Franklin A. Eckrode Sr

Chief Warrant Officer Three, US Army, Retired.  I was an Equipment Maintenance Technician, started out as a PVT (E1), jumped ship from the enlisted ranks when I made the SFC (E7) promotion list in a few months over 8 years (which at the time was hardly heard of) and the Army asked me to apply for the Warrant Program.   Retired in 1998 with a few days over the twenty year mark.  Worst decision I ever made.  Served two tours in Germany (six years combined), 1 tour in Korea, Desert Storm, Ft Lewis, WA, Ft Knox, KY (twice), APG, MD (3 times), Ft Hood, TX, Ft Carson, CO, Ft Leonardwood, MO. 3 miserable weeks at Ft Benning, GA just to be medically dropped from Airborne School and even a one month tour as a PVT in the hometown recruiters program at home in Oregon.  Now my son has taken the reigns.  At this time I am now semi-retired, regressed in age, got tattoo'ed up and just trying to enjoy life.