- Raymond T. Lawrence BMC (DSW/SW)
- Mobile Diving Salvage Unit TWO
Little Creek, VA
Originally from Bigfork, MT, I currently live in Virginia Beach, VA with my wife Amber and my two sons Connor and Jacob. In July 1990, I joined the Navy, and tried my hand at Seal training…after 10 weeks, I decided it was not for me. I worked at Marine Recruit Depot, San Diego for the next 18 months as a Corpsman until I volunteered for Medical Deep Sea Diver training. After Graduation from this training I headed west to Seal Delivery Vehicle Team ONE in Hawaii, where I spent 5 long years supporting SEAL operations. From here, I single–handed my 35’ sailboat “Jade” from Hawaii to San Diego to take orders to Consolidated Divers Unit. There I spent 3 and a half years conducting underwater ships husbandry on PACFLT units. After changing my rate from Corpsman to Boatswains Mate, I attended First Class Dive School, Mixed Gas and Salvage Construction Underwater Demolition Training. I soon honed my new skills on the USS Grasp (ARS–51), where I spent 2 and a half years. After making Chief Petty Officer, I was transferred to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit TWO, where I manage a Deep Diving Mixed Gas Detachment. Early this year we found out that we would be would be working in conjunction with the Navy Experimental Diving Unit to man the Navy’s first Fly–away Saturation System. The Aquarius is an outstanding opportunity to complete my first saturation dive. I am looking forward to what the next week has in store. Thank you for this unique opportunity.
