Best Friends
Robert Banks, Stephen Bennett, Jim Bickford, Michael J. Suppa
Best Moment
A friend of mine who got orders to Germany left. A few years later, he appeared in my classroom door out of nowhere. It was a great day to be in the Air Force. Germany was across the pond, but it wasn't that far in a flight suit.
Worst Moment
Lost 12 Outstanding Airmen of the U. S. to a male sergeant with an associate's degree when I was working on my master's degree.
Chain of Command
Field Training Detachment 219, 3785 Field Training Group, 3785 Field Training Wing
Other Memories
SMSgt Bill Cummings was the superintendent of FTD 219. Major Arnold Flores was the Commander. Both were great men, but liked to play tricks. I asked Bill if I could paint the ceiling tiles in my classroom. They were dingy with cigarette smoke and age (back then we could smoke in the classroom on breaks). He said "Yes, but fire regulations say you have to put back all the little holes in the tile pattern." So I painted them and took a safety pin and started poking the holes back. He laughed really hard. Then Captain Flores let me paint aircraft on my classroom walls. I accidently somehow created an optical illusion in a C-9 I painted. It flew toward you no matter where you were in the room. Captain ordered me to paint optical illusions of aircraft on all walls of the classroom. It was an accident and I didn't know how, but didn't want to disobey a direct order. He laughed really hard too.
Criteria The Air Force Commendation Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States below the grade of Brigadier General who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distingu... The Air Force Commendation Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States below the grade of Brigadier General who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not of a sufficient nature to justify a higher award. MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Criteria It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Long... It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the uniform. MoreHide
Criteria The Outstanding Unit Award may be awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units such as Air Forces, Air Divisions, Wings, Groups, and Squadrons and to Medical Facilities such as hospital... The Outstanding Unit Award may be awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units such as Air Forces, Air Divisions, Wings, Groups, and Squadrons and to Medical Facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and medical centers (whether or not they are numbered) for exceptionally meritorious service or exceptionally outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. Heroism may be involved, but is not essential. MoreHide
Criteria The Air Force Commendation Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States below the grade of Brigadier General who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distingu... The Air Force Commendation Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States below the grade of Brigadier General who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not of a sufficient nature to justify a higher award. MoreHide
Criteria It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Long... It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the uniform. MoreHide
Criteria
The NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon is awarded for successful completion of all levels of resident professional military education.
Criteria The Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon was established in April 1976 by order of the Air Force Chief of Staff, General David Charles Jones. The ribbon is awarded to graduates of A... The Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon was established in April 1976 by order of the Air Force Chief of Staff, General David Charles Jones. The ribbon is awarded to graduates of Air Force basic training who have obtained an honor graduate designation and demonstrate excellence in all areas of academic and military training. MoreHide
Criteria The Air Force Training Ribbon is awarded to Air Force members on completing an Air Force accession training program (i.e., Basic Military Training; Officer Training School; ROTC; Air Force Academy; or... The Air Force Training Ribbon is awarded to Air Force members on completing an Air Force accession training program (i.e., Basic Military Training; Officer Training School; ROTC; Air Force Academy; or Medical Services, Judge Advocate, or Chaplain orientation courses). MoreHide
Robert Banks, Stephen Bennett, Jim Bickford, Michael J. Suppa
A friend of mine who got orders to Germany left. A few years later, he appeared in my classroom door out of nowhere. It was a great day to be in the Air Force. Germany was across the pond, but it wasn't that far in a flight suit.
Lost 12 Outstanding Airmen of the U. S. to a male sergeant with an associate's degree when I was working on my master's degree.
Field Training Detachment 219, 3785 Field Training Group, 3785 Field Training Wing
SMSgt Bill Cummings was the superintendent of FTD 219. Major Arnold Flores was the Commander. Both were great men, but liked to play tricks. I asked Bill if I could paint the ceiling tiles in my classroom. They were dingy with cigarette smoke and age (back then we could smoke in the classroom on breaks). He said "Yes, but fire regulations say you have to put back all the little holes in the tile pattern." So I painted them and took a safety pin and started poking the holes back. He laughed really hard. Then Captain Flores let me paint aircraft on my classroom walls. I accidently somehow created an optical illusion in a C-9 I painted. It flew toward you no matter where you were in the room. Captain ordered me to paint optical illusions of aircraft on all walls of the classroom. It was an accident and I didn't know how, but didn't want to disobey a direct order. He laughed really hard too.