To my knowledge I was the youngest USAF commissioned officer at age 19 (1975) and likely one of the youngest modern commissioned officers of any service except battlefield commissions. I was in a 2-yr ROTC program which I couldn't enter until I was 17 and required my parent's permission, although I had already met my college graduation requirements. I was unable to accept a commission until 19 by law, so continued taking graduate school courses. Due to the Arab Oil Embargo at the time, was on delayed active duty for almost 2-years waiting for an Undergraduate Pilot Training slot. Eventually came on active duty to serve at Edwards AFB.
While at Edwards AFB, was one of the youngest recipients of the USAF Achievement Medal and Missile badge for my work as a Senior Research Propellant chemist at the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory working on development the Missile eXperimental (MX/Peacekeeper) and SRAM missiles and energenic experimental propellants.
I am a graduate of the U.S. Military's only post-graduate academy, the Uniformed Services School of Medicine. I was in full-time education on active duty for all but 9 years of my military service. Likely also one of the earliest to retire other than medical retirements at age 38 through a voluntary early retirement program instituted after Desert Storm. Under requirements of the early retirement program I had to either serve in civilian government service or work for a non-profit for 5 years to retain full military retirement pay. Elected to serve as 5-years as Chief Scientist for Concurrent Technologies Corporation. a non-profit in PA.
I am extremely grateful to the USAF for the 5 degrees they paid-in-full. I came from a poor family with a disabled father, a beautician mom, and we lived in a trailer. My Dad was a combat-disabled Navy veteran that died two years ago from mesothelioma from heavy asbestos exposures aboard the USS Boyd destroyer bombarding Korea. My Mom recently died from complications of a stroke. In going through their personal effects found a folder, unknown to me, where my parents had collected news articles from my commissioning to medals, to newspaper articles and even many of my medical research publications. It was incredibly humbling. I always thought of myself just as a ordinary guy having some great opportunities. Retired retired these days, I'm happily married with 5 daughters and 4 grandchildren!
Dr. Robert G. Elves
