Candidate for
Director to succeed Stan Gustafson if recalled; Los Osos Community Services District

I was a 1st volunteer after the draft in 1973. (First called, first to serve) no reluctance. I trained for almost a year at the Mechanical and Technical School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. These are some of the other job descriptions I either trained in or crossed trained in later at my regular duty station.

1. Medical Unit Surgical Turbine(M.U.S.T.)operation and repair.
2. Cross training in Water Purification Mobil Systems operation and repair.
3. Training in the handling of fuel, oils and diluents.

But those are only technical qualifications and I believed it will take a strong will and leadership to pull us through this crisis. I was trained with leadership in mind. Upon arriving at Fort Belvoir I was immediately put in charge of a squad. Less than a month latter I was put in charge of the off post personal in our training platoon. At every juncture I would be put in leadership roles or volunteer to take on leadership roles.

My special training in information and document tracking began when I failed the final test on the M.U.S.T. system. I new the problem that had failed me was incorrectly stated in the test manual. I questioned it and was severely reprimanded and no retest was allowed. I stood my ground and got that retest. I asked for the same test but was denied. When I stated that if the instructor passes the same problem I failed I would forgo my retest. He failed and I solved the problem without the manual. The training officer was impressed enough to let me train between cycles in a special studies course in information and document tracking, recommending that I follow up in that area at my regular duty station.

Upon reaching my duty station in Germany (3rd Armor Division's 23rd Engineers) it was little more than a month before I was put in charge of the Power Generation Section with only the rank of Pfc. which was not standard military procedure.

I then expanded that section to include all small engines and water pumps. I then began to review the previous (systems of operational procedures) in my section and began an overhaul in all areas of record keeping and documentation. With the help from men I personally picked for the task we helped develop a S.O.P. that would cut across all sections.

I then took over special tools check out and return, as well as the special tools calibration program. I also began a parts requisition and procurement program to assure all equipment was at the highest readiness level or on the maintenance schedule. These programs, as well as others, were adopted into the other companies in my unit.

I soon found myself having to train others to perform my duties because I was overwhelmed with work due to the nature of the jobs I was taking on. On becoming a Specialist 4 (E-4) I was made an acting sergeant (E-5) with the duties but not the pay.

After eight months at the 23rd Engineers I tried to transfer to a helicopter repair unit but was hijacked by an artillery unit (1ST and 40TH field artillery) who promptly put me to work doing what I did in my previous unit.

This is only a short list of the duties and missions I would take on. This does not include field problems and mission training exercises.

I had to deal with the powers that be, and found resistance in almost every aspect. But with determination, persistence and tact, I was able to get these and other programs initiated into the units I was involved with.

I could not have accomplished these missions without the help and leadership of others. I learned early on that you should exploit your resources to their fullest potential. You should listen to advice with a discerning ear and evaluate the facts before you make a decision. Rely on your experts but always double check the facts and figures they give you.

With these credentials, knowledge and experience in other fields, I believe I have more than enough qualifications to do this job.

I had to work with others who were complete unknowns or transient in their jobs, as well as work with high ranking personal who demanded results. If given a chance to serve my community I will do so with the same dedication, selflessness and honor I did for my country.