Chaplain looks on to blissful future

4 Nov 2004 | Cpl. Andy J. Hurt Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

He was born in Hollywood. He married "the girl next door." He's worked on classified missions for the National Security Agency.  No, this isn't a script for a movie trailer; it's the life of Randel Livingood.

Father Livingood, the outgoing command chaplain at MCLB Barstow, retired Tuesday. The recent life change has caused him to reflect, ponder, look back and romanticize about his more-than fulfilling life while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

Forces is used in the plural reference, as Livingood has served not only in the Navy, but the Army, Air Force, National Security Agency and with Marines.

Raised in "the sticks" of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, Livingood said his childhood consisted of exploring the hills and swimming in the rivers of the great Pacific Northwest.

After receiving his high school diploma, Livingood delved right in to the pleasures of life. "I did a brief stint as a partier," he said in his well-pronounced Northwest drawl.

After spending about six months in the National Guard as an infantryman, he enlisted in the Air Force.

A considerable amount of Livingood's early days were spent in the "blue." Nine years and 25 days to be exact, he said. He then went to work for the National Security Agency, and was stationed with Royal Air Force units in London.

His job description is still classified, and he did not comment on whether or not he ever pretended to be James Bond.

Yet spy fantasy hasn't been the driving force behind Livingood's pleasant, reserved demeanor. It's his faith that has driven his lust for life.

Born the "sweet-talking son of a preacher-man," Livingood finds "Divine Intervention" is the only way to describe the reason why he followed the higher calling.

After working with the NSA, Livingood went to seminary school and then earned his undergraduate bachelor's degree from Lee University.

"I had a break in service, and decided to go back to college; only I wasn't partying this time," he said. Subsequently, Livingood earned his commission as an officer of the Navy Chaplain's Corps. He saw his commission as a "logical extension of faith," as he had served previously as a lay pastor.

Faith, and his wife, said the Chaplain, are two things that "keeps his happiness level at a maximum." It's a self-proclamation of being "high on life" that Livingood used to bring him through 20 years of honorable service in the Armed Forces.

He said his favorite service, since he was able to go to sea, has been the Navy. But serving with Marines has been "a close second, to be sure, because they treat you really well." He added that he likes the no-nonsense attitude of the Marines, like Security Chief Worf, from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

"I always said when I did (20 years) that I would get out and make room for someone else."

Livingood said that he looks forward to being with his wife, his childhood "girl next door," again at their new home in Oregon. The two were married Nov. 4, 1978, and she's more than his life partner, he said. She's also his partner in skiing, one of his favorite off-duty passions. "I'm a ski bum," he said, "I ski on the edge of mayhem." Livingood is currently a season pass holder at three different resorts. Livingood said he also looks forward to building his airplane.

And with all his military experience and thrilling pastimes "on the edge of mayhem," Livingood said he could look back on a "full" 20 years of fun.

"I have as much fun as I can stand."