When and why did you decide to join the military and where were you located when you made this decision?

July 11, 1966 in Green Bay, Wisconsin: joined the day prior to being drafted. I wanted fly rather than walk; so I went to Warrant Officer Candidate School to learn how to fly helicopters.

Where did you serve during your time in uniform?

Basic training at Ft. Polk, LA; Warrant Officer Candidate flight school at Ft Walters, TX and Ft Rucker, AL; Vietnam with the First Cavalry Divisions as a helicopter pilot; Camp Zama Japan and Ft Leonard as a medical patient. Ft Rucker, AL as an instructor Pilot. Follow on assignments included: Vietnam, Ft. Knox, KY, Ft Leonard Wood, MO; Kaiserslutern, GE; Ft Meade, MD; FT. Ord, CA; Ft Lewis, WA.

What were some of your key memories during your time of service? 

Team work as a crew member and combat assault flight formation. The ah ha moment when a student accomplished a new flight task. Memorable flights: flight through London, low level flight through Washington DC; and a cross country helicopter flight from Washington DC to Barstow, CA. Traveling around the world, seeing the country sides, meeting people, and serving with many exceptional people.

What is an important value that you took away from your military experience? 

Comradery and trust of the team. Learning to serve with many diverse people and working together to get the job done.

 What advice would you give someone interested in joining the military? 

The military is not for everyone. But, everyone can learn from the military experience. If you do go into the military be open to the views of others. Go in with the attitude of joining and contributing to a team. Be receptive to leaders and to those serving with you.