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After graduation, I worked at Kappler in Guntersville for about three years until I finally decided to do whatever it took to provide a better living for myself. Since I joined the Army National Guard as a junior in high school (Feb 88), I already had Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) completed. It was a very simple process to transfer to the Regular Army in 1992; all I had to do was complete a second AIT (Air Traffic Control Specialist). My duty stations were: Ansbach, Germany (1992-1995); Redstone Arsenal, AL (1995-1997); Ansbach, Germany (1997-2000), Ft Rucker, AL (2000-2003), Camp Humphreys, Korea (2003-2004), Ft Campbell, KY (2004-2007); Ft Rucker, Al (2007-present). Currently I am the NCOIC for the Air Traffic Services Command (ATSCOM) Quality Assurance Division. We are charged to ensure every US Army Air Traffic Control facility (world wide) is operating within the regulatory guidelines set forth by the Army and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This is by far the best job I have ever had in the Army. During the last two years I have been TDY (temporary work, by the Army) to Hawaii, Germany, Korea, Japan, and Honduras and 23 states all over the US. I have had the opportunity to complete courses from the FAA, such as Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS), GPS Instrument Procedures (RNAV TERPS), Obstruction Evaluation/Airport, Airspace Analysis (OE/AAA) and Airspace Procedures. All great courses that should help me find a good job when I retire. In October I will move to Korea for a one year tour, the only good part about that is upon my return to the US, I will in-process and drop my RETIREMENT paper work at the same time!!! Yes, I will have one year from then and it is Soldier gone (another Army term)!!!!!!! I currently have 17 years and four months in the Army, and I am calling it game over at 20 years. After I retire, I plan to stay at Ft Rucker and apply for a Government Service (GS) job or move back home and apply for GS job on Redstone Arsenal (follow the money). I have been to Kosovo (1999), Iraq (2005-2006) and on 3 April I will go to Afghanistan (fun, fun). One highlight, of thousands I have had with the Army, was my participation in the 50th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion celebration. For three weeks we lived in Grand Camp Macey, France and were able to tour all the major battle sites from D-Day, WW II. I was able to see and speak to some of the “Old timers” who was a part of the invasion and the then present day recreations. I watched, in complete astonishment, as two veterans (MEN) in there 80’s climb/scaled up the 90 foot sheer vertical cliffs at Point Du Hoc in the same place they had in 6 June 1944. That was one hell of a humbling experience!!!
