Regarding Security of Classified Information

[MineralMan]

10. I was still single, and had to live in an open barracks

at Ft. Meade. There were partitions, but it was still a noisy, open barracks building. I was not a happy camper by that time at still being an E-4 in the USAF and living in a freaking barracks with weekly inspections and all the usual military CS.

Fortunately, there was a reduction in force order that let me take an early discharge, 9 months before my scheduled discharge date. I grabbed the opportunity gleefully, dropped all my uniforms in the dumpster near the office near my barracks, got in my 1959 Volvo 544, and drove off the base toward California immediately. That morning was the last time I ever shaved my face. My beard is still there.

I could have stayed at the NSA. I had an offer of a civilian job there, at a GS level that was a big surprise. I had some unusual skills and specialized capabilities. I declined the offer, though. It just wasn't for me.