MILITARY EXPERIENCE​

Sacrificing my summer vacation after high school to Military Science courses at the University of Texas at Arlington, I became eligible for the Simultaneous Membership Program with Army ROTC in the Fall of 1981. As a MS III cadet and SMP contractor, I was posted to a local Texas Army National Guard unit, with an instant promotion to Sergeant E-5.

 

The armory for my unit was in the White Rock Lake area of Dallas, Texas. It was home for B Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Armor Regiment, of the 49th Armored Division.

 

Because I was assigned to an armor unit, my adopted Military Occupational Skill was 11E, tank crewman. My job as a tank crewman and ROTC cadet was to drive, load, and generally take care of the M-60 Main Battle Tank, and develop basic leadership skills while on the job.

 

I was an ROTC cadet and a Guardsman for about 1 year and 7 months. Regardless, I cannot, and do not consider myself a veteran.​