Supply Management |
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TWS Ribbon Bar |
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Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USAF Veteran
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Current/Last Rank
Sergeant
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Current/Last Primary AFSC/MOS
64550-Inventory Management Specialist
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Current/Last AFSC Group
Supply Management
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Primary Unit
1969-1972, 64550, 322nd Combat Support Group
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Previously Held AFSC/MOS
64530-Apprentice Inventory Management Specialist
64530-Inventory Management Specialist
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Service Years
1968 - 1974
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Official/Unofficial US Air Force Certificates
Cold War Certificate
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What are you doing now:
Retired from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office in Rusk, Texas 07-31-18. A new adventure in my life now starts. Have not been without a job since I was 14yoa. Glad I made a full 35 years as an LEO.
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1968-1969, 64530, Air Education and Training Command
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1969-1970, 64530, 7310th Air Base Group
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1969-1970, 64530, 7310th Tactical Airlift Wing
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1969-1972, United States Air Forces in Europe (COMUSAFE/USAFE)
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1969-1972, 64550, 322nd Combat Support Group
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1970-1972, 64530, 322rd Tactical Airlift Wing
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1973-1973, 64550, Laredo Air Force Base
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1973-1974, 64550, Webb Air Force Base
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Reflections on Sgt Baxter's
US Air Force Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
| Dad fresh out of Army basic 1941 |
My father, Ray Baxter, was in the 8th Army Air Corps during WWII and was a B-17 Engineer and front Turret Gunner. He was very proud of his service during the European theater, and he was the reason I wanted to continue the Air Force tradition. I also wanted the experience overseas. Dad was with the 571st Squadron stationed in England.
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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?
| German Beer Stein |
Honestly, most of my service time was spent in Germany, where I did more drinking than anything else. I was pretty wild in those days, regret not having made the Air Force my career & stayed in until retirement. However, the military gave me a discipline I would not have gained anywhere else. I worked not only as a Supply Sgt but also as a Security Police Augmentee for Rhein-Main AFB while there. I cross-trained as a Heavy Equipment Operator just before getting discharged the 1st time before leaving Germany. I used my supply training working in jobs for Caterpillar & for John Deere dealers. I eventually went into law enforcement and currently work for a Sheriff's Dept in Texas. I hope to retire in 2018.
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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?
| Old Sailor Bar in Amsterdam, Holland |
No combat unless you call barroom brawls in Frankfurt, Germany & Amsterdam, Holland. I give all the honor to the vets who did see combat. They are real heroes in my book.
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DID YOU ENCOUNTER A SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
| Too many times here |
Only the times I was so drunk I was hugging the porcelain altar. No, I never thought I might not survive; it was just a matter of how well.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
| Webb AFB, Big Springs, Texas |
Rhein-Main AFB was my favorite as it was my longest duty station. I made many friends there & had the opportunity to see Europe & learn that it's a long way back to Texas from there. My least favorite was Webb AFB in Big Spring, TX. I was scheduled for closing after I got there & was there for only a short time before I got out. I had already been a part of the base closing team at Laredo AFB & did not much care for stateside duty. Too many regulations & too much spit & polish for me.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
| Rhine River Cruise boat |
A Rhine river cruise with several of my buddies! Great food, beer & scenery.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
| Outstanding Unit ribbon |
None received other than the usual ones for just being in the Air Force. Distinguished Unit award, but everyone in my Supply Squadron received one for passing all of our IG inspections for a year. Medals & awards should be given only to our heroes who have earned them.
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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?
| Small arms marksman ribbon |
Marksman ribbon. Growing up & winning ribbons at scout camp contests & Order of the Arrow Conclaves for marksmanship, just getting the ribbon while in the Air Force stuck with me.
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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?
MSgt. Ray Cook, who worked in the Equipment Management office in the Allowance & Authorization section at Rhein-Main from 1969 to 1971, was the most professional & inspiring person I knew. He was always willing to help me learn as a new Airman & schooled me in the ways of Germany.
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LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
Russell Moore (Rhein-Main) Eric Heinrich (Rhein-Main) Jimmy Ferguson (Rhein-Main) Steven Schubbe (Rhein-Main) TWS Wingman Russell could not take a picture without shooting the bird. Eric wore round wire-rim glasses & was an excellent cribbage player Jimmy was a Viet Nam vet & was hilarious Steven was a really tall, lean drink of water who I enjoyed traveling with, even though it was only for a short time as he left before I did.
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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?
| Keg party poster |
Several of us were having a keg party at an on-base picnic area at Rhein-Main. Someone yelled, "Last one back to the barracks buys beer!" so I and another buddy jumped in an old VW station wagon that belonged to another Airman & took off like a bolt of lightning, not knowing he had a transmission in the back. It went through the back window & fell onto the roadway & afraid the Security Police were going to catch us, we hurried to the supply barracks & left his car in the parking lot. We laughed about it for days.
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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?
| As Civil Sgt. For CCSO |
I worked at several different things over the years. I worked bail bonds, drove a bread truck, worked private security & investigations, went to Odessa Jr. College, worked parts dept for a couple of companies, worked as Class A Machinist in a machine shop, Class A Mechanic in a foundry, City Police Officer in Lufkin, Texas, City police officer in Ingleside, Texas & as a Federal Police Officer for the Dept of Defense at Ingleside Naval Station, cross country truck driver for J.B. Hunt & currently a little over 30 years in Law Enforcement with a County Sheriff's Office here In Texas. Retired in 2018 to take care of my wife as she became disabled.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
| American Legion |
The American Legion/no particular benefits
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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?
| Pride in Country |
It gave me a sense of discipline & pride in the job's that I have had. I have also been ingrained with a strong sense of patriotism & love for this country & other vets.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
| Go to school |
Gain all the experience you can as it will prepare you for many opportunities after you get out. Get an education while in there.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
| TWS and The USAF |
It has brought back old memories I had not thought about in years. Some good memories and a few bad ones but overall good. It has connected me to a vet approximately 10 years my senior who also served at Rhein-Main, Germany. He was approximately 5 years ahead of my time there but he was in aircraft maintenance which was on the opposite end of the supply barracks where I lived. He has so many great stories about Germany & other interesting things. I really am glad I joined TWS! KC 9.20.23
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