1970, Vietnam war was slowing down. I was at a base in a midsized town in the Midwest.

We were overstaffed. The Air Force had a program that allowed those with six months or less remaining on an enlistment to go to a private trade school. They paid tuition and you still got full pay and benefits. I also shared a house with some other single air force guys off base. I was a S/Sgt nearing the end of 8 years active duty.

Me and a buddy enrolled in a 6-week electronic school. When we finished school, they didn't tell us to report back, so we didn't. We lived as civilians.

Then one day my buddy, who had grown long hair and beard was at a McDonalds across from the base. The 1st Sgt got in line behind him and then recognized who he was. He whispered in his ear, report to my office at 0730 tomorrow in a class A uniform. (Dress blues, necktie etc.). Larry shaved, got a haircut and reported in. He was told to report in every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 0730. He cleaned the latrine in the headquarters building. The 1st Sgt apparently forgot about me and never checked on me.

In my final week, I was wrapping up all of my paperwork by telephone but there was a problem with finance. I was told to come in to meet with the pay clerk. Since I outranked him, I did shave but my hair was a little long but was not worried about him.

I am waiting in the foyer and another Sgt approaches me and said Major (don't remember his name) will see me now. I walked in and sat down. He says Sgt, when was the last time you had a haircut? I realized the jig was up and told him two months. He asked me who my squadron commander was and I told him. He said complete what you are here far but don't ever let me catch me needing a haircut again. He also said he was going to call my commander.

I got my pay problems cleared up but was told to come in the next morning to collect my last paycheck before leaving base for the civilian world.

The next morning, I wondered how I was going to get my paycheck and dodge the Major. At noon, I called his office and asked in Major whatever his name was, was in. They said no, he just left for lunch.
I ran over to finance, grabbed my check, headed for the main gate, where I turned in my ID card, and officially became a civilian, with long hair.

I was the forgotten Staff Sargeant.