Steve Ferrante
Service Branch: United States Air force
Dates served: 1966-1970
Rank: Staff Sergeant (SSgt)
USAF Medical Service-Laboratory Specialist
Vietnam Era

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE? It is strange looking back all these years (and trying to remember), it was 2 choices. One was of course the DRAFT-I just had my draft physical-and the other was my civilian training (tech school) as a medical laboratory technician and working in a local hospital at that time. After Draft Physical Letter the physical, I knew I had to, for the first time ever, make a life changing decision without parental guidance. I could wait for the "draft" letter or I could enlist. I was fairly certain to be inducted into the Army. After all, this was 1966. I was told that I had a real good shot at Infantry (what was that?) and high probably of seeing South East Asia (where was that) and a minimum of a 2 year active duty commitment. Or I could...what? I did not know. Since I was in a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Newark, NJ, there were a lot of things happening. Not just physicals. I remember seeing an Army solider dressed in a white uniform and he was giving guys shots-after all it was an induction center. He had just finished and I remember walking over to him and asking if he was a medic. He said he was. I said that is what I wanted and told him of my training. He told me that the Army would tell me what they wanted and that is what I would do. He suggested that I try to enlist in one of the other services. I vaguely remember him pointing toward the far end of the building. He told me to look for the office with the US Air Force sign. He told me they could guarantee my chosen occupation request (of course this was not totally true) if I qualified, but it would be a 4 year commitment (and possibly Viet Nam). Little did I know the Air Force was limiting applicants to "critically needed". It seems I was not the only one trying not to be in the infantry either. So I high tailed it to the Air Force Recruiting office. I knocked on the open door and was greeted by a guy in a blue suit and stripes on his sleeves. I told him my story and he took my papers. After filling out a bunch of forms, he told me to jump on a scale, which I did, only to be told I was over weight (I was). "Which was a shame he said, because they needed my skills". So I asked him what I should do. He replied there was a recruit level and time frame he had to fill. He told me "loose 10 pounds in 4 days and come back". If I passed the Air Force physical and had my weight at or below the upper limit (210 LBS) I could enlist. And I did. Two weeks later I was a plane to Lackland AFB. It was also ironic. Several months after I graduated BMT, I received a letter from the Selective Service. Yep, you guessed it. I was turned down for the draft because I was overweight. However, by that time, I was both mentally and physically ready and committed for the next 4 years. And I had no regrets.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING? Well first, I had planned to go to college to advance my chosen career. That did not happen because of the DRAFT and no money. On hind sight, once I was accepted into the Air Force, my career direction and path was set for the next 4 years, at least My Dorm in BMT that was my goal. The only problem I saw that could derail this was Basic Training. At that time, I learned, it was the Air Force way or the Air Force way (no changes there over the years). Those were the choices. And brother, did I have to adapt. This fat kid from NJ, did not know what physical training and military discipline was. But I was lucky. I was only in Basic for 6 weeks (in the Spring of 1966 the Air Force was experimenting with a shortened Basic Training-get them in and get them out ). I stayed in a modern dorm with my own bathroom and a comfortable bed with 50 other guys. The two Training Instructors, well, let me say that I do not remember them. I do remember their colorful language and being very loud. At the beginning of Basic and as a "rainbow", I, along with the rest of my flight, were told we would be tested for needed Air Force career fields?. That's what I wanted to hear. Now my goal was to graduate Basic and take the Laboratory Phase 1 occupation bypass test. I passed both (and to this day I don't know how) and was assigned to Travis AFB and David Grant Hospital for laboratory OJT. I was going to get advanced training in MY chosen career field as well-although much, much later on my AF Form 7, I was originally was assigned to surveyor school. (this was later corrected). And I had a long and enjoyable civilian career because of that experience. However, after 4 years, I thought it was time to make a career change. I wanted to continue to work in a hospital and continue school and get a certification. I did both. The Air Force made me a man and helped me become a member of the medical profession.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT, PEACEKEEPING OR HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY. David Grant Hosp 1960s.. I did not participate actively in any combat operations during my 4 years. However, I was indirectly involved (medical support), in that I had first-hand contact with many of my wounded brothers and sisters. David Grant Medical Center, at that time,was a primary staging facility, charged with stabilizing the severely wounded and for getting them ready for transfer to other military hospitals stateside. No, I did not live the horrors of the Vietnam war directly but I did see the results. I will never forget it.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE? I'll go with my least favorite-I only had 2 duty stations outside of BMT. At least in part. That would be the Canal Zone in Panama at the now defunct Albrook AFB. I was assigned to the 24th USAF dispensary there. As a New Jersey kid, I REALLY hated the Tropic Survival School tropics. And to make matters worse, the Dispensary have poor air conditioning (I know, poor baby). Everything had a tendency to rot.About 3 months after I arrived at Albrook, I was asked-read that as you will- to participate in the Tropic Survival School. I remember thinking why me. Oh yeh, I was only an E2-Airman (2nd class then). One day later, after a 4 hour orientation about jungle survival, I am on a UH 1 helicopter with 4 other guys-one of them was an Army instructor in jungle warfare, going in to the central part of the Panamanian jungle, dressed in fatigues, pistol belt (no pistol), canteen and a pocket knife. We were told we would be supplied with needed materials when we arrived. It was only about an hour flight as I recall. After landing, we were given the essentials. One bottle of insect repellent, one bottle of iodine tablets, one large bottle of salt tablets and a kit that contained things like a fishing hook (with line attached), another small knife and other things I do not remember. The helicopter leaves and the Army guys says something to the effect that we are NOT to lay on the ground-ever. The rest is a blur. I do remember that on the last day, a small plan dropped a parachute with a big package in a clearing nearby. The package contained canned food (C-rations). At that time, it was the best chow I ever had. To this day I still have the P38 can opener that was attached to the C-rat can (it was peanut butter and crackers) . The fondest memory (and also the toughest outside of basic), of that posting was going through the Air Force Jungle Survival School for a week. This was the same school that All of the astronauts had to attend back in the 60?s as part of their training. And like Basic, I survived.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST? Unfortunately, my last year of service. Again I was stationed back at Travis AFB and David Grant Medical Center again. But this was bitter sweet. I had my Staff Sergeant stripe and I was made laboratory night shift NCOIC. A good position to be in. However, that was also the Dispensary laboratory Albrook AFB, Panama, CZ 1968 busiest time for receiving the wounded heroes from Vietnam. Part of my job was to take blood samples from the wounded. Usually this entailed a vacuum tube and needle combination stuck in a vein in the arm or back of the hand. I did this as routine and I was good at it. That is until the TET offensive and its aftermath. We were receiving wounded on a daily basis. Many of these wounded were-wounded did not describe it properly-were missing arms and legs. Because of this, I have to learn new blood retrieval techniques. This was my new introduction to, what was termed then, as "war trauma". I do not remember the faces of these heroes-both men and sometimes women but I do remember the "war trauma", even after these many years. And it seemed, at the time, like it would never end.

WHAT ACHIEVEMENT(S) ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER? IF YOU RECEIVED ANY MEDALS FOR VALOR OR OTHER SIGNIFICANT AWARDS, PLEASE DESCRIBE HOW THESE WERE EARNED. 60th Med Grp/Travis AFB 1966 and 1969 I was given 3 ribbons/medals. One of which I truly earned. That was the Good Conduct medal (after 3 years of Good Conduct and or not getting caught) and two that were not earned. There was the National Defense ribbon ( for being on active duty during time of national conflict). This ribbon was available at the BX after Basic graduation along with my first stripe. I don't mean to diminish it, after all It is a valid recognition of one's active commitment, to our nation and the oath I took. The other ribbon was a unit citation that was bestowed on the 60th Military Airlift Wing from July 1966 to June 1967. Because I was assigned to the 60th Medical Group, a part of the Wing, I was authorized to wear the ribbon for as long as I was assigned to the Wing-( 2 1/2 years). As far as awards go, I have to say, getting 4 stripes -SSgt-in 3 years was the big reward. Looking back, those were all pretty significant.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE ONE(S) MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY? Medical Badge All kidding aside, it was the Good Conduct medal. I did work for that one, through many, and sometime overbearing, NCOICs and OICs (and a few dumb stunts on my part). And of course getting my 4th stripe. I was very proud to wear the medical badge above my ribbons.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY? USAF Medical Service This may sound trite, but it was All (I am ashamed to say I can't t remember many of their names). From the TIs who pushed me thru Basic-and I needed it, I learned respect for authority and team work. From the senior enlisted and officers in the USAF Medical Service, who taught me how to be professional and proud of what I accomplished, sometimes under duress, (the good, the bad, and the ugly). And not just for me but for the good of our country and to know those who are and were the real Heroes and Patriots. These ALL made the most positive impact me, as a person.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH? This one is pretty easy. While stationed in Panama, CZ, all single enlisted were housed in WW II open bay barracks. Almost like basic, only worse. We each had a bunk, a foot locker and a stand-alone metal clothes locker. This incident happened in late summer of 1967. Believe it Albrook AFB front gate from the 1960s or not, even though we were all medical AFSCs, we still had (rare) inspections. As I recall, we were notified of an inspection 1 or 2 weeks in advance. No big deal, I got time. Then I promptly forgot about it. Several days later, after busy day shift, a buddy told me of a place he found off base where we could get free bananas. So off we went. Sure enough, in what we thought was part of the surrounding jungle (this turned out not to be the case), we found several banana plants. So we cut a BIG bunch down and carried them back to the barracks. We get back and my buddy says he did not want any-they were green. So I got a wire coat hanger and hung the bananas above my clothes locker. Big mistake. Those bananas got ripe very fast. Well the day before the inspection, I was smart enough to remove the bananas. Then I proceeded to straighten up my area. But I missed a spot. A BIG spot. Now it's the inspection day. And guess what! It's a Second Lieutenant WITH a clip board and a three stripe sergeant. Neither of which were medical personnel. And the Lieutenant is wearing a single white glove. This looked serious. So he checks my bunk. OK. Then my foot locker. OK. Then he asks me to open my locker and checks my uniforms. OK. And I thinking "no sweat". Then the surprise. He runs his hand across the TOP of my clothes locker. I forgot to wipe the top of my locker. When he brings his hand down, it is covered with banana slime. Remember I said I earned the Good Conduct medal? Well I did. In 1969. Well he dressed me up, down and sideways. And I start sweating bullets. Then I notice the three stripe NOT making any notes on his clip board. Strange. But then again I thought I was in deep shit. Much later I found out those two guys had a big yuk about it. And I can see why. Nothing happened. Nothing in a record to put in my personel jacket. Oh, about that jungle we got the bananas from, it turned out to be some officer's BIG back yard. Yep, we never left the base grounds. Looking back, now that was funny.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY? High tech blood chemistry analyzer. After my service separation in 1970, I worked for 2 local hospitals as a laboratory technician. Less than a year later, I was married. Our first child was born in 1971. I went back to school for a degree with the help of the then GI Bill. I then took a National certification exam as medical laboratory technologist and went to work for a major clinical instruments manufacturer of medical laboratory equipment as a field service engineer and technical specialist in 1975. I retired Jan of 2012.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS? Juniata County Veterans Council I belong to the American Legion-my voice to our government- and I am a supporting member of the Wounded Warrior Project. http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ I am an officer in our county Veterans Council. This Council performs military Honor Guard duties at the funerals of our brothers and sisters. I am very proud to be part of this organization. http://www.jcveteranscouncil.org/

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? My older brother.Guard of the Tomb of the Unknown I am a better man, husband, father, grandfather and neighbor. Enlisting in the military played a major role in my first real start in life as a responsible ADULT, based on discipline, training, teamwork and professionalism. The USAF prepared me for my future career in ways I would have not otherwise experienced. Devotion to duty. Compassion. A sense of who I wanted to be. A better appreciation of the results of combat and personal loss. And in my later years, a need to give back. This "reflection" is but a small segment of my life. These experiences laid the foundation. And for that I am grateful.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE? A Choco Indian homestead on the Chagres river-Panama Be true to yourself first. Be proud of your service. Remember, you have control of your life-except in Basic Training. Be honorable and take your oath very seriously. Your part of a team-always. Remember that. Think. You are not a robot. Obey superiors' orders. Sometimes question but always with respect. Say what you mean and mean what you say. No matter your AFSC or your rank, when on duty be focused and professional. You can and do make a difference. And thank you for YOUR service to our country.

CLOSING Lest We Forget What can I say that many before me have not already said. I hope to make contact with some of those that I served with but with a dimmed memory. I have been successful on one occasion. More importantly, I am with brothers and sisters, both present and passed. My Reflections have given me "flash backs" to my time in service. I have remembered times and events long forgotten. Many good, some not so much. We veterans, of all ages, share a common bond-I know I do. We all took the same oath, no matter what branch of the service we served in. Military veterans are unique, we are proud and we are one. Thank you all for your service to our great county. The supplied picture is titled: Reflections. Please visit the artist's site and read his story. http://www.leeteter.com/website_017.htm