REDSTONE, Ala. (Aug. 5, 2015) -- The biggest news of 1963 was the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. That same year, 17 year old Johnny Head dropped out of high school and began his government career as a Soldier.
The oldest of six siblings, Head joined the military and became an Infantry Vehicle Mechanic.
"I was raised poor and you had to work hard to get anything you had," said Head, a Decatur, Ill native. "I worked overhauling cars in junior high school to help my dad make a living. I'd always considered joining the military because it was one way for me to make a decent living."
After basic training at Fort Polk, La., and Advanced Individual Training, at Fort Benning, Ga., at he received orders to Korea. As part of a military advisory group, his duties included driving fuel tankers and cargo trailers.
Once he completed his tour in Korea, he was reassigned to the 249th General Hospital at Fitzsimons in Denver, Col., and subsequently received his GED. He reenlisted and attended single engine, single rotor helicopter repairman and multi-engine tandem rotor repairman's course at Fort Eustis, Va. He then was assigned to Fort Benning, Ga. as a Maintenance Team Leader in a Chinook (CH-47) company.
"My name is Aircraft," he quipped. "I love aviation and I love aircraft. I enjoy trying to keep our aircraft safe because I want to see them come home."
Head served three tours in Vietnam from 1966 -1971. He was assigned to Fort Riley, Kan., as an Aircraft Quality Control Inspector. His assignments include Fort Benning, Ga., Fort Bliss, Texas, and Europe. He became a Quality Control Inspector/Supervisor and was assigned to the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command in St. Louis, Mo., until his retirement as a Sgt. 1st Class in 1983.
His first civil position was as an Aircraft Equipment Specialist with AVSCOM in St. Louis, until the 1997 Defense Base Realignment and Closure when he and his wife of 30 years, relocated to Huntsville Ala.
Head said he remains relevant to today's work force because he has always been active in the maintenance area. "I've participated with manual verification teams on most of the Army's aircraft including the Blackhawk and D Model Chinook," Head said. "I've done troubleshooting manual verifications on the Apache and I've worked configuration control for the Huey and Cobras."
Head is assigned to the Engineering Directorate, Tech Data Division, and Systems Acquisitions Branch. His duties include ensure the Procurement office has all the data necessary to procure the correct parts for our aircraft. He has no immediate plans to retire.
"I would advise today's generation to straighten up and realize they are not a privileged class. You can't wander in the office when you feel like it and leave when you feel like it. Do your research, learn about the product you are working on and be a dedicated worker," he said.
"Working for these commands is an awesome responsibility. We provide the Soldier what they need to do their job safely."
On July 30, 2015, Head was recognized by Gen. Dennis L. Via, Commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, for his 50-year contribution and dedicated service.
AMRDEC has 29 employees with 40 or more years of service. Head is one of two employees with more than 50 years of service.
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The Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.
RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.
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