I retired in mid-2025 after tiring of the corporate Information Systems grind and ridiculousness. What I really wanted to do was create online content and one morning in late May 2025, I went to work, clocked-in, and less than an hour later was back at home. I decided enough was enough, and I went to HR and turned in my badge and keys and said “Im done! See ya, and have a nice day.” and I left the corporate world behind. 6 months later, I got a new domain hosting service and Mark-Robbins.com and VA95.org was born.
AMS1 Spike Robbins – U.S. Navy Service
Like a lot of young men, after high school and bumming around doing labor jobs and stupid stuff for a couple of years, I felt not only a patriotic, but an obligation as a American citizen to serve our great Republic. I joined to Navy to learn how to fix jets, and travel the world. Like the tv commercial said: “It not just a job, it’s an ADVENTURE!” I set out on a long adventure that lasted a little over 12 fun and awesome years.
I left Boot Camp for Millington, TN to become an Aviation Structural Mechanic (AMS). After graduation from “A” school. I took orders to NAS Lemore, CA where I worked on the A-4 Skyhawk with VA-127.
After that tour, I joined the Green Lizards working on the Grumman Iron Works A-6 Intruder with VA-95 at NAS Whibey Island, WA. As a “Lizard” I made 3 deployments at sea (1986, 1988, and 1989/1990) on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65).
When my sea-duty tour was up, I left the Lizards and walked down the street to a different hanger, wrapping up my naval service with VAQ-129 working on the EA-6B Prowler.
I served in a total of 5 squadrons. These were 2 training squadrons for the A-4 and A-6 aircraft which were VT-21 at NAS Kingsville, TX and VA-128 at NAS Whidbey Island, WA. 2 shore duty squadrons with VA-127 at NAS Lemoore, CA and VAQ-129 at NAS Whidbey Island, Wa and my sea going fleet squadron with VA-95 at NAS Whidbey Island, Wa.
I consider myself blessed and honored to of served with some incredible sailors and marines in my Navy career and having the privilege of working on 2 of the greatest and most iconic naval aircraft platforms in our Navy’s history. The A-4 Skyhawk and A-6 Intruder.
A few of my career highlights were:
- Went to alchohol rehab in late 1982
- Becoming a “Trusty Shellback” in 1986
- Wage war on Iran as a flight deck troubleshooter during Operation Praying Mantis April 18th 1988.
- Earned the Navy Achievement Medal
- Meritorious promotion to Petty Officer 1st Class (E-6 for you non-nautical people)
In my 12 year a career, I earned the following ribbons and medals: Navy Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle E, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Sharpshooter Ribbons and the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist designation.
Once a Lizard, always a Lizard.
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