Interview

I interviewed my dad. He seems like he has always had it put together from the very beginning. I interviewed him to see if I could get any insight from him on my topic of self-improvements and mental mindsets.

What is the difference between pre-military rick and post-military rick?

“Not a lot. I was pretty disciplined before and goal oriented. The naval academy and then service in the military just sharpened and focused traits I already had. I have stronger friendships after the Navy as well. Post-military, I appreciate my family and life more. I went through some long deployments and some interesting situations while in the Navy.”

He asked his wife if he missed anything, they were high school sweethearts, because he was struggling with the answer.

How do you think the military affected your mental capabilities?

“Again, it intensified characteristics I already had. I could think quick and had a good memory. As a carrier based naval aviator I had to think quick because you had to compute things in your head, navigate an airplane, talk on the radio, direct your flight, etc. It also helped me become a good problem solver. Helped me look at all the possible permutations to a problem and consider all the what ifs.”

What are affects did the military have on you personally? Was it ever mentally staining or overwhelming?

“It was never overwhelming. There were times when it was mentally straining primarily being away from my family. I served on active duty in the navy for 24 years and spent almost 6 years of that time at sea, on a ship, away from home. I also spent a lot of other time away from home either on deployments or the 90 days I spent in Saudi Arabia in 1992-93. That was the main thing.”

                            

Was there a time where your morals were tested in the military? What was going through your head?

“No, not really. I never had to do anything that I felt like went against my morals.  Once as a squadron commander I had a junior officer pilot who was not cutting the mustard.  The easy thing would have been to let it go and let the next unit deal with it.  I chose to confront the situation and offered him the choice of removing himself from flying duty or facing a punitive board.  I also killed his flying career with a bad evaluation – bad for him but at least he didn’t kill himself or someone else as a poor pilot.”

What are your thoughts on this quote “Is the just man happier than the unjust man”?

“I think it is true, because at the end of the day integrity, your own personal integrity is all you have. And if you are not “just” then whatever happiness you may have is not lasting or may have been obtained with other than honest means or aren’t lasting”

While growing up was there anyone you admired? What characteristics did you admire about them?

“Yeah, lots of people. I admired my dad. I admired my high school football coach. I admired Dick Butkus, he was a pro-football player, and Bart Starr. He was another pro football player.”

“I admired them because they were hard-working and honest. Bart Starr was a Christian man. I admired Dick Butkus because he was a mean football player and I wanted to be like him.”

Who influenced you while growing up?

“My dad, my coaches and teachers.  Coach Tolleson and a high school teacher named Elmo Dunn.” Coach Tolleson is the guy who told me he thought I should go to one of the service academies.

What did you like about the teacher?

“Elmo Dunn challenged me to think and study. He taught physics and mythology.”

Was there ever a time where you were unsure about your future i.e. college, job field, marriage?

“Not unsure in that I wouldn’t be successful - not really. I was a pretty confident (might say cocky) kid.  I made one decision to apply to the service academies which put me into the naval academy and set in motion the rest of my life. I always had choices. Once I picked the naval academy and got through the first half year I was never really uncertain of my future – lots of different options opened up for me.  I was very lucky in that your Mom said yes to marrying me.”

Did school or college ever stress you out?

“Yes.”

How did you deal with it? What methods did you use to stay relaxed?

“It was hard. We opened the windows during finals and yelled. We played silly games – I am the Bancroft Hall grape catching in my mouth from 10 feet champion of 1979. I played a sport which helped. I was the Valedictorian of my high school. I thought I was a big dog. Then I went to the naval academy, and I had to work the hardest I ever had – I made a “D” in college.  I only made 1 or 2 “B’s” all of high school.  I managed to graduate in the top 3^rd of my class though. “

What do you think leads to personal success?

“Discipline and hard work.”

How do you avoid avoid regret?

“Realize that when you make a decision, you make it with the best information of have at the time. If information comes later, remember you didn’t when you made your decision.”