Stephen Corlett:  

Military I entered the Air Force the summer of '80 (right after finishing summer school for a flunked English class). I spent two pretty hot summer months at Lackland AFB, TX and then went to technical school at Keesler AFB, MS to train as a computer operator. I received orders for the 602nd Military Airlift Support Squadron, Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan and after a short leave, left for overseas. Had I been mature enough to handle the time there I believe it would have been fun. But it ended up being a dark, and lonely tour which I'd be glad never to have to repeat. I left Kadena a year and a half later and in June of '82 ended up at AF Global Weather Central (AFGWC), Offutt AFB, NE. Another "stellar" assignment. I met many folks there who I've since lost contact with. I'm hoping to connect with some of them again someday. It's here that I met Vicki, my wife of 19 years. In 1985 we were married and, true to form, the AF, ever being mindful of our happiness, sent me to Korea before we could enjoy our first anniversary. So for one year, I spent a remote tour with the 2078th Communication Squadron, Teagu AB, ROK. Not a bad place, and much easier to endure then the previous overseas tour. Vicki was in the AF and assigned to AFGWC during that period of time so the only option for me was to try to return to Offutt... which I managed to do. Same base, same unit, same job. Blech! Offutt was different then. Tougher with a very unpleasant work environment. Vicki got out after her four was up. I stayed in and managed to move into another job at my unit which made the work more enjoyable. In the middle of '91, the military was going through a reduction in force and I chose to get out, wanting to start a family and be able to stay around to enjoy it. I spent months looking for work and maxing the credit cards to keep us eating. Vicki's...Expand for more