How did you tell your family and friends that you were joining the military & are there any conversations that stand out from that time?

It wasn't a hard decision, my Dad was a WWII Navy Veteran and served during the Korean War also. I had also been a Cadet at a Military Academy as well as a civil Air Patrol Cadet. The draft was in full force and I thought I'd rather go into the Air Force than wait for that to happen. A that point in life I wasn't sure what I wanted to do and it seemed like a good option and I felt one I was prepared for and did quite well in all the Training from Basic right into all the training beyond that point. I'm glad I had the experience and what I learned served Me well in even later civilian careers. If I had to do it again I'd still go Air Force although My only regret is I didn't take the opportunity to enter a program to become a Commissioned Officer despite My Officer in Charge and Commander plus the Base Equal Opportunity Officer trying to get Me to do so and all telling Me I'm make a good officer. They all wanted to help Me do that. I still did fine but think I passed up an chance to do something that would actually have worked out pretty well.

Me: Dad I joined the Marine Corp, WWII Marine Dad: You made your bed son now you have to lie in it, Me: Uncle Al I joined the Marine Corp, WWII Pilot Uncle Al: didn't talk to me for 1o years because I didn't join the Air Force.