My chosen career field was changed during the sixth of eight weeks of Air Force boot camp in the fall of 1956. The E-6 who was my career counselor expressed my options.

"You have three choices: air police, air police or air police," he said.

Recognizing that my options were limited, I immediately replied, "I'll take Air Police."

His response was a classic. He said, with no expression on his face, "Good choice, airman."

I couldn't help myself and burst out laughing. After a few seconds, he started to laugh instead of chewing me out.

We then stood up, he smiled at me, wished me luck and shook my hand. That was my first clue that non-commissioned officers could actually be nice guys.