Veteran for Life:
Thomas L. Marsden
U.S. Air Force
1982-1986 (Active)
1987-1989/2001-2015 (Reserve)
Liquid Fuels Systems Maintenance/Information Management/Command Post
As a retired Air Force Veteran that has shopped with the Exchange, I have an experience that allows me to understand our military Airman and Soldier’s needs. Now, as an Exchange associate, I can leverage that experience to help ensure our customer’s needs are met.
On June 16, 1982, I was sent to Lackland AFB in San Antonio for basic training. From there, I was sent to Chanute AFB in Illinos, where I trained as a liquid fuels maintenance technician. My first base assignment was Germany’s Ramstein AB. Two-and-a-half years later, I was reassigned to Pope AFB, N.C. Once I served my four-year obligation, I returned back home to Texas, where I served an additional two years as an Air Force Reservist.
From there, I took a 13-year hiatus from the military. In 2001, I started dreaming that I was back in the military. After about four nights of the same dream, my wife said I should call a recruiter so that they can tell me that I am too old to re-enter and allow me to move on.  Two weeks before 9/11, I was a member of the Air Force Reserves located in Fort Worth, Texas. This time, I finished out a total of 20 years and retired in late 2015.
