During my senior year at MCHS I was going nowhere and decided to escape my life in Memphis by joining the US Air Force. Since I was only 17 my parents signed up for me. I went active duty on June 28, 1982. Still 17, I left home and went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB) in San Antonio, Texas. I got my first taste of Texas heat. It had to be 100 degrees in the shade. It was so hot I had to drink 4 glasses of water before I started every meal. I shot an M-16 semi-automatic rifle for the first time. I was in charge of the laundry. This will come full circle later in this story. I turned 18 in basic training. Needless to say there was no partying. I completed basic training and received orders for technical training at Lowry AFB in Denver Colorado. I left the heat and went into the cold. The training I received was in inventory management (a technical term for supply). I wanted to be a jet engine mechanic but found out I was green/red color blind. I guess the Air Force didnt want me crossing some wires. At 18 years of age and liberty to do what I wanted, there was some serious partying going on. I completed technical school and received orders for Sembach Air Base in Germany. A stop was made in Memphis to say goodbye to my relatives and a final goodbye to my grandfather who was dying of cancer. The hug my grandfather and I exchanged is still with me today and forever. It took 14 hours to fly to Germany. Germany was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I had such a good time. Its hard to put in words all the experiences I had. I went to Paris (should have paid closer attention to Mrs. King), Belgium, and Amsterdam( twice). I went to 2 Octoberfest, Bad Durkheim winefest, and way too many wine probes in small German towns to mention them all. I spent about a year in supply. I was noticed for my hard work ethic, tenacity,and popularity amongst my peers. I was put in charge of the training program for over 200 people and reported directly to the senior person in charge. During this time I was elected president of the Unit Advisory Council where I coordinated all picnics, parties, parades, holiday celebrations and the morale, welfare and recreation of the unit. I enjoyed managing training programs so much I decided to make it a permanent change in my military career. I had spent 3 years in Germany and thought it was time to come back to the United States . I received orders to Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas. Enroute I attended technical training for advanced training programs at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas in the winter 1985. I completed my training and proceeded to Austin, Texas. I got married in 1990, received orders for the Whitehouse Communications Agency in 1991. My wife gave birth to Haley and Kirstin (twins) in 1992. Now having a family I decided to get out of the military and come back to Texas to be with my wifes family and friends. Things did not work out when we got back. My wife and I were divorced in 1993. I remained in Texas to be a part of my childrens lives. My ex-wife and I still talk and get along to this day! I am very blessed and so proud to have 2 beautiful, brilliant daughters that are currently seniors in college. I started working for Cintas Corporation (uniform company) in 1992 and have been there ever since. Personally, I have never remarried and it seems I have unfortunately been living one day at a time since getting out of the military in 1992. All this changed 4 years ago this November when I had an injury that would change my life forever! To learn the rest of the story go to my blog morbidlyobesethefbtransformation.blogspot
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 02:18:35 +0000
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