Barker, Donald, Sgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I grew up in a patriotic family and with a sense of service. In my senior year at high school, I realized there were big changes to come. One was the draft, which was unpredictable. The other was the fact that there was no money for college. I decided that, since I have always loved airplanes, the Air Force was the place for me.

By the way, I beat my draft notice! I was in boot camp when my number came up.

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?
On the entry exam, I scored very high in electronics and mechanical skills. I wanted to learn the new field of computers. During boot camp, the powers that be selected me for the Avionics Tech School at Keesler AFB in Biloxi AFSC 328X4. That was 9 months of school from basic electricity to binary language, Boolean algebra and finally sets, where we learned at least one of the systems we would be working on in the field. I passed and was assigned to my first duty station.

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?
I was only indirectly engaged in combat ops, being a maintenance troop. I was assigned to U Tapao RTNAB in Thailand in 1973, just months before the end of the bombing campaign. Our wing flew the last B-52 sorties of the war.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I remember the pride I felt when I graduated Basic.

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?
The most meaningful medal I received is the National Defense Service Medal.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
The person who had the biggest impact on me was Tsgt. William Payne. His influence was not very positive either. From the day I arrived in his shop until he left, he never gave me an even break. That is not an opinion I held alone either and was proven by a fellow NCO and the QC inspector. He ultimately made me so unhappy that I decided not to reenlist after my second enlistment.

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?
There was an NCO in our shop who stuttered. We used to get him worked up so he would stutter more. Unknown to us, a new NCO started working in one of the FMS shops as a line supervisor. He ALSO stuttered. There came a day when both of these NCOs were trying to communicate over the radio, stuttering away at each other, each thinking the other guy was making fun of him!

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?
When I left the USAF, I went to work as a test technician on magnetron at Varian Associates in Beverly, MA. That eventually led to the drafting department and ultimately into CAD drafting and design of printed circuits. Until 2 1/2 years ago I was still drawing, but jobs have become extremely hard to get, so I am unemployed.

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?
My military experience strengthened my sense of duty and discipline. The military years have made me more determined and methodical.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Take pride in what you do and put all of your energy into being the best at what you do. Also, enjoy the camaraderie of your brothers and sisters in arms.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I have been able to stay connected with a few of the people who also served in Thailand.

DB 11/20/2016