Allen, Woodie W., III, SSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I was 18, a High School Dropout, working, but the Draft was Breathing Down my Neck and I knew it. I tried to join the Marine Corps but...uh...I guess I didn't impress the Recruiter. He put his arm around me and escorted me down to the Air Force Recruiter's Office.

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?
When I met MSgt. Paul D. Decker, I thought he was a swell guy. Forty-Five (45) years later I still feel this way. Decker was dealing with an impressionable young man. You think you know so much @ that age but your really still a Teenager.

Decker was Security Police. He was like a Dad to me. I volunteered and helped in his Office many times. So naturally I choose Security Police 811X0 Career Field. Actually I would have been better suited in the Medical Field...but remember I dropped-out of H.S....

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?
After Basic I chose "AREA 5" hoping for the Coast of California as I was [sic] "DEEP" into Scuba. Well...I got Cannon AFB and it's in Area 5. After I attained my 5 Level I had the chance to Volunteer for K-9 School @ Lackland and I took it during September through November 8th., 1968. One of the MOST REWARDING Courses I ever took. I had Orders for Phu Cat Air Base, Vietnam even before I got back to Cannon AFB.

You know you have to go by the Numbers doing these things. I had to go and "NIGHT FIRE" at the Base Range. I was already Expert Qualified and had the Ribbon. Well! I didn't Qualify! Holy Shit Batman! So they scheduled me again. I FAILED! ODD!

So the Squadron had me checked-out at the Eye Clinic. This Captain examined me and told me that I did NOT have binocular vision and that one eye was interfering with the "GOOD" Eye and I had no business going to Vietnam as a K-9 Sentry Dog Handler. He had three days left in-service and gave me till Monday to decide what I wanted to do. So the wife and I discussed the situation. We decided to cancel that Assignment. I'm sorry to this day that I cancelled. I could have at least went over as some kind of support.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Keesler AFB had to be my Best. I got out at Cannon AFB on 5 Nov. 71 and just "Lost It". I had a GED, Honorable Discharge and two AFSC's. WHAT WAS i QUALIFIED FOR? I got a job as a Armed Security Guard in Biloxi, Ms. where we had relocated. It paid $77.00 after Taxes a week.

My First born son was sick and I had no Health Insurance and barely making things happen. I was still with-in my 90 days Re-up Window. What would you do?

I Reenlisted at Keesler AFB, Ms. on 30 Jan. 1972, got my Re-up Bonas that paid for all the bills for the Move...and was back in.

After the Eye situation went "South" on me and the prognosis being unpredictable, I couldn't drive on Base, Carry a Weapon and was assigned to "Details". That got old. So I asked to Cross Train and the only thing I could get was 741X0, Special Services, Physical Conditioning Specialist. Now MWR.

So...I was back in the Gym.

Keesler was beautiful compared to Treeless New Mexico. Oh, I had fun in Clovis rabbit hunting on the Base Perimeter and Doves elsewhere. But we had family in Ocean Springs, Ms. and that was a plus. I learned how to Deer Hunt there and got my first Buck 22-23? Dec. 1972. Still have the Antlers... I fished & Crabbed often. I loved Seafood and still do. The Islands were wonderful and still are as I retired here from the 403rd. Medical Evacuation Squadron.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I don't have anything to really say here. My Active Duty Career was always filled by my desire to achieve. It always seemed like there BLOCKED DOORS every turn I made. It was nothing for me to work my "40" and 20 + more if that's what the job called for. Pricks were abundant.

A bad marriage didn't improve anything either.

I suppose the period prior to Active Duty Separation was the best @ Chanute AFB. I was Military Supervisor of the Auto Hobby Shop. Self-supervised and "DID" my own thing. Both MWR Chiefs (One Maj. and one Lt.Col. liked me and I got what I wanted and I MADE $$ for the CBF (Central Base Fund). Only had on major Safety Write-up and that was an employee's fault. But you know who had to Stand Before The Music.....

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
No...I was mostly Support during Active Duty.

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?
Keep in mind that I only did Seven (7) Years, Eleven (11) Months and Twenty-eight (28) days Active Duty. I GOT STUPID and got out. Long Story. It was either the Air Force or my Marriage. I TRIED to stay in. Refused. So I choose my Marriage.

While in an Army National Guard unit, 890th. Engr. Bn., FS as a 91B20 Combat Medical Specialist, I was awarded the Army Achievement Metal for Services performed during an Annual Training Deployment. Actually my "WINGMAN, ARMY TYPE" should have received the same award. I've tried to Find Timothy Rathman from the Mississippi Gulf Coast without results.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I have to say that MSgt. Robert E. Ashcraft was the best friend and talked to me as an equal. He was a trusted soul and Supervisor. I still keep in contact.

Actually, I had potential. I knew I did. One other "SAW" this and he's deceased now much to my disappointment. MSgt. Sandy Sandridge I suppose noticed this and "GROOMED" me for the MWR Supervisory Slot I would eventually fill.

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?
IT Was All Work. Oh...as a Sky Cop...we did things and got away with it. I probably have more fun things happen while assigned to National Guard Units.

I remember as assigned to another Security Police Guard Unit, we used to order 16mm Films from Air Force. Once, we ordered a Training Film on Terrorist Activity, and the types of things that could be made from products under your Kitchen Sink.

BIG MISTAKE~! OMG! Yeah...I forgot about this one. I still keep in contact with the Airman that was my cohort.

We reloaded anything you wanted. Ammo in .38, 9mm, Shotgun Shells...whatever. If you had the Dies, we had the Press.

Well...this Film was like CANNON FODDER for us. OMG! We frequented the "Range" every week. We experimented with some "Pipe" Devices. Not going too far into this. One didn't go off and I built it. I had to INSURE that it went off or disarm. I blew it off Okay. But it took a twelve-pak of PBR Beer to stop MY KNEES from shaking....still funny from 34 years ago.

AND there hasn't been another episode of that activity SINCE!

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?
Remember I said I got "STUPID" and got OUT from Active Duty? That's saying it mildly. It a MEAT MARKET outside on the street. Even after eight (8) years of Active Duty, all the Schools and Courses...I still only had a GED and two AFSC's. Not enough to buy crap with.

I was a Mechanic for a Ford Dealership, I went to work for Kraft Foods in a Cheese & Oil and Paste Plant in Champaign, Illinois. I sold Kirby Vacuum Cleaners (Successful) with LONG hours on the road. I finally got my rating from the Civil Service Commission as a GS-188, Recreation Specialist and was employed by the Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons. That lasted for 6 years. I got a Belly full of that. Walked in one day...and QUIT.

Being Service Connected Hearing Impaired, I was a "Grounds" Mechanic @ Keesler in a Temporary Position. I petitioned the Veterans Administration for Voc Rehab, Chapter 31 retraining and successfully attained my A.S. Degree in Electronics Technology.

We now operate our Computer Repair Facility. But we do anything in the Maintenance area. Electrical, Electronic, Property Management & Estate Sales, Pools and more.

My Advise to young Airmen. STAY IN! ACHIEVE! Educate yourself. Attitude can be your WORST ENEMY!

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
NRA Member. That's it.

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 Military has certainly influenced my life as it couldn't do anything but that. Unless you were a COMPLETE FOOL...how could it not be a good thing?

I was Law Enforcement, Security plus K-9...I did all three.
I am a Recreation Specialist.
I am a Mechanic
I am a Cook
I Retired as a Medical Specialist (The Best) Army Trained

In a way, the U.S. Government stole my Youth...because of Vietnam. I have mixed emotions here. But the good of the Military outweighs the bad. My Life Experience is beyond most others because of my current capabilities, NOT that there aren't others out there that equal and EXCEED me. They are there... But I Carry my own weight. My Brother was a Marine D.I. and can hardly turn a Screw Driver.

I(we) rebuilt this house with the help of several Church Groups after Hurricane Katrina...as we existed in the Attic during this storm with one Toddler and one infant.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
I say this OUT-LOUD!

Help your FELLOW AIRMAN...he or she. Help GUIDE those that are receptive. Those of you in Management/Supervisory Capacity are the FORMING CATALYST of young Airmen. If you got to the Rank...you must have something going for you. OBSERVE. Listen. Cull inappropriate verbiage, GUIDE, INSTRUCT, HELP. BE a Friend and a Counselor. That's what your job is. But be a SUPERVISOR.

My Daughter-in Law separated after her first enlistment. She hated the bickering. Many of her Supervisors were not doing their jobs. Are you there to criticize or offer constructive ideas? Do you isolate your personnel feelings and keep your Military Bearing?

Personal Problems? You can help there also.

I had an E-8 try to help me once during my First marriage. If ONLY he had counseled a bit more, I may not have committed myself to twelve (12) years of bad marriage, ruin of my Active Duty Career and more. But...I can't blame him. He tried.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Not really anything. I haven't been able to contact anyone that I knew unless I did the digging myself.

This is NOT a TURN DOWN. This is a nice site and I do enjoy coming here. That's why I've spent the last hour or so typing this junk.....

SALUTE TO YOU!