FORREST P. (PHIL) MEEK Lt Colonel, USAF (Retired)

USAF OCS Class 57C , OC LT, 4th Squadron Adjutant

I was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on 28 June 1930. My early life, like many others, was surviving the depression. My family moved at least ten times during my growing up years. As a result, I spent time living in Battle Creek and on three different farms during this period. I acquired a mixed background, city life as well as farm life. Fortunately, I spent my last three years at the same school, graduating from Coldwater High School in 1948. Our basketball team became state Class B champions during my senior year, in spite of the fact that I didn't make the team.

I joined the local Army National Guard, primarily because it allowed me to play basketball on the largest court in our small farming community. I enlisted on January 27, 1948 and was quickly promoted to PFC because of my typing ability. After high school, I moved back to Battle Creek, Michigan, where I was employed on the night shift by the Kellogg Co. This allowed me to attend Argubright Business College during the day. It was an early learning experience --- long hours and tight scheduling. About this time, I transferred from the Army National Guard to the Air Guard, joining the 172nd Fighter Squadron which, at the time, was flying F-51's. Shortly after completing business college in October 1950, I began working full time as a clerk-typist as an Air Guard technician. The unit was activated on February 1, 1951 during the Korean War. At the time of activation, I had achieved the rank of Sergeant.

On 31 March 1951, I married Elizabeth (Beth) from Colon, Michigan.

I re-enlisted in October 1952 in the grade of SSgt. During my enlisted service, I was a Personnel Technician at Kellogg Field, Battle Creek, Michigan, Selfridge AFB, Mt Clemens, Michigan and Misawa AB, Japan. I returned from overseas to attend OCS, entering on 31 March 1957 - the sixth anniversary of our marriage.

After OCS, I attended the Personnel Officer Course at Lackland, graduating in December 1957. During the next eleven years, I served as an adjutant and personnel officer in AACS and later, Air Force Communications Command at Lowry AFB, Colorado, Chanute AFB, Illinois, Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam, and Scott AFB, Illinois. I was the second person assigned to the 1964th Communications Group in Vietnam where I served as Chief of Administration and Personnel and Hq Squadron Commander. I was also the first full time Personnel Officer in Vietnam having all unit personnel records. The unit was over 600 strong with six detachments and two operating locations when I left in 1963.

At Hq Communicatrions Service, I served in officer records and enlisted assignments during my five-year tour. In August 1968, having attained the grade of major, I was assigned to the Hq USAF Inspector General Office at Norton AFB, Calif where I was a personnel inspector for the next three years. I then attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia where I matriculated in January 1972. I was then assigned to Hq MAC, where I was in charge of assignments for all non-flying officers for the command.

In October 1973, I was selected for assignment to Hq USAF at the Pentagon where I was Chief of the enlisted programs branch for the Air Force. In this assignment I was responsible for the total enlisted force, ensuring we did not exceed the total force limits imposed by the annual budget (approximately $4.2 billion). It included setting the recruiting quota for the year, determining the number of promotions, calculating losses for various reasons and submitting information for budget purposes. I was promoted to Lt Colonel in February 1974 and retired from the Pentagon in August 1977.

During my military service, I attended SOS, Armed Forces Staff College, acquired a BS degree in Economics from SIU at Edwardsville, IL and completed the Industrial College of the Armed Forces by correspondence--a worthwhile activity during those long flights with the IG.

After retirement, I purchased a franchise in International Minute Press in Phoenix, AZ, the first in the city. I opened shop on Aug 17, 1977 and employed from three to five people in sales and production. We served numerous clients throughout the Phoenix area and often shipped printed products throughout Arizona. We prospered and eventually acquired three presses and supporting computers and bindery equipment. Beth worked with me during the time we had our business. We sold the business in Feb 1997 when we went to full-time retirement.

We have three children, a son and two daughters and ten grandchildren. Since retirement, I have continued to be active in Kiwanis and a local printing club. Through Kiwanis I have been a club director and active in numerous community events.

We are looking forward to OCS reunions, and all the other things that retired people do.

Forrest (Phil) Meek