John Roberts:  

Eleven days after graduation, I enlisted in the Air Force. I went in on the Buddy Program with Scott Nicklin, Chip LaFurney and Jim Elliott had gone in together the day before. After completing basic training, I went to Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, TX for training as a Physical Therapy Technician. My first permanent duty station was Wilford Hall Medical Center, back at Lackland AFB, where I had taken my basic training. I stayed in San Antonio until May of 1974. After four years, I was reassigned to Pease AFB, NH. I liked the NE coast but I didn't want to stay in PT any longer so I asked to re-train and went back to Sheppard AFB in Jan 1975, to learn to be an Operating Room Specialist. Then I went back to WHMC to learn the trade. In May, 1976, I was moved north to Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, AK. During my three year there, I enjoyed the downhill and cross-country skiing, the fishing and hunting and also earned my private pilot license. Chip had completed his AF career and his math degree and had moved up to Anchorage. It was great to have an old friend there for my last year in AK. In May 1979, I transferred to Travis AFB, CA, to work at David Grant Medical Center. I enjoyed skiing the Tahoe Basin of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and seeing the live music acts in the Tahoe casinos, and the professional sports and music in San Francisco. July 1982 brought a new career path. I left active service for the Air Force Reserves and a flying assignment as an Aeromedical Evacuation Technician. We provided patient movement services for all military personnel and their dependents from Alaska and Hawaii back to the mainland. I became a medical aircrew instructor and developed my teaching skills. After 3 1/2 years of flying...Expand for more