Alex was a U.S. Navy Bosun's Mate 2nd Class (Technical) and served with the ABCB (Advanced Base Construction Battalion or SeaBee's) He served as welder in Hawaii spent most of his time supervising men in the security of Ammunition Dumps, Lumber Yards and Gas Storage. Alex said that he would have to stand security and shore patrol duty in Honolulu. According to him, the hardest part of Shore Patrol was when the submarines would return from patrol. The SP's would spend most of the time rounding up drunken sailors from these boats. "How many did you get this time" was the most frequently asked question.