Installment #3

1956 Attempt #2

1957 Attempt #3

1958 Attempt #4 were all essentially phony ones. This was the time in America when every male was required to register with Selective Service at age 18 and would most likely be drafted into the Army. There were exceptions for those attending college, but I deemed it prudent to avoid the off-chance bureaucratic mistake or national emergency by having an active Air Force application on record at all times.

   What I did was to go out to March AFB in Riverside, California to take the written test and physical for Air Force Pilot training (known as the Aviation Cadet Program), listing Pilot, Pilot, Pilot for my three choices. At that time, the Air Force would accept you for Pilot Training through a program known as Officer Candidate School (or OCS), providing you had 2 years of college. 

   I did this every year I was in college, turning down my slot when it came due -- then applying all over again for the following year. I sort of had to fudge it for applications #2 & #3 since I was just entering college for application #2 and had just finished my first year for application #3. OCS was three months of misery at the conclusion of which you were commissioned a 2^{nd Lt} and entered Pilot Training, which lasted one year.

   I would pass the test and physical; then tell them I wanted to enter OCS the following June at the close of the current year of college, just before my one year eligibility ended. When the time came for me to depart, I would decline my class date (which was permitted), wait for one month and redo the whole process. 

   The only limiting factor was that you had to wait one year between applications. This allowed me to be covered at all times and still continue my college education. Things were looking good--I would have my teacher's degree in my hip pocket and was assured of a pilot slot with the Air Force.

Other events: Although I wanted to, I simply could not afford to live in the college dorms, so I commuted every day between my parents' home and school.

to be continued . . .

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