Thomas Miller:
CLASS OF 1983
Oberlin High SchoolClass of 1983
Oberlin, OH
Thomas's Story
Well Well Well it has been 25 years since we graduated and made our own paths in life. Just to give a quick update on what i have been up to for the last 25 years. Hope that i do not bore you too much. After graduation i had no plans to attend college or do much of anything else for that matter. I worked in the local area until Feb 1984 then decided i needed to get out of Ohio and to do something with my life. Well i give all of the credit for my next decision to Christine Lepera who put on her graduation picture that she was joining the Air Force and hoped that i would do the same someday. Well i decided to join the Air Force i signed up in Feb 1984 and left for basic training in Nov 1984. After basic training i headed for my first duty assignment at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. I came into in to Air Force with no guaranteed job they called it an open career field so they made me a subsistence operation specialist. The title in itself doesn't sound too bad. Well in short it is a military commissary. Needless to say i was not to thrilled with the choice the Air Force made for me. My opinion would change after about three years in the military as i got more involved in the management aspect of the job. I had a real good time in Colorado. Actually what i can remember of it. I partied way to much. Had a great time though. After a little more than 2 years in Colorado i received orders to Korea. I really wasn't sure where it was but i knew i would have a good time. I spent two years in Korea. It is believe it or not a great place to travel. While in Korea, I met and married my wife in May 1988. We just celebrated our 20th Anniversary. It has been a great 20 years. After Korea we headed to California to Mather AFB in Sacramento. We were there from May 1989 until September 1993. In August 1990 when Saddam decided to invade Kuwait i was sent to that great desert in Saudi Arabia. Longest 8 1/2 months of my life and the scariest. After California, I needed some country living and volunteered to be stationed in South Dakota. Great place if you love outdoor living. I had a great time! My wife hated it (too much sn...Expand for more
ow) While in South Dakota, i got to go back to the desert for another tour of duty and also was shipped to Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) during the Cuban and Haitian refugee crisis I was in South Dakota from September 1993 until 1998. While in South Dakota in 1994 i changed career fields and was assigned to the Services division and i was the Base Fitness and Sports director. I enjoyed this job as i do like sports. From South Dakota i finally received my dream assignment to Germany. I was station in Frankfurt at Rhein Main AB. I traveled to many European countries during my 4 years. France, Spain, England, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Holland, Belgium, Lichtenstein, Italy.
It truly was a great assignment. After 4 great years i was by no choice of my own sent to Wichita Falls Texas (Sheppard AFB) Feb 2002. I was only at Sheppard AFB a year when it was time to head back to the desert for Operation Iraqi Freedom. I hate the desert!!!!!!!!!! I was there for 5 months and missed our 20th class reunion. The first war i went to i was 24 years old. The second war i was 38 and not as young as i was the first time around. At this point i had a two previous back surgeries and i was glad the war as far as my part went only last for 5 months. Upon my return from Saudi Arabia/Iraq I again changed career field and became a Paralegal. I then moved yet again and this time to New Jersey (McGuire AFB) My final move a member of the military. In Feb 2004 i had my 3rd back surgery and decided shortly there after that it was time to leave it all behind. After 21 years 2 months and 9 Days. I retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant on 1 June 2005. It was a hell of a ride and i love every minute of it. I was then rehired by the Air Force this time as a civilian paralegal in New Jersey. Oh yeah by the way New Jersey was the worst assignment. Just thought i would throw that out. I worked at McGuire AFB from June 2005 until January 2007. I then accepted a position at Wright Patterson AFB here in Ohio. Life has provided me with many blessings. Life has been damn good. I have babbled long enough. If you have any question just ask.
Tom
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