I originally joined the USAF in 1962 to become a pilot, which I had pre-qualified for during enlistment. However, disappointment came my way after completing basic training when they told me they had stopped OCS for non-college grads to become officers. I had a choice to pick another career field or get an honorable discharge. I chose the air police because I had always been interested in criminal justice.
After volunteering to go to Vietnam for 13 months from Yokota AB, I was granted a five-month early-out in lieu of stateside reassignment in order to start college mid-year in Trenton, N.J. In addition to qualifying for the GI benefits from my stint in the military, I got to travel all around playing on the undefeated air police basketball team, which was a real hoot with our exceptional team. As the saying goes, “when given a lemon, I made lemonade.”
To hasten the story and respect the reader’s time, I used the GI Bill to complete a BA, MA, S.C.T. and Ph.D. in psychology and counseling and paid back my benefits with 50 years of service leading successful law enforcement, corrections, mental health, building maintenance and security organizations, as well as teaching psychology and criminal justice at a variety of universities, overseas and in several different states.
Last year, at 79, I used a variation of the GI Bill benefits under the V R & E program for disabled vets to complete a post-graduate certificate in human capital leadership at American Military University. Now I am giving back again in my board position with the Because human trafficking organization, as well as helping The American Legion apply the knowledge I gained at AMU in organizational development. Also, I am in line for a position on the local law enforcement community advisory board and am volunteering with NWMHC, a horse therapy program for warrior families, all for paying back what the GI Bill gave me. Incidentally, I just published my 11th book—also all from the schooling and experience I gained as a result of the GI Bill. Bless the GI Bill!
