Name: Ed Roberts

What wars did you serve in? I am a veteran of the Cold War and the first Gulf
War. My service was all mostly states-side, given the role I was selected for.

Were you drafted, or did you enlist? I was recruited by a college Air Force
ROTC Officer to enter their Officer Training Program. I was in ROTC my last
two years of college.

Why did you sign up? I had a desire to serve our country as an officer and I
wanted to be trained in nuclear weapon operations. I also found the scholarships
provide to be very helpful while still in college.

What did you feel like first going in? It was exciting to start a new, while
unlikely for me, adventure. I was a little scared of attending basic training, the
unknown factor, but soon realized that I had nothing to fear. Basic training camp
was enjoyable and helped me grow as a person and a leader. Some of my favorite
memories are of basic training, Squadron Officer School, and Combat Officer
Training.
Did you serve in more than one branch? Just one.

What branch did you serve in? The United States Air Force.

Why did you pick this branch? Because of the technical training opportunities
the AF offered. And, since I was a family man with young daughters to raise, it
meant that I could serve stateside most of the time.

What was your job? I held several jobs. My first assignment was to the 91st
Strategic Missile Wing, Minot North Dakota where I was trained to be a Combat
Missile Operations Launch Control Officer. This allowed me to command a flight
of nuclear equipped Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. I became a Flight
Commander and then Chief of Operations Training where I was responsible for the
monthly training and certification of 250 fellow officers. My next assignment was
to Vandenberg AFB, California where I served as a Range Operations Officer and
Range Supervisor for the Western Test Range. My duties there were to conducted
rocket launches to test our nation's nuclear delivery capability. I directed a team
that helped launch over 35 rockets, to include the Minute Man III ICBM, Scout,
Atlas II, and Titan IV. I also participated in the return to space effort after the
Space Shuttle Challenger accident, serving in various technical capacities on three
shuttle launches. I then held a staff position at Headquarters, Air Force Space
Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado. There I was the Chief of the Space
Operations Training Branch and the Space Launch Operations Branch.

How did you get through basic training? I never gave up, even when it appeared
to difficult to continue. I pushed myself to accomplish difficult tasks that a year
before would have seemed impossible for me. But, I must add, officer basic
training was a lot different than the basic training combat personnel completed.
While there was a lot of physical endurance training and survival skills, there was a
lot of time spent in a classroom setting as well, learning leadership methods and
military strategy.

Where did you serve at specifically? See previous answer

Where you ever not allowed to tell where you were serving? Yes, almost all of
the time. Not specifically what my duties were, but how those duties were
performed. I held a Top Secret security clearance with nuclear codes
authorization.

Did get to work in the field? Yes, as a Missile Combat Crew Commander I
served in a command and control center buried 60 feet underground. I have a total
of 350 nuclear alert missions, each time for a 24 hour shift.

Tell us about your most memorable experiences, please. I once briefed

President George Bush I, without knowing in advance that the briefing was about
to happen.

What did you do when off-duty? Fishing. Snow skiing. Scuba diving. Raising a
family. I was in the US, so my off duty activities were normal stuff that most
people enjoyed doing.

Were there any pranks you were a part of, or that happened to you? No, none
that I recall or want to talk about. But, we did have fun teasing each other and
playing innocent jokes. It was a great stress release to have fun on the job and
helped people bond. Some of my best friends are fellow military officers I served
with.

How did people keep their spirits up during the war? We spent time together
training, a lot of training.

What was the food like? Since I was stateside, I did not have a need to rely on
field rations, but I did eat in a lot of cafeterias. At the Missile Combat Operations
Command Centers the food was a little bland, mostly prepared food in small
portions. My experience with field rations was only during military drills and
readiness exercises. I was fortunate to enjoy lunch on most days at the Officers
Club!
How many/what years did you serve? I entered in 1981 right out of college. I
served until 1994, at which time I started my teaching career at Pottsville High
School through the Troops-to-Teachers program
Did you receive any medals or citations? I have been awarded the Air Force
Achievement Medal twice, the Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service
Medal twice, the Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal,
and various training ribbons.

Did you stay in touch with your comrades? Yes, for awhile. I recently had a
reunion with one of my best military friends, but we mostly stay in touch through
email and social media.

Did you join a veterans organization? No.

Do you have any photographs that we may take a picture of to show? Yes, I
have several of me in uniform. Not any while performing duties since most of my
jobs were classified.

Do you have a message for high schoolers looking to join the military? Take
advantage of the training opportunities, don't be afraid to say yes to challenging
opportunities, and remember that a military unit is a professional organization
where you will grow up quick. You will have very important responsibilities, you
could be placed in stressful situations or even in harms way, so be prepared for
that level of involvement.