And you know, all that was technically possible, but not practical. So I went in, and we had a conversation that explained I could enlist now and then go to the air force academy and play football. I don't think it was necessarily inappropriate but certainly a good tactic to get me in because he said, "Well, do you play football?" And I said, "Of course." And he said, "Well, would you like to play football for the air force?" ![]() The Air Force NCO that was in the office came out, and started talking to me and asking me questions. And so I was walking through the mall, and I noticed the Air Force recruiter's office and the really cool pictures of airplanes, and I just paused there for a second and was looking at the pictures. I remember I bought a purple jumpsuit and a matching pair of high platform shoes. And so here I am walking around the mall with my bag and long hair.I wish I could grow an afro now, but those days are long behind me. Now I know this is hard to imagine now, but back then, I had an afro hair style like you wouldn't believe. ![]() And if you think about the times, the early 1970s, I remember what I bought. I took a job as a GS1 in the Census Bureau in DC, and I got off work one day and walked to a local shopping mall not far from the Census Bureau. So temporarily, I was living in my parents' basement. It was just a confusing time.Īnd no one knew how to help me. My mother hadn't graduated from high school and my father had spent all of his time as a soldier in the army. I had college football scholarship offers, but as the oldest of six siblings and considering my parents lack of college experience. The problem though was when I graduated from high school, I was a little lost and kind of in a fog. But I was not planning to join the military, not because I didn't like it or I didn't respect my dad and my granddad's service, but it just wasn't the thing to do amongst my peers. The official military draft was over, but I still had to register once I turned 18. If I can take you back to the '70s when I graduated high school and there were Vietnam protests, the Civil Rights Movement and other societal turmoil, there was a lot of anti-military sentiment at the time. And frankly, joining the Air Force or the military wasn't on my mind after high school at all. And all of his brothers served, most in the Army, but none in the Air Force. My dad joined the Army right out of high school and served in the Korean War. Spencer: You're right, my grandfather served in the Army in World War I. Sankey: To get started, I was really interested in reading your book that your family has a long tradition of military service, but you came to be an airman through very different circumstances. General Larry Spencer: Well, thank you so much for having me. ![]() And we're excited to have him on today to talk about his career. His memoir, Dark Horse: From the Horseshoe to the Pentagon is soon to be released from Naval Institute Press. Today's guest is General Larry Spencer, who retired as the 37th Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Margaret Sankey: Welcome to Wild Blue Yonder On the Air, Air University's podcast. Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Air University, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or any other US government agency.ĭr.
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