Command and Control |
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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
27650-Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Operator
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Current/Last AFSC Group
Command and Control
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Primary Unit
1973-1975, 27650, 84th Tactical Control Flight
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Service Years
1971 - 1975
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Official/Unofficial US Air Force Certificates
Cold War Certificate
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Voice Edition
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What are you doing now:
Early retirement.
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Other Comments:
My USAF service took up a very short period of my life. I earned a B.S. and Masters degrees, married and had a son, lost that son to cancer at age 15, held a career as a Juvenile Probation Officer, worked in retail logistics, acted in two independent films, sang baritone in choirs and performed many solo pieces as well, fished a lot, hunted some, and traveled some. Even those events are just highlights of my 60+ years of life. Retired early when physical limitations made it a necessity, and have built a small house in our piece of the northern Minnesota forest.
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1971-1972, 4628th Support Squadron (SAGE)
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1971-1972, 27650, Aerospace Defense Command
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1972-1973, 27650, United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)
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1972-1973, 27650, Detachment 5, 621st Tactical Control Squadron
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1973-1975, Tactical Air Command (TAC)
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1973-1975, 35th Combat Support Group
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1973-1975, 27650, 84th Tactical Control Flight
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Reflections on Sgt Bailey's
US Air Force Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
Well, while my answer may sound facetious, this was my thought process back then. We were at war in Vietnam and there was a draft lottery. My number was getting closer to being picked for service in Army infantry. I hated all that walking and carrying heavy things, and was never a good rifle shooter, so the Army would have had their hands full. I was just too puny and un-athletic for the Marines. The Navy would have had to issue me a life preserver from day one because I would have made a good sinker rather than a swimmer. What other choice but to follow Gen.Jimmy Stewart, and join the USAF?!
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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?
My AFSC was 27650-Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Operator. I served in units of Aerospace Defense Command, Pacific Air Forces, and Tactical Air Command. Primarily, I watched for friends and foe on various versions of radar. Truthfully, I decided to separate at the end of four years active duty, because I felt stagnant in my last assignment. There really wasn't much effort at retention at that time and in that duty station. Also, I was restless, married, and needing to move back home. Youth will do that to a person.
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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?
While assigned to 56th Combat Support Group under 7th Air Force, 621st Tactical Control Squadron's Detachment 5 "Invert" at Nakhon Phanom Thailand, I was a ground participant in Linebacker 1 and Linebacker 2. he latter operation was instrumental in forcing the Cease Fire in Vietnam, and subsequent successful peace negotiations.
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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?
I don't know as I would characterize any assignment with the term "fondness", though there were aspects of all that have more vivid memories that others. I enjoyed duty in the SAGE building at McChord AFB for the most part, though the split schedule of 3 days, 3 swings, 3 nights and 3 days off was very hard to get used to. The middle of the night 'missions' were made more palatable by our commander, Maj.Gen. Burke who told us in a briefing that as a boy on an Oklahoma farm, he vowed he's never get up 'early' ever again; lots of laughter. NKP was revealing on many levels, and in the 40 plus years since, I've learned about what was actually going on there that would have made me very nervous back then. The dead assignment was while at the 84th Tac. Control Flight at George AFB, CA. Though we had several deployments throughout the desert southwest, the unit really did nothing more than mark time. Separation from service seemed appropriate at the time, though had more emphasis been placed on mentoring, I might have sought retraining and reassignment. Ah well, we are all gifted with 20-20 hindsight.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
These were formative years for me. It is difficult to say that one memory over another had the "biggest" impact on me. However, my short association with Maj.Gen. A.M. Burke of the 25th NORAD Region, was noteworthy in that his personality was of a natural leader who always had something uplifting to say to everyone under his command. Always a pleasure to salute the gentleman.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
No, although the unit to which I was assigned at NKP was a continual recipient of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation with Combat "V" device. That was real nice to know I was part of something that special.
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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?
That would be the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with "60" bar. I was awarded to service personnel who participated in the Vietnam War, by a government that no longer exists. For me, that will always be a source of sadness and loss, yet pride in knowing I did my little part trying to save that government and its people.
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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?
Again, this would have been Gen.Burke of 25th NORAD for the reasons stated.
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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?
While on deployment in the "wilderness" of Nevada, we urged our borrowed cook, who had never roughed it in his life, to over-prime the immersion heater used for providing hot dish washing water. He was also instructed to cram a lot of wadded up newspaper into the exhaust stack before lighting. The resulting loud report and discharge of charred and burning newspaper, accompanied by peals of laughter and the cook's expressions of terror and anger, were the highlight of that deployment.
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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 earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration from San Jose State University in California, and spent nearly 20 years as a Juvenile Probation Officer for Maricopa County in Arizona.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I a member-at-large of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, having served in the Vietnam War. I am also a member-at-large of American Legion. Presently, I donate above my annual dues to support the work of these associations. Once settled in our new home, I may be able to take a more active role.
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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?
Again, these were formative years. Choices made, positive and negative, and how I handle each, formed the basis for later life. I have few regrets, though it might have been nice to serve a full 20 and retire. As is said, hindsight is often 20-20.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Take full advantage of opportunities and education. If the career field one is in is not satisfying, look into retraining opportunities. If a full career is not for you, think of how the job you're doing would translate in civilian life. If it doesn't translate, try something that would. And definitely utilize your veterans benefits upon retirement or separation. The 'bennies" are much better today than 40 years ago!
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
During my counseling practicum, I saw a gentleman who'd had some very traumatic events happen to him while serving in Vietnam. Strangely, I felt somewhat uncomfortable during those sessions, not because of hearing the details of the client's experiences, but because I felt like an outsider. I think that was | TWS and The USAF |
the beginning of my ownership of the right to be an insider. I had avoided talking seriously about Vietnam, or even about my nominal role during my time in service. In my mind, the Vietnam Vets were those guys that were actually in the fire fights, not me. What changed it for me was the terrorist attacks of September 11th and the ultimate involvement of our Armed Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. I began looking at who was serving and in what capacity. I began to sense that every single member of the Armed Forces is a participant, just as I was in my day. Since then, I've been trying to recall as much of those times as I can, and membership in Togetherweserved.com has been a part of it. Yeah, my DD214 says I am entitled to the Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign Medals. I am able to admit to being a Vietnam Vet after nearly 40 years! I never really had any close ties with anyone while in service. Interestingly though, I have made some contacts, with guys who were also stationed at Invert/NKP during or just prior to the time I was there. It is wonderful to view their Shadow Boxes, and see who remained in service through to retirement, and the lives they have led. Fine gentlemen all of them. Funny, but we all seem to be older now! Published in TWS "Voices" July 1, 2010
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