Basic was cut short because they needed the space for new manpower to build the war effort. Someone determined I was technically inclined and would make a great photographer, therefore I was off to Denver for photo-camera repair-aerial school. By December the program was cut short with the class ahead and behind me going to Korea as lab techs, I went to; Tampa. 

Here I learned my first vital lesson in strategy; Gin and snow cones make great beach bunny bait. This being to cushy of an assignment I was reassigned to the 55th Strat Recon Wing, Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico where the duty was more appropriate. Here my training became intense and I was returned to Denver for aerial photography training. On return to Puerto Rico I actually started flying photo-mapping mission only after six months of mail orderly duty. We mapped the missile range from Florida through Brazil a long with the geo data link between North Africa, Europe and across Iceland , Greenland to the U.S. We stayed TDY up to 9 months per year. The wing was relocated to Forbes AFB, Kans. part of it by way of four months in Alaska recovering in Kans. My squadron was transferred intact to MATS and reassigned to Palm Beach AFB, Fl. where we could realize our full potential for TDY.

From 1954 to 1957 the a 1370th Photo Mapping Wing averaged six month per year TDY with support missions for Army Map Service, U.S. Geodetic, State Department, AEC nuclear test, NASA and a multitude of other missions.

My appointment to OCS was a welcome release. After OCS I went to Moore AB. Texas for pilot training along with quite a few of our class where we discovered we could compete with the graduates from the military academies. I did jet training at Greenville Mississippi, and helicopter training at Stead AFB, Nevada. My first assignment was to Ellsworth AFB, S.D. where we had nine pilots two helicopters and enough flying hours to support two pilots. I became the flight scheduling officer behind the line pilots after six months of trying to schedule senior officers who didn't want to fly C-47s.  I had a stress reaction which gave the flight surgeons an opportunity to medically suspend my flying career. 

I then entered a low stress occupation called procurement. As soon as I was certified fully qualified I was reassigned to Osan AB, Korea. This was a test of my qualifications I had my own special agent who followed me when I went off station. My predecessor and replacement were indicted for fraud, I escaped by documentation and an almost daily conference with the Staff Judge Advocate. This proved to be a no stress occupation. I met the top people in government and business in Korea and learned some valuable techniques in negotiations. I extended from Korea to Japan and enjoyed a tour at Itazuke AB. Continuing the low stress job, I discovered Itazuke AB was responsible to provide procurement support for the communications link between the Pentagon and Saigon through southern Japan. Unfortunately when the responsibility for funding switched from the Army to AF under the primary user concept no one bothered to fund fuel requirements to keep the remote communications sites operational. I ordered the fuel delivered and waited six months for the purchase request . Gen. Preston, 5th AF Commander, thought my actions were outstanding, unfortunately the Base Commander thought I was unfit since I had not keep him advised. Had I advised him he would have had to prefer charges for unauthorized expenditures of funds. No stress, just great experiences.

From Japan to 770 Broadway, N.Y.C., N.Y. a joint assignment with Defense Supply Agency a real learning experience. I became the Office Chief of Policy and Review, Directorate of Contract Administration, DCAS, N.Y. I discovered we were closing contract with hundreds of thousands of dollars recoverable from contractors and the contracting officers did nothing nor did the comptroller. We closed contracts for retrofit of the Pacific fleet with new computer gun laying fire control systems without any spare parts again no one was interested. My GS-15 boss dismissed the issues as not the Directorates concern and squashed the report. I went through the Executive Officer to the Commanding General who made the issue the GS-15s concern. When the regular augmentation came up the GS-15 proved he had more sway with the GS-9 personnel clerk than I and my nomination didn't go forward until after the augmentation board met. The blue suit personnel officer suggested I forget the issue and he would insure my personnel jacket would get to the Majors boards. I pinned on my leaves six months ahead of the West Point members of our pilot training class so I guess the deal worked.

The Ex. Officer transferred me to Republic Aviation plant as deputy plant representative out of the reach of the GS-15 for the last year in DCAS. My final tour was back to SAC where the detailer who sent me to Korea felt sorry and sent me to McCoy AFB, Orlando, Fl. I received a congratulations you have been selected for involuntary retirement effective 31 Jan 71., thus ending one of the greatest learning experiences anyone could have ever imagined. I took the lowest paying job offer I had after retirement because I really wanted to try to reform the welfare system and I believed I could make the greatest impact from the inside. I became the Executive Director of four housing authorities in Brevard county Fl. in August 1972 and remained so until one agency pulled out in 1998. We have 70 people on staff, house 2300 families, and average about 12 million per year in expenditures, again a no stress job. I'm happy to say I feel I have made a difference in some lives and have helped change the statutory welfare program in America.