Lamirand, Gerald, MSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
Although my grandfather served stateside at the very end of WWI and had a few stories to tell, my dad was the largest influence on my decision. He served for 26 months in US Army in the South Pacific during WWII. Among other places, he was in the invasion of

Boot Camp Photo

Leyte in the Philippines and at the end of the war served in the occupation forces in Japan. My dad seldom spoke of his time in the military, but when he did, he spoke vividly of the experiences and it made a huge impression on me. Also, one of my uncles had served in Teletype maintenance in the Air Force just a few years before and he spoke highly of that branch of service.

In addition, the world situation at the time dictated my decision. When I was still in school, the Cuban missile crisis occurred, Vietnam began for the United States, and a massive build-up of nuclear weapons was occurring in both the United States and the old Soviet Union.

When I graduated from high school in 1967, all able-bodied young men had three options: (1) Obtain a deferment for college or marital status; (2) Enlist in the military; (3) Wait to be drafted. When I was nearing graduation, my dad came to me and told me that since I had an older brother already attending college, that he could not afford to send me to college at that time. So, after a few months working, I drove the 24 miles from Perry to Stillwater, Oklahoma and enlisted in the Air Force.

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 My Way

When we enlisted, we were given a battery of tests. I am not mechanically inclined but scored highest on Electronics and Administration. There were no openings in electronics, so I went into the Administration career field. After graduating as an Honor Graduate from Basic Training, I attended 702 Technical School at Amarillo AFB, Texas. Although I learned and did my job well, to this day, I feel that I would have been happier and would have been able to contribute more if I had been in an aircraft related field.

I left the Air Force after 21+ years because I felt it was time to pursue other interests before getting any older.

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?

Living in the P.I.

Yes, when I was assigned to the 463rd TAW in the Philippines (Mactan and Clark), most of our aircraft were flying missions in Vietnam. Most of our personnel spent some time on temporary duty in Vietnam. I visited Cam Rahn Bay and other places and actually served in a mail room at the 834th Air Division at Ton San Nhut. During that time, we were under rocket attacks every night. One deadly attack occurred during one afternoon when I was on duty. All of this made quite an impression on a teenage young man who had very limited experience in the world. My time in country was limited and we were pretty well protected on Ton San Nhut, but I can still vividly hear the rockets being launched and exploding close to where I was.

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.
Although I actually felt that way during the first mortar attacks in Vietnam, I really do not think we were in grave danger. I was at Ton Son Nhut and we were pretty well protected. I will say that to a young green teenager, that time in country made a lasting impression on me and I felt in danger to an extent to entire time I was there.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?

Studying hard

In some ways, I enjoyed them all. My favorite was Kirtland AFB, NM. I enjoyed the climate, the fishing (especially trout fishing), the local church where I attended, and a couple of friends, who bring fond memories to this day. I enjoyed most of the positions to which I was assigned, especially that of being Base Postal Officer. There were three men who preceded me in that assignment. No one seemed to like that job. One had a nervous breakdown of sorts and was moved, another had some contacts and had himself reassigned, and another retired to get out of that position.

For me, it became one of the most enjoyable and rewarding positions I had. All-in-all, I enjoyed Kirtland the most. My least favorite assignment was The Pentagon, in Washington, D.C. For me, it was like being sent to a foreign country. When I served in the Philippines and Vietnam, we were warned of "culture shock". None of that occurred for me in those assignments, but it sure did in Washington, D.C.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.

Moving on Up

One vivid memory is a missile attack that took place while I was in Vietnam. A missile actually hit a maintenance building just a short distance from where I was serving and killed one Airman. I did not have time to make it to the bomb shelter behind my area, so I donned my flak vest and helmet and hunkered down behind some sandbags around the entrance to my building. The missiles emit a peculiar sound that is indescribable and the explosions were extremely loud. All of it made quite a lasting impression on a young, green teenager who had never been exposed to that type of danger before.

As I stated in the previous question, my time in country was limited and we were somewhat protected on the bases. The guys who had it the worst were those serving in the remote areas. Also, some of the rescue folks had a very difficult time in that undeclared war. However, as in all wars, I have memories that will follow me to my grave.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?

Meritorious Service Medal-MSM

My first actual medal was a Meritorious Service Medal, which was awarded after my time in the Pentagon. I was shocked to receive it since I had no prior medals and, in those days, most first-time medals were downgraded to the next lower one. Actually, I received 2 MSMs before receiving my first Commendation or Achievement medal.

However, the first MSM was especially meaningful because of the difficult assignment I had completed in Washington, D. C. For me, the Pentagon assignment was the most challenging of my career.

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 very first earned medal was the most meaningful to me simply because it was a long time in coming. Due to the problems, I had in adjusting to the military, and a couple of poor supervisors, I did not receive any earned medals until I left the Pentagon with 11 years of service. I was nominated for the Meritorious Service Medal. A common practice of that day was to downgrade one's first medal to the next lower one. When I arrived at the Air Force Weather Observatory in Puerto Rico, to my surprise, I found out that the medal had not been downgraded and I received the Meritorious Service Medal as my first earned medal.

The second MSM was very meaningful as well. At the Air Force Solar Observatory in Puerto Rico, I was a one-man support unit. I handled the administrative, supply, pay, personnel, and mail support, serving as a liaison between our Stateside support base (Charleston AFB) and the unit. I put my heart into my duties because the assigned 8 men and their families depended on the support. In addition, I wrote and left a continuity book which detailed most of the support necessary to support the unit to assist those who followed me. While there, I received an excellent rating from the IG as well as the MSM when I left. I received a total of four MSMs in the course of my career, which was every time I changed stations after being assigned to the Pentagon.

One final note: Although I appreciated the awards and feel that I worked hard in every billet to which assigned, I am most proud of the fact that I supported the people wherever I was assigned. A lot of the support was unknown and unappreciated, but I did my best wherever assigned.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?

C-130 aircraft which I flew into Vietnam

I cannot limit this portion of my reflections to just one person. While in the Philippines and Vietnam, Lt. Col. Everett True who retired as a BG, was in my chain of command. He was also the aircraft commander who piloted the C-130 aircraft on which I flew into Vietnam. He was a true professional who took care of his people.

Others who I recall are SMSgt Ciro J. Garofano, 442nd TFTS and 49th OMS First Sergeant; and Major Rex L. Davis, 442nd TFTS Executive Officer. Each one of these professionals had a great impact on me and treated me much better than I ever deserved. I am still humbled by the level of professionalism of those with whom I served. Men like these are why the United States still has the greatest military in the world.

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.
I want to mention two folks.

As I stated in the previous text, Major (Retired Lt Col) Rex L. Davis comes to mind. He was the Executive Officer of the 442 TFTS at Nellis AFB. He was the most people-oriented professional I have ever met. I have been able to contact him at home and we are friends on Facebook.

While at Kirtland AFB, I made good friends with SSgt Roger Hendrick. We kept in touch over the years until he passed away at a relatively young age a few years ago. He was my best friend and I still miss him to this day.

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?

Life as the USAF 1st Sgt.

While in the 442nd TFTS at Nellis AFB, I was occasionally on-call as acting First Sergeant. I remember an amusing incident that occurred when I was temporarily filling that duty. One young airman in our unit was dating two sisters at the same time. Females were not allowed in the dormitories. One night I was called out by the Security Police who needed to get into this young man's room. It seems that he had one of the sisters in his room and the other sister found out and came to the main gate angry and complaining about it.

Although the young man received an Article 15 for the incident, the incident struck all of us as funny at the time. In fact, I heard after I left Nellis that both of these young ladies were pregnant by this same Airman. I often wondered how they resolved that one.

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?

True calling was the Ministry.

Actually, I feel that one of the reasons I had so much difficulty adapting to the Air Force was because I was ignoring my true calling, which was the Ministry. Even though I served as a Youth Director, Deacon and other roles while in the military, I still felt a full-time call on my life. After retiring from the Air Force, I served as a Youth and Associate Pastor for a time, after which I was called to pastor my first church. I was ordained in 1991 and pastored churches in Oklahoma and Louisiana. I have now retired from pastoring after serving full-time from 1990-2011.

Looking back, It was challenging and difficult at times, but was rewarding and fulfilling.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?

AFA, AFSA, NCOA, American Legion, VFW and NAUS

At one time or another, I have been a member of the AFA, AFSA, NCOA, American Legion, VFW, and NAUS. Although there is some redundancy in what these organizations accomplish, each one contributes to protecting the benefits and memories of active duty and retired personnel and their dependents.

Recently, I have been involved with one of the local posts of the American Legion and have enjoyed interacting with the 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 USAF, a good way to live.

When I entered the Air Force, I was a young teenager who had never been away from home. I was overprotected and had a lot of maturing to do and a lot to learn. However, in time, I learned to work as part of a team and to be responsible for my actions. The Air Force taught me a number of values (responsibility, honesty, integrity, loyalty, dedication) that have stayed with me all of these years. Perhaps the most important thing I learned was to give of myself rather than take for myself. When any human learns to give of themselves, it leads to a much better life than any other. Although it took me some time to adjust, the Air Force was a good way of life with a number of benefits.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?

Work hard, then sit back and enjoy Retirement

Always remember you are part of a team with a common goal. Find the way to fit into the team. Be responsible, loyal, honest, and dedicated. Above all, learn and do your job well. Someone depends on you and if you learn and do your job well, recognition and all the rest will take care of itself. P. S. Education is one major part of the Air Force way of life and has a major bearing on one's career. Take advantage of every educational opportunity offered.

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

TWS and The USAF

I cannot overstate what this site has meant to me. I have found old friends and made several new ones. The fine folks on here have befriended me, prayed for me and my family and helped me get back in touch with my Air Force roots. If not for this site, the Air Force would undoubtedly have remained no more than a distant memory. To the administrators and members alike, my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you!

kc 12/6/17