Well.
My dad told me if I joined the Army he would kill me.
I beleived him.
He was forward radio observer for Patton's 3rd Army
..went ashore D-Day all the way to VE day, spent a few months behind german lines,
..txferred to USAF after the war.
Weird to see a Msgt with infantry badges, bronze/silver stars an such.
Dad told me Navy or USAF for the education ..and no matter what the recruiter said,
..press for a college degree or you are wastin your time!
I told the recruiter I wanted to learn to put speakers in my car.
He put me in Electronic Countermeasures.
Man ..did I LEARN how to put speakers in a CAR!
I mean.
Associate in Avionic Technology.
My first degree ..earned while in the USAF.
Spent 13 years in, most of it on grave shift workin the flight line.
I learned there are no easy days on the flight line.
Saw some damn fine aero-planes turned to scrap metal in the blink of an eye here an there.
Knew some pilots who aren't around anymore.
Met some truly great people, worked with outstanding teams in desperate times.
I learned from leaders who did things right ..who earned my respect.
You will also meet their direct opposite ..
..be wary of anyone who asks you your date of rank first thing
..all he wants to know is if he can be a total jerk or if he has to kiss your ass.
There were a lot of good times ..a lot of bad times.
ie: I got reamed by a total jerk supervisor for not being in-shop to answer the damn phone
(I had delegated a Sgt to do that) ..
..I was out fixin a B-52 with two other guys that had to fly the next day ..
..silly me.
This was the guy who told me on my 3rd day there I did not act like a Tsgt
and he was going to do his best to make sure I did not remain one.
I replied if I got up on his desk and took a dump I would be acting like a Tsgt
because I *was* one
..and if he wanted to take a stripe to give it his best shot.
He turned a little purple, kinda half stood up behind his desk..
..figured if he took a swing at me I'd prolly break something of his.
A year later I got the HELL out.
I earned Commendations from Wing Commanders, Base Commanders, Senior Controllers
..even a petition signed by 75 people that wanted me back as their supervisor.
(Judge Advoate General showed me that when I was out-processing
..told me he needed me to stay and report on the jerks I was workin for ..
..that he hated to lose a supervisor with that kind of support from his troops.
The ECM shop at Castle AFB had the lowest retention rate in the USAF ..
..the Maintenance Officer actually accused me of sabotaging aircraft ..I laughed at her.
..I had never seen so many jerks all together in one place.
As an officer/leader ..
..you have to realize leadership is a priveledge extended to you by those who want to be led.
The key to being a good leader is treating your troops how you would like to be treated.
Respect is a two way street.
Don't be an ass.
Anyone can just say NO ..
ie: worst case ..
'fragging' was a very real event during that little fiasco in Southeast Asia.
-Frank aka GE
USAF '72-'86
(honor graduate, NCO Academy ..among other things)
