I retired for the second time in 2005 from the Dept, of Navy Civilian Service with just over 20yrs.  I have been having a hard time adjusting since last Feb. 2011 my wife of 45 yrs. suddenly passed away.

2002 Biography

After graduation I didn't get anything very permanent during the summer of '62, so decided the service was something I might try. Entered the US Air Force on 31 Aug 62. I finished basic training around the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and was sent to Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA (Boy was I excited) (Boy was I in for a surprise). I was assigned to an Operational Test and Evaluation Minuteman Squadron (The big intercontinental ones)

Sometime in '63 I volunteered to go to Nam (wasn't that where everything was happening at) - 2 Star General said that was one place I'd never go. (Oh, he was right; never did get to go).

Aug '66 I met and married my wife of 36 years SanJuana Flores (she wishes to be called Janie). In Aug '67 we moved to Patrick Air Force base where I was assigned to a Research and Development squadron. In Dec '67 we were blessed with our one and only daughter Linda Ann.

In Jun of '69 we were on our way back to California to another Research and Development Squadron which only lasted a short while before returning to Vandenberg AFB, CA to the Operational and Training Squadron. This time I was assigned to Quality Assurance Training Squadron.

In late '71 I attended formal electronics school in Chanute AFB, IL. Six months later we were in Seymour AFB, NC for 3 years. In '75 I got assigned to Headquarters Langley AFB, VA. After receiving and installing the equipment received a call which would send us to Holloman AFB, NM for three years.

Now comes on '80 and an overseas assignment is looking at us so off to England we go for three years at RAF Upper AFB, UK (turned out to be an OK assignment) (Brits weren't as stuffed shirted as I had imagined).

Returned from England in '83 with an assignment to New Mexico, this time to a base called Cannon AFB (what a dump) (biggest store in town was K-Mart and it was as big as most double garages). Decided that I had had enough and it was time to retire. Retired from US Air Force in Sept of '84.

We had to start somewhere and here was as good as any. Took a vacation for as long as I could stand being without work. Got on with the Department of the Navy as an electronic technician in Dec of '84 at Belle Chase Naval Reserve Station. Job finished up in Aug of '88 and I was picked up by the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair New Orleans in Algiers and have been there ever since (job is a job). I have seventeen years in Civilian Civil Service and am nearly ready to retire from my second career.  I may work for another couple of years or I may wait until I am 62 in 4 years. I'm in no hurry.

Never did get a college degree but picked up lots of hours over the years - occasionally still pick up a few now and then.

I have played many sports over the years; I am now limited to what I can do by my health. I loved golf - played for awhile 'til I no longer could play; did get my game into the high seventies. Bowled for quite a few years - got decent at it and was an instructor to the Jr. bowlers on several of the military bases where we were stationed. My kids got to be great. I was so proud of them all (100 to 150 kids from 6 to 22).

When in England I picked up the game of darts and was able to play with the best dart players in the world. Up until a couple of years ago I was still winning at the game. I have made lots of money with the game as well as winning hundreds of trophies. I have hunted; and I now am just getting back to where I can hunt again; and I love to shoot my many guns and I do often as I can.

Well that's about the short of it. One thing I have missed most of all over the years was all the great friends from high school. I have met and made many friends over the years but none could compare with those from DHS.

Tony Pisciotti
USAF (Retired)