 |
 |
|
|
|
An up close and personal interview with U.S. Air Force Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
TSgt Norman Stutts U.S. Air Force (1966-1979)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE?
 In 1966, there was the draft. I received the infamous letter on April 1, 1966. It was no April fool and I wasn't laughing. I had long before decided to join the Air Force when it was my time. The draft just accelerated my time frame somewhat. All in all it was a good move. Wouldn't mind doing it again. But, I was, and still am, a movie buff. I'll pass up the Super Bowl to watch a good war flick. I remember a movie back in the fifties, a rather forgettable one as I recall, called "Jet Pilot". It featured John Wayne and Janet Leigh. Great cast- lousy movie. But, the flying was great. Made up my mind right then that I would join the Air Force. An airshow here in Charlotte in 1958 clinched the deal. The Thunderbirds were here in their F-100s along with some of the latest Air Force flying inventory. Fate was knocking and it doesn't get much more obvious than that.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
After basic and tech school I went to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota. Someone got confused - I requested North Carolina. Anyhow, I spent my enlistment in the frozen North. But, they did have interceptors there and a jet was a jet. Seems I was destined to be a crew
chief and that was a good place to start. After I finally pulled my head out and decided this was to be my plight I settled down to be the best I could be. Stayed there until discharge in '70. Getting out was a bad decision but it wasn't wholly mine - the spouse, you know.
But I missed it. Joined the reserves in '72 but a C-141 wasn't for me - besides the war ended and they closed squadrons wholesale, It was either cross train to be a forklift operator or transfer to the ANG or get out. I chose to get out, again. But, we were visited by recruiters from the SCANG. They convinced me to give it another shot.
Joined the SCANG in 1972. Drove on the base in Eastover, SC to have a look-see and was greeted with F-102s. I had found a home, again. After a couple of years in ADC with the guard the defense department decided to close the SCANG. This was starting to become a pattern.
Then Senator Strom Thurmond prevailed upon the Air Force to re-evaluate their decision and suddenly we were TAC and had A-7Ds. Now, we were talking!
Did several good TDY's with the SCANG and really felt useful. It was good duty and highly fulfilling. But, one day my oldest son turned ten and I realized that I hadn't been there for much of it. It was time to go. Damn hard decision but it was right.
I was discharged for the final time in August, 1979. Have two discharges hanging on my wall. Two discharges make good conversation pieces and wall decoration but I'm proud of them.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
Orders came down in 1968 for me to cross train on RF-4s at Mountain Home AFB and then report to Than Son Nhut, but the day I went to pick them up at the orderly room they looked at me, smiled, and drew a bold red line through my name. Seems the base hospital had just called the Squadron and the wife was six months pregnant. That ended my short date with destiny. I was relieved and disappointed at the same time.
Persons in my career field could expect some over-seas time in the sixties. The prospect excited most of us. This was why we were called to service. Regrettably, my opportunity passed before my eyes but I never slowed down or missed a beat.
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My entire enlistment (regulars) was spent in the frigid north at Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota. Other than the cold, duty up there was fulfilling and rewarding. It was an important job, at the time, as we were still involved in the "cold war" and chances of an outbreak
were always present. Fortunately, this never came to pass. I got married while there and my older son was born on that facility. The experiences I gained and the lessons I learned will always be among my favorites.
Tyndall AFB was my favorite TDY destination. The work was hot and tiring but the flying schedules kept me busy and, after all, flying was what we were about. The location, right on the Gulf of Mexico, made for plenty of social fun and great eating.
While in the ANG I had pleasant TDYs during summer encampments at Savannah, Georgia, Barbers Point NAS in Hawaii, and RAF Wittering in England. Adding some "off-shore" time to my resume was a pleasant diversion. It was fun, too.
That son mentioned before now has a daughter, my granddaughter, who is now in her second year of college and the AF ROTC. One day soon I shall stand to render her a salute. She continues a family legacy of service to country. You think I am proud? Bet on it.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
When I was in school, there was definitely the presence of peer groups. They weren't exclusive but there was feeling of exclusivity. Don't get me wrong, I could have been more than I was but I was a loner, much of the time, and I didn't mind. But, in the Air Force there was no distinction. The green suit was the same regardless. I found the Air Force to be a great equalizer. One still pulled KP even if his dad was on the city council. And, even if he had been the star quarterback on the football team he was a crew chief now and he pumped JP-4 just like me.
Then, one day, I was blessed with that third stripe: I was now an NCO - a Sergeant. Things were looking up.
The mistakes I had made earlier in my short career were behind me. After all one is only a kid once. Now, I focused on getting my act together and being a professional Crew Chief. And, suddenly I was having fun.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR ANY OTHER MEMORABILIA, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH ARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
Awards during the period I served were few, especially for those of us who remained stateside. Most of mine were either longevity or meritorious service. The one which is most meaningful to me is the National Defense Service Medal. Everyone, at the time, got one regardless of service, One got it simply for joining. But there were many, too many by far, who received the award and didn't live long enough to wear it. I wear mine out of respect for the fallen Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines who never again got to hold their children or their spouses - and those families who never again had Sunday dinner with their sons, or husbands, or fathers.
To all of them - HAND SALUTE.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I suppose the individual who had more influence on me was my commander in 1968-69, Col. David Ballou. When I joined I had an attitude. I didn't want to be there, I was doing pretty well as a civilian, I was a student - had a job - and was
engaged to a beauty. All that went away shortly after April 1st, 1966. I got in trouble. Then, one day, I realized that I was there at least for the duration of my enlistment and I may as well make the best of it. With the change of attitude came a change of fortune and my world started getting better. Even promotions started coming. When news of my promotion to Sergeant came down the first to see it, of course, was the "boss". He had a morning flight scheduled and, as it was in a T-33, asked me if I wanted to join him as he had an open back seat. Of course I would. He took me to operations for a chute and some quick lessons how to use it, and soon we were off. After about an hour we landed and my Flight Chief told me I was on the promotion list. Of course, the Colonel already knew, but he congratulated ME. Right there on the frozen flight line he shook my hand. He didn't need to do that, but he did. And, though he is now deceased, he is still the "boss" to me.
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?
In my latter years at Grand Forks I was a T-33 crew chief. Our flight-line, which was un-secure, was adjacent to the transient aircraft parking areas. We were often visited by MAC transports making a fuel stop. The Loadmasters frequently opened the rear of the aircraft for ease of exit and entry and, I presume, to ventilate the aircraft. Servicing our T-33s we could look directly into their holds. Occasionally, we could see the aluminum boxes bringing home deceased. I guess the anecdotes don't really mean much after seeing that. A lot of sons or brothers, fathers or husbands, were coming home in an aluminum box.
Not much humor in that.
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?
After leaving the Air Force, I did an additional stint in the Reserves and, later, in the Air National Guard. I honestly didn't feel I had done enough. The wife wouldn't consider a reenlistment so this was the next best thing.
I am presently retired. My greatest joy these days is my Granddaughters - one of whom is in the AFROTC. She plans to be a nurse - a nurse in the Air Force.
After returning from my sojourn to North Dakota, I resumed employment with my former employer. They now had a forklift franchise and that became my occupation of choice for 39 years. Had the economy not gone sour in 2009 it would still be.
I still enjoy air shows. I love to watch old military aircraft perform and my eyes get really misty when jets show up. Can't keep a Crew Chief down, I guess.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a Life Member of the Air Force Association and I've been a member since 1972. I don't actively pursue my association with them but it is a great organization. They do a fine job of informing the public (that's me) of Air Force affairs, current trends, policy, and so forth. They also educate. I'm a firm believer that the only way we can really prepare for our future is to learn (and learn well) from our past.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
I believe I mentioned before what a great equalizer the fatigues of the day were. The only real distinction we had were the number of stripes on our sleeves. And, until I got my act together, everyone had more than I did. I had my share of supervisors. A couple were real Lulus, but most were fine men with their only objective being that of the Air Force. And, one of the objectives of the Air Force was to further the careers of people like me. To that end, I had some fine flight chiefs. I have chosen to follow their lead and try to be a good supervisor myself. I didn't always succeed, but there was that TRYING. As mentioned, I am retired, now, and drive a pick-up truck on deliveries - as much to keep out of the wife's hair as for the supplemental income - but I daily earn my stripes. One can do little else.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Only this - we're not going to be here forever. We can't oversee every detail of those we care for. We can only strive to be a good (or, better than average) example. What do we want our Air Force associates, or workplace associates, or family to think of us when we have passed? And, after we're dead it's too late to make our lives over. I wish my Air Force buddies, my co-workers on the outside, and especially my sons and grandchildren to remember me fondly and to be as proud as I am of what I have become and the legacy I leave them. Be the best at what you do. One can ask for nothing more.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Without sounding too philosophical, we are standing on the shoulders of gutsy giants. And, I think the view from up here is pretty good. The outlook for our country is as good as we want it to be. If it doesn't suit you, get off your @#&& and get involved. Nothing in our way of life is etched in concrete except our past. And, that is unfix-able.
TWS has given us a forum to touch more people than we ever might have otherwise. If I dislike a situation my TWS brother in Davenport, Iowa may have a different slant on it. The best thing about our government is its fluidity - it CAN change.
*
|
Read Other Interviews in the TWS Voices Archive
| Share this Voices Edition on:
  |
|
TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
This edition of AirForce Voices was supported by:
AirForce.Togetherweserved.com
For current and former serving Members of the United States Air Force, Army Air Corps, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard TogetherWeServed is a unique, feature-rich resource helping Airmen reconnect with lost Wingmen, share memories and tell their Air Force story.
To join AirForce.Togetherweserved.com, please click HERE.
|
|
