R.M. Penhollow:  

from MMHS. The Spring Quarter of 1971 my friend, Jim Gregory, told me that he and I were being drafted because of the low numbers our respective birthdays had drawn in the Draft Lottery. We both decided to go to the P'ville Recruiter's Offices and once there, we explored our possibilities. I recall a USMC Recruiter giving both of us the business over our refusal to become "One of the Few". John Kuhn had already made it home after he, Harry Saba, and TP, had made it through Marine Boot Training and schooled Jim & I ALL about that reality. BUT he explained to me that he had drawn an MOS for aircraft maintenance, hydraulics, and his duty was pretty cake. I passed on these words of wisdom to Jim, and we eventually came to terms and enlisted on the buddy plan. We both left the area Aug. 20, 1971 on an air charter to San Antonio TX. We struggled through Basic because both of us had knee injuries. (Does anyone remember when he got taken out in gym class playing a shirts vs. skins basketball game?) IT WAS SO HOT THAT SEPTEMBER, however we managed to Graduate and we were reassigned to Chanute AFB IL for technical training. Duty there was nothing like basic had been and it was welcomed, warmly by both of us. We made many new friends during our three months of school and we graduated. Jim was assigned to Shaw AFB SC while I went further south to Eglin AFB FL. Both of us came home on leave. My orders were dated 12PM Jan 7, 1972. He was my Bestman on Dec. 31, 1971 because I married Deborah Spears that day. That was the last time I would see Jim until 1980. I left the NE Ohio area by car on Jan 5 arriving about 10PM on the required date, noted previously. I spent 8 yrs. 2 mons. and 26 days before being Honorably Discharged Nov. 14, 1979. I worked on F-4's at Eglin until Sept. 1976. I was reassigned to the 1rst Tactical Fighter Wing, Langley AFB, VA and reported there for duty on Oct.10. I worked on F-15's while assigned there. I was a line mechanic for about 9 mons. and then I was given the job of Specialized Maintenance Dispatcher for the 94th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. I had the responsibilities of : managing the personnel, which consisted of any number between 10 and 90 divided amongst 8 unique specialties. I was also responsible for ALL documentation related to the maintenance, ensuring that all parts/hardware/perishable items that were required to accomplish the maintenance were ordered properly and any that were back-ordered did not "fall through the cracks". It was the most challenging, yet fulfilling position that I ever experienced, even after I became part of the civilian work force. I decided to NOT re-enlist for a third time long before I had to sign a Retention Form. I spent the last 86 days of my second enlistment on Terminal Leave. I fished probably 70 of them, grew my hair and beard and on my discharge date I went to the Base Personnel Office to facilitate obtaining my DD-214 and having a dependent ID card issued (my wife was an enlisted Supply Squadron "RAT"). I was hassled by a young airman because I was not compliant to the grooming standards set forth in AFR 35-10. I attempted to explain to the airman that I was just trying to save Uncle Sam the postage that mailing the document to me would cost. He unwisely decided to go: "PRESS TO TEST" and began ranting at me. Fortunately, his immediate supervisor intervined and ordered him to give me my discharge, which he did mumbling under his breath and with a very red face. As I walked away he said, "Have a good life MR. Penhollow!". That was the first time that anyone had ever called me that. The elation was an over-whelming feeling that just got better as that day passed. As I drove home to the rented house in Hampton VA. I laughed at every barbershop or beauty salon I passed. When I got home I threw all of my razors in the trash! I did what I did.'Nuff said=]