Joined the United States Marine Corps in May 1967. Trained as a T76 Turbo Prop Engine Mechanic. Deployed to Vietnam May 68 with Marine Observation Squadron 2 and assigned to Marble Mountain Marine Air Base. Worked as a Plane Captain on OV-10As and flew as a door gunner on UH-1E Huey Gunships. Left Vietnam in December 1969. Discharged from the USMC in October 1970, obtained the rank of Corporal. 

Worked for Gulf Oil Refinery from February 1970 to January 1980

Joined the Texas Army National Guard in November 1970 and attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant as a Combat Engineer Officer. Served with the 211th Engineers Dredge Detachment until January 1980. Deployed to Germany and assigned to the 23rd Engineers Combat, 3rd Armored Division in Hanau, Germany, where I was assigned to the S4 position and Company Commander of E Company Bridge Company. Completed my tour and returned to the States in August 1983. 

Worked for Gold Oil Refinery as a Machinist from August 1983 to October 1984, and retired.

Went full-time with the Texas Army National Guard in October 1983 as the S3 and Executive Office with the 386 Engineers Corps until October 1994.

Served as the S3 of Troop Command, Texas Army National Guard from October 1994 to July 1997. Served as the Budget Officer for the United States Property and Fiscal Office, Texas Army National Guard from July 1997 to July 1998. Served as the Supply and Warehouse Officer for the United States Property and Fiscal Office, Texas Army National Guard from July 1988 to July 2001. 

Retired from the Military Service in July 2001 with 33 years of service. Obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Married to Elizabeth S. Collins for 55 years

Three Daughters and three Grandchildren.