41 years and a wake up: The Sailor-turned-Airman began and ended his career on the island of Oahu, Hawaii

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Paul Duquete
  • 163d Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  Most service members consider themselves lucky if they deploy to Hawaii once in their careers, but for Services Flight Senior Master Sgt. Raymond Platz, luck is an understatement after starting and ending his career in Oahu. 

"After joining the Navy 41 years ago, I never thought I'd end up back in Oahu in the Air Force on my last deployment," said Sergeant Platz, "It's funny because I was supposed to join the Air Force after graduating high school." 

Before graduating high school, Sergeant Platz's focus on the Air Force shifted after speaking to his brother in the Navy. His brother's boat was on six month rotations between California and Hawaii. 

"I was very excited about the Navy once my brother told me how much time he was spending in Hawaii," said Sergeant Platz. "I'd never traveled before, so I was eager to join and see the world." 

After hearing about a Navy program called Brother Duty, which allows you to serve along a sibling, Sergeant Platz made his decision and joined the Navy. 

"After joining, they didn't station me in with my brother, but I did end up on the beaches of Oahu, Hawaii on my first deployment," Sergeant Platz said. "For the first nine months of my enlistment, I was unrated (no job title). Basically, I was the low man on the totem pole, so I got all the undesirable jobs." After Sergeant Platz was placed in the galley (kitchen), he found his calling. 

"I worked with the cooks a lot and I became good friends with them, so I decided to become one too. I've been a cook (services) ever since," Sergeant Platz said. 

After spending four years on active duty in the Navy, he went to the Navy Reserve for 10 years and then joined the Air National Guard's 222nd Combat Communications Squadron in 1981 in San Diego, Calif. After a 17 year stay at the 222nd, Sergeant Platz made his way to the wing in 1998. "Everyone says, save the best for last," said Sergeant Platz. "Well, I'm retired now, and I feel like I did just that when I came to the wing 10 years ago."