STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of MSgt David Manchester, U.S. Air Force (1966-1986)

Just before I graduated from high school, at 17 years old, I was home. It was just Mom and me, and she said to me, “I think you need to call the ‘recruiter’ and enlist in the Air Force. Since my Dad served in the Army Air Forces during WWII, there was no other choice but to join the Air Force. Mom knew that the best thing for me was to get away from home, and we could not afford college tuition, so this was the logical step.

I never saw the Air Force recruiter — TSgt Sylvester (as I recall). It was all done by a phone call, and he was sending the paperwork. Since I was only 17, both Mom and Dad had to sign it, and their signatures had to be notarized. This was no easy process since we lived some 20 miles from the nearest notary, and Dad would not take time off from work to get it done. Mom and I came to town and had a devil of a time convincing the notary to sign it, even though we had Dad’s driver’s license to show his signature. We mailed it to the recruiter, and once it was processed, he sent a bus ticket for me to go to the Recruitment Center in Denver, Colorado. We had to flag down the Continental Trailways bus, and that trip took 12 hours. Once there, we were accommodated in a hotel near the center. While there, we had the physical, etc. They separated some of us to go to Amarillo AFB, Texas, for basic training instead of Lackland AFB. The Air Force had reopened Amarillo to use for the influx of people enlisting in the Air Force. Several hours before we were to take the oath and then board the plane for Amarillo, they realized that I had not taken the test(s) to determine my career field. So, it was a mad rush to take them — I had no interest in the mechanical career field, so whenever I saw a question that I thought was related to that, even if I knew the answer, I answered it wrong. In the long run, I ended up in the “general” category.

As we were preparing to leave Basic Training, the TI announced the career field and assignment for each one of us. I was told I would be a Materiel Facilities Specialist (fancy name for a box kicker in supply) and that I would be going on “direct duty” to Dover AFB, Delaware. You might have told this Wyoming guy he was going to the moon.

I was assigned to the Inventory Section of Base Supply and took the “hands-on” route to achieving my three and then 5-level certification as a “647”. Not being happy being in Delaware, I volunteered for Vietnam. One of my work buddies had a cousin in personnel, so he helped me get an assignment. However, I didn’t go to Vietnam – I went to Thailand instead. Again, I was not assigned to a box kicker job but was assigned to Materiel Control.

When I left Thailand, I went to Holloman AFB, New Mexico. There, I was assigned to the Bench Stock Unit of Base Supply. It was there that a group of Senior NCOs got a bunch of us E-4s together for a pitch to re-enlist. I hadn’t given it much thought, but decided if I could cross-train into the “regular” Supply career field, I would do it. That field was full, but the personnel chief suggested I consider the Supply Computer Field. Without doing much research, I thought that sounded good, so my re-enlistment was approved for that field. I was sent to Lowry AFB, Colorado, for a 3-level school in the “648” career field. After I returned to Holloman, I worked mostly nights in the supply computer room and got my “5 level.”

After about a year, I received a call from personnel to inform me that I had been identified for reassignment. He was a real joker, telling me I was going to the “Ryuku Islands” — which, of course, I didn’t have any idea where that was. He then said to me that it was Okinawa. I was at Naha AB, Okinawa, for 18 months.

Next up was K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan. I arrived at KIS on the UP in January. Upon my arrival, I discovered that I had been selected for the position of Staff Sergeant. I never saw so much snow in my life. I spent a short time in the Dorm before moving off base to Gwinn, Michigan. At that time, there was a program for reassignment within the command, so I tried to get to Wyoming, but the closest I could get was Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. So I loaded up my stuff and made a move to EAFB. While there, I experienced my first taste of the “banana belt,” going from 50 degrees to a blizzard in a few short hours. While there, I re-enlisted.

One of the guys I worked with had received an assignment to Taiwan, and I thought that sounded cool, so I volunteered and, with some help, also got an assignment to Taiwan, but to a different base. I took a car over and shopped like crazy.

Over the years, I learned how to “work” the system. So when I got my assignment to Malmstrom AFB, Montana, I got a hold of a CMSgt at SAC HQ to see if they could make an “in command” change of assignment. I had to write a letter of justification and got it changed to F.E. W. AFB, Wyoming. While at FEW, I was the NCOIC of the Supply Computer room — a job that I loved. But being a junior E-5, I was soon a low man on the totem pole. There was a job opening in the Management & Procedures Office, so I ended up there. That was the beginning of many years of doing that. A job at which (I must say) I excelled.

While in M&P, the list came out for E-6, and I had missed it by 2.5 points. I lamented to the Chief that if the damn Commendation Medal had been submitted, I would have had enough points. He told me that it could still be submitted, and if approved, I could request a supplemental promotion. So, I contacted my old boss, and he checked to see that it was possible and submitted the CM. Some months later, I got a notice that it was approved, so I then went to personnel and filed the paperwork for the administrative review for supplemental promotion. While I was at home for Christmas leave, my brother, his wife, and I went “cross-country” skiing one day. When I got home that evening, my Dad kept referring to me as “TSgt.” Since he drank a lot, I just assumed he was drunk and got mad and told him I was only an SSgt! He then said, Well, smart ass, Bill David called while you were out to let you know that your promotion to TSgt had come through! So, I (finally) made it to the rank that Dad had when he was discharged from the AAF.

After about 3 1/2 years at FEW, I got the wanderlust again. Also (again), I had a friend who knew the Lt. Col. in charge of personnel, and with his help, I got an assignment to one country I had always wanted to see. I went to Zweibrucken AB, Germany.

Unfortunately, upon arrival at Zweibrucken, I was informed that I was “excess” and not well received. So as an E-6, I was assigned to the night shift in the computer room. With my background in M&P, they asked me to do a self-inspection of the computer room, where I found many problems. But the supervisors were not interested in taking any corrective actions. So, when a few months later, we had an IG inspection, and they wrote up about everything I had told them was wrong. The inspector called me aside and said he wished he had the authority to fire the NCOIC and give me the job. A few weeks later, the Branch Chief (who had been gone during the IG) returned, and the IG inspector had left word that I should be the NCOIC, so even though the other guy outranked me, I was made NCOIC. That did not last long because when the promotion list came out for MSgt, one of the guys who had been working for me got a line number, and I did not. So, I told the Branch Chief that he needed to move him into the NCOIC slot and let me become the scheduler. After a few months, I again found myself in M&P — where I did not want to be. That turned into the absolute worst assignment of my career, and I could not wait to get out of Germany. Personnel tried to tell me that my tour length was wrong — from the two years I had been notified of at FEW to three years. I told the NCO in personnel that I would not extend my enlistment and would get out of the service. Fortunately, I had the paperwork from FEW, and communication back and forth, which led to AF Personnel granting my original tour length of two years due to the foul-up by FEW. Was I ever glad!

When I received my assignment to leave Germany, I was told I would be going to Sheppard AFB, Texas. While not particularly pleased with it, at least I was getting out of Germany. One of the guys I worked with had a friend in personnel and had him call me and tell me that my assignment had been changed from Sheppard to the AF Data System Design Center (AFDSC) in Alabama. Now, this was about the worst assignment I could get, so I was pissed off! Then the guy started laughing and told me to talk to my friend. It was a joke — but not a funny one to me. Sometime later, I got a call from personnel that I had received a change of assignment. Well, I thought it was another joke — but it wasn’t. But this time, I was happy about it. Seems that ATC had made an “in command” change due to a request from Sheppard, and I was now going to Lowry AFB, Colorado.

Lowry was a good assignment for me, even though I was again assigned to M&P instead of the computer room. I blamed these assignments on M&P for hindering my getting promoted to MSgt. But I made the most of it. I got approval to live off base and bought a mobile home. In 1984, I was selected for promotion to MSgt, and it was effective the first month of the cycle (August). In order to accept that promotion, I had to extend my enlistment by about 2 months, which I was happy to do.

The job in M&P began to go downhill when a new civilian boss came on board, so I requested and was granted a change to go to the Supply Systems Branch, where I was Branch Superintendent and then NCOIC of the ADPM/PCAM Section when the branch was absorbed into another branch. By then, Supply had a new computer system, and since I had been in M&P, I was not afforded the opportunity to go to school for it. So, what knowledge I gained was from on-the-job experience.

Being an E-7, I had the opportunity to check my assignment status and found that I was getting “hot” for a short tour overseas assignment. Knowing that I would likely be assigned to the computer section and not having much knowledge in that area, I decided it was time for me to retire.

So, I put in my retirement paperwork one year to the day before it was effective. My career ended when I retired from the AF on 1 August 1986.

While stationed at Korat RTAFB, Thailand, I worked in the Materiel Section, which included the Reparable Processing Center. At first, I was assigned to RPC, which was located on the flight line. We picked up the parts that needed to be replaced or repaired from the various mechanical shops. We were also responsible for finding spare parts for the planes that were flying combat missions over Vietnam. We saw how many planes (F-105 Thunderchief) and how many returned.

I was an E-2 (A3C) when I arrived. Back then, promotions were made much differently than they were in later years. I had (apparently) impressed the bosses, so they requested that the commander promote me to A2C. I did get that promotion, but it was only about a month later than the AF made it automatic after so many months.

While at Korat, we achieved a “Zero NORS G” status for six straight months. What this meant was that no planes were grounded for lack of spare parts. It was quite an achievement, and we were all very proud. There were write-ups in the base and command newspapers.

Being on the flight line, we had more contact with the pilots and other officers, so whenever we “lost” someone in combat, it was always felt. Remember losing our Wing Commander (Col) just a few days before Thanksgiving, and his Thanksgiving message was printed on the menu — making it a rather sad day.

I was also there when our Wing Commander got his “Star,” but managed to sneak in a few flights until he got his 100 missions in. I was given a ride to the chow hall by him one day.

That year at KRTAFB was probably the most fulfilling of my entire career — because we could actually see the fruits of our efforts in supporting the war effort.

This really does not apply to my service. There were a couple of times while in Thailand that we had to bunker down because of “unidentified” aircraft approaching the base. However, it was always some planes being relocated from Vietnam, and usually, a different branch of service, such as the Marine Corps.

I have fond memories of all of my assignments — but probably the one at Ching Chuan Kang AB, Taiwan, would be one with more fond memories. I loved the job and the opportunity to go shopping in the local economy. I returned to the US with many wood carvings, marble objects, lead crystals, oil paintings, etc. Still have them to this day.

While I loved the country of Germany, it has to be my least favorite assignment. That can all be traced to one E-9 who made my life hell. He did not like any of the work I did, but would not give decent directions for what he wanted. So, I was miserable for most of those two years. He also marked me down on my performance report.

But being able to tour around Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, and Switzerland was wonderful. I also formed some lasting friendships while I was there.

Another assignment that I have great memories of was the time I spent at Naha, Okinawa. While there, I worked in the supply computer room with a bunch of TSgts (E-6) — I was only a Sergeant E-4. We worked some goofy shifts — for some time, we worked 16 hours on and 24 hours off. I usually worked with TSgt Jensen, and his wife used to bring him supper. There was a back door to the computer room, and she would knock on it. My first impression of her was not very favorable. But it didn’t take long before they were including me in the kids’ activities, going to their house for a meal, etc. I took care of the kids for a week while the parents went to Japan for a Boy Scouts conference. To several of the kids, I was like a “big brother.” We kept in touch after they moved back to the States, and while I was at KIS, I was able to go over to their farm south of Duluth, Minnesota. I visited them afterwards as I was heading to Germany and a retirement party for their son, who retired from the Air Force as a Colonel. We still communicate.

One of the support guys I worked with lived in the same off-base apartment building where they had us live. When we got off work, he always wanted to go to “happy hour” — at 8:00 a.m.!! He had some bars in the bar area that would open up for him when he banged on the back door. So, many times I went with him, and we would have some beers before heading to the apartment to get some sleep.

After the AF moved us back on base, my room in the barracks was right across the hall from the “tailor/laundry concessionaire.” I had repairs done to my uniforms or stripes sewn on, etc. The “Mama San” took a liking to me, and when her son, who drove the laundry truck, came to either pick up or deliver laundry, she introduced us. Fumi was about my age, and we hit it off. He would invite me to accompany him on his rounds when I had the day off. Of course, this meant drinking some beer. They eventually invited me to visit their house, and, in the process, we became good friends. They took me around the island to see the sights, invited me to family parties, etc. When it came time for me to leave, they had a going-away party for me. I was surprised at the gifts they gave me — some crocheted carnation flowers for my mom, some ribbon roses for Mom, and Mama San had made a kimono for me. Great memories of those folks.

I have good memories of some of the friends I made while at Zweibrucken AB, Germany. Some of the guys I worked with or who were in the same squadron had families, and they included me in many activities. I spent a nice Thanksgiving with the German family of one of the guy’s wives. It was lots of fun on the farm. Other times, I went to one guy’s where he and his wife liked to host friends. He had beer delivered to the house. We had some good meals and listened to music. During this time, I also introduced them to my “famous” Tex-Mex cuisine. I had always loved to cook and developed a menu of enchiladas, tacos, Spanish rice, and refried beans. We would go to the commissary to get the necessary ingredients and then go back to the house, where I would make a bunch of food for those gathered. It was always a big hit, and one of those who partook still to this day says it is about the best she has ever had. I toured Germany and beyond with several of these folks — either on organized tours or by car. These are good memories.

One memory that has been burned into my memory was while at Dover AFB, Delaware. I was assigned to the Equipment Inventory unit, where we had to inventory all of the equipment on the base. That meant going to the section, counting items (desks, chairs, tools, etc.), and putting inventory stickers on them.

One time, I teamed up with “Jim” to inventory the transient quarters. This was not only where service members stayed until they got permanent quarters, but there was also a section where families stayed. Being fairly “naive,” we went out to inventory and knocked on several doors that women opened in nightgowns ….. both Jim and I got so flustered that we quit and went back to the section. To solve that issue, the team was sent out in the afternoon, but Jim and I did not have to go back.

We always had to call and schedule our visits with the section supervisor. One day, when we arrived to do the inventory, the NCOIC said that he was hoping the sweet-sounding young lady who called to make the appointment would have been on the team. I was mortified because I was the one who made the call — guess at the age of 18, my voice did not sound manly.

The other event at Dover was when Jim and I teamed up to conduct an inventory of the base mortuary. At that time, Dover was the receiving point for many of the casualties of the Vietnam War. All was going fine until they took us into the room where the morticians prepared the bodies to be sent home. I think there were about 8-10 tables, and all had bodies on them. We had to put labels on each of the tables, so we couldn’t help but see the damage done to them. We hurried and got out of there as quickly as possible — plus the smell of embalming fluid was very strong. We then had to inventory some equipment in the warehouses where the incoming bodies were placed before being worked on. We saw some of the open “bags” and the person inside with their injuries. It was something I will never forget.

Both Jim and I were so shaken by this experience that we could not eat afterward. To this day, if I close my eyes and think back, I can still conjure up images of what I saw.

I think my career was fairly average. But I did receive several medals, such as the Air Force Commendation Medal for my service in Taiwan. I also received the “first” Air Force Achievement Medal that anyone in Supply received at Lowry. It may have been more than that, but it was for a special project I did at the commander’s request to “straighten out” the Mobility Section. I was assigned there for a month or so before returning to my regular job.

At the end of my career, I received a Meritorious Service Medal.

I suppose that the AF Achievement Medal I received while at Lowry sticks in my mind most because it came as a surprise. I had been detailed to “clean up” the mobility bag section, which I knew little about. But, as I always did throughout my career, I dug into the regulation(s) and got to work. Most of the guys assigned to that section resented me being there and putting them through their paces. We worked hard, and I think we inventoried bags many times before being satisfied that they were in good shape. Unbeknownst to me, my supervisor had put me in the achievement medal. True to form, when I found out that “they” wanted to present it to me in formation in front of the whole squadron, I politely refused. So, the Chief of Supply/Commander relented and presented it to me in a “staff meeting.”

Before that, the AF Commendation Medal was something that I had my fingers in. When promotions came out one year, I was lamenting the fact that I missed making E-6 by less than 3 points — and made the comment, “If I had gotten that Commendation Medal when I left CCK, I would have had enough points to make E-6.” The Chief, who was the NCOIC of the section I was in, asked me if I knew anyone who could “resubmit” the paperwork for that medal. I said yes, I was still in contact with my old boss from CCK. The Chief told me that the paperwork could be submitted up to three years later (this is my memory and may not be 100% accurate). So, I called my old boss, who was stationed at Hanscom, and talked to him about it. He said something to the effect, “Well, I got a commendation medal, and it was you who did all of the work that got it for me,” — so off he went to CBPO to check the regulation (which I had already reviewed). Once he was satisfied, he basically took the words from his commendation medal and submitted the request. Some months later, the COS approached my desk and told me that he had something for me and wanted to present it in formation — true to form for me, when I found out that it was a Commendation Medal, I asked if he could just give it to me without all the fuss. So he did. Next, I got the paperwork to submit a “correction” of Air Force records that had to go to AF Personnel. Sometime later, while I was at home for the Christmas break, my brother and I were “cross country” skiing, and when I got home that evening, my Dad kept calling me “Tech Sgt,” and I was getting pissed because I was only an SSgt at the time. I finally popped off to him something like, “Quit calling me that, dammit; you know I am only a SSgt” — to which he replied to the effect that he knew something I didn’t. One of my co-workers had called to tell me the news, and Dad took the call, so he was the first to know that the supplemental promotion to TSgf had been approved. Not the typical way to get promoted, but it worked. This happened while I was stationed at F.E. Warren in Cheyenne.

I would probably have to single out SMSgt (at the time) Billy Barber as the one who made me think about making the AF a career. I recall that several senior NCOs gathered a group of people who were able to re-enlist. They gave us their spiel about why they made the Air Force a career and the pros and cons. SMSgt Barber spoke to me privately afterwards and told me that I was just the kind of man they wanted — we talked about some others who had better name recognition, and I remember one that he said, “we do not want him to re-enlist.” And apparently, they told him as much to his face.

But there were others who stand out in my memory, like SSgt Pierce A. Claggion, one of my supervisors at Dover when I worked in the Equipment Inventory Section. He was a soft-spoken black man who always seemed to be chewing gum. He gave me advice that I followed throughout my career: keep a copy of all your important papers, because you never know when you’ll need them to correct your military records.

Another would be SMSgt Warren Robson, one of the upper-level supervisors in Thailand. He and I liked to joke back and forth — something that really bothered one of my immediate supervisors, because he thought I was being insubordinate. But “Robby,” as he was known, enjoyed our conversations and told me not to worry about the supervisor. I did a lot of “keypunching” for Robby. He would also task me to drive the Colonel out to the base a C-47 to fly to another base in Thailand to pick up parts we needed. Robby helped me with my self-esteem and job satisfaction.

Some who come to mind are SSgt James Yentes (later CMSgt) and his wife, Barbara. I spent many enjoyable hours with them while stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base. SSgt (later TSgt) Walter M. Adcock, Jr, and his family. We were good friends for many years after meeting at Ellsworth AFB. I visited them in New York on my way to Germany; we had good times while we were stationed in Taiwan. And later, after he retired and moved to Colorado Springs, I was in Denver. Also, after I moved to Colorado Springs, unfortunately, that friendship came to an end, but I still have fond memories.

Others of note include TSgt and Janet Tennis, whom I met in Germany. We spent many enjoyable hours together, touring together, getting together for holidays, and attending other events. Still, keep in contact with them. And I would be remiss not to mention TSgt (later MSgt) Blaine Jensen and his family. They made me feel like a part of their family when we were stationed together in Okinawa. They even entrusted the care of their children to me when they took a trip to Japan. We have kept in touch, and I visited them at their farm in Minnesota before going to Germany and while I was stationed in Michigan. I visited once when their son, who retired as an AF Colonel, had a retirement party. They will always be like family to me.

Probably when I “fell down” a portion of the “Suicide Cliff” in Okinawa. A group of us who lived in the same apartment complex off-base at Naha were partying and having a good time as a typhoon approached the island. When it missed, “they” sent a young airman to tell us we needed to come to work. We were not in any condition to work and did not want to — so we told the airman to say he couldn’t find us. We loaded up in a couple of vehicles with beer and other supplies and headed off. We went to the end of the island, which was known as “Suicide Cliff” because Japanese soldiers jumped to their deaths there during World War II.

It was still raining, but that didn’t stop us. Some of the guys got a new beer, and one of my “friends” refreshed my “vodka Collins,” which was my drink of choice at the time. Off we went, down the path to the beach. Some of the path was concrete, while other parts of it were coral embedded in cement. The coral was very slick (I’d say like snot). Well, I slipped on some of the slick coral and began to fall. As I did, I grabbed one of my buddies and practically ripped his shirt off as I fell. My drink went flying, and we could hear the glass break. So luck (?) would have it, I landed on a set of concrete steps. It’s a wonder I didn’t die that day. But we laughed it off and kept going to the beach.

I can laugh about it now — particularly remembering how “purple and yellow” my butt was — bruised from one side to the other.

After I retired at Lowry AFB, I moved to Colorado Springs. While there, I struggled for a while, working two part-time jobs to make ends meet. I was a janitor at Joslin in the wee hours of the morning, then worked at Cheers Liquor Mart in the afternoon/evening. I then found a job with OAS, a defense contractor at Peterson AFB. That job was the stepping stone to getting hired by Raytheon Support Services, which had the supply contract at Peterson. I worked two jobs there — in the Individual Equipment Section and the Document Control Section. When RSSC lost the contract at Peterson, we were informed that we could apply for other positions with them. I knew they had a supply account at the Air Force Academy, so I submitted my request to go there. The Chief of the contract knew me, and I was contacted immediately for an interview. I then transferred from Peterson to AFA. I began as a supervisor of the Document Control Section and, a few weeks later, was promoted to Branch Chief of the Management & Systems Branch. What an experience — good and bad — that was. Eventually, I missed my family and knew that the contract was up for renewal; I did not expect RSSC to renew it, so I made the decision to move back home to Wyoming.

Finding a job in Wyoming proved to be quite challenging. Many people thought I was overqualified and wouldn’t be happy working for them. One of the Job Service staff members suggested I apply for State jobs, and she directed me toward several. I had to take some tests to see if I was qualified. Eventually, I was interviewed for a position with the State Welfare Agency in Riverton and was offered a job. I readily accepted, even though I had no idea what determining eligibility for welfare programs entailed. I worked there for several years when I was asked if I was interested in a job in the Quality Control Section, which fit right in with the work I did in the AF. So, I took that job, but after a year, I grew tired of the commute through the canyon to work, so I took a job back in Riverton. After only about 4-5 months, there was a vacancy in QC in Riverton, so I contacted the supervisor to see what she thought about me “re-applying” since I had quit previously. There was no problem, and I was rehired. I worked in QC, then took on the role of management evaluation inspector, reviewing the work done at all the welfare offices in the State. I took that to heart, and both my boss and I thought we would be able to achieve great results. However, there was such resistance that I eventually gave up and returned to just QC, where I worked until I retired after almost 18 years with the agency.

Since retiring from the State, I have been “retired” for good.

I am a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars — joined at my Dad’s request while I was still in the Air Force. We no longer have a local post, and I do not receive any specific benefits for this membership.

I am also a life member of The Retired Enlisted Association, with no local chapter and no benefits.

I was also a life member of the NAUS until they were folded into TREA.

Another organization I am a life member of is the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), again, no local chapter and no benefits. Along the same line is my membership in the Air Force Association (AFA) – no specific benefit.

I am also a member of the American Legion.

When I say “no specific benefit,” I never joined expecting anything in return. I joined because I am proud of my military service, and one way of showing this pride was by joining these organizations.

The life experiences I’ve had during my twenty-year career have shaped me into the person I am today, and I believe they have helped me appreciate the good things in life and approach life more effectively. One thing (I think) that has stuck with me the most is to do the best job possible — make sure you know as much as you can about the job and make the most of the situation.

After retiring from the State of Wyoming, I have utilized these experiences by serving on the Board of Directors for the local cemetery district. Having served as President for years, I have leveraged all of my work experiences. Hopefully, to benefit the cemetery. Continuing with writing, whether regulations, has been of great benefit by giving me the skills to write regulations, bylaws, etc. Of course, the supervisory experience has also helped.

After all of these years, I think I still miss the close relationships that one could develop in the Air Force. One of my biggest regrets is that I never documented my career with photos — so I have none of me in uniform after the first year or so.

Today’s military is too different from what it was during my day. I just say that anyone who joins today has to be willing not only to learn and do the job, but they also have to be willing to become part of the military community by joining councils, etc.; they also have to be willing to pursue additional education, whether at the college level or military educational opportunities. If anyone isn’t of that mindset, in my opinion, they will struggle to have a good career.

I wrote a “history” of my Air Force career a few years ago, which helped me remember things during my military career, which I was able to use in these reflections. So far, I have never encountered anyone I knew in the military on TWS.

My “book” is put together with each assignment (base) being a separate chapter. I still look back at some of the pictures and other materials, and it has been a good source for verifying information for entries on several social media pages.