[1][2] Following graduation from Wicomico High School in Salisbury, Maryland, Bushey enlisted in the United States Navy in June 1962.

He then served on board the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CVS-33), with two follow-on tours as a flight instructor for fleet replacement navigators with Heavy Attack Squadron 123 at the Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Washington and Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 130 at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California, where he served as Celestial and Radar Navigation Instructor.

Bushey then served as the Assistant Aircrew Division Officer for the Aircraft Ferry Squadron Thirty One in Norfolk, Virginia.

Bushey was selected to attend the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas in January 1980 and while there received the General Ralph E. Hanes Jr. Award for outstanding research.

Bushey served as the first Command Master Chief for USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71, arriving while the ship was still under construction, and is a "TR Plankowner".