On May 6, 1959, at the age of 17 years and 2 months, I joined the Army in Indianapolis. Knowing nothing about a military occupational specialty (MOS), the recruiter assured me that at sometime in basic I would be asked what I would like to do when I grew up. I went in regular Army unassigned.

At Fort Knox, Ky., I started my first nine weeks. As a high school wrestler I was in good shape and maxed the physical training test twice. Doing 95 squat jumps was the most painful of all. Two non-commissioned officers from Fort Campbell, Ky., visited our company recruiting for the 101st Airborne. At that time, my weight was 116 pounds. They suggested I eat a lot of bananas to get up to their weight restrictions.

I was still waiting for someone to ask what I wanted to be. As you might expect, it never happened.

I guess my small height was perfect to be a tanker, as I went to armor training. Fort Benning, Ga., was my next training in a combat support company, 2nd Infantry Division. Next stop Company D, 40th Armor, 1st Battle Group, 23rd Infanty, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

In 1961, the Cold War era, the Berlin Wall was built. President Kennedy extended my 12 months for most all combat-ready MOSs, but after it was all done I only got three months. I am now a PUFL with 50 years of continuous membership.