I grew up near an AF base and one of my childhood memories was being terrified at age five by a B-52 on static display. I climbed up into it anyway on that rainy day and it opened a whole world up for me. Spent a lot of lazy afternoons watching F-105s, B-52s and F-4s land at the local AF base. My Mother would drive us out there , no doubt to get us out of the house for a while.
Got to fly GA with friends and family at an early age. I liked the sound and the speed. I found it difficult to decide what to do during my school years. I found that I had a tendency towards "Lawsickness" and philosophy didn't provide any meaningful handles. I happened to come across the notion that when building a weapon, an aircraft, a building or a bridge that there was little room for vague notions of what was right. I enjoyed this idea and I enjoy flying some of Man's most beautiful creations in one of natures most beautiful environments.

If you can ignore or avoid the many ups and downs of the business it is a great way to make a living and a very nice way to live.

I eventually flew those F-4s and served as a pilot in two branches of the military, and still wander the globe with a childlike sense of awe. It has been very good.