I was pretty pumped up about flying jets

I was pretty pumped up about flying jets. And I had the immaturity to ignore the risks concomitant with military flying. I was checking out the T-37 (guppie) and the gorgeous T-38 - the two trainers I would end up flying.

So on the Monday in October before the Friday when I would have to enlist in the Air Force Reserve to lock in my flight school appointment, my deferment to work at NASA arrived.

This may seem like a Godsend, but I was conflicted. I really wanted to fly jets. But when Kathy and I talked about it, it was clear that I could better serve my family (and maybe my country also) by working at NASA and avoiding the significant risks associated with serving as a combat pilot.

At this time the ‘Hanoi Hilton’, the prison camp for captured, shot down aviations, was filling up - notably, John McCain, future senator and presidential candidate, was there. Viet Nam continued to have significant effects on the country for years. Incredible lies and deceit on the part of the government reduced confidence in our elected officials.