Life has a way of granting us some pretty harsh lessons as we progress through its many phases. Mine were only just to begin having attained my High School diploma and being ready to take on the world with all the freedoms of a young adult. It this time I had been on active duty military, having joined then, what was known as the delayed entry program. I knew having not focused on a particular course of study in High School; I would be limited to basically two options. Taking a less than satisfying and menial job in the workforce barely making minimum wages, or digging my hooks into something a bit more stable such as the military with greater opportunities and risks. This too, was the time that my personal relationships had grown stronger and was faced with the prospect of having to wait for my lady companion to graduate two years into my future. As in many early relationships the questions of commitment, loyalty, and so forth weighed heavily on my mind while traveling the countryside in service. The mere prospect of not knowing the full story and having the trust within the relationship was more than enough excuse for me to venture to the bars and not so copasetic areas of towns and cities I was a total stranger in. After all, I was a free young adult, able to sow oats should I choose to do so, as was she. The mere fact that I was able to attain alcohol in most areas due to my active duty status, as on base there was no age limit in any given state, only fueled my addiction and release even further.  I unfortunately had the inability to turn off that need. I would find myself frequenting the bars and local pubs regularly and at every opportunity I had.

This was almost my downfall. At one point I had awakened forty-five miles from my original destination, and having absolutely no recollection as to where, when, and how I managed to end up there. Along with that came the fact that I was still on active duty and considered at that time to be “UA” (Unauthorized Absence) status, as I had been absent from base and my job for three consecutive days. To this day, I still am unaware of the circumstances that transpired and how I ended up in Waukegan, when I began my afternoon that day in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

Once reality had settled in, and making sure I still had all my limbs, etc. I hailed a cab, and headed back to my duty station where I was promptly greeted by base security at the front gate, and politely escorted to the Base Commanders office awaiting a Captains Disciplinary Mast.  Now there was the second eye opener and lesson to be driven home. It was now not only my future military career at stake, but also my life as I had come to know it. Up to that time, I had a clean service record and several recommendations; this was my saving grace as to my career at that time. That and a Base Commander that understood the ins and outs of young military personnel. He however made clear I was to make a decision before I had left his office that day. He gave me the option to resign my active duty status and accept a less than honorable discharge, or commit to an alcohol rehabilitation program for two weeks.

He was able to recognize what I and several others in my life had not. The fact that I had or was developing a drinking problem and it was going to take me down roads not desired, and would ultimately destroy my life’s plans, ambitions, and so much more, and for this, I was and still am grateful for his understanding and compassion at my time of despair.

Having regained composure and straightening out my social patterns and accomplishing the task of rehabilitation, I began to focus much more intensely on my goals and creating a lifestyle I would be comfortable with. I managed to graduate seventh overall in my class for Hospital Corp School, had become one of the bases Honored Color Guards, and went on to bigger and better things.

 I had managed to gain leave over the Christmas holidays that year in 1981, and had proposed marriage to Leanne, my future wife, unannounced to my family. Now this went against every grain in my families fiber.