40), a nuclear powered guided missile cruiser. “Pre-commissioning is classified as helping build the said ship,” explained Stout.
Following two years on the Mississippi, Stout transferred to the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Arkansas (CGN-41). Here, he was advanced to BM1 and earned his enlisted surface warfare pin (SW). “I had to learn a lot about the ship from top to bottom…all weapons and engines. Needless to say it’s rewarding for one to earn his surface warfare pin.”
In July 1985, the ship changed home ports to Almeda, California. “I remember once we were tied to the pier in Almeda, I said, California? What am I doing here? I spent six and a half years on there. But all good things must end, and so did my time on the best ship I was ever on…Lots of exciting things happened on that ship.”
While onboard the USS Arkansas, Stout participated in refresher training in Cuba. “This is never a fun time due to all kinds of drills, and the crew is graded on how they complete them. I had 67 guys working for me. When the training in Cuba was complete, my department (deck) was perfect in every part we were tasked with. We took zero hits and were the first and, at the time, the only deck department of a nuclear powered ship to ‘ace’ refresher training. A feat that I, as well as those who worked for me, were extremely proud of!”
In 1985, after a world cruise, Stout left the USS Arkansas and transferred back to Virginia. He spent two years on the USS Seattle (AOE-3), an Ammunition Oiler. It was then, he admits, he was “tired of playing at sea.”
Stout converted to the Training Administration Reserve (TAR) program, and was sent to instructor school in Norfolk. “While at the school I was looking at the command board that shows those assigned to the center. I saw the name and picture of the first BMC I ever worked for on the Neosho. He had made Master Chief BMCM, that’s an E-9, the highest an enlisted can go. I remember going to his office, knocking on his door and entering. I said ‘Master Chief?’ He never looked up, and replied ‘Stout?’ Then he looked at me and said ‘I did not know you stayed in.’ We shook hands… He said I never forget a good sailor…”
After completing instructor training, Stout was assigned to the Naval Reserve Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Here, Stout was second in command, and advanced to BMC(SW). After three years in Alabama, Stout transferred to the Naval Reserve Readiness Center in Oklahoma City.
Lastly, Stout served at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Waco, Texas before retiring in November 1998.
“When I joined people asked me, ‘when are you coming home…when are you getting out?’ I said ‘I guess when I get tired of having fun.’ Twenty seven years later, I guess I had all the fun I could handle.”
-Jeff Stout
Throughout his nearly three decades of service, Stout accumulated many accommodations and honors such as Sailor of the Year, Sailor of the Quarter, and runner-up for Naval Sailor of the Year in 1987. He made two Mediterranean cruises while on the Neosho, one while on the Mississippi, two while on the Arkansas, and one while on the Seattle. He also made one South American cruise to Rio De Janeiro, several trips to San Juan, the Virgin Islands, and one West Pacific cruise. Stout has transited the Panama canal twice, the Suez Canal once, and has completely circumferenced the world one and a half times!
“I really did enjoy my time in the Navy. I saw things and been to places people see on tv or read about in history books. Sometimes I’ll be sitting at the house and mother will be watching a tv show, and I’ll say ‘been there!'”
Following the passing of Stout’s father in 2007, issues arose with the family’s land. Consequently, in 2010, Stout found his way back to Lavaca.
“I was sitting at the house when the mayor came by and asked if I would like a job.” Ultimately, Stout agreed, and now serves as a public works employee and manages the city’s recycling center.
“I like working at the recycle center as sometimes people come to drop off their recycling and they’ll say I remember your dad…when he…That’s pretty neat. There are lots of vets that come to the recycle center and when I’m not busy helping someone else, we will talk about days in the armed forces. We all have stories that makes the other smile…maybe it’s just someone who will listen to our stories. Whatever it is, I’m just honored to have served. The Navy was good to me, I can only hope I was good to it.”
Lavaca Mayor Hugh Hardgrave is honored to have such a dedicated man working for the city. “He’s a very good city employee. In fact, he is one of the hardest working people I know.”
With service at the core of his being, we salute you BMC(SW) Jeff Stout! Thank you for your years of service to both our country and our community!
