1982-1986
355 Chemical Company, Janet St, Beaver Falls as I remember!
Basic Training at Ft. Dix, NJ in Summer of '82. Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Ft. McClellan, AL in Summer of '83.
I joined the Army Reserve as a 54C, a Smoke Operations Specialist. We made smoke. LOL. You know, that white smoke/mist you see in the Army movies to hide/conceal the Soldiers going into the woods? Loved driving the Jeeps! 1st picked up the guitar to learn it and started writing songs.
1986-1990
Got a new MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) of 75C, Personnel Management Specialist at Ft. Benjamin-Harrison, IN in 1986. Because of my aptitude, they allowed me to take an additional 1 week course on the brand new Tactical Army Combat Service Support Computer System (TACCS). These were green boxes containing computers they could drop from the sky with a parachute to get to remote locations. I was on orders for Germany, but because I finished first in my class, I was given my choice of commands needing this new skill. I chose Ft. Benning, GA as I had made the decision to be a single parent and get custody of my daughter in State College, PA after finding out about the Sole Parent Program in the Army.
A Co., 1st Bn, TSB (The School Brigade), Ft. Benning, GA. As a 75C I was at Main Post Management processing records right when the Army was getting computers and I taught myself database programming for the office to screen the records into a database, taught classes I created myself on database programming to the general public, and even made the Army TACCS computers (Non-IBM) talk to our computers for readiness reporting to the Adjutant General (AG) of Ft. Benning. Although it did take me some time to obtain custody, I was a single parent for most of my time at Ft. Benning. It was an awesome time to be in the service. Was also able to get my Airborne Jump Wings in 1988! Best Army Training ever!
1990-1991
Joined the PA Army National Guard after I left Ft. Benning. Continued with 75C and made E-5 (SGT) at 3623rd Maintenance Company, PAARNG in Coraopolis, PA.
1991-2006
Couch Potato! Was very busy with family life, married with 3 kids and a computer business in Maryland and then moved back to Western PA.
2006-2012
Accidentally signed up for the Army Reserve (After 15 years of being out, you'd think I was nuts!) Changed MOS one more time and followed in my daughter's footsteps (See Single Parent note in 1986-1990 above) as she was an Air Force photographer, to become a 46Q, Photojournalist. Wow. Best. Army. Job. Ever. The training was at Defense Information School (DINFOS) in Ft. Meade, MD where all branches of the Service (and civilians) train together for public affairs, print journalism, photography, video production, broadcast journalism, broadcast equipment maintenance, and various forms of graphic design and digital media. Did three years at the 326th MPAD (Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) in Reading, PA and three years at the 354th MPAD in Coraopolis, PA (By the Pittsburgh Airport). Had the good fortune of working with great peers and editors and was humbled to be nominated for and won First Place in Category K (Human Interest Feature Article) in the LTC Wetzel “Scoop” Brumfield Public Affairs Excellence Awards in 2011 with Reality shifts in reservists’ call to duty. “Recognized as the professional best in journalism representing the United States Army Reserve." A few more (7 or 8 total!) articles here.