Well, in the small world department, I was in a similar program at the same time LCPL Foote was. I started working on my PPL on the base at NZJ in April 1986, and got a tour of the F18 (fairly new then) flight sim over by the tower (MAG-11 area, if I recall). I didn't really care what I flew, but I knew the F4 was going out, so didn't want that.
I took the Navy aptitude test, I failed the eye test with 20/25 in the left eye. Applied for a waiver. The result was, "aeronautically qualified for SNA, medically qualified for SNFO". Or, I could go to the Navy with up to 20/40. Or BN on A6, back seat F4, or rear seat EA6B.
I never met Foote, nor did I hear the A4 fly over that night. Passed my private check ride on 29 Nov 86.