In Confessions of a SWABBIE, author and former sailor Felton Hudson looks back on his years as an enlisted man—“a swabbie, not a stiff and stilted officer type”—and tells the story the way sailors actually tell it: candid, funny, and unfiltered.
Written with a conversational voice and a sharp eye for the details that make military life unforgettable, the book follows Hudson from his pre-Navy upbringing and boot camp days to life aboard destroyers, long patrols, rough seas, and the realities of shipboard culture. The memoir also doesn’t shy away from heavier subjects, including the author’s reflections on race and the painful moments that exposed prejudice within the ranks.
Hudson’s service included time on the USS Brister (DER 327) and the USS William R. Rush (DDR 714), with recollections that range from tense duty days to the kind of “you had to be there” episodes sailors trade for life. In his closing chapters, he honors the seamanship that kept crews alive through extreme conditions—describing ship rolls and weather powerful enough to test the limits of both men and metal.
“I write as I speak… I value brevity and straight talk,” Hudson shares, inviting readers into a memoir that feels like a conversation—one that’s equal parts laughter, grit, and reflection.
About the Author
Felton Hudson is a former U.S. Navy sailor who brings decades of lived experience and straight-talk storytelling to Confessions of a SWABBIE. Now 85, he reflects on how Navy life still stays with him long after service.
After leaving the Navy in 1964, Hudson built a wide-ranging career in aviation and technical instruction, including work with Delta Airlines as a mechanic, pilot ground school instructor, flight analyst, and maintenance quality control inspector. He also taught heating and air conditioning and became a licensed air conditioning contractor.
He holds an A&P license, logged over 2,000 flight hours, and earned a BS in Criminal Justice and Political Science. Hudson has been married to his wife Jennifer for over 58 years, and he is also the author of a second book written in memory of his son, Spencer.
Media Contact
Company Name: Meridian Book Publishers
Contact Person: Res S Mark
Email: Send Email
Phone: +1(347) 646-7996
Address:605 Third Avenue 43rd floor
State: New York 10158
Country: United States
Website: https://meridianbookpublishers.com/