| Photo In Uniform |
Service Details |
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Service Status
USA Veteran
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Final Rank
Sergeant
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Last Service Branch
Infantry
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Last MOS
11B40-Infantryman
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Last MOS Group
Infantry
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Primary Unit
1975-1976, 11B40, Combat Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 48th Infantry
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Previously Held MOS
11B20-Infantryman
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Service Years
1972 - 1976
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Other Languages
German
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| Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
Army Track Vehicle Driver Certificate
Army Wheel Vehicle Driver Certificate
Certificate Of Achievement
Cold War Certificate
Letter of Commendation
Reforger Certificate
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| Voice Edition
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What are you doing now:
After serving 4yrs in the U.S. Army, I enrolled in an Electronics Technology (ET) program at a local community college. I had taken Electronics classes all 3 years in high school prior to entering the service, and after leaving the service I decided working in the field of Electronics was what I wanted to do for a living. I completed the ET program 2yrs later and worked initially as an Electronics Tech (later as a Jr. Electronics Engineer) at various companies in Silicon Valley for the next 11yrs. After this I decided to change careers and started working in the Information Technology (IT) field, which I did for the remainder of my working years. I first started working in the Network Security field in 2000, and now work as a Sr. Network Engineer in a team supporting a global network security infrastructure.
UPDATE: I officially retired in early 2018... I had worked for a total of 38yrs in Silicon Valley and decided it was time for the next chapter in my life. So what do I do with all of my free time these days? Pretty much whatever I damn well please! Retirement is a wonderful thing.
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Other Comments:
Info on my MOS (at the start and at the end of all of my unit assignments):
- Ft. Knox (Reception, BCT): 09B0O (Trainee) at start, 09B1O (Trainee Unassigned) at end.
- Fort Polk (Infantry AIT): 11B0O at start, 11B1O at end (note the 1O: MOS Skill Level = 10, SQI = O).
- Ft. Bliss (Redeye Gunner Crs.): 11B1O at start, 11B1OR6 at end (R6 = Redeye Designator).
- Coleman Kaserne, Germany (2Bn 48Inf, 2Bde 3AD, USAREUR): 11B1OR6 at start, 11B4OR6 (MOS Skill Level = 40) at end. (I also earned a 63C (Wheeled/Tracked Vehicle Mechanic) SMOS while I was stationed in Germany, which was upgraded to 63C4O by the time I left the service.)
Add'l info on my MOS (SQI and ASI):
The fifth position in the MOS is called the SQI, or Special Qualifications Identifier- note this is a letter field for enlisted ranks, not a number field. If you have no special qualifications that fall into this category (like me), the letter 'O' is listed in this field to indicate that- not a 0 (zero). There's apparently been a lot of confusion about this over the years- even my own military records occasionally list a 0 (zero) in this position instead of the correct letter 'O'.
The sixth and seventh position in the MOS is called the ASI, or Additional Skill Identifier. An ASI (which is either a letter/number combo or a number/letter combo) indicates add'l training that you've received related to the MOS the ASI is attached to. For me, the 'R6' ASI at the end of my 11B PMOS indicates add'l Redeye Gunner (Air Defense) training I received- a skill which would've been used to protect our 2-48 Infantry Battalion from airborne threats during combat.
Signed,
SGT Michael L. Fouts
PMOS: 11B4OR6 (Infantryman, Redeye Gunner)
SMOS: 63C4O (Wheeled/Tracked Vehicle Mechanic)
CSC 2Bn 48Inf (Dragoons), Bn Motto: 'We Set the Pace'
Coleman Kaserne, 2Bde (aka, the 'Iron Brigade')
3AD, USAREUR / Gelnhausen, West Germany
Our Cold War Mission: Guarding the Fulda Gap
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1973-1975, 11B20, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 48th Infantry
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1973-1976, 11B40, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Armored Division
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1975-1976, 11B40, Combat Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 48th Infantry
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Reflections on SGT Fouts's
US Army Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
My father was in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, which included service in SAC and in an AEW&C unit (full of C-121 Constellation aircraft that patrolled the waters off the East Coast in the '60s). He served during WWII, Korea, and the Vietnam eras. The Vietnam draft was  | | Answering the call to Military Service - Sep '72 |
still going on while I was in high school, and once I turned 18, I registered for the draft (sometime after this, I would eventually learn that I had a very low draft number). At that point, rather than being shuffled over in mass to Vietnam as a draftee (which was a possibility), I decided to enlist in the U.S. Army to be a tank mechanic. I already had some experience working on cars and motorcycles at that point (and really enjoyed it), and I’d also have some choice in terms of my permanent party station while serving my country. I also needed to grow up a bit at the time (being 18 years old and all) and needed some ‘remedial training’ in discipline as well (my parents were divorced, so my father wasn't really a part of my daily life, unfortunately). Those 4 years I spent in the U.S. Army certainly helped me grow up, and it taught me plenty of discipline, which was a good thing for me.
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WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I received my Orientation and Basic Training at Ft. Knox KY, and my 11B Infantry AIT at Ft. Polk LA. Unfortunately, the tank mechanic AIT I expected to get at Ft. Knox never happened. I figured either my recruiter or my local AFEES station might’ve had something to do with  | | My initial BCT unit at Fort Knox, KY (D-17-5) |
that, accidental or otherwise. It could also be that I was transferred over to Germany (along with many others) as an Infantryman to bolster the troop quality in some of the front-line Infantry units in the 3d Armored Division back in the day. I would read about this ‘troop-quality’ issue in the 3d Armored Division many years later, long after I got out of the service. After my Infantry AIT at Ft. Polk and specialized REDEYE Gunner training at Ft. Bliss TX, I was then transferred to Germany and assigned to the 2Bn 48Inf, 2Bd (Gelnhausen) in the 3d Armored Division USAREUR. I was initially assigned to B Company, where ironically I got a chance to do tracked/wheeled vehicle mechanic work in the motor pool. I would later be transferred to the REDEYE Section in Combat Support Co, where I would stay until I left the service in late 1976. I was offered the chance to reenlist before I left Germany... but after already serving 4yrs in the Army, I decided it was time to head home. I left Germany with mixed feelings, however- I was returning home to my biological family, but I was leaving my military family behind. It was definitely hard looking back at my barracks from the back of the deuce and a half as I left Coleman Kaserne for the last time.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
 | | Some of my 4ch audio gear |
I spent most of my time in the Army (3 1/2 out of my 4yrs) stationed in Gelnhausen, Germany- this was my permanent-party station. Gone was the shock of Orientation, Basic Training, and Infantry AIT. I had never been to Europe before... and now that I was stationed in Germany, I traveled around the country a bit on my motorcycle, visited Paris once, discovered the local military audio/photo clubs, etc. Germany and Gelnhausen are beautiful places, and I have many fond memories of the time I spent there (and the people I spent that time with). I hope to go back to Germany one day but still haven’t managed to do that just yet. My least favorite place (experience) has to be my Orientation and Basic Training... it’s a big shock those first few weeks getting used to life in the military after being a civilian all of your life. It got a bit easier in my Infantry AIT and even easier still (mentally) at my perm-party station in Germany. Thank God for that.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
 | | Our Redeye Section in the field - Hohenfels |
One of my fondest memories, while stationed in Germany, was participating in the annual REDEYE live-fire exercise at the Grafenwoehr MTA in '76. I represented my REDEYE section as well as the entire 2-48 Infantry Battalion in the process- scoring a direct hit on the ballistic aerial target (BAT) during my live fire. Several different REDEYE units were there that day, and I was one of the few gunners in the 3d Armored Division that scored a direct hit (as opposed to a tactical kill) on the target that day. As a result, I got to wear a red range cloth around my neck for the rest of the day to mark the occasion. I also received a small gold firing award pin from General Dynamics-Pomona Division, the manufacturer of the REDEYE missile.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
 | | Redeye Gunner patch with Distinguished tab |
Most of all, that I faithfully served my country in the U.S. Army for 4yrs during the Cold War. I’m also proud of my service while stationed in Germany, especially when I was assigned to the Redeye Section in CSC. Finally, I’m proud that I achieved the rank of SGT (E-5) before I left the service. I never had the chance to share any of my military history with my father unfortunately (who was also a Cold War veteran with 20yrs in the Air Force), but I know he’s proud of me.
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OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 | | Redeye Live-Fire Award - Grafenwoehr 1976 |
I suppose my 'Distinguished' tab for my Redeye patch (on my fatigues) is pretty special, along with the red range cloth and firing award I received during my Redeye live-fire at Grafenwoehr in '76. I also received recognition from the 3rd Armored Division for my performance during my last Redeye quarterly non-firing proficiency course (QNFPC) in '76- I had the highest score in our Redeye Section. Finally, I also received recognition from our 2-48 Battalion Commander for my overall excellent performance while attached to the Redeye Section from Apr '75 to Sep ‘76.
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LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
Most of my closest friends during my service were either in B Company or in CSC in the 2Bn 48Inf located at Coleman Kaserne in Germany. My closest friend was Steve Hanks (a 3yr enlistee) who was a year older than me and was actually in C Company in the  | | Donn (Otis) Rice - Untermarkt (Lower Market) in Gelnhausen |
2-48 adjacent to B Company. He was smart and he loved music (as much as I did). We spent a lot of time together in Germany and had a lot in common- and listened to a lot of music together back then. I got back in touch with him long after I left the service and I’m still in touch with him today. Otis, who was in B Company with me, was also another close friend- he also loved music and he and I hung out a lot back then. I got together with Otis once or twice after I got out of the service, which was great but unfortunately, he never kept in touch with me after a certain point. I never understood why, and all of that happened decades ago now. I was also very close to Robert (Bob) Briggs of Upland CA, who was also in B Company with me (and also has a profile here at TWS). Bob and I got along great and spent a lot of time together in Germany. I was back in touch with him sometime before he passed away due to Cancer back in 2011. Myself and another friend that Bob and I knew (who was also in B Company) actually planned on visiting Bob in 2011. The three of us talked about the trip and were very excited about it. But Bob was unreachable for a few months shortly after that, and I would later learn that he had passed away just days before I found out. Losing Bob hit me pretty hard, and I cried just as hard after the news sunk in. I actually had a gift I wanted to give Bob on our trip to see him- to symbolically help him navigate his way through Cancer. The gift was a brand new authentic military compass (I have a picture of one in my TWS photos). Unfortunately Bob didn’t live long enough to receive it. Finally, I was transferred from B Company to the Redeye Section in Combat Support Company (CSC) in out Battalion in Apr of '75. and I was pretty close to several folks in that team. It was a fairly small close-knit group, maybe 16 or so soldiers at the most. I’ve never been in touch with any of them after I left the service, except for Trygg L. Andersen who I’m still in touch with from time to time. I would really like to hear back from any of the other members of our Redeye Section- I’ve looked up many of their names here at TWS, but have only found one who unfortunately has never responded to any of my messages.
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CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
- First, there was a Sgt Spear (while I was still in B-2-48 at Coleman Kaserne) that once chased a rabbit through the woods while on maneuvers at either Graf or Hohenfels. He took control of the squad’s 13-ton M-113 APC with the entire squad and myself in it. He  | | Mike Sheriff and I - Glienicke Bridge (Freedom Bridge), West Berlin |
never hit any trees during that brief chase, and of course, never caught the rabbit. But he was close, and was pretty damn proud of himself nonetheless (and everyone in the squad loved it)! - Another incident involved me and my jeep while on maneuvers- I was driving and my REDEYE Section platoon sergeant, SFC Mills was my passenger. I nearly flipped my jeep and trailer completely over heading down a very steep and rutted trail that day, and SFC Mills was launched completely over the safety strap next to his seat and out of the jeep in the process. He was shaken up but was fine, and I managed to keep the Jeep and trailer right side up the entire time (though I had one of my legs hanging out the Jeep just in case I needed to bail). Pretty exciting for me and my NCOIC. - Finally, a good friend of mine, Mike Sheriff, and I both donned a couple of (really bad) poor-quality long-haired wigs one night in the barracks at Coleman Kaserne. We did it just for fun (wanting to look like anything but two soldiers) as we headed down the hill, past the main gate, and into downtown Gelnhausen. Mike and I were crackin' up the whole way, and he and I always had a good time together.
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WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
 | | This old soldier lives on (35yrs later and counting) |
After serving in the U.S. Army for my 4yrs, I enrolled in an Electronics Technology program at a local community college. After getting my certification, I worked in various Electronics Engineering groups in Silicon Valley for the next 11 years. After that, I changed careers and started working in the IT (Information Technology) field, and now work as a Sr. Network/Security Engineer at a Silicon Valley company supporting their worldwide network security infrastructure.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
 | | Redeye Section at the end of the day in the field - Hohenfels '75 |
I'm currently a lifetime member of TWS and a member of one of the 3rd Armored Division veteran websites. It's a great opportunity to get in touch and stay in touch, with my ‘military family’ from back in the day- not to mention making new military friends along the way. And even though I may not know the majority of other military veterans on these websites, we are all Brothers in Arms in my book.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
The word 'teamwork' comes to mind first for me. The words ‘field-expedience' and 'flexibility' come to mind as well. To appreciate people with diverse backgrounds and from different places- all working together as a team to get the job done. These words don't just apply to getting the job done  | | Grabbing some grub in the field - REFORGER 1974 |
in the military, they apply to getting the job done in civilian life too- what team doesn't work better when they work together as a team? I believe in the 'we,' not in the 'me' (or the I). I do miss the stability and security of military life in terms of employment- in the military there are no layoffs, no outsourcing of job duties, no lack of job security, etc. This is especially important when you are on a single income, as I have been for most of my 38yr civilian career. I appreciated not having to worry about any of those things in the military, including not worrying about the cost of medical coverage. There are definitely advantages to military service. and of course, plenty of risks to consider as well.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
 | | Camp Albertshof - Hohenfels, West Germany |
Wow, that's a tough question. For the U.S. military presently serving in battle around the globe (both men and women)- rely on your training and execute what you've been trained to do! Stay focused, work as a team, and take care of one another- fighting your way through the battles until it's your turn to finally come home! For the U.S. military serving in non-combat zones (as I did)- hold your head up high during your watch, and don't count the days if you have years left to go before your ETS date. Stay focused on the job at hand- do it to the best of your ability- and find something productive to keep you busy during your service!
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
 | | Together We Served and Veteran Community |
TWS has created a place for all U.S. military service members, past and present, to share their own personal stories of their time in the military. We can communicate with other service members here, discover their personal stories, make new friends, and possibly even track down old friends we might’ve served with in the past. This has been a military community I keep coming back to after serving in the military so long ago now. I’m very happy to be a member of the TWS community... thank you to all of the TWS staff members that make this website possible! As far as I'm concerned, TWS is the standard to measure other military veteran websites by. KC 7.8.24
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