From the biting winter cold of Great Lakes Naval Training Station to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean, Gary Scott's naval journey shaped not just his military experience but the foundation of his civilian career. When faced with Vietnam deployment in 1971, Gary made the practical choice to join the Navy instead – where "three hot meals, a nice bed, and a hot shower" awaited him aboard ship.
As a diesel repairman on the USS Capricornus, Gary's responsibilities extended beyond engine maintenance to the crucial task of converting seawater into fresh water for both crew use and ship operations. "I served watches in the engine room making fresh water for the showers and for the boilers," he recalls, detailing the meticulous testing process where only the purest batches were deemed worthy of the ship's boilers. His time aboard the Capricornus took him across the Atlantic twice for Mediterranean deployments and on numerous Caribbean cruises, experiences he would later recreate with his wife of 54 years during anniversary trips.
Despite his father's initial disappointment at Gary's enlistment, a brand-new excavator awaited his return to civilian life. Taking over the family business, Gary applied the precision and discipline honed in the Navy to become what one acquaintance called "a legend" in excavation. His specialty? Digging perfectly level basements that required no additional work – "I used a transit to keep it level. All the cement guys loved me."
Today, from his custom-built home in Holly, Michigan (where he dug the basement himself), Gary reflects on a life well-lived – from naval engine rooms to construction sites, from test-driving cars for Jack Roush Engineering to traveling extensively with his wife during retirement. His story exemplifies how military service can provide both adventure and valuable skills that translate perfectly to civilian success.
