William Schlafke:  

Military I had almost four full years and they were all good. I enlisted to avoid being drafted and chose the Air Force over the Navy. Navy wanted to sign me to a six year enlistment. I got everything I wanted and more, after basic training I was trained for aircraft maintenance on aircraft with reciprocating engines (Props). The tech school was at Sheppard AFB Texas. Upon graduation in Oct. '70 I was stationed at Mather AFB, Ca. and this was great. This was the first time this young 18 yr. old was really far from home other than basic and tech school. Here, I was truly on my own. Met alot of great guys and kept up with a few, some of us got our orders for 'Nam at the same time but seemed I left first. California was a real education from growing up in Miami, Fl. Alot of strange people at the time, took trips to Reno, Tahoe and 'Frisco. The hippies were great until I came back from 'Nam. Well, like I said I got orders for 'Nam and began a one year journey of TDYs Beale, Fairchild, England and Clark Air B...Expand for more