Where to begin? Might as well start from the beginning... Born in Michigan on the West side of Detroit, spent my first nineteen years growing up and going to school there. Completed my last two years of college in Kalamazoo, Michigan, obtaining my Bachelor's at Western Michigan in Electrical Engineering.

June 1970: Knowing that upon my future graduation in December 1970 from Western the draft into the military was eminent I decided to check with a recruiter about the Air Force. One of the options open to me was to apply for an aviation slot listing my preferences which were pilot, navigator and helicopter pilot in that order.

July 1970: After qualifying on the written exam and the flight physical all that was required now was to complete my last college semester acquiring my degree along with my transcripts and await the convening of an Air Force Officer's Selection Board.

The board would determine and select which applicants competing would be offered the chance to accept and become candidates for attending the Air Force Officer's Training School (OTS).

August 1970: As I started my last college semester I received notice from the Selective Service Board that I was now classified as 1-A, losing my student deferment classification 2-S but could appeal the classification. Making an appointment to do so - I met with the Selective Service Office and made my appeal asking that I may be allowed to complete my last college semester. The board accepted my appeal stating that I would keep the 1-A classification and would have only till December to complete my schooling after which no further extensions would be granted.

December 1970: Graduated with my degree from Western Michigan University and provided the Air Force with the last of my college transcripts. Now all I could do is wait for the Air Force Officer's Selection Board to convene and hopefully my application would be one of those being reviewed and hopefully get selected by the board.

Late January 1971: While still awaiting word from the Air Force about my application, I received my preliminary draft physical notice with an early February reporting date. As it turned out I received word about two weeks before the February reporting date through my recruiter that my application as a pilot was selected. It was at this time I asked the recruiter if it was to late to change my preferences and decided I wanted to fly helicopters. The recruiter checked and called me back saying that if I wanted helicopters I could have it and I accepted. Using the February reporting date from the Selective Service I was sworn into the USAF under the delayed enlistment program at the AFEES building in Detroit.

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Photos provided by: Gary Okonowski
(fixwing transition above)

Gary B. Okonowski

Gary - IBM Software Engineer