1975 An Incredible Journey

As a 17-year old recruit in the US Air Force, Bob Mathers looked forward to auditioning for a position in Military Journalism and Broadcasting. His recruiter told him prior to enlisting that if slots were open, he could test to fill the opening.

When he began Basic Training, a skills counselor told him that although 8 such opportunities existed at the time, it didn't matter. He was told he was ineligible due to lack of time in service.

After completing a course in his assigned specialty of Computer Operator, Mathers reported to overseas duty in Turkey. It was there he met an announcer for American Forces Radio who like him, was an Airman with similar time in service. It dawned on Bob that he had been lied to.

After going all the way up the ladder to address his grievance and being told to accept his fate, a decision was made to rectify the situation. What followed was an unbelievable series of events that placed Mathers in a number of dangerous situations, yet by the Grace of the God who delivered him out of them all, would result in attaining his long sought after goal of a broadcasting career.

This memoir captures the essence of mid-70's culture from both a military and a civilian perspective. It is filled with many interesting stories and characters through the eyes of a young man who lived it.