First Airplane Trip
My first airplane trip was to Orlando, Florida to attend boot camp. I felt it was amazing, just seeming to float around through the sky and then when the plane landed I'd be in a new place! Wow!

More thoughts on a woman joining the military
You have to realize that in 1973, the attitude of th general public was that the only type of woman who would join the military was either a lesbian, a whore, or a woman looking for a husband. I didn't fall into any of the above categories. I just wanted a new job. So I joined the Navy. Sure enough, there were lesbians, whores, and women looking for a husband. But there were other women too. Women who were running away from unhappy marraiges, women who were just looking at military life, and women who, like me, were looking for a new job.

Summer-1973-Thinking about joining the military
I had been thinking of joining the military since before H.S. graduation but I was afraid of two things. I was afraid of lesbians and afraid of boot camp. I didn't know what to do. It was 1973 and Viet Nam was still in progress. I don't think the prospect of being sent to war occurred to me.There were other things to worry about, such as the above named. So I talked to an Army recruiter first. I told her I'd think about it and let her know. I think I wanted to think about it because she had a masculine air about her and that scared me. I may or may not have talked to an Air Force recruiter. I did speak to a Navy recruiter. I don't remember his name but I did like him. I talked with him and was impressed. So I took the entrance exam and, although I did poorly, especally in math, I did well enough in something that he signed me up. I didn't know it at the time but it was the best thing I would ever do for myself.