BREMERTON, Wash. –
When Allen Botsford, ship safety technician, Code 350.10, Ship Safety Watch Group, first began as a welder’s helper in Shop 26, Welders, Jan. 10, 1966, a gallon of gas cost just 32 cents. Lyndon B. Johnson was President of the United States and the Chicago Bulls basketball team played its first season in the National Basketball Association. Today, almost six decades later, 84-year-old Botsford has become a fixture at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility.
Before that, he was a young man trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. He had already bucked the family tradition and served as a U.S. Army Soldier, rather than as a Marine, like his father.
Botsford started off in the Army as a mechanic. However, he soon figured out that promotions in that career field were very slow, and he transitioned to become a cook. It’s a story he tells with a smile.
“It wasn’t what I planned, but that’s life,” he said. “I read once that Planet Earth is one big schoolhouse, and we all have to learn. The Army taught me a lot. I’ll say that.”
After his Army service, he returned to Bremerton, where his family had moved to in 1950 so his father could take a job as a welder to help support the Korean War. This time, Botsford did follow in his father’s footsteps, and got hired at the shipyard.
“I began as a welder helper,” he said. “I started at the bottom like everyone else, but I enjoyed the work. It helped me learn.”
As his career progressed, his responsibilities grew. Ships were still being built at PSNS & IMF at that time and Botsford was passionate about doing his part.
USS Sacramento (AOE 1), USS Seattle (AOE 3), USS Detroit (AOE 4), USS Sturgeon (SSN 637); Botsford can still recall the names of the boats he’s worked on over the last 60 years as easily as does the job he had last week. Every boat and submarine comes with a story he shares with anyone willing to listen to and learn from him.
“All of our new people get paired with Al at some point,” said Allen Green, ship safety general foreman, Code 350.10. “He has a way of passing knowledge on that sticks with people. He sets a great example. He knows a lot but, if he’s unsure of anything, he’s someone that is going to ask questions to make sure we all know the answers. It sets a great example.”
During the 1990s, an injury forced Botsford to transition from welding to his current position as a ship safety technician, but he never thought about leaving the shipyard.
“I enjoy the camaraderie,” he said. “Most of the people I worked with are retired now, but we did a lot together. I guess that is what I remember most, the boats we worked on together. We worked hard and did a good job. I am still proud of the work we did. I’m also proud of what I do now.”
That pride is evident to the people he works with. To them, Botsford is someone they can depend on. His supervisor, Jefferey Clements, ship safety foreman, Code 350.10, was on hand when Botsford was presented with his 50-year pin in recognition of his many years of service. It was an honor, he said, that Botsford was reluctant about.
“Al is a very private and humble person,” Clemments explained. “He wasn’t comfortable being recognized, but he deserved it. That’s just who he is. The importance of contributing is more important to him than anything else. He hasn’t just been here a long time. He’s a model employee.”
Clemments and Green both praise Botsford’s passion for sharing knowledge and keeping his fellow coworkers safe. Both men said that Botsford is always the first to volunteer for new jobs or extra shifts. For them, Botsford is the perfect example of duty and commitment.
“If we have shifts coming up, he's always the first to volunteer,” said Green. “In the past, Al has offered to cancel his leave plans because he didn’t want to put us in a bind. He’s extremely dedicated. The importance he places on our team is as important to him as anything else.”
That dedication keeps Botsford showing up for work every day. When asked about retirement, Botsford smiles and laughs it off.
“I’m not sure when I’ll retire,” he said. “As long as I can keep working, that’s what I want to do. There's still a lot to get done here. It’s something I enjoy.”