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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Air Force Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
MSgt Cary L. Martin U.S. Air Force (Ret) (1964-1988)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE?
 There is a long history of military service in my family confirmed all the way back to my 5th Great-Grandfather, William Smoot, who fought in the Revolutionary War; my Great-Great grandfather, Daniel J. Smoot who fought in the Civil War; my Grandfather C.D. Shanklin, who fought in France in WW I; and my uncle, J.W. Shanklin who was in the Army in Korea during the war.
In the 9th grade, I made up my mind to join the USMC like my father, Robert P. Martin who served in the Pacific during WW II. Near the end of my senior year, Dad wanted to know if I was still planning to join the Marines. This was in 1964 when Vietnam was building up. When I answered yes, he said "Cary, join the Navy or the Air Force to learn a trade. When you leave the Marines, there's not a lot demand for machine gunners in civilian life."
So, since I was always interested in aircraft, I decided to join the Air Force.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK.
I was assigned to the supply career field where I spent my first four years until I was discharged in 1968 as an E-4. After a couple of years I missed the Air Force and decided to enlist again. It took a year and a half to get back in  because from 70 to 72 they weren't accepting prior-service applicants. Finally, in July 1972, I got a slot, went back into supply as an E-3 and was stationed at the Air Reserve Personnel Center in downtown Denver.
In 1973, I got a reply from the AF Board for the Correction of Military Records, retroactively restoring my grade of E-4. That made me eligible to test out of cycle for Staff Sergeant, got a line number and was promoted. Went from E-3 to E-5 in about 8 months and everyone wondered what was going on.
In 1975, an opportunity to retrain into Aircraft Loadmaster or Boom Operator opened up so I jumped at the chance and selected Loadmaster. For Loadmaster Specialist Training I went to Sheppard AFB TX (Honor Graduate), after which I went to Altus AFB OK for C-141 Transitional Training, to Fairchild AFB WA for Survival School and on to the 18th Military Airlift Squadron on the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter (AKA Starlizard).
So I ended up spending about eight years in supply and about seven and a half years as a C-141 Loadmaster. That included four years as an Instructor Loadmaster back at Altus AFB in the 443rd Technical Training Squadron, attached to the 57th Military Airlift Training Squadron for flying duties.
I finished my twenty years working in Command Post. I was privileged to have served at Squadron, Wing, Group, Numbered Air Force and Separate Operating Agency levels. I also served for a while as Acting First Sergeant for the 60th Military Airlift Wing at Travis AFB CA. Over the years I had an opportunity to serve in three elite fields; Air Commandos, Air Crew and Command and Control. Overall, it was a varied, exciting and fulfilling career.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT, PEACEKEEPING OR HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
 I did not serve in any direct combat operations but I was in Udorn Thailand in 1966 and 1967 in direct support of combat air operations in Vietnam. The 432nd TRW compiled quite an impressive record and made a major contribution to the prosecution of the Air War in Southeast Asia. In 1967 and 1968, I was Supply Sergeant for the 317th Air Commando Squadron subject to worldwide deployment.
I am very proud of this service but sometimes wish my volunteer request for Vietnam in 1966 had been approved.
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
 I am proud to have served in the 317th Air Commando Squadron but my favorite assignment would have to be flying in the 18th Military Airlift Squadron at McGuire AFB. Those were some amazing days and some amazingly long days and I will always remember the people I flew with. One could hardly find a greater group of American men and women in any one place. Heroes one and all.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
My favorite memory is when the 18th loadmaster scheduler called me one day shortly after arriving at McGuire AFB, prior to even finishing in processing and said "If you want to get your flight pay started this month, we have a local going out. Showtime is 30 minutes." So  I showed up in fatigues, not even an overnight bag, and off we went. After shooting some touch and goes, we were diverted to Andrews AFB. Some General, on his way to Europe, left his flight jacket in the O Club. On arrival at Andrews, the ramp tramp drove out to us on the taxiway, passed the jacket to the flight engineer and away we go. Made it back to McGuire before the general's departure and we had two happy campers. I completed my first flight and the general got his jacket.
It also pleases me to remember that I made every stripe except Tech the first cycle of eligibility. Tech took 3 times testing, but even with a 4 year break in service, I made Master in 15. I missed promotion to E-8 by only 3 points meeting my first selection board. My time in the Air Force was a blessing and I am very grateful for the opportunities that were available.
IF YOU RECEIVED ANY MEDALS FOR VALOR OR AWARDS FOR SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT, PLEASE DESCRIBE HOW THESE WERE EARNED.
 Even though they had no points toward promotion, I think the award of the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal meant more to me than any other.
Sometimes I feel guilty about not serving in-country but we worked 12 hours a day (minimum), 7 days a week to support the Air War with missions from Udorn and they inflicted a lot of damage on North Vietnam. Sadly, quite a few of those aircrews never made it back.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICE YOU RECEIVED, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE ONE(S) MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
There aren't many flying jobs available to enlisted men and women so my Aircrew Wings had to mean the most because of all the people  who went before and all that they accomplished. Exceeding 2000 hours flight time and receiving the pin was also important. It is the highlight of my working life to be associated with such an elite force and flying in the C-141 Starlifter is the thing of which I am most proud.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
 Master Sergeant Benjamin Gannon, the Supply Sergeant for the Air Reserve Personnel Center in Denver Co. I was assigned there in July 1972 as his assistant.
He was an amazing man in all that he did. He taught me that military bearing and work standards were just as important in our civilian setting as they were on base and anything worth doing was worth doing well, whether anyone was looking or not. A trait that once developed, stood one in good stead in life as well as on the job. Flying was a job that required one to perform well as a team member and as an individual. He remains an inspiration to me long after his passing.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
 After retiring in September 1988, I worked for Ace Hardware in California as a warehouse department manager. In September 1989, I moved back to West Virginia and went to work for the US Postal Service as a letter carrier. After about 10 years, my wife and I moved to Florida's beautiful west coast and went to work for HCA, the Hospital Corporation of America. We both worked there for a few years and finally retired for good.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of the Air Commando Association and I love reading the history of the units and individuals who have accomplished so much in the defense of our great nation. I also enjoy staying current on some of the recent activities of the USAF Special Operations Command.
I  am a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (since 1969) and am pleased that membership helps support in many ways the vets that have served in all branches.
I am a member of United Services Automobile Association. This association requires Military Service for membership and provides many benefits to it's members.
I am also a member of Sons of the American Revolution. This is a fraternal organization and it maintains records of the men who served the cause of American Independence. Membership is restricted to people who can establish a direct ancestor who served the American cause in the Revolutionary War. This is an honorable endeavor that provides a continous lineage from the beginings of our nation through today.
I am a Life Member of Air Foce Together We Served. The information available is a great resource and the ability to communicate with people with common experiences is a welcome activity. I've not located any old friends yet but I have made several new ones.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
The most important way is how good people and job requirements have instilled a sense of self discipline that still serves me today. I feel fortunate that I've had the opportunity to meet so many people and to experience so many places and things.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
 I would say that any job requires individual performance to progress, but that having worked in both military and civilian settings, nowhere else does one find the pride and feeling of belonging that is a part of serving.
Young airmen are following a proud tradition and should always do their best because it is a privilege to be a part of that.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
These reflections have brought a happy feeling and a somewhat bittersweet feeling because of the friends who have died along the way. In addition to all the other men and women who gave their all for this great country, a lot of my high school classmates didn't make it  back from Vietnam and some of the guys in the 18th MAS were lost.
I have also included a friend and classmate, Thomas William Bennett as a Fallen Wingman. He was only the second Conscientious Objector ever to be awarded the Medal of Honor. He arrived in Vietnam on Jan 10, 1969 and served as an Army medic in the 14th Infantry in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
The unit began a series of strenuous patrols in the dense, mountainous terrain. On February 9, 1969, the unit came under intense fire, and he risked gunfire to pull at least five wounded men to safety. That evening, his platoon sergeant recommended him for the Silver Star. Over the coming days, he repeatedly put himself in harm's way to tend to the wounded. On February 11, while attempting to reach a soldier wounded by sniper fire, he was gunned down. Think of that, one month in-country and he was awarded the Medal of Honor. We have to keep their memories alive and live our lives to include them.
We should also strive to stay in touch with as many of our fellow Airmen as possible for as long as possible.
Fellowship is important and keeping memories alive gives those who have passed a well-deserved memorial.
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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For current and former serving Members of the United States Air Force, Army Air Corps, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard TogetherWeServed is a unique, feature-rich resource helping Airmen reconnect with lost Wingmen, share memories and tell their Air Force story.
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