As a young man just turning eighteen, I couldn't wait to get away from home, see the world, and be on-my-own. So, I made the rounds of all the Service Recruiters in Shreveport, La. I wanted to join the Navy, but the Navy recruiter was too honest when I asked if he could guarantee "electronics."  So I checked the Army, Marine Corp, and the Air Force.  The Air Force Recruiter must have been hurting to fill his "quota" as he said I most certainly could get the "electronics" career field. So, after convincing my parents to sign for me (I wasn't quite 18 yet),  I was off to Basic Training at Lackland AFB, Texas. 
Needless to say, I did not get  electronics, however, what I did get was Air Traffic Control.

So, after 5 weeks of Basic Training at Lackland AFB, I was assigned to the 3385th Student Training Squadron at Keesler AFB for my 8 months of Technical Training in Air Traffic Controller's Course. The Air Traffic Controller's Technical Course was a "nightmare" of intensive study and cramming for those difficult "FAA" exams.

My first assignment out of tech school was the 1st Mobile Comm. Group, Clark AB, Philippine Islands. I qualified in the Clark AB Control Tower, went TDY to Thailand for 180 days, went TDY to Cubi Point Naval Air Station and qualified in their Control Tower.  Next, my consequtive overseas tour to Germany was approved, and I was assigned to Wiesbaden AB, Germany to the 1947 Comm. Squadron.

While in Germany, I met and married my wonderful wife, Brigitte. I returned to the States in 1965 with her and son Thomas.  My next duty station was Eglin AFB, Fl. While there, I qualified in both the RAPCON, and the Control Tower: two very difficult facilities to master.