Workman, Allen, SSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.

This photo is of my father during the Korean War.

As a child I remember my father and uncles talking about their service in the Korean War and WWII. The stories of where they had been and friends they had made were both funny and exciting for this young boy that had never traveled far from our home in the southern Indiana/western Kentucky area. I enlisted right out of high school. The Air Force offered me the most career choices and after speaking to my father, who was an Army Vet, I decided to go Air Force. I wanted to be a Police Officer when I got out so the recruiter suggested the Security Police. They gave me Security instead of Law Enforcement.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
After basic training at Lackland I stayed there for SP Tech School. My first base was at the 48th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, a small ADC detachment at Wilmington, NC. It was a weapons storage site on the opposite side of the civilian New Hanover County Airport. I spent my first year guarding large bunkers that contained Nukes. Good duty, but very boring. We were close to Mertle Beach, SC and most of the locals didn't seem to know the Air Force had a detachment just outside of town.

I asked for a transfer to Southeast Asia and got orders to Nakhon Phanom RTAFB. After completing the Advanced Combat Preparedness Course (AZR) back at Lackland and Camp Bullis, I spent a year at NKP. Assigned to the 56th Security Police Squadron I worked on "Tiger Flight" pulling perimeter security in the towers and machine gun bunkers and later served on the Panther Teams as an M-60 gunner. After making Sgt I was a sector supervisor, mostly in Bravo and Charlie sectors of the perimeter and on the flight line.

On my return to CONUS I was stationed with the 449th Security Police Squadron at Kincheloe AFB in SAC, where I was promoted to SSgt, until my discharge in 1975.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
The year I spent at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB was probably the most meaningful year of my life. I made close friends and the experiences I had stand out in my mind like it was yesterday, instead of almost 40 years ago. The 56th SPS was part of the 56th Special Operations Wing. The 56th SOW was actively involved in several combat operations from 1966 through 1975.

Along with working airbase defense in Southeast Asia I also volunteered and trained for Operation Eagle Pull. This operation was not activated during my tour. On May 1975 eighteen members of the 56th SPS along with five crew members died in the Mayaques Rescue Mission. Several of the SPs were friends that I had trained with on Operation Eagle Pull.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My time at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB was my favorite assignment. You knew the the job was important here. (Not the usual spit and polish, dog and pony show that takes place at most bases where the threat was much less).

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.

Photo of downtown Nakhon Phanom, Thailand 1973.

I always remember the day I arrived at NKP. Getting off the aircraft we were surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of Southeast Asia. Kind of like getting a wet, warm, smelly blanket thrown over you.

Another thing I will always remember is that in my four years of service I can't recall having any holidays off. December of 1973, I was pulling duty at a guard tower on the NKP perimeter and listening to carols on a small transistor radio over a single earpiece (that we weren't supposed to have on post). It really brings home the importance of family when you are about 13,000 miles away.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?

Photo is of me working as an M-60 gunner on a Panther Team. 1973

The 56th Security Police Squadron received the Air Force Outstanding Unit award with the "V" device while I was there for direct combat support for missions over Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Personally, I didn't do anything special. Just went where I was told and did what I was told, and came home. Eighteen fellow Security Police from the 56th SPS didn't make it back and their names are on the Wall in DC.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?

Vietnam Service Medal

Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medals are important to me.

I am also very proud of the U.S.A.F. Security Police badge because that training and experience prepared me for my future civilian careers in Law Enforcement and Criminal and Corporate Investigations.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I can't think of any "one" person from my service that had the most influence on me. I had several people that were very good at their jobs and showed an interest in me and taught me how to be professional at what I was doing.

The person that had the most influence on me, at any time, was my father, James R. Workman. He stressed doing the best at whatever we tried, didn't matter if it was school, job or military service. He always said "be on time or be early and always be prepared" in anything we did. He also told us that if we "did the best we could then everything would be alright". He lived it and I respected him for those insights.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
While working the flight line one night as an entry point guard I noticed several GIs jumping around and swinging their arms under the bright lights in the parking area. During my break I went over to see what they were doing. They explained that they were catching "mang da" (rice bugs) to take to their "telocs" (girlfriends) or to take downtown and "trade for favors". Next thing I know I am also jumping around trying to catch as many of these bugs as I can.

Looking back at it now, I'm sure it was an interesting sight to see. We all left with several plastic bags of bugs.

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?

This photo is of me in my office at the Kentucky Dept of Veterans Affairs.

I became a Police Officer when I got out of the service. Spent seven years in uniform and then transferred to the County Prosecutors Office as a Criminal Investigator. Later worked as a Corporate Investigator for DHL Worldwide Express.

I now work for the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs as an Internal Policy Analyst doing Budgets and Grants for the three Veterans Nursing Centers in Kentucky.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?

VSPA and the Vietnam Service Medal

I belong to four military organizations. The VFW, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, the Vietnam Security Police Association and the Thailand, Laos, Cambodia (TLC) Brotherhood. Each provides me with lasting friendships, networking opportunities and being able to help other veterans. CVMA - "Vets Helping Vets"; VSPA - "We Take Care of Our Own".

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?

Photo of me and my son, Major Ryan Workman, U. S. Army 2010

It taught me the importance of professionalism, and "caring" about whatever I do. We can be proud of our efforts if we do our best. I hope I have passed these ideals along to my son and daughter.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Enjoy your service and take every opportunity to make new friends, travel and experience all you can, because you may not be able to do so in the future. Keep copies of all your records from your service in case you need to file any claims with the VA.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

Former Security Police that served at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB

TWS allows me to remain in touch with fellow Air Force veterans and active duty members and remember many of the best and worst times in my life with people that have "Been There and Done That". That contact is one of the best ways to keep events in perspective and to help others do the same.

This photo is of me and several other former Security Police that served at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB at the 2010 Vietnam Security Police Association annual meeting held in San Antonio, TX and Lackland AFB.

DS 2/6/17