Communications Systems |
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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
Senior Master Sergeant
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Current/Last Primary AFSC/MOS
36194-Outside Wire Installation and Maintenance Superintendent
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Current/Last AFSC Group
Communications Systems
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Primary Unit
1973-1973, 36274, 2nd Mobile Communications Group
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Previously Held AFSC/MOS
99000-Basic Airman
36234-Apprentice Telephone Equipment Installer-Repairman
36254-Telephone Equipment Installer-Repairman
36274-Telephone Equipment Installation and Repair Technician
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Service Years
1956 - 1984
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1992, The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA)
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2000, Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
- Assoc. Page
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2001, Military Order of the Purple Heart
- Assoc. Page
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2002, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 10763, Roadrunner Post (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
- Chap. Page
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2005, American Legion
- Assoc. Page
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2005, American Military Society
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2009, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
- Assoc. Page
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What are you doing now:
After serving two years in the South Carolina National Guard , Twenty eight years active duty Air Force, seventeen years Civil Service and eighteen months as a Government Contractor, I can truly say that I have retired. Wish I had never hung it up but things in my life changed and not really for the better. However, I loved every minute of it.
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Other Comments:
Anyone who knows me and comes across my name at this site, Please feel free to call or email me. I look forward to hearing from you all. Gil
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1956-1956, 99000, 3710th Basic Military Training Squadron (Cadre)
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1956-1956, 3550th Student Squadron
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1956-1957, 36234, Department of the Air Force, Pentagon
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1957-1957, 36254, 10th Communications Squadron
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1957-1960, 36254, Heaquarters Inspector General (HQ USAFE IG)
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1960-1964, 36254, 1001st Air Base Wing
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1964-1964, 36254, 1964th Communications Group
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1965-1965, 36254, 1964th Communications Group
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1965-1966, 36254, 1999th Communications Squadron
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1966-1967, 36254, 1972nd Communications Squadron
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1967-1973, 2862nd Ground Electronics Engineering Installation Agency Squadron
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1973-1973, 36274, 2nd Mobile Communications Group
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1973-1977, 36274, 1st Combat Communications Squadron
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1977-1982, 36274, 1960th Information Systems Squadron
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1982-1984, 36194, 1925th Communications Squadron
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1992, The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA)
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2000, Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
- Assoc. Page
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2001, Military Order of the Purple Heart
- Assoc. Page
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2002, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 10763, Roadrunner Post (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
- Chap. Page
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2005, American Legion
- Assoc. Page
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2005, American Military Society
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2009, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
- Assoc. Page
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Reflections on SMSgt Gillespie's
US Air Force Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
There was only two things in life I really wanted when I was very young. First was a Guitar which I received when I was 15 years old and the second was a uniform with lots of medal, stripes and all the other things that get attached to a uniform. I did not get all the stripes I wanted nor did I receive all the medals and ribbons I wanted but after 2 years in the South Carolina National Guard and 28 years active duty in the Air Force, I am pretty happy with what I achieved.
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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?
I took the path that my career directed and loved every minute of it. If it had been left up to me, I would still be in today and I highly recommend the Air Force as a career for any one looking for an exciting way way of life and a chance for a good retirement when the time comes.
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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?
I served in Vietnam From September 1966 till September 1967. I can't say I served in any combat operations because I was assigned to Danang Air Base. I was also assigned to the Air Base in Saigon prior to being transferred to Ubon Air Base in Thailand in January, 1964. I was awarded a bronze campaign star for the Vietnam Advisory Campaign, One for the Air Offensive campaign phase one and one for phase two. I was not directly involved in combat but went through several rocket and mortar attacks that were directed at DaNang Air Base during the time I was there. I was awarded the Purple Heart Medal as a result of wounds received as a direct result of enemy activity at DaNang.
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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?
Of all my assignments while in the Air Force, It is hard to say which I have the fondest memories of because I loved them all. I can't say there was any of them that would qualify as my least favorite. As I stated before, There were two things in life that I really wanted and both came true for me. I loved the Air Force and I would be in uniform today if they had let it happen.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Having friends around today that I served with in all parts of this country and world.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I received the Air Force Commendation Medal and three Air Force Meritorious Service Medals for doing outstanding work in my assigned duties.
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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?
The Purple Heart. Because it shows that I have put my life in harms way for the defense of this great country of ours.
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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?
The individuals that I worked for and were appointed over me.
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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?
I have too many experiences in my service career that were funny and to try and remember one after all these years would be impossible.
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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?
I followed the same profession I had when I was on active duty as a Telephone Installer Repairman. After retirement from the Air Force, I moved back to Albuquerque, New Mexico and went back to work on Kirtland Air Force Base where I was assigned prior to being transferred to Edwards AFB, California where I retired in 1983. I worked at Kirtland for an additional 17 years in Civil Service and worked for the company that bought out the Squadron in year 2000 for another year and then I had to retire due to the health of my wife at the time.
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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 a member of the VFW, American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America and a couple more. I don't receive any benefits from any of them.
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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?
Serving in the military has had a big influence on the way I live my life. Had I not served in the military, I don't know where my life would have gone but now I am a member of one of the greatest families in this world and I can say I am very proud to be a member of the military family.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Listen to those who are appointed over you, pursue an education, and do the best you can with everything that is assigned to you. Do your best at everything that is passed on to you and excel when at all possible. You can make a wonderful life out of the things you learn in the military and those things will help you get through life .
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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 helped me stay in contact with some of the people I have served with and met other people that have served in the same areas. Once you have served your time in the military, and as a member, You are part of a family that you can never forget. No matter where you go, How long you live or what you do, You will still be a member of that family and you will be proud of that fact as long as you live. No matter where you go or what you do, You are going to run across brothers and sisters you have served with. Had it not been for my service life, I don't think I would want to be here today. DS 4/5/17
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