The Departure
...ller “as they returned from war. The images of Kent State and the war protesters were still vivid in people’s minds. It was a sad and ugly time in our history. My parents told me that the military was for those people who had nothing else in their future. “You can do anything you want, they said. We have sent your brothers and sisters to college and we will send you too, just pick your school. You scored well on your SATs, you can do anything you want, go anywhere you want, they said”. I insisted I knew what I was doing. Mom said, “You aren’t like those people”. She had such a bad image of the military. You see she was one of the people who were against the war. She never participated in any protests but certainly gave her opinion at the family dinner table. “Are you sure you know what you are doing? asked Dad. Judges actually send boys who are in trouble to the military instead of jail; do you know what sort of people you will be living with? Did you know the military lowered its standards to draw more minorities? He asked. Those are the people you will be living with, guys who should be in jail, and minorities who can’t even spell their names, who are there because they have no other choice! You have a choice!” he said trying to change my mind. I assured him I knew what I was doing. Like most 18 year olds I knew so much more than my parents, or so I thought. “This is what I have always wanted to do, I told him. I have thought it through and I really want to do this.” “I want to do this on my own I argued. I don’t want to go to college, I said. I am not the same as my brothers and sisters!” “Dad, I only ever wanted to be like you, I said. That’s not possible any more. This is my way out of Scottdale! It is a chance to make something of myself.” I arrived at the United States Air Force recruiter’s office excited about the future but also frightened from all the things I was told by my parents. The recruiter sat at his gray metal desk recruiting posters picturing exciting and exotic places covered the walls. All smiles he stands and shakes my hand. He painted such a glamorous life in the Air Force. “See the world on Uncle Sam, he said. Get an education!” Oh what a picture for a young man! I had scored very well on my entrance exam, so he told me, I could have my choice of jobs. “Anything you want to do is open to you, he said. You could be a mechanic on jets, a medic, work in finance or a clerical position if you want, you name it!” Enlistments were down so getting my choice of a job was easy. I had studied auto mechanics at Vo-Tech school and getting a position, as a light wheeled vehicle mechanic was a cinch. In no time the contract was drawn up and signed. 6 years of my life committed to the United States Air Force! The contract was signed and my “ship” date of January 26, 1976 was set. So, contract in hand I go home from the recruiter’s office. The emotion I saw on my parents faces ranged from fear, of the unknown I suppose...