Best Moment Receiving my Master's Degree in Systems Management (MSSM) in January 1975 from the University of Southern California was an accomplishment that I believe would help to determine one of my future duty stations. I believe that it was because of this degree that I received while stationed at KMCAS, Hawaii that I was given orders several years later Marine Barracks Annapolis and then selected to be an Instructor at the United States Naval Academy.
Worst Moment Because this was the mid 1970's personal computers and smart calculators were not a common part of a student's "tool set". Thus not having access to software such as Microsoft's Excel, Word or PowerPoint was a real disadvantage knowing what I know now. I did not get my first PC until I was working at Georgia State University - and that had a 51/4 inch floppy disk and a 10MB hard drive. I thought I had arrived. Now my watch has more memory and power than my first desktop personal computer.
Other Memories While stationed with Delta Company, 3rd AmphibianTractor Battalion, First Marine Brigade at Kanehoe Marine Corps Air Station (KMCAS) I decided to try to get my Master of Science degree in Systems Management (MSSM) from the University of Southern California via their Hawaii program which reached out to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel stationed on Oahu. Over the several years that I worked on my degree it was a challenge to work in study time during both my professional and personal lves. My wife was a very positive supporter during this period and deserves a great deal of credit for helping me complete the program. My Commanding Officer at KMCAS, Hawaii also offered me the opportunities necessary to schedule my classes at Kaneohe most of the time instead of having to drive to Schofield Barracks (Army base) or Pearl Harbor (Navy base). I graduated with an MSSM degree in January 1975. It was this degree that I believe laid the groundwork for me to be assigned to Marine Barracks Annapolis after my 13 months overseas tour on Okinawa. I was elated to receive my orders to Marine Barracks Annapolis and to return to the United State Naval Academy.
