PHOENIX (Nov. 25, 2013) -- This is the tale of two former Soldiers from two different generations and two different mindsets and how they both achieved success in the Army.
One Soldier was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War in 1966. The other was part of the all volunteer Army initiated at the end of the draft July 1, 1973.
Dwight Thayer, the security specialist with the Phoenix Battalion, was living and working in California after high school when his father hand delivered his draft notice and realized he'd missed his report date.
He said he then faced one of those life changing forks in the road with three options; report for duty, refuse and go to jail, or go to Canada. Thayer admits that although he was reluctant about choosing any of the options, he reported for duty with the Army with thoughts of Vietnam looming in his future.
After in-processing in Phoenix, Thayer shipped off to Fort Riley, Kan., for basic training infantry training, where he said everyone in his basic training company was a draftee. Thayer shipped off to Vietnam after training.
While in Vietnam Thayer served with the 3rd of the 39th of the 9th Infantry Division. He later transferred to the 3/60th Riverine.
Following his two-years of compulsory service, Thayer was discharged from the Army and returned to Arizona. In spite of the hardships he endured during his tour in Vietnam Thayer soon realized he had very little in common with his old friends and that he actually liked serving in the Army. He reentered the Army and served for a number of years in the military police. Thayer worked for the DEA in Italy and later returned to Arizona at Fort Huachuca.
"While at CID school I received orders to report to Army Recruiter School," Thayer said. "I ended up recruiting in Boston, Florida and ended up as the 1st Sergeant for the Tucson Company."
Thayer retired from the Army in 1992. He has worked as a civilian for the Phoenix Battalion for the past seven years as the Reserve officer and security manager. Thayer says the main reason he's worked in and around the Army is the people.
"I've enjoyed Army life and have made so many lifelong friends," Thayer said. "I consider it a privilege to have served both in the military and as a government civilian for over 30 years."
Decades later, Mike Jetton, who's now the Phoenix Battalion Mission and Market Analyst, joined the Army. He believes he was destined to join the military following his boyhood preoccupation as a member of the Civil Air Patrol.
"Ever since I can remember, I had been interested in joining one of the Armed Forces," Jetton said. "I had a lot of Air Force influence from my father, but the decision to join the Army was more likely the result of my attending Army JROTC at Flowing Well High School."
Jetton does admit that JROTC was not his decision alone.
"I remember my father telling me that I had to take JROTC as one of my electives and if I didn't like it I did not have to take it the following years," Jetton said. "I ended up liking it so much that I stayed with JROTC for all four years of high school."
Four months before high school graduation, Jetton walked into an Army recruiting station and enlisted in the Army as an infantryman with the 82nd Airborne. Jetton has held assignments at Fort Benning, Ga., Camp Bonifas, Korea and as a recruiter, station commander, trainer and Company 1st Sergeant for the Los Angeles Battalion. While on active duty, Jetton earned his bachelor's degree in Communications from Ottawa University. He retired as a Master Sergeant in 2007.
Jetton says he's gained so much both personally and professionally throughout his 25 years of military service.
"The Army shaped me into the man/father/person I am today by giving me the opportunity to develop myself as a leader that worked as part of a team," Jetton said. "I have enjoyed the friendships I've made, the educational goals I've achieved and the growth and development I've gained as a part of a professional and honorable organization.
"I feel that I have left behind a positive and lasting memory of my military service," Jetton said. "I have had a direct impact on several Soldiers that have gone on to perform key leadership roles as a result of my recommendations," he adds.
Jetton said he has no regrets and that he wouldn't change a thing from his Army career. He said he lives by one philosophy, "Push and continue to improve yourself."
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