Please describe who or what influenced your decision to join the Army?

My decision to join the military was formulated as a youngster in the 1960's during the Vietnam War. As with young boys during that time period, it was understood that we may enter the war as we grew older as the war went on. As I got into middle school and early high school it seemed the war would continue and I would join the military forces. I was old enough to understand that many of my friends and neighbors had fathers and brothers who have served in the Armed Forces. My father, who served in the US Air Force during the Korean War, encouraged me to enlist, explaining the benefits that went along with serving my country and after my service, belonging to a brotherhood of being a veteran. For those of my family who have been called upon to go war, they go as far back as the Revolutionary War to the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Because I could not afford the cost of going to college I decided to listen to the local Armed Forces Recruiters. I listened to the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Marines. My mother thought I should join the Navy because they have the most delightful uniforms. LOL. So, I enlisted in the US Army.

Whether you were in the service for several years or as a career, please describe the direction or path you took. What was your reason for leaving?

1st ID Re-enlistment 1981

I wanted to become a Law Enforcement Officer for a civilian career choice but as luck would have it the Army Military Police School had a backlog. So, I enlisted under the Delayed Entry Program on August 15th, 1977, one day before Elvis Presley died, with a military occupational specialty 31J10, Teletype Repairer Technician. This position took me to Pusan, South Korea and later to Taegu, South Korea. I traveled to various military communications outposts around Korea to repair TTY equipment.

Later I was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, Ft. Riley, Kansas. During my second enlistment, I was able to change my MOS and attend the US Army Military Police School in Ft. McClellan, Alabama. During one my assignments with the military police, I was assigned to the 110th Military Police Platoon, VII Corps Headquarters, Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, West Germany. This was garrison duty with road patrol, gate duty and inside guard. VII Corps consisted of the Corps Commander LTG Wm Livsey and later LTG John Galvin. It also consisted of a Major and Brigadier Generals.

During my stay in Germany, many European countries were embedded with several terrorist groups. Given the threat of these activities, Army command had ordered that high-ranking General Staff Officers maintain personal protection while traveling overseas. The 110th MP PLT was given the duty to provide the necessary training and personnel to provide for the personal protection of the VII Corps Commander, and often times their families. Due to my rank of Sergeant and having attended the Military Police Investigators School, I was selected to be a Protective Service Agent. Though not as strenuous as the US Secret Service, our newly formed team trained with the USAEUR Antiterrorist Training Group and the German Polizei. Many assignments were conducted which took us to, Germany, France, England, and Greece. A special assignment took me to the Granada area of operations. This set me up for a career in police work.

Of all your duty stations or assignments, which one do you have fondest memories of and why? Which one was your least favorite?

President Reagan 1982 Berlin Airport

My assignments in overseas duty. Though I never served during combat operations my fondest memories would be the countries I visited or assigned to; Korea, West Germany, England, France, Switzerland, and Greece. During President Ronald Reagan's visit to Berlin in 1982, I was assigned to augment with the US State Department and the US Secret Service during this visit. Checkpoints were common throughout East Germany. Because the trip involved traveling through Communist East Germany and checkpoints, I obviously was very nervous. During our travel briefings, we were advised to travel in our Class-A uniforms. Our shoulder unit patches must be covered (as to not let the Communist know what military units were traveling). If and when confronted by an East German or Soviet Union soldier at a checkpoint we were not to trade anything. It was known that these soldiers would trade part of their uniform for our own.

Thus a big no-no! One incident comes to mind; we stopped at one checkpoint where my driver exited the vehicle carrying our individual Flag Orders and military identification cards to the checkpoint building. As he entered the building an East German guard began walking around our armor vehicle, just being curious I suppose. As I sat there the guard came around to the passenger side, where I was sitting. He began to look around as if to see if anyone was watching him. He then began to make pointing gestures toward his belt buckle. Remembering what we were briefed on about trading articles I picked up the intercom and spoke the Russian words "spasibo, net", meaning "Thank You, No". While in Germany, every newly assigned solider in country was required to take "Headstart" German classes with little Russian (I still have my German class book). I found the class at this point to be beneficial. We finally made it to West Berlin, what a long drive.

We were assigned to a Military Police barracks for our five-day stay (June 9-13). The State Department took our armor vehicle and we were given the opportunity to see West Berlin prior to President Reagan's visit. I walked around Berlin, taking photos and visiting the local GI bars and Check Point Charley. There were still bombed out buildings, namely a church, from WWII, just as a reminder of the war. On June 11th, the day of President Reagan's speech, I was assigned to mingle in the large crowd at the Berlin airport. I was able to have glimpses of President Reagan as well as the heavy security. Two days after the president's visit we headed back to Stuttgart, W. Germany. On the most part, my duty post assignments were pretty good they included Pusan and Taegu, South Korea; Stuttgart, W. Germany; Crete, Greece; Ft. Gordon, GA; Ft. Riley (Big Red 1), KS.

If I had to choose a least favorite assignment it would be the obvious one, basic combat training, Ft. Jackson, SC during June, July, and August. HOT, HOT, HOT.

From your entire service, including combat, describe the personal memories which have impacted you most?

Brigade Chaplin, Maj. Charles Davis

The varied assignments which have etched in my mind are many. What has touched me on a deep and personal side is when I was assigned to Camp Henry, Taegu, South Korea. During my time I became friends with the Brigade Chaplin, Maj. Charles "Father Chuck" Davis. During the holidays of 1979, Father Chuck was involved with a Korean Orphanage. Father Chuck asked if I and other soldiers assist him in putting together a Christmas party for the orphans. I gladly accepted the task. We bought presents at the PX and in the city, wrapped them and gave them to the Korean version of Santa Claus. When the kids finally arrived they didn't seem to matter who you were, they would want to sit on your lap, open a present and just wanted to be wanted.

During my law enforcement career, I've always had a soft heart for the children I dealt with. Other memories of which I fondly remember from my time in Korea would be the when I would watch M*A*S*H on the Armed Forces Television Network, listening to Casey Kasem's American Top-40 on Saturday mornings, my House-Boy shining my boots and pressing my uniforms, and the first time I heard of and went on a "Volksmarch". I still remember our MASH Unit having a signed photograph from all the actors (M*A*S*H) hanging in the building. I wouldn't trade the opportunities I had in these assignments. Visiting foreign countries, different foods, and cultures and attempting to communicate just to ask where the bathroom was located just to mention a few.

What achievement(s) are you most proud of from your military career?

1979 Pusan, Korea

The very first award for my hard work was the 36th Signal Battalion Commanders Achievement Award while serving in Taegu, Korea. I traveled extensively around Korea in order to repair TTY equipment. As a young Private, I was pleased to accept the award. This afforded me to be promoted quickly to PFC. I then was awarded several achievement awards during my other assignments.

Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations and qualification badges you received, or any other memorabilia, please describe those which are the most meaningful to you and why?

LTG John Galvin

Being awarded three Army Commendation Medals would be the most meaningful. Two were presented by LTG's Livsey and Galvin for providing personal protection. Being part of this elite unit required exceptional mental and physical endurance under stressful and hardship conditions by putting a person's personal protection in your care 24/7. Qualifying Expert with the M16A1 rifle and grenade in basic training. Being designated the "Distinguished Graduate" of my Teletype Repairer Technician School.

Which individual(s) from your time in the military stand out as having the most positive impact on you and why?

Wm Miller

Major (Chaplain) Charles "Father Chuck" Davis whom I served with in Korea. The countless "racquetball" games we played and the faith, support, and guidance he provided. It would have been very easy for this new "cherry" to visit the "red-light" district or end up in the Korean jail or MP stockade.

PFC William Miller who served with me in Germany. We endured much while on long PSD missions with the Generals and their families. Though I was a Sergeant and Bill was a PFC, I owe him much for pushing me while I was acting NCOIC of the Protective Service Detachment for VII Corps.

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?

When I was assigned to the PSD unit in Germany we would often pull field duty. This would involve the major Reforger Exercises. As part of our uniform for the PSD Agents, we would wear U.S. pins on our collars instead of our military rank. We would be required to salute field grade officers but not Captains or below. On one such field exercise, I was assigned to the field HQ. This meant wherever the Corps Commander went I too went with a fully functioning and loaded sidearm. LTG Wm Livsey always carried a stick which came from a tree in the DMZ between North and South Korea. As he exited the command center for a much-needed personal relief, I accompanied him to the nearest portable latrine.

He found it rather amusing that I would follow him for this rather personal duty and handed me this stick and ordered me to "protect" it. As the general was doing his thing a captain happened to walk by expecting to use the latrine. As he stopped he expected me to render a salute which I greeted him but did not salute. He asked why I was there and not saluting him. I explained to the captain of the General's standing order and I was there to "protect" the stick. Before the Captain could respond the General stepped out of the portable latrine and asked the Captain if there were any more questions.

This may not have been too funny to the Captain, but I thought it was.

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?

I concluded my Army career in 1987, obtained an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice, and was hired at a city Police Department. Instead of starting in the road division like all the rest of the new recruits, I was assigned as an undercover narcotics detective. During the next 25 years, I worked as a road patrolman and 18 years general case/narcotics detective and held a commission as a Special Deputy United States Marshal. During these years I was assigned as a member of the SWAT team as a Sniper, Assistant Team Leader and then concluding my career as the SWAT Commander. In 2003 I was involved in a shootout with a murder suspect which I was shot twice. For this action, I received our police department's Medal of Honor for Valor and also received the Ohio Distinguished Law Enforcement Medal of Valor.

The morale, esprit, the gung-ho attitude of being SWAT is what I miss most about being in law enforcement. The Army gave me the willingness and the "can-do" attitude to accept any assignment and to face danger head-on. I retired from law enforcement in 2012; because I couldn't stay retired for long I am now working as a municipal court bailiff from the city I served for 25 years. I get to see the same professionals I had worked with and some of the same individuals I had the pleasure of arresting in the past. As an auxiliary police officer, I still get to participate in SWAT call-outs and special events.

What military associations are you a member of, if any? What specific benefits do you derive from your memberships?

I am a Life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and American Veterans. I am active with the VFW's Honor/Firing Squad which pays tribute to our fallen veterans at funerals and parades. I have also held various offices in my local AMVETS post.

In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your life and your career?

My father stressed that I work hard, set personal goals and strive to achieve them. The Army further stressed the importance of teamwork, leadership, setting the example, and learn from your mistakes and to consider the needs of your troops. I took these principles to heart by serving my community in the field of police work. I commanded a SWAT team, worked undercover in narcotics, investigated homicides as a general case detective, survived after being shot twice by a murder suspect...etc. These life survival experiences I contribute in part to the training I received while in the Army. Attending the Army's NCO leadership schools, holding an NCO rank and given the responsibilities of protecting the lives of many are just a few qualities I wish to thank the Army for.

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to those who have recently joined the Army?

As other "Together We Serve" veterans who have been asked this question I too re-illiterate. Remember that no matter what you do as a soldier, you are representing the greatest Army in the world and the United States, "Be All You Can Be".

In what ways has TogetherWeServed.com helped you remember your military service and the friends you served with.

TWS and the US Army

By reading the biographies of others who have served, I get a sense of "togetherness" and comrade. Sharing experiences or understanding what each individual had gone through makes it worthwhile.

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