My U.S. Air Force Career

I joined the U.S. Air Force in July 1972, and served 12 years as an enlisted computer maintenance technician (2nd & 3rd generation mainframes, minicomputers, and peripherals). I completed my B.A. in Psychology, at Chapman College, 1983, was commissioned in 1984, and then worked in the communications-computer systems field until I retired in 1992. If you have trouble with any of the acronyms on this page, please visit the Acronym Finder site. Looking for GIs you served with? Try GISearch.com.

Assignments:

• 1972, Lackland AFB, TX (San Antonio): Basic Military Training; was in one of the "new style" 1000 man dorms.

• 1972-73, Keesler AFB, MS (Biloxi): Tech School for the old 465L EDTCC computer. Met my good friend Ron Scibetta.

• 1973-77, Barksdale AFB, LA (Shreveport): First assignment. 46 Comm Gp (AFCC). Was assigned to the RCC shop at the 2BMW command post even though I was trained for the TCC.  Later I was assigned to the TCC shop in the 8AF HQ building. Almost got out of the AF but was offered an assignment to Germany which I couldn't turn down. Made SSgt (E-5) during this assignment and sewed it on between assignments. Stationed with Ron Scibetta. Met Larry Hanson.

• 1977, Keesler AFB, MS (again): 5-level tech school on the 407L system.

• 1978-81, Sembach AB, Germany: Assigned to 603TCS. Started out on Sembach AB, but later we moved to Mehlingen Site 1. Only did one major deployment to Ibbenburen (northern Germany). Here's a picture of our tech site on the hill at Sembach. Met: Dave Stewart, Jim Moore, Tom Spangler, Joe Tremper, Bill Esker, Gene Delvaux. Click here for my 603TCS Alumni site.
• 1981-84, F.E. Warren AFB, WY (Cheyenne): Assigned to 2149CS (AFCC) where we supported 465L hardware in the Minuteman III Launch Control Facilities. Made it to all 20 LCFs in Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming. Later worked in Quality Control. Made TSgt (E-6).  Finished my bachelor's degree, applied for commission, and was accepted. Met my good friends Steve & Diane Williams. Also: Daryl Bauza, Al Jameson, John & Linda Navarro, Kirt Robbins, Tim Stamey.

• 1984, Lackland AFB, TX (again): Officer Training School. Tougher than I expected.

• 1984-85, Keesler AFB, MS (again): Tech school for communications officers. Bypassed 2 months of it since I'd been in comm before.

• 1985-88, Randolph AFB, TX (San Antonio): First officer assignment. Assigned to Air Training Command's Comm Division. Thought I was going to do programming, but instead ended up doing a long-range conceptual/strategic planning project (communications-computer systems architecture). Did a good enough job that they let me choose my next assignment.  Made 1st Lt and Captain. Got regular commission. Met my good friends Don & Carol Boyer, Denny Smith, Jan Huggins, Andy Johnston, John Dias, and many others.

• 1989, Maxwell AFB, AL (Montgomery): Squadron Officer School. 8 weeks. Enjoyed it.

• 1989-92, Lowry AFB, CO (Denver, base closed in Sep 1994): 1987th Comm Sq, Later 3415 Comm Sq. Arrived as Chief of Maintenance (LG). Great job. Here's a picture of quite a few maintenance folks taken when we won Air Training Command Outstanding Communications-Electronics Maintenance Complex (Large Activity) for both 1989. Later "promoted" to the Squadron Section Commander job (more like a deputy commander in this case since I was a comm officer instead of an admin officer; unusual for a unit this size). Great job. Later, when the "real" commander (a Lt Col) was out sick for 4 months, I became the unit commander. The best job there is! Retired. Met my good friends Dean Clemons, Robert Wagner, Richard Darby, Tim Cooley, and many many others. Here's a picture of quite a few p

The Air Force was a great career! I have many "Air Force" friends, both active and retired, and email helps us stay in touch.

Here's the last "military bio" I used:

CAPTAIN MICHAEL K. MOLLOY

Michael K. Molloy is the Squadron Section Commander, 3415th Communications Squadron, Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado.

Captain Molloy was born on 28 September 1954 in Ft Worth, Texas. He attended Coronado High School in Lubbock, Texas. He was awarded a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Chapman College in 1983, and graduated from Officer Training School in August 1984. Captain Molloy graduated from the Communications-Electronics Officer course in 1985 at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. He completed Squadron Officer School in residence in February 1989.

Captain Molloy entered the Air Force in July 1972 as an Electronic Computer Systems Maintenance Specialist. After 10 months of technical training at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, he was assigned to the 46th Communications Group at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, where he maintained the SAC Automated Command and Control System (SACCS) Remote Communications Control, and the SACCS Transmission Control Central computer systems.

In 1978, he was assigned to the 603rd Tactical Control Squadron at Sembach AB, Germany, where he worked on the Tactical Air Control System 407L HM-4118 computer system.

In 1981, Captain Molloy was assigned to the 2149th Communications Squadron at F. E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. During this assignment he performed a variety of duties including workcenter supervisor, workcenter training monitor, and Quality Control evaluator/inspector. During this assignment he was promoted to Technical Sergeant.

From February 1985 to January 1989, Captain Molloy was assigned to Headquarters Air Training Communications Division (ATCD) DCS/Plans and Programs at Randolph AFB, Texas, where he was the first MAJCOM Communications-Computer Systems Architecture and Integration Project Officer. He was responsible for near-term and long-range conceptual planning for communications and computer systems for Air Training Command.

In 1989, Captain Molloy was assigned to his present organization as the Chief of Maintenance. During this period, his maintenance branch was selected for the Air Training Command Outstanding Communications-Electronics Maintenance Complex (Large Activity) for both 1989 and 1990. He assumed his present job in September, 1990.

Captain Molloy's military decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with three devices, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 3 devices, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Basic Missile Badge, and the Master Communications-Electronics Maintenance Badge. Captain Molloy was the HQ ATCD Company Grade Officer of the Year for 1987, and won the ATC Communications-Computer Systems Professionalism Award in 1988. He was also the 1987th Communications Squadron Company Grade Officer of the Year for 1989.

Captain Molloy enjoys reading, chess, running, working with microcomputers, and spending time with family and friends.

(Current as of September 1992)

---