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104,256 out of 862,964 Veterans
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Bio
AF 1980-1987
ANG 1987-2011
Retired and working part-time retail at Dick's Sporting Goods as primary Archery Tech.
(Actually, I've been working there P/T since 2002.)
Hey, it's not a "living wage", but I do enjoy what I do.....for now.
Military Experiences
Apr 1987 - Oct 2011
Weapons Load Crew Chief
F-4Ds upon arrival. Converted to F-16A/Bs in 1990. Converted to F-16C/Ds in 1994. Load Crew Chief, Expeditor, back shop maintenance and troubleshooting crew, as well as gun system maintenance. Managed shop training and Tech Data for several years, as well.
After 31 years, gave up the glory for bows and arrows.....and facial hair....(smile)
Apr 1986 - Apr 1987
Weapons Load Crew Chief
80% loading, 20% troubleshooting and maintenance on F-4Es just prior to conversion to F-15Es. Very bad personality clash with a narcissistic, egotistical (if not slightly neurotic) weapons Chief, so decided to punch out on my own terms, rather than be thrown out for flogging a senior NCOIC. In his defense, I must say, I recognize the enormous expectations and pressures he was forced to deal with from above. Nevertheless, with one year left on second enlistment, opted for Palace Chase to an ANG unit near home town and kids.
May 1985 - Apr 1986
Weapons Load Crew Member
Alert duty on F-15A/Bs, again as 2-man. Did weapon system maintenance, as well, though not as in depth as previous assignment due to alert status. "Cake" assignment and was sorry to leave Alaska. Side note: Was checking ACFT for mission-ready status when word came of the Challenger explosion.
Jun 1984 - May 1985
Weapons Load Crew Member
After a few weeks of FTD at Nellis AFB for F-16 (to include troubleshooting), it was off to wild and wonderful Kunsan Korea, where I was again designated a "2-man", but in a crew designated "dual-roll".....that is, a load crew responsible for all associated load responsibilities, but also a primary weapon systems troubleshooting & maintenance crew. And so, while we were required to maintain loading proficiency standards and training, we were leaned on for any maintenance issues. And while we started at about a 50-50% for either, we soon evolved into a more 30% loading/70% maintenance roll.
Challenging work garnering much pride, but a pain in the rear when we had multiple jobs on major holidays and weekends. Oh, well.....comes with the territory; it's tough to be a "star"......((smile))
Deployments
(5 months)Jan 2003 - May 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
For the most part, loaded F-16 weapon systems, but did so with extreme flourish, custom decorating each bomb with multi-colored sidewalk chalk. No simple written messages on these babies!....{{LOL}}
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