Strukelj, Paul, SSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I was influenced to join the USAF by a friend Tom Strover (Deceased). In 1982 I was laid off and at 21 yrs old all seemed hopeless and finding a job was going nowhere, so I enlisted. Smartest move I ever made in my life!!!!! Photo of me in 1983.

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 originally intended just to do 4 yrs and out. But I wound up staying another tour and did 8 yrs total active duty. The Rivet Workforce program implemented by the Graham/Ruddman bill in 1987 left a bad taste in my life in the USAF as an aircraft mechanic and eventually caused me to want my civilian life back. Too many hours and no light at the end of the tunnel with a Code 51 on my career field made up my mind to separate. I loved the USAF and still miss it to this day. AIM HIGH.

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 during the Grenada Invasion, Operation (URGENT FURY) I was a young A1C stationed at POPE AFB, NC and traveled on a mission to the (FOB) Barbados International Airport in support the operation.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
My most favorable memory of my USAF career was traveling to Greece during Rotation TDY to Mildenhall AB England. I spent 33 days in Athens Greece stationed at Hellenicon AB. in billeting at a very POSH hotel called the Apollon Palace. What a great TDY.

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?
My most precious metal was the AF Commendation Medal I received for the work I did at Pope AFB, NC. This medal was submitted by TSgt Ken Colier.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
TSgt Ken Collier had the most influence on my career. This was due to his never ending nagging and pressure on me to succeed in what I was doing to make me a better person. This was truly helpful. Thanks Ken.

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?
Too many to remember. But all were good ones. Hardly remember any bad ones. Work hard and play hard was the driving force to success that made the time go bye. Picture is of some of the good ole days.

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 USAF career of Aircraft Pneudraulics took me to the Post AF career of Aircraft hydraulic test equipment design and manufacturing of which I am currently employed as a Systems Project and Design Engineer at Avtron Aerospace Inc.

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 USAF service has helped me approach life with a CAN DO attitude. Nothing is impossible. It has made me challenge myself in all that I do.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
The USAF is a great way of life. It is all in how you make it work for you. Do your best and the best will come out of you. Push yourself and never let anything kick your ass. Take this attitude back into your life post AF and live life to the fullest. AIM HIGH into THE BLUE!

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Since joining TWS, I have made contact with others and still look for more I miss from those glory days of mine. Picture of me and best buddy MSgt (retired) Greg Milne 1999.

DB 8/30/2016