Gaarenstroom, Richard, TSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
My father was in the U.S. Army at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He was attached to the Finance Corps at the Battalion level during WWII. Like many young men during that period in our nation's history, he wanted to go overseas and help in the war effort where ever possible. After basic training and infantry training, my father was called into the Commander's office, where he was told that due to his poor eyesight and his need to rely on eyeglasses, he would never have the opportunity to serve overseas. The Commander looked at my father's service record and noticed that he had significant accounting training in college. The commander offered my father a job with the Finance Corps as a payroll officer, during which time, my father could appeal to the chain of command and possibly land an overseas job in an administrative capacity. After working for over a year with the Finance Corps, my father exhausted all avenues to advance with the Army in an overseas role. The commander called my father into the office and gave my father the option of staying in the finance corps. at Ft. Harrison for the duration of the war or he could provide my father an Honorable Discharge under Medical Conditions, and leave military service.

My father grieved over leaving the service, but he felt certain he had a higher calling than a payroll officer. My father requested the discharge. A year and a half later my father found himself in Portland Oregon, where he was appointed by the Governor of Oregon to Head the newly organized State Department of Veterans Affairs, which would become essential to serving the needs of returning servicemen and women and their families after the war. My Uncle Perry enlisted in 1940 into the Army Air Corps in Salem, Oregon and ended up retiring 20+ years as a Master Sergeant. My Brother William joined the U.S. Air Force in 1963 and was assigned to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and was on alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1967, during the increasing volatility of the Vietnam war and its build-up, it was time for me to step us to the plate. My generation was blessed with plenty of role models from those before us who sacrificed and put their lives on hold to answer the call of duty. I believe that our generations have provided a legacy and heritage for others to follow.

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?
I was not fortunate enough to know what path I wanted to follow or what career I desired to pursue after high school. After trying a year in college it became self-evident it was not providing the guidance I needed. In reviewing my options, I noticed that since 1965, the Vietnam war had become more prevalent in our national consciousness.

In 1966 the four main military recruiters came to our high school and gave presentations to mostly boys in my soon to be graduating class. The context of their presentations touched on our heritage for service, our desire see the world, our need for job training, and the future subsidy to a College education. In 1967 while home from College for the holidays, I came home one day and in my room on my bed was a book, "The Green Beret". I found out later that day it was my mom who purchased the book for my benefit. In family speak, I think she was trying to tell me something, HELLO, TAKE CHARGE AND DO SOMETHING. The emphasis is mine alone. Actually, my mother never said a word. Now that I think about it, she never ever purchased another book for me during her lifetime. But it was reading that book that prompted a lot of internal searching. My conclusion, the recruiters presented to me a path that met many of my desired needs immediately and into the future.

From that beginning, my military career spanned 23 years of service. I was able to obtain four college degrees subsidized by the GI Bill. Graduated from Military NCO and leadership training schools, and traveled throughout the world.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Without question, my combat service in Vietnam was the most provocative, challenging and rewarding assignment of my military career. I do not have a least favorite station/assignment. Each assignment presented new experiences, the opportunity to develop lasting memories and acquaintances. I must say, without experiencing certain military bases, there are some I would not want to be assigned to. I will not name them here because I don't wish to make a negative statement about a location/community without the benefit of experiencing it for myself.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
My flight to the Republic of Vietnam. My return flight home from the Republic of Vietnam.

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?
Of all my awards, the ones that stand out the most are National Defense Medal: This medal symbolizes what its really all about. To honorably serve our country was a motivating factor in my enlistment. Vietnam Service Medal: We are a product of our era. My father served in the time frame defined by his generation. I had the honor to also answer the call during the time of my generation. This medal recognizes this time of need. Vietnam Campaign Medal: This medal summarizes the work done during that service.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Every Commander I have ever served under. The Career Officer Corps is alive and well in the Military. Every NCO who bore the responsibility for their troops.

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?
My civilian career as an FAA licensed Airframe and Power Plant Technician.

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?
The military has opened doors, doors that never would have been opened without the experience learned.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
I would advise the new recruits to know without a doubt, that for the overwhelming majority of Veterans, their Military Service is the most significant period of growth in their lives. Pursue your military service with that in mind. Learn your job well, and know your buddies are counting on that fact. Lead. Throughout your life, you will be called upon to lead. The military will help you develop your leadership skills. Develop the mindset of Excellence. In everything you attempt, in everything you pursue, in everything you dream, do it with everything that is you, embodied excellence.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
TogetherWeServed.com has provided me a platform to organize my service history. I am still developing my page, and will probably be adding and amending as time goes on. Once I have my page completed, I would like to think about upgrading my account and work more on searching out people from my past and formulating new friends from the present.

DS 12/6/17