Almost exactly 41 years ago, I walked in to the Air Force recruiter’s office and told them I wanted to be “a jet engine mechanic”. After taking preliminary tests...I was sent to the MEPS center, to take the physical, additional tests and to determine job qualification / availability. At the MEPS center, after completing all of the above, you sat down with a “career advisor” who would help you with your desires. The advisor told me I pretty much qualified for any job I was interested in. He searched his DOS computer diligently ; however, wasn’t coming up with anything involving jet engines. He began to surf through various jobs. I declined five or six, before up popped “Dental Specialist”.
I said “What’s that?” With another click on the DOS screen, popped up about a 5 sentence job description. Essentially the job was for a dental assistant. I shrugged my shoulders and said “OK, I guess”. Literally in about 2 minutes, in the earliest of “cyberspace”...I went an entirely different direction. After my enlisted days, I went on to Dental School, did a total of 22 years in the Air Force, had a private practice for 4 years and just completed 10 years Civil Service, with the Army. Yesterday, I retired. It really hasn’t sunk in, yet.
Before I left, I presented my boss, this Refurb / mod. I’m certain it will strike a nerve with many of you (pun intended).
I chose a cheap “Ideal Knife Company” knife. I told the boss I chose it, since he’d been the “ideal” boss...I know kind of corny. In a shell conversion to nickle silver bolsters and canvas micarta, I took one of the largest endodontic files and inset it in to the handle. My boss is an “Endodontist” or root canal specialist. He was truly appreciative.
