Human Resources |
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TWS Ribbon Bar |
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Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USAF Retired
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Current/Last Rank
Master Sergeant
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Current/Last Primary AFSC/MOS
73290-Personnel Superintendent
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Current/Last AFSC Group
Human Resources
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Primary Unit
1967-1970, 73290, 72nd Combat Support Group
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Previously Held AFSC/MOS
AAF MOS 405-Clerk-Typist
AAF MOS 401-High Voltage Cable Splicer
70250-Administrative Specialist
73270-Personnel Supervisor
70270-Administrative Supervisor
73270A-Personnel Technician
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Service Years
1947 - 1970
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Other Languages
Spanish
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2003, Air & Space Forces Association (AFA)
- Assoc. Page
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2004, American Legion, Post 278 (Brandon, Florida)
- Chap. Page
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2008, The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA), Chapter 58 (MacDill AFB, Florida)
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2009, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 83 (Brandon, Florida)
- Chap. Page
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2009, Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA)
- Assoc. Page
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2009, Catholic War Veterans of the USA
- Assoc. Page
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What are you doing now:
After retiring from the� Air Force in June 1970 I was employed by Inter American University of Puerto Rico as Business Manager fro Academic� Programs at Military Base (Ramey, Foosevelt Roads, Fot Buchanan, Sabana Seca and Fort Allen all in Puerto Rico) I was able to complete my Masters Degree in School Administration (MAe).� in July 1974 I was name Director of Continuing Educaation (San Juan Branch) of New Hampshire College followed to a transfer to Salem, New Hampshires as Director fo a Program there of the same college.� Because it was an evening program I r esigned in 1977 and was hired by the Lawrence Mass School Boarad as Manager for Bilingual Education where Istayed until 1985 when my wife (also a teacher in Mass) retired in 1985.
We moved to Florida� in AAugust of 1985.
I play� golf occassionaly and participatae in other organizational activities in Veterans organizations
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Other Comments:
I also belong the the Ramey Air Force Base Historical Association and participate on its annual reunions.� The last one, Aprol 2009, we�
returned to Ramey to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of that facilit.� Next year we will meet in Macon, GA.
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1947-1950, AAF MOS 405, 509th Air Base Group
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1950-1950, AAF MOS 401, 5900th Composite Wing
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1950-1951, AAF MOS 401, 8th Air Force
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1951-1953, AAF MOS 405, 8th Air Force
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1953-1954, 70250, Headquarters, 806th Air Division
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1954-1958, Caribbean Air Command
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1958-1962, 73270, 806th Air Division
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1962-1965, 70270, Military Advisory Assistance Group Spain (MAAG)
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1965-1967, 73270A, Ninth Air Force
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1967-1970, 73290, 72nd Combat Support Group
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2003, Air & Space Forces Association (AFA)
- Assoc. Page
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2004, American Legion, Post 278 (Brandon, Florida)
- Chap. Page
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2008, The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA), Chapter 58 (MacDill AFB, Florida)
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2009, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 83 (Brandon, Florida)
- Chap. Page
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2009, Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA)
- Assoc. Page
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2009, Catholic War Veterans of the USA
- Assoc. Page
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Reflections on MSgt Barradas's
US Air Force Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
My father was a member of the Puerto Rico National Guard for 17 years prior to WWII. All my uncles and most of my cousins during that time were members of the US Army. While in high school I joined the Puerto Rico State Guard until I graduated from high school in Puerto Rico in 1946. Shortly after graduation I move to New York City in an effort to improve my economic situation and to perhaps enroll in an education program, College or Vocational Training. Educational opportunities then were hard to come by and I worked in several jobs doing menial tasks. Since I had some military experience I decided to join the Army Air Corps in February 1947, I was 18 years of age at the time. After taking all the qualification tests I enlisted on February 5, 1947 at 59 Whitehall St, New York City.
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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 completing basic training in San Antonio, TX I was assigned to the Army Administrative School in Lowey Field, CO where I learned the fundamentals of military administration and typing. I was awarded an MOS (AFSC) as Clerk Typist and shipped to Roswell Army Air Field (Later Walker AFB) in New Mexico where I was assigned duties as a clerk at Base Operations. While at Walker the Army Air Corps became the US Air Force. I advance in specialty and grade. I remained at Roswell during the remaining term of my enlistment and obtained the grade of Sergeant (E-4). The famous Roswell incident was the talk of the town while I was there, I was also a member of a support group placed on TDY at Wendover, Utah in support of the nuclear experiments being conducted in Nevada. I was separated from the service and travelled to Puerto Rico, After a brief period of time I reenlisted at Borinquen Field (Later Ramey AFB) with the same grade and AFSC. At that time Ramey was part of the Caribbean Air Command several months later SAC took over the base and I was assigned as Chief clerk with the 72d AE Squadron and on December 1950 I was promoted to the grade of Staff Sergeant (E-5). I remained at Ramey until 1953 and was transferred to Chennault AFB in Lake Charles, LA where I was assigned to Wing Operations. My tour at Chennault was short as in July 1954 I was reassigned to Albrook AFB , Canal Zone as a member of the USAF School for Latin America. The school specialized in providing training to military personnel from the various Latin American countries in Air Force Specialties. My Spanish language skills allowed me to obtain this special assignment where I was in charge of the Student Section exercising supervision and administrative functions for all the students assigned, my AFSC at the time was 70270 Administrative Supervisor and awarded an additional AFSC of 73250 Personnel Specialist. While in Panama I was promoted to the grade of Technical Sergeant (E-6). This assignment offered me the opportunity to work with diversified personnel and exposed me to work in conjunction with the various Latin American Embassies in Panama in dealing with the needs of the students and organizing activities in which they were to participate. Upon completion of my tour of duty in Panama in 1958 I was again assigned to Chennault AFAB this time as a personnel specialist. At Chennault I had various duties including Personal Affairs and Casualty NCO. Again my assignment there was short as I was selected by the USAF Personnel Center for another special assignment were my language skills were usefull, I was assigned to Madrid, Spain to the Military Assistance and Advisory Group (MAAG-Spain) as NCOIC Air Force Section and personnel advisor to the Spanish Air Force. Upon completion of this assignment I was transferred to MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL were I continued my duties in various position within the CBPO. In March of 1967 I returned to Ramey AFB, PR 72d Combat Support Group and continued my progression in the personnel career field advancing in grade to Master Sergeant (E-7) and AFSC 73290. While at Ramey I started to attend on base college program were I obtained a Masters Degree in School Administration (MAEd). I retired from the Air Force At Ramey on 30 June 1970.
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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?
Even though I was on active duty during the Korean and Vietnam wars by either fortune or misfortune I did not serve in combat operations. Evidently the Air Force had other needs for me. I regret that I lost many friends and relatives during these two important periods in our nation's history.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Needless to say that my tours of duty in Panama and Spain were the most rewarding as these gave me a different perspective of my duties in the Air Force. These two tours of duty allowed me to use, for benefit of the Air Force and my country, not only my military skills by also my ability to communicate in Spanish as a native speaker and advanced my knowledge of "diplomatic" skills. Being able to deal with different countries military and diplomatic personnel.
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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?
During my tour of duty in Spain with MAAG a join joint operation , Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines . For meritorious service during the period July 1962 to June l965 as Non Commissioned office in charge of the Personnel and Advisory Unit, Air Force Section, Joint United States Military Group - Military Assistance And Advisory Group Spin. United State European Command.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
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There are many military professional that influenced my military career both officers and non-commissioned officers, too many for me to count. Among these my first "boss" Major Claude N. Burkey at Walker AFB who guided me through my first duties in the Air force for his advice and guidance. Instrumental in military discipline was my Company commandeer, Capt S. Recio, of the Puerto Rico State Guard who instilled in me the necessity for discipline and military courtesy. But there is one person who accompanied me for 58 years of my life, whom I met in high school, my wife Pilar who followed me throughout my military career without hesitation and was there for me all the time without question ,who gave me comfort and semblance of family life and to my four children for understanding the moves that they had to make and attending different schools in different places. A foot note, my beloved wife passed away two years ago shortly after celebrating our 58th wedding anniversary.
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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?
Following military service I pursue a second career in education. Using the opportunities offered by the Air Force I was able to obtain a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree in Education. I worked as a college administrator and high school teacher in bilingual education. Currently I am retired and participate in various veterans organizations and provide guidance to fellow veterans when applying for VA benefits.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am currently an active member of the American Legion, Catholic War Veterans, The Air force Association, The Air Force Sgt. Association and The Disabled American Veterans.
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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?
Having had the opportunity to travel throughout the United States and foreign countries, I am appreciative and do not take for granted our liberties and freedoms and the many opportunities that the Air force offered me to improve my skills and for providing the educational opportunities that I could use after retiring from the Air force. I cherish the many true friends that I made in the service, understand their and comprehend their problems and honor their comradeship. It was an honor to serve my country.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
The advice I can give is Keep doing a good job, Keep the doors open for the future and leave a good heritage.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I have had the opportunity to contact several friends and people that served with me in the Air Force. I enjoy going to the website and read about other members. *
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