A retro post from 2006.
4/11/2006
Remembering 1979
In 2005 when I was writing my blog on my other space I mentioned once or twice things that happened when I worked at the AF Base. I promised to write more later. Here it is, for better or worse.
The year was 1979. My son and daughter were grown and had left the nest. Perfect time I thought for me to have a new career. I took the civil service test and passed it with flying colors.
My first job was as secretary to a 2nd Lt. Now in case you don't know, a 2nd Lt. is the bottom of the scale as far as officers. She was what was described in those days as a 90 day wonder.
She was just about as green as I was. LOL!! Lt K. was very nice to me and helped me as much as she could. Looking back I have to laugh. Here is this 23 year old officer trying to teach a 40 year old new tricks. Somehow it worked. We went through a crisis together. A pretty young airman, newly married, and working in our department, stabbed her husband (also an airman) to death. It was utter chaos.
If you are aware of civil service you know that you are constantly being considered for an upgrade. I said goodbye to Lt. K. My next job was as an inventory clerk for base supply. I went around the base supply compound with a SSgt and a MSgt. We counted everything, nuts, bolts, you name it, we counted it. Both of these guys were great. This became my first role as a big sister figure.
Next I moved to Records Maintenance as a clerk. This was a good job and I enjoyed it very much. My supervisor got a promotion and guess what, I was selected to fill her job. This was not a good job. I had one of my workers constantly on the phone with civilian personnel for one reason or another. When I had a chance for a promotion as an instructor I took it in a hurry. Next came the Suggestion Branch, then the PDO office where packages were packed and mailed. Oh, I hated that job so I gladly moved on to my next job as Officer Performance Clerk. Here I read all of the officer performance reports from my air base and all officer personnel at bases connected with us. I proofed and corrected them.
I finished my career with the military in 1989. My husband had retired and I was tired of driving to work by myself. End of this part of my working life. I have lots of tales to tell about those 10 years so look for more at a later date.
Beth
I'm learning more about you! Nice! I know it hard for those of us who haven't been following you for very long to go back and read, so we just go from square one. My blog is the same way for people. Too many years--LOL!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you reposted. Thanks! And can hardly wait to hear more! :)
I enjoyed reading your retro post.
ReplyDeleteAs you know I'm not only a former USAF Msgt, I'm also ex-Navy civil service so I have definitely been there, done that on both sides of the story. When I was a blue suiter we referred to 2Lts as Airmen Basics with a college education. During the latter years of my time with the Navy I supervised a mixed crew of civilians and active duty enlisted. Once a Senior Chief asked me for help writing a personnel evaluation and I told him I had no experience. He asked if we didn't have them in the AF (We did, APRs for Airman Performance Reports). I told him we did but that's why we had junior officers; to drive the airplanes and get shot at and to do the paperwork when they weren't driving the planes and getting shot at.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting background and I'll look forward to hearing more stories. Judging from your comments, I'm thinking we are in the same age group, so I can relate easily to what you talk about.
ReplyDelete@ for Mario's mom. Yep, I am way over the hill. lol
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, Beth and I'll look forward to more. We are about the same age too.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this Beth. You are an accomplished lady. I wouldn't mind reading more things of this nature.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth,
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. Thank you for your continued prayers for me and my family.
Remembering you in prayer too.
Hugs Nita.
Wow! You have experience in so many jobs! Cant wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joanne
Hi Beth that was very interesting what a Lady, looking forward to more of your jobs from the past. Have a great day Hugs Sheila and Wile-e xx
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that you worked on an AF Base. My husband was in the Marines (before he was my husband). I got to visit him once when he was stationed in San Diego, CA, and it was my first (and only) time to visit a military base.
ReplyDeleteOh do MORE! LOVE this!!!
ReplyDeleteNice to see some of your history my friend! I was just leaving high school when you were leaving the military. I seriously considered military service in those days but for whatever the reason didn't go that route. I wanted to be a para trooper or marine but that just didn't pan out. Bless you my friend.
ReplyDeleteWell, Beth, you can't say you've had a boring life, now can you? what a wealth of interesting tales to tell your grand-children and us ! makes me feel quite hum drum, I did enjoy reading all about it, and look forward to more. Keep well.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so interesting to hear about what people did in there past. It's so hard to imagine when you meet them later in life and especially here on the internet. Thanks for sharing a bit of history about yourself.
ReplyDelete