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17 years old, out of school and no hope of more education. Looking at being drafted in a year or two, or a job as a pump jockey or something the rest of my life. I wanted more. Talked to a Recruiter, took the Asvab and he told me I scored high enough to do anything I wanted. 1971, Viet Nam going on, I wanted something safe, and something that would give me a career when I got out. Air Traffic Controlling sounded like a winner, I'd always loved planes. "Well son" the recruiter said, "Air Traffic Control comes under Airborne". That sounds legitimate to me, signed up for 3 years. About 2 weeks later I found out that Airborne had nothing to do with telling the planes where to go, and I was going to be Infantry, a combat soldier, a Paratrooper. <GULP>
. I decided then that I would take any school I was offered. At least if I was going to VN, I'd have as much training as I could get to be better prepared. It took me from Mar 1971 to June 72 to be promoted to Buck Sergeant, have an Infantry Operations and Intelligence MOS, and be available for assignment to a line unit. Most Infantry MOS's only take 4 months before assignment to a line unit.
I was blessed, so when you thank me for my service, I really feel like I'm being thanked for stealing something valuable.
. I decided then that I would take any school I was offered. At least if I was going to VN, I'd have as much training as I could get to be better prepared. It took me from Mar 1971 to June 72 to be promoted to Buck Sergeant, have an Infantry Operations and Intelligence MOS, and be available for assignment to a line unit. Most Infantry MOS's only take 4 months before assignment to a line unit.
I was blessed, so when you thank me for my service, I really feel like I'm being thanked for stealing something valuable.
Posted 6 y ago
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Decision? "From the President of the United States, greeting..." The alternative was moving to Canada, and I don't like cold winters.
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SMSgt Bob Wilson
Charles, do you still talk with your friend and neighbors who selected and provided the written invitation from the President?
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SSG David Fetty "You Go to College, Make As and Bs and I'll Pay for It, Make C's and D's and You'll Pay for it or Join the Military" My Father. "I'll Join the Military" "I was Kidding" Dad. "I'm Not" Me. I was Tired of School I wanted to do something and I sucked at School. I was good with Electronics and I knew the Military would let me work on Electronics. Fortunately/Unfortunately I hadn't counted on the Amount of Schooling the Navy Would Put Me Through but I wasn't Disappointed. I got to Play with the Biggest, Most Expensive Tools Ever. From a PDP-11/70 to a 150ft Parabolic Dish Antenna. Sky was the Limit and being a Spook with a "Black Budget" nothing was Too Expensive for Us to Buy.
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Dad was a WW II vet so I grew up on stories and war movies. I was sworn into the Reserves two weeks after my 17th birthday.
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