Walt Jensen's Navy Story: A Family Interview Kit

This kit is meant to help you have a relaxed, warm conversation with your grandfather about his years in the Navy, and to capture his voice for the family. He's in charge the whole way. You're just there to listen, enjoy his stories, and press record.

Assumptions

• You'll record video on your phone across three visits of about 40–45 minutes each, since Walt tends to tire after about an hour. That leaves a buffer so you can stop before he's worn out.
• I haven't stated any facts about his ship, unit, dates, or medals beyond what you shared. Where details are unknown, the questions ask instead of assume.
• Because he goes quiet about the war itself, anything about difficult times is optional and only if he brings it up. You can skip that section entirely and still have a wonderful interview.

Before You Sit Down

A few days ahead

• Ask Walt if he'd be willing to be interviewed on video. Tell him the kinds of topics you'd like to cover, such as growing up, the Navy, the cook, meeting Grandma, and life after. You might show him this list.
• Explain why: "The family loves your stories, and we want the grandkids and great-grandkids to hear them from you."
• Mention that he can skip anything, and that nobody will push him on the war.
• Ask him to look out any old photos, letters, his uniform, patches, a sailor's cap, or ship souvenirs. These are wonderful memory prompts.

Setting up the room (hearing-aid friendly)

• Choose a quiet room. Turn off the TV, radio, fans, and dishwasher, and close the windows. Hearing aids pick up background noise easily.
• Sit facing him in good light, so he can see your face and lips. Don't sit with a bright window behind you.
• Speak clearly and a little slower than usual. You don't need to shout.
• Print the questions in large type so you can glance at them easily. Consider giving him a copy too.
• Put a comfortable chair for him in a spot where he can rest his back.

Your recording setup

• Use a phone stand or tripod, set horizontally (landscape), at about his eye level.
• Do a 30-second test recording and play it back to check the sound and framing.
• Consider an inexpensive clip-on microphone that plugs into your phone. It makes a big difference for a soft-spoken voice.
• Make sure the phone is charged, has plenty of free storage, and is in Do Not Disturb mode.

Comfort items

• Water, plus a snack or coffee if he likes it.
• Tissues, placed nearby without fuss.
• A clock you can see without checking your phone.

Agree on a break signal

• Before you start, agree on something simple, like him raising his hand or saying "Let's take five." When he uses it, stop right away with no questions asked.

Pace yourself

• Plan for 40–45 minutes. Watch for signs he's tiring, like shorter answers, rubbing his eyes, or shifting in his seat. Ending early is always fine.

Consent and Opening Script

Read this aloud at the start of each visit, in your own words if you prefer.

"Thanks so much for doing this, Grandpa. Before we start, is it still okay with you if I record this on video?

This is your story, so you're in charge. If there's a question you don't want to answer, just say 'pass' or 'I'd rather not talk about that.' That's a complete answer, and I won't ask again. If you want to take a break or stop for the day, just say so or give the signal.

When we're done, you can watch it if you'd like. If there's any part you want cut, or if you only want certain people to see it, just tell me and I'll take care of it. We won't share it outside the family, or with an oral history project, unless you say yes.

For the record, could you say your full name, today's date, and where we are?"

(Interviewer: also say your own name and your relationship to him on the recording, e.g., "I'm [your name], Walt's grandchild.")

The Questions

How to use these: You don't need to ask every question, or ask them in order. Follow his lead. If he goes off on a great story, let him go. The Follow-up lines are gentle nudges for when he gives a short answer. Every section is optional, and "pass" is always fine.

Suggested plan for three visits:

• Visit 1: Sections A–D. End on the cook stories so the first session finishes with laughter.
• Visit 2: Sections E–G. End on meeting Grandma.
• Visit 3: Sections I–K. Use Section H only if he leads there himself.

A. Growing Up and Life Before the Navy

(Easy, warm-up territory. He can skip anything.)

1. Tell me about where you grew up.
   • Follow-up: What did your house or street look like?
2. What was your family like when you were a kid?
   • Follow-up: Who were you closest to?
3. What did you do for fun as a boy or a teenager?
   • Follow-up: Who did you get into mischief with?
4. What do you remember about school, or about any jobs you had before the Navy?
   • Follow-up: Was there a teacher or boss who stuck with you?
5. What did you think your life would look like when you were about 18?

B. Joining the Navy

(The Vietnam era had a military draft. Ask rather than assume how he came to serve.)

6. How did you come to be in the Navy?
   • Follow-up: Were you drafted, did you enlist, or was it something else?
7. Why the Navy, as opposed to another branch?
   • Follow-up: Did anyone in your family serve before you?
8. How did your family react when you told them?
9. What do you remember about the day you left home?
   • Follow-up: Who saw you off? What did you pack?
10. What did you expect the Navy to be like, and how did it compare?

C. Boot Camp and Training

(Keep it light. Many veterans have funny boot camp stories.)

11. Where did you go to boot camp, and what was your first day like?
    • Follow-up: What do you remember about the haircut, the uniforms, or the noise?
12. What do you remember about your