Vietti, Larry, MSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
After attending an air show at Edwards AFB, CA when I was 12, (1962) I knew that someday I would be in the Air Force. I remember thinking how lucky those guys were that flew those planes, and the guys that worked on them and I wanted to be a part of that. It wasn't until I reported for my draft physical in 1970, that the time had come to make that commitment.

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 started out as Minuteman Missile Maintenance Technician at Ellsworth AFB, SD for the first four years rising to SSgt and being a Maintenance Team Chief. I got out after the first four. About seven months later and missing that camaraderie and the knowing that I was doing something important for my country, I reenlisted. The only hitch was that I was now going to become a Security Policeman. I was able to retain my rank but lost all time in grade. The first assignment out of the Academy was Missile Security Team Member back at Ellsworth. It did not take long until I was reassigned to Aircraft Security. Humped a lot of B-52s and KC-135s until I was lucky enough to become a Comm-Plotter. Then I was assigned to Sembach AB, FRG. The first assignment was a team member of a training team that traveled all over Germany to train the mobile radar units in site and personal security. Reassigned as NCOIC of Pass and Registration, then Quality Control Evaluator and finally as Flight Chief. Next assignment was Cannon AFB, NM. Started as Quality Control Evaluator, then EST Field Commander and finished as Flight Chief. Next assignment was to the SP Academy as an ABGD Training Team Chief, then assigned as EST Course Instructor. Having made MSgt, my final assignment was retraining into Education and Training Superintendent for the 6510 Test Wing DCM, Edwards AFB, CA.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
On my last day as an active duty airman, I took a stroll down the Flightline and remembered how excited I felt as that 12-year-old boy being around all the "newest" jets that were there at the air show. All of the jets that I had seen in 1962 were now on display somewhere as what was then the hottest and greatest of the time. The only plane that was still on active duty was the NASA B-52 launch platform. I was leaving behind the F-15E, F-16, C-17, AC-130U Gunship, B-2 and something I had not seen yet, but heard a lot about...the F-22. I could not believe I had come full circle. What started at an air show in 1962 ended at that same Flightline in 1991.

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 Security Police Badge. Everyone who wears this badge or has ever worn the badge has a relationship that is not shared with any other career field. What other career field can go from standing security over a missile site in the middle of nowhere, to humping the Flightline or patrolling the fence line of a weapons storage area, to patrolling the base housing area, to working the base entry gate, to going into a hostile environment to perform patrols or sit in a bunker watching the perimeter fence, and many other duties that are unique to the career field.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
So many individuals influenced me during my career I don't know if I can choose just one. CMSgt Jacks would be the one that had the most positive impact on me. He was the Chief for the Security Police Squadron at Ellsworth AFB in the mid-1970's. When I re-enlisted and became a Security Policeman, he knew that I was a former Missile Maintenance Team Chief and that I had supervisory experience, yet he let me go through the same challenges that all the other security members had to endure. Humps during the freezing South Dakota winter nights, standing guard at the Flightline entry control points, patrolling the fence in the weapons storage area and all the other wonderful duties of a rookie SP. He later told me that he wanted to see what I was made of. If I could hump aircraft as an SSgt next to an A1C, or if I could deal with some of the more "salty" aircrew members that liked to harass the ECP guards whenever they could. I guess I proved him right as he selected me to become a Comm-Plotter. He would come into the control room on occasion to see how the Comm-Plotters were getting on. Did we need anything? Could he do anything for us? Fresh coffee would be great. How about getting us an electric typewriter! we would ask. One day he took me aside and said that he saw the potential that I had and that I could have the best career possible. All I need to do was to maintain my work ethic, continue to challenge myself with new endeavors, learn from those around me both up and down the chain, and never, ever stop believing in myself. To this day I remember that conversation as if it just happened and I've applied all those things every day in my life.

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?
When I was stationed at Sembach AB Germany, I was part of a crash recovery team. We would respond to downed aircraft anywhere in Germany. One day we got the call that two F-4's had crashed in Southern Bavaria and we were to respond. We grabbed our bags and jumped on the CH-53 and headed out to parts unknown. When we arrived at the village, the locals thought we were Canadian as the American Military did not operate in that area. After securing the site and setting up the perimeter, we were invited to the local gasthaus for a birthday celebration of one of the locals. The next morning while getting dressed, I could not find my beret. I looked everywhere but could not find it. I asked one of my buddies if he had seen it. He started laughing and asked me if I remembered last night. Not really I said. Still laughing he said that I had given my beret to the local whose birthday it was a present from the American Air Force. The rest of that deployment EVERYONE keeps asking me where my beret was. When I got back to base, I had to write a letter to the supply sergeant telling how I had lost my beret before he would issue me a new one. Seems like I had a really good time at the party!!

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?
After retiring, I took a little time off to do some work around the house. After a couple of weeks of honey do's I decided it was time to get back to work. I noticed a little ad in the local newspaper that was looking for someone with military or government police experience for a manager position at a distinguished and unique facility. It did not mention what or where the facility was just a phone number. I called the number and talked to a gentleman (I'll call him Al) that asked me about my police experience. Half-way through the phone call, he asked me if I wanted to interview for the position. I was really intrigued by the ad and said I would. The next day I went to the address he had given me and met "Al" and two other people. During the interview, they asked me how long I had been retired and did I have a security clearance when I retired. I answered affirmatively that I had a TSC.

At the end of the interview, they asked me to wait in the lobby. After ten or so minutes Al came out and asked me if I would like the job. I said that before I answered, I wanted to know where this distinguished and unique facility was. He said he could not tell me unless I said yes to the job. Now my curiosity was really over the top so I said yes. Great he said. Starting tomorrow you will be the first Post Commander for the soon to be open Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Ca, assuming I would pass all the background checks from Secret Service, FBI, and Federal Police. No problem. For the next year, I had to write procedures and policy within the guidelines of the Federal Police; select, hire and train a cadre of armed security guards in First Aid, CPR, Perimeter security, Close Quarters weapons training, and public relations. It was a great job and I met a lot of distinguished individuals.

After that, I worked in various positions with other private security companies that had government contracts for security at two USAF bases in the high desert of California. Then in 1997, I completely switched careers and started working for California State Parks in maintenance. I'm still with them today and have another seven years to retire.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of the Air Force Security Forces Association and the Association of Air Force Missileers. The main benefit is keeping in touch with what is happening in these two career fields, and meeting others that have the same experiences in their careers. I am also a member of a grassroots organization of prior Air Force Security Police/Security Forces Emergency Services Team members.

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 Air Force has given me the strength and courage to accept all things that come my way with professionalism and honor. No matter how good or bad events may appear, I stand tall, salute sharply and march forward. It has also helped me in becoming a better supervisor and manager. All the training we received through Leadership School, NCO Academy, and Senior NCO Academy and the experience of using these skills in the Air Force, have prepared me for my life outside the military. It is amazing in the civilian world how little we prepare future leaders for that role. We teach them a lot of stuff, except how to deal effectively with people. I use my training and knowledge from the service every day in my current position. My boss and others in the top echelon of my department are amazed sometimes at how I deal with conflict, the ability to get things done when others can't, and my loyalty to my subordinates and their loyalty to me. I give acknowledgment continually to my life in the military and how it shaped and influenced me.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Make a career of your service. Figure out ways to do the jobs that you want. Learn and practice all you can about dealing with people and situations. When times seem tough and overwhelming, always remember that many, many men and women came before you and they made it through. We are here for you. Seek out veteran organizations and talk to the members. Many of us have had similar joys and doubts and would be glad to share them with you and how we overcame them. Together We Served is a great place to meet and communicate with others that share your unique lifestyle. But stick it out if you can for the long haul. You will come out a more anchored person full of courage and strength that you thought you didn't have. I've met so many people who only stayed in the military for the first hitch and now regret not making it a career. Don't be one of them. Join us as a retired veteran, proud to have served and would serve again if we could.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US Air Force

Like my advice to those still serving, it is a great place to meet new friends and re-connect with old friends. I don't always add my two cents worth, but I enjoy reading all the different forums and the chatter that goes back and forth. I have a nephew that is retiring soon from the US Navy, and I have suggested he contact our sister site for a membership.

DS 4/19/17