I »
4
Bernard Richardson
Story; Lsniti Duke
>ut of all the careers in the book, nothing holds such opportunity
“ serving one’s own country. Also, it provides the enrollees with
technical training, unlimited travel and steady income. There are
four main branches o f the U .S Arm ed Forces: A rm y, Navy, A ir
Force and Marine Corp. A t the perimeter o f this base are subsec
tions like the Arm y Reserves and the National Guard. The National
Guard offers a unique position for its personnel— experience in the
service while maintaining your status in the civilian world.
Bernard Richardson has entered this dual world. “ I work at Port
land General Electric in the public affairs department in the area of
civic relations. In the Oregon A ir National Guard I ’m an E7 which
is a Master Sergeant in the communications field. I've been in the
guard for nine years. Prior to joining the guard I was in the A ir
Force for six years.”
Richardson believes that this branch o f the service can help young
men and women by introducing them to the world. “ I grew up in a
small and very poor community. So when I turned seventeen I head
ed for the nearest recruiting office. A t that time I ended up in the
supply field.” Richardson stayed in the A ir Force for six years. " I
got out o f the service and got a job in the employment field.”
‘ ‘A young individual could get on active duty or get in the A ir
National Guard. W e meet one weekend a month and two weeks in
the summer. There are any number o f skills an individual could
learn. This is, again, up to the individual.”
As a Master Sergeant in the A ir N ational Guard Richardson
works in material controls. “ We take care o f all the supplies for our
unit s site. Every quarter we go to a different site and I make sure
that we have all the things that we need.” The A ir National Guard is
under the Governor in case o f disaster and if there is a war the N a
tional Guard can be called to serve like a regular unit o f the service.
Richardson wears the uniform o f two worlds, a success in both be-
caue he’s consistent and because he wants to be. He adds that you
Oregon Air National Guard
288-5611
Page 8 Section II Portland Observer, November 5, 1981