Big Jim Was In Top Gun. Maybe.
I was in the original Top Gun. Maybe. Let me explain as you roll your eyes.
I went to Navy Boot camp in San Diego early 1985 – after boot camp I went right across the river to Radioman “A” school. Now you can imagine how excited I was as a young man at the time. I had just graduated boot camp, had money in my pocket and freedom to go out again (movies, dinner, the mall).
So every morning we’d get up in our barracks and head to class at this three story building. Learning about VSWR, Morse code, typing, ACP 113 and 131 (it was fun). Then one day I looked out the window during a break and there were a couple of white trailers across the street and people milling about (definitely NOT military).
We gathered by window to see who these people were – and then a beautiful young lady came walking out and got into a golf cart, heading off into the distance. That was Kelly McGillis, and the movie was “Top Gun”.
Please understand that we had NO IDEA that was the name of the movie being filmed. Hell, we were just excited to have this gorgeous lady in her trailer across the street from our school.
I remember one of our chiefs telling us there was a short guy walking about dressed like a Lieutenant – you don’t have to salute him (he’s not wearing a hat). Yes, that was Tom Cruise.
SO WERE YOU IN THE ORIGINAL TOP GUN?
So am I in the movie? Probably. Here’s what happened: One day my class had to march to the other side of the base. Being that I’m 6’4”, I was normally lined up on the front row to the outer left. We were marching down the street and to our right there was a movie set with Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis and her car. We could see them filming and the two of them were pointing at each other. 
Later on we’d figure out it’s the scene where they argue about his flying and she doesn’t want to admit she’s fallen for him. (again, we had NO IDEA what the movie was about)
WHEN DID I REALIZE WHAT MOVIE I WAS IN?
Fast forward to summer of 1986 and Top Gun appears in theatres. I was in Submarine School in Groton, Ct. when it came out and they screened it on Navy bases around the world. Suddenly it all made sense. I might have been in Top Gun.
So with Top Gun 3 in production, I’m waiting on my email from Tom Cruise. I don’t know how they can do this movie without me. I can play volleyball with my shirt off. And I’ll salute him even if he’s NOT wearing a hat.
