Military Branch: Air Force

Years Served: 1975-2007

Rank: Master Sergeant

Conflicts: Afghan War

UTA Affiliation: Administrative Assistant

Biography:

Mr. Graves served 30 years in the United States Air Force, retiring in 2007 at the rank of Master Sergeant. His career included many assignments, duties and job titles: Security Forces (4 years), Munitions Systems (16 years), Recruiter (10 years), Air Force Reserve (7 years), and Production Supervisor for the 7th Munitions Squadron.

He was also stationed around the world: Castle Air Force Base (CA), where he was tasked with guarding the Magna Carta in San Francisco as part of the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations, Misawa Air Base (Japan), Aviano Air Base (Italy) Naval Support Facility (Diego Garcia) and Dyess Air Force Base (TX).

While in Diego Garcia, Mr. Graves provided support for the U.S. efforts during the Afghan (Operation Enduring Freedom) and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom) wars. During his assignment at the Aviano Air Base, Mr. Graves provided support for Operation Endeavour, NATO’s effort to bring peace in the former Yugoslavia.

Interview Clips

Interview Date: April 30, 2013

Summary:

Mr. Graves recounts his Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, the only basic training facility for the Air Force. He relates that, as far as he knows, as a Recruiter he processed an application for a 57 year old dentist to join the Air Force as an active duty soldier. He also talks about being on the Diego Garcia atoll during the December 2004 tsunami.