"AKA" Jimmy Doolittle Air & Space Museum

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THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE

    Our life in New York took on a new meaning. Despite some financial hardships and emotional frustrations, through the help of many dear civilian friends my life took a drastic turn for the better. On the fifth of July 1948, I took my last drink of alcohol. At that time there was little thought of the impact this would have on my life and the life of many others with the same problem. The thought of helping others to achieve a sober and productive life was not a part of my psyche. My family began to respond to my being sober and life became real.

    Other members of my squadron noticed that I was not drinking and a few of them who had their own problems sought my counsel. This caused me to realize that through my own recovery I could share this with others who were unable to respond on their own.

    Shortly after my own recovery, I approached my Squadron Commander with the idea of giving a talk on alcoholism to member of my Squadron. At first he looked at me as though my sanity had left me. I told him of the success realized in working with several people on the base and he finally consented.

    I had no idea how to present my program but with much apprehension I addressed one hundred and fifty nine members of the squadron. My presentation began by saying, "I am an alcoholic and have found a way to live a useful life without having to drink alcoholic beverages." Everyone responded with laughter because they were aware of my previous drinking problem. My immediate reaction was to sit down but as the talk progressed there appeared to be an interest in what was being said and a good feeling emanated from this admission. After my talk, two people came up and asked for my help. This was the beginning of an awesome responsibility in helping other to seek a better way of life.

    The program became quite successful and soon I was assigned to the Chaplains Office working strictly with alcoholics. There was much resistance toward this approach as many commanders and senior enlisted personnel were adamant regarding my working with these people.

    The old adage of "drinking like a man" no longer prevailed as there were female members of the military who also had problems. Furthermore, in those days alcoholism was not considered a disease, particularly in the military. I was considered a freak by some and a crusader by others. Despite this my head was held high and I proceeded with the mission of helping those who needed my counsel.

    Several disadvantages were experienced in working within the Chaplains field. First, many alcoholics could not identify with the spiritual concept of recovery. Others thought they had been deserted by God and had little or no religious background. In those days the military had many members who put God as the last thing on their list. This resistance carried over and attempts to help some of these individuals fell on deaf ears.

    The other disadvantage was my own approach to a new life was not strongly reinforced by a religious background. My childhood was void of any religious training and rarely did I attend church. Anxiety was a byproduct of my duties while serving in the Chaplains Corps. I was required to attend a school for Chaplains Assistant. I felt like a displaced person in this role, but the Chaplains took advantage of my knowledge regarding alcoholism. They even asked me to present several lectures on the subject while attending the school.

    My motivation to work with other alcoholics was intensified. More personnel sought my assistance and this drew the attention of Marty Mann, the founder and director of the National Committee on Alcoholism. She had been attempting to change the negative attitude toward alcoholism in the military for some time. She had a keen awareness of the insensitivity toward the alcoholic and punishing those who become alcoholic rather than treating them as a sick person. The policy at that time was to deny pay to those who sought assistance for their alcoholism if they were hospitalized or unable to perform their prescribed duties. In addition, those who did not respond to treatment were discharged as undesirable. This caused a breach in those who wanted to recover but were afraid to seek help due to the administrative restrictions placed on their seeking assistance.

    Marty was a great crusader and recognized alcoholism as a disease rather than a character defect. She preached this concept worldwide including the military service. Having her as a staunch defender of my work in the field was the motivation needed to continue despite the resistance of some who were non-supportive.

    Marty, her deputy Yv Gardner and the Command Chaplain at Mitchel Air Force Base were interested in getting me enrolled in the Yale University's School of Alcohol Studies. Soon, I received a call from Marty's office asking if I would be interested in attending the school. She had obtained a scholarship for me at this prestigious University. I was ecstatic about the proposal but there were many obstacles to overcome before this became a reality. First, enlisted personnel were not permitted to attend such a prestigious school, second, a leave of absence from the Air Force was not sanctioned, third, there were no funds available for that purpose.

    Chaplain Thomas Adams, the Command Chaplain for Continental Air Command spent many hours attempting to justify my attendance at Yale. The Air Force finally approved my enrollment, but they would not approve the financial support necessary for such an endeavor. Without financial support, attendance was impossible. It appeared hopeless, but the Base Commander, a Colonel Musgrave  after being appraised of my dilemma, came to the rescue. He was aware of a special fund that the Roosevelt Raceways had established for enlisted personnel at Mitchel Air Force Base. This fund was to be used for recreational purposes, but he was successful in getting them to bend the rules to allow for my participation at the Yale School.

    Marty had already secured a scholarship for me but there was a matter of expenses while at the school and for transportation. Unfortunately, the school was being held at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. The money given by the given by the racetrack was not sufficient to handle the transportation costs. Just to extend my luck, there was a flight to Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth that afternoon. I was put on the manifest and that afternoon took off for Fort Worth. This was an opportunity which would change my life.

    I was the first military person to attend Yale School and the knowledge gained while in attendance was overwhelming. The most learned individuals in the field of behavioral science were the instructors. Several of them, including Dr. E. M. Jellineck, Seldon Bacon, Leon Greenberg, and Marty Mann had a profound effect on me. I am ever grateful for their interest in providing me with the knowledge and motivation that has kept me in good stead throughout the years.

    Upon completion of the course at the University I returned to Mitchel Air Force Base with renewed commitment to salvage Air Force personnel who were alcoholic. The knowledge acquired at Yale, provided the ammunition needed to combat the negative attitude that existed regarding alcoholism. Take my word for it, the feelings were very strong in the ranks. My approach to military commanders was (1) alcoholism was a disease, (2) the alcoholic was salvageable, and (3) the alcoholic was worth saving. The number of those who became affiliated with my program grew and a more positive attitude toward the problem evolved.

    I still have a silver dollar given my by a female sergeant who had a drinking problem and wanted to take her own life. After counseling her for some time, she responded and when I left Mitchel Air Force Base, she gave me this shiny new silver dollar. It was carried for many years but it wore thin and is now in a safe place with other memorabilia.

    The next two years were a mixture of joy and sorrow. Some of the personnel I worked with did not respond to the program and were separated from the service. Others refused to become involved and were eventually discharged as undesirable. However, there were many rewards for this work when a person responded to my counsel and stayed sober. There is no magical formula used to convince these people to remain sober. The motivation and continued sobriety came from them, I was only the instrument to carry the message of sobriety.

    During this period, my family had grown to five boys. My wife had her hands full and in retrospect, I was of little help because of my commitment to helping alcoholics. At the time there was this urgent need to be of service at the expense of my family. Many a night I left a warm bed to go to the aid of an alcoholic unmindful of the need of my presence at home. In a sense this was a selfish motivating factor but I felt it was my duty.

    Unfortunately, military support for the program began to erode. I decided to seek another assignment and applied for ROTC duty. I chose Kent State University, in Ohio. This required attendance at the Academic Instructor's School in Montgomery, Alabama. The training received at the school was very helpful in teaching and lecturing.

    An interesting thing happened while in Montgomery. The bass fishing in that area was really good. After getting some information from some of the residents, I decided to take a small trip to Suggs Pond outside of Montgomery. No one wanted to go with me so I was alone.

    I rented a small boat and rowed out to an area that seemed ideal for black bass fishing. After several casts I got my first strike. It was a small bass and I released it. Soon thereafter a really nice bass hit my plug and after a struggle, he was in the boat. As I was freeing it another bass jumped along side of the boat and landed right in the boat. I could not believe what had happened but a fellow from the store hollered, "I can't even get a strike and you got them jumping in the boat". As it turned out he was a reporter for the Montgomery newspaper and called me to shore to interview me. The strange thing was the bass were both four and one half pounds. It was really nice to have a witness because telling the story without a witness and the newspaper article would not be convincing to many fellow-fishermen.

    Upon completing the training at Maxwell Air Force Base we returned to Mitchel Air Force Base and soon our family was on our way to Kent State University. This was considered a choice assignment because it was within the proximity of my home town of Niles.

    The university campus was very beautiful with many trees and modern facilities. Being an instructor at the University gave us both the same status as other teachers and professors. In addition, I was provided a rent free home opposite the university. Although it was an older home on a farm that the university owned, it was adequate. Other ROTC instructors were provided a monetary allowance in lieu of housing.

    The town of Kent was also a pleasant place to live. It was small and friendly. In the two years we lived there, we established many friendships with the people in the town. Also, the members of the ROTC staff were cooperative and most of them were quality people. The staff members were both enlisted and officer personnel.

    As a unit, we had bowling teams, picnics, and many social events. The Commanding Officer of the unit was especially nice to me and my family. He was a Second Lieutenant at Hickam Field when the Japanese attacked so he and I had something in common. Although most of the other members of the staff did not care too much for him, I had a good relationship with him and when I left the University he recommended me for a commission.

    I loved to teach and sometimes it seemed like a dream that a person of my educational background was assigned to teach college students. Much time was spent on the preparation of lectures because I wanted to do the best job I could. A few of the students were from an area close to my home in Niles. Also, one of the student's father was a doctor and he delivered me when I was born. A strange coincidence indeed!

    After two years, Air Force policy dictated that enlisted men were no longer eligible to teach. There was no way that I would accept some menial administrative responsibility. One night I perceived the idea of writing a pleading letter to the Surgeon General of the Air Force requesting an assignment working with alcoholics. After sending the letter, I became very apprehensive, thinking perhaps that the Surgeon General would reject my proposal and punish me for writing directly to his office. Within a matter of two weeks, an answer was forthcoming. With the concurrence of the Surgeon General and the Chief of Air Force Chaplain's I was given the choice of three bases, Sampson, Parks, or Lackland with heavy emphasis on Lackland because it was a training base. I chose Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

    It was with mixed emotions that we left Kent State University. This assignment was prior to the negative name the university acquired due to riots several years later. It was difficult to imagine such a serene setting being the cause of a national anger due to the actions of the National Guard and some aggressive students. To this day, people react when one mentions being a part of the university faculty at one time.

    I thought frustration was the name of the game when assigned to work with alcoholics at Mitchel Air Force Base, but there was no comparison to the mystery surrounding my initial assignment at Lackland. I still had a MOS which identified me as a Chaplains Assistant. The chaplains had no idea why I was assigned to their organization and frankly there was much resentment because they felt fully capable of handling any circumstances that involved character.

    It was not long before the motivation to continue as a counselor diminished. In addition to the lack of cooperation, the stigma against the alcoholic still remained.

    With this general attitude, referrals were few and far between. It was as though by magic that I received a call from a Major who was the Chief Of Psychiatry in the 3700th U.S. Hospital. He wanted to talk to me about an assignment in his department. I had no idea that he was involved in a rather unique program of treating selective individuals with alcoholic problems for a possible restoration to duty assignments. This would be an ideal program for me. As though on an impulse he said, "Sergeant, how would you like to be a psychiatric social worker and be my assistant in this program of alcoholic rehabilitation?" In about two seconds the deal was done.

    As a result of this conversation, the first, "Employee Assistance Program" emerged. The next eight years were full of highs and lows. Doctor Louis J. West, immediately became my friend and ally in a program that would eventually attract worldwide attention because of it's uniqueness. Eventually, airmen and officers from various Air Force Base's were sent to Lackland for alcohol rehabilitation. One phase of the program consisted of rehabilitation and the other was directed toward educating personnel regarding the nature of alcoholism through lectures, dissemination of materials dealing with the subject and through personal contact with supervisory personnel who had to cope with the problem in the course of their duties. It also was to establish a liaison between Alcoholics Anonymous, medical and religious facilities and other organizations. It was difficult to sell the preventive educational aspects of the program due to the inability to evaluate the results of such a program. However, there was an increase in the number of referrals due to education. Requests for my services in this area increased, so much so that the Visual Training Division made me a very elaborate set of training aides to increase the effectiveness of these presentations.

    Also, there was the important aspect of informing young airmen regarding the consequences of excessive use of alcoholic beverages and perhaps deter some from becoming alcoholic. Through this method, individuals could recognize some of the predisposed conditions which lead to alcoholism, the insidious and progressive nature of the problem and methods, to cope with it. Some individuals who had predisposed problems responded and avoided becoming full blown alcoholics.

    Lectures were given at various military bases. They were usually presented as character guidance lectures which turned some personnel off because they felt no need to be advised of subjects which dealt with character. Despite the mental blocks some airmen and officers developed regarding the subject matter, many referrals were directly related to these presentations. Some of the bases utilizing my services were Lackland, Brooks, Randolph, Walker, and Laredo Air Force Bases. Also the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station and Fort Sam Houston requested my services for lecturing and assisting them in establishing an ongoing program.

    The most humorous venture into Strategic Air Command happened at Walker Air Force Base. It was requested that I come to that Air Base and present lectures to all the personnel. A mixture between apprehension and exultation existed. Those familiar with the Strategic Air Command are also aware of the demands for military correctness in every phase of it's operations as well as it's security measures.

    My orders read that I was requested to visit that base to present lectures on alcoholism to all base personnel. It so happened that there was a SAC alert in progress upon my arrival and when these orders were presented to the Air Police at the gate, they immediately challenged the validity of the orders. They attempted to contact the requesting officer but were advised that he was at the Officer's Club and was not to be disturbed. The outcome of this order was my being transferred to the local holding cell as a possible suspect with an attempt to penetrate their elaborate security system. Within a short period of time, the legitimacy of my visit was established and I was escorted to a very comfortable room in the guest house. The next morning a very humble apology was issued by the Base Commander. Needless to say my lectures were presented after being properly introduced by the Commanders of the various organizations.

    Presentations were the Non-Commissioned Officers Preparatory Academy, all Personal Management School Classes, Drivers Training courses, Advanced Chaplains Course, and courses to civil service personnel on the Base. Most of these classes were ongoing which kept me well occupied. A decided increase in referral were the result of these lectures. Many were self-referrals and these usually had more positive results because the process of surrender was already in effect by those seeking assistance.

    In 1955, I co-authored a paper with Dr. Louis J. West, titled, "An Approach To Alcoholism In The Military Service" presented at the One Hundred And Eleventh Annual Meeting Of the American Psychiatric Association. It was published in "The American Journal of Psychiatry", June 1956 and this brought much credibility to our program. It became a blue print for programs in all branches of the military. I considered my attendance at the APA Convention a great honor as a guest of the APA and also a contributor to the program. I was one of the few laymen asked to participate in such a prestigious program.

    As our program was announced, I was introduced with the mispronunciation of my name. The paper was read and some of the psychiatrist were critical of the contents of our article. My ego was pushed out of shape with this criticism.

    Other publications that I had written were published in The Yale Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcoholism and the Armed Forces Medical Journal. These publications resulted in my presenting lectures to lay and professional groups through out the San Antonio area. I was called upon to provide opinions and evaluations regarding courts-martials and discharges of personnel with alcohol problems. It was an awesome responsibility because it effected the future of many personnel.

    My time was fully occupied during duty hours and many times at all hours of the night. However, despite the inconvenience caused by calls after hours the urgency of the call for help was heeded and many of these calls resulted in long term sobriety for many people who could not commission a professional person to respond to their needs.

    My family and I established some lasting friendships from those who initially sought my services. One in particular was my fishing buddy Jim. We became very close over the years and I considered him by best friend. We kept in touch and two years ago my wife and I were making a trip back east and the plan was to visit San Antonio on our trip back home. I called to notify Jim that we would be in San Antonio on a certain date. His daughter answered the phone and in a very sad voice informed me that Jim had passed away two weeks preceding my call. I was devastated because of our close relationship not only with me but with our whole family.

    I was extremely proud of Jim for what he had accomplished after getting sober. He went to college while in the military and earned a degree. After retirement from the Air Force, he became a teacher in the San Antonio school system and eventually retired from that position.

    The last time we saw Jim we were visiting my son in Georgia and came back through San Antonio. At the time I had a 26 foot Motor home which we parked in his drive. We stayed there for several days but I had to fly back to Georgia to give a lecture at a treatment center. While in Georgia, both Jim and his wife treated my wife Ann royally. My thoughts often turn to thinking about Jim and the wonderful friend he was to me and my family.

    There were several traumatic incidents which eventually become a comic reminiscence. One in particular stands out. I received a phone call in the wee hours of the morning from a military person who said he was in trouble and needed my help. Reluctantly I went to his aid. He was of Mexican decent and as soon as he got into the car in a drunken condition, he pulled a knife on me and said, "Take me to Mexico". Quick thinking prevailed and I told him if we were going to Mexico we needed something to drink. He agreed and I went to a drive-in store and called the local police. They were on the scene in minutes and they hauled him off to jail.

    In June 1954 I was asked to participate in a meeting in Washington, D.C. regarding the problem of alcoholism in the Air Force. The committee consisted of top personnel from the various sections within the Air Force including representatives from The Surgeon General, The Provost Marshall, Personnel, Flight Surgeons, and Judge Advocate General's Office. The meeting lasted most of the day and solicited input from the above representatives  and myself. There was much enthusiasm from the various members regarding my suggestion of assigning a rehabilitated counselor to work specifically with other alcoholics and organizations in addressing the problem and providing a source of assistance to the alcoholic. I also recommended that counselors  be adequately trained for such duty, preferably at Yale School of Alcohol Studies.

    I left that meeting with a euphoric feeling that soon there would be a division of the military devoted to the rehabilitation of those who developed the problem of alcoholism. A few days after returning to Lackland I was informed that the committee put the proposal on hold. The final decision of the committee was negative and the actions of the Air Force would remain the same. There was no action contemplated to initiate a formal rehabilitation program.

    My suggestion was affordable and would have saved many valuable personnel who, when rehabilitated, could serve with honor and productivity. At a later date official word came to me that the committee decided this would be too costly an adventure to put into action.

    The decision not to follow the recommendations of several people on the committee was a big disappointment. I thought my presentation was received with enthusiasm and felt confident some positive action would be taken based upon the success of our program at Lackland AF Base. Documented evidence was presented that large amounts of money could be saved if this plan could be implemented, but the military often uses illogical methods of solving a problem as great as alcoholism. Discharging those who have a problem without the benefit of attempting rehabilitation and retraining replacements to take their place just didn't make sense.

    For approximately three years Doctor West and I had an ongoing program which was responsible for saving the Air Force over one million dollars a year through the salvage of once productive personnel. Doctor West subsequently left the Air Force and took the position as head of the Psychiatric Department, University of Oklahoma. After his departure support for the program began to erode. Even when Doctor West was still at Lackland Air Force Base there were the skeptics who were resistant toward the program and did not refer alcoholics. They felt they were more effective in treating them.

    In 1957 I was removed from the program and assigned strictly as a psychiatric social worker. Despite the fact that I complained loudly, insisting that my assignment to the Psychiatric Service was initiated by the Chief Of Air Force Chaplains and the Surgeon General, I was required to accept the new assignment. Orders were published transferring me to England as a psychiatric social worker. I protested to the Hospital Commander that I had minimum background in the field of social work and my specialty was working with alcoholics. I produced the original letter from the Surgeon General which approved my workings with alcoholics and he contacted the Surgeon General's Office. I was not only taken off shipment, but was never again threatened with reassignment.

    My resistance to reassignment was caused by the fear the program would die if there was no replacement for me. At one time they did approve a temporary assignment to assist me with the program but after a few weeks, he was recalled to his original organization.

    After Dr. West's departure my motivation to work with alcoholics was altered. The enthusiasm exhibited by other staff members and the Base as a whole seemed to change. Dr. West's replacement was lukewarm  toward the alcoholic and each decision regarding the retention or discharge of an alcoholic was not given proper consideration. I was even moved from the Psychiatric Service to Mental Health in an old barracks. Close contact with psychiatrists and psychologists was no longer possible. This altered attitude toward the program lasted for about three years and finally I was eligible for retirement and put in the proper papers for that action.

    There was a position open within the Texas Alcoholism Commission. My credentials were well known and I decided to apply for the job. The Director of the Commission came to my home and spent a considerable amount of time with me. I was assured that my background and experience met the requirements for the position. My retirement was initiated because of this available position. Word that the position had been filled came at almost the same time as my retirement was final and needless to say this was a severe blow to my ego.

    To add fuel to the fire I retired without a "thank you" for my services. Over the years many miles were put on my car transporting individuals to rehabilitation meetings, and answering calls at all hours of night and day. This resulted in retiring and having my Retirement Certificate given me by an Airman Second Class. A bitterness prevailed for many years and I finally complained to my congress woman and this was the answer she got to my complaint after almost thirty five years. This is a quote from Beth A. Unklesbay, Lt Col. Office of Legislative Liaison. "Authorities in the Office of the Air Force Surgeon General advise that Sergeant Swegan's contribution to current alcoholism programs have been immeasurable. The pioneer work he provided in this area has assisted thousands of individuals in the military as well as in civilian communities. His efforts, at a time when little assistance was provided to victims of alcoholism, deserve to be applauded. The framework Sergeant Swegan helped establish will continue to serve many more in the future." This partially resolved the negative feelings manifested when I retired.

    During the last few years of my Air Force Career, I worked very closely with the San Antonio Council on Alcoholism. I was one of the founding members of the council and was encouraged to participate in this important community organization. An urgent need for public education was realized and Marty Mann, the founder of the National Council on Alcoholism, constantly stressed that (1) Alcoholism was a disease, (2) The Alcoholic could be helped, (3) They were worth helping. Since the beginning of my relationship with Marty, there was a mutual feeling regarding the need for such community service and my services were sought quite often at civic functions.

    The School of Alcohol Studies at the University of Texas was holding their second annual session. I was given a leave to attend the conference. At that meeting I met a Doctor who was trying to establish a Treatment Center in Lubbock, Texas. He expressed an interest in hiring me to direct the Center. On several occasions during the school session we met and finally after discussing the proposal with my wife, I signed a contract to be the director of the Arnett-Benson Rehabilitation Center. Unfortunately, the day I signed the contract my wife called and informed me the Council in San Antonio came up with the money to hire me.

    This was a big disappointment as I always had the desire to become affiliated with a program involving Marty Mann. She was my dear friend and idol. Her interest in the work I had been doing in the Air Force provided me the opportunity to show her my capabilities.

    My employment at Arnett-Benson Rehabilitation Center was a negative experience. I was the lone therapist and was out at all hours of the night. There was little money to afford the necessities for a viable program. We were in direct competition with another Treatment Program in the community and they had the backing of the Medical Society. The two doctors who owned our program were Osteopathic Doctors with little experience in the field of alcoholism. I was in a quandary as we had purchased a new home and this had an effect on my decision to stay with the program. However, after nine months I was convinced the program was destined to fail.

    There was one event that took place during my tenure in Lubbock that had a humorous side to it. As a retired military person I had commissary privileges at Reese Air Force Base. My wife had just bought some groceries at the Base and at the dinner table, I noticed something strange about the ketchup bottle. The label read, "Heidtz Retchup" to be used in greasy spoon restaurants. It was difficult to believe that such a label would pass the inspection of employees at Heinz. I called the commissary officer at the Base and told him about the label. He said to bring it in the next morning.

    I went bowling that evening and my wife called me at the bowling lanes complaining about another label she found on a tuna fish can. It read, "Beware 1,000 bumblebees in this can." Obviously, it was Bumble Bee tuna. I told my wife to save the can and we would confront the commissary officer the next day.

    The plot thickened the next morning as I prepared for work. I took a pack of cigarettes out of a carton and it had the label, "Beware, Cancer sticks enclosed." At the coffee shop a medical detail man saw the pack and offered me five dollars for it. I refused because of it's supposed value.

    I decided to go to the commissary the next morning and find out what was going on. In the meantime we thought maybe this was some type of contest. My wife told some of the neighbors and they also felt it was a contest. They went to local grocery stores and began to scrutinize the shelves looking for odd labels.

    The commissary officer was confronted and was mystified. He had several of his employees check the canned goods on the shelves to find out if there were more mislabeled cans. They searched hundreds of canned goods to no avail. He asked me to leave these items and he would give me new ones. He also decided to check with the distributor to see if they had received similar complaints.

    I went home and told my wife what the commissary officer had said. She was very angry because I left the evidence in question with him. The argument became rather heated and finally one of my sons admitted that he and his older brother had gotten labels from a Mad Magazine and carefully affixed them to the various products.

    I was beside myself, knowing that I would have to tell the commissary officer what happened. We went to the Base and told him in person rather than call. Instead of being angry, he burst out laughing and said it was one of the best practical jokes he had ever experienced. I asked him about the Heinz representative and he assured me that he would take care of it.

    We were coming back from the commissary and I decided to get even with my sons. We stopped at my office and called home, telling the culprits we were in jail facing criminal charges for defacing a legitimate product. They were left without an explanation as I hung up the phone. When we got home we learned they were searching the telephone directory trying to get a lawyer to defend us.

    It was thought that this would be the end of the little joke but next morning there was an FBI agent at my office. I went into shock and faintly said to the agent, "I thought Heinz was not going to do anything about the incident at the commissary." He responded, "Mister, I don't know what you are talking about. I am looking for a missing person and we were told you may know of his whereabouts." Upon explaining what had happened, he lost his composure and responded with almost hysterical laughter. My reaction was one of relief.

    We never considered the fact that it was an April Fools joke that the kids had rigged up and we fell for it hook, line and sinker.

    My dissatisfaction with the whole program became more pronounced. There was some interference with the decision that I had made regarding some of the patients. The people in the community offered little support.

    I received word that my father had passed away. Although finances were meager, it was decided that I should go back for the funeral. On the way home I was despondent and began to realize the sacrifices my dad had made during our lives. He tried hard to make us a good home despite the odds against him. In retrospect I loved my dad, but at the time, love to me was vague and unrecognized.

    During my stay at home, I decided to move back to Ohio. It was a poor decision. There was a recession in the Midwest and after moving my family to Ohio, we had a rough time for approximately six months. I tried my hand at selling cars. This was a source of much frustration and I resigned after three months.

    I answered an add for a position in public relations. I was called for an interview and learned it was a position with the American Red Cross as Director of their Blood Program. After a brief interview I was hired. It was a position that I became dedicated to and blood donations reached an all time record in the county as a result of my innovative approach to donor recruitment. From 1963 until 1965, things went fairly well.

    Those two years in some ways were harsh because of the struggle financially and the weather. The ten years spent in Texas did not expose us to the harsh winter we experienced in 1963. Many days during the winter the temperature dropped  below zero degrees and this was hard to endure. One day it was minus thirty degrees. I had a little Simca automobile and it was the only car in the neighborhood that would start. My whole morning was spent "jump-starting" neighborhood cars.

    We lived in the old homestead and there were still some antiquated equipment. The faucet in the kitchen became inoperative and upon taking it apart, found the washers were defective. My son went to the hardware store with me. I was told they did not carry that type of equipment. Upon leaving the store I bought a bag of peanuts. My son was sitting in the front seat and I thought he had opened the peanuts. I held my hand out for the peanuts, but he put the washers in my hand. I shook them as one would while eating peanuts and tossed them in my mouth. Much to my surprise, there was the sound of metal hitting my teeth and the awful taste of the musty washers as I rolled them around in my mouth. My son thought I had lost my marbles.

    Despite liking my work, there was some controversy with the Chapter Manager of the Red Cross. I felt the Blood Program was a spiritual one and the Manager did not reflect that type of image. The mistake I made was to discuss my feelings with someone I thought was my friend. It turned out that she was loyal to the Manager and as a consequence I was terminated.

    My dedication to the Blood Program did not go unnoticed and soon I was hired by the San Jose, California Red Cross Chapter to head their Donor Recruitment Program. My family and I were reimbursed for our travel expenses and our furniture was shipped to my new assignment.

    I liked my new position and got along fine with fellow employees. I worked for the San Jose Chapter for six years and during that time made a lot of friends. My position required some travel and again, this afforded me the opportunity to meet people in the area.

    In 1971 I was told that due to budget problems, I would have to absorb a twenty percent pay cut. This came as a complete shock and I decided to resign. My reaction left me with resentments toward certain members of the American Red Cross. However, I still feel strongly about the organization and support their efforts. As in many cases it is not the organization but the members who conjure up negative images regarding the organizations.

    My resignation from the Red Cross was a blessing in disguise as I secured a position in Civil Service as the Chief of the Alcoholism Program at Fort Ord, California. It was the best present I could have received as it allowed me to complete twelve years of civil service which when added to my twenty one years of Air Force duty, provided me with an adequate retirement.

    After two years I was promoted to Employee Assistance Coordinator. This position took on a new meaning as there was interfacing with supervisors, commanders, etc., and new challenges. The major problems with working for the Army was their lack of empathy regarding troubled employees. Referrals were few and far between although I provided supervisor training and conferred with all the supervisors on a regular basis. After two years my position was abolished and I was put on a preferred list for the same position at other locations.

    I learned there was a position open at the Naval Air Rework Facility at the Alameda Naval Air Station. My application was submitted for the position and prior to the time a decision was made, I decided to go to the Air Station and plead my case. Although this is not supposed to influence hiring, I learned that the person responsible for making the hiring decision was also a recovered alcoholic. This made my appearance more convincing and I was hired soon thereafter.

    The attitude of personnel in the Navy was entirely different than those of the Army. There was a feeling of relaxation and a sense that you were appreciated for your contribution. The Army's attitude was that this program was a necessary evil and counter productive to it's mission. The comfort and feelings of belonging to the team was never more apparent than when I worked for the Navy.

    I began to publish some of my ideas about alcoholism and Employee Assistance Philosophies in recognized trade journals. This gave me a strong identity and many good things were accomplished. I was called upon to participate in various conventions and seminars. This involved travel and on many occasions my wife was able to accompany me.

    I found that employed people are more likely to seek help for their alcoholism when their job is threatened. The family and law enforcement agencies are less influential in motivating a person to seek assistance than the threat of job loss. The establishment of Employee Assistance Programs has had a dynamic impact on the number of employees who seek help for job related problems including alcoholism. Confronting the alcoholic under conditions that they cannot alter, rationalize, or minimize the seriousness of the confrontation creates a climate for increased participation and recovery.

    The use of idle threats toward the alcoholic is meaningless and supervisors must be trained to take corrective action when alcohol is a part of the problem. Supervisory training is the basis for the establishment of firm and positive rules regarding any problem which interferes with an employee's work performance. I tried to emphasize the crucial need for work performance standards applicable to all employees including supervisors. During my tenure as an EAP, some higher ranking supervisors were excluded from employee assistance training because it was assumed they did not fit the mold of a "troubled employee". It was my intent to include every employee in the category of being capable of becoming, or having, an alcohol problem. Presidents and top executives of companies have been known to become alcoholic and at the present time there are mental giants in treatment and in recovery programs. The rich, poor, intellectual giants, and the ignorant are not excluded from this group. Alcoholism is a disease which knows no boundaries and will strike people in all races, creeds, sex, and color. It is prevalent among the workers, executives, housewives, clergymen, and in all levels of society.

    I have stressed the importance of work as being important to mental health, and when job is lost, it can have a devastating effect on a person's emotional stability. To be gainfully employed in the United States is a must and when a person is threatened with job loss, intervention is critical to their eventual recovery.

    At the time a person is hired for a specific position they are usually capable of concealing their real identity and avoid the disclosure of any personality defects. Once hired however, they are put to the test. Attendance, punctuality, emotional stability, loyalty, efficiency, and productivity are all required for acceptable employment.

    As an Employee Assistance Professional, I stressed the importance of a supervisor's role in informing a subordinate their work performance was substandard and although alcoholism may be the cause, work performance is the basis of intervention. They should provide the subordinate with a positive plan for improved work performance. My greatest emphasis was placed on documentation of poor performance and a confrontation based on non-judgmental, empathetic, forthright, and firm action to alleviate further job related problems.

    The preceding information regarding industrial alcoholism was used by both the military and civilian organizations. Adherence to these principles have been highly effective in addressing the alcoholism problem under most circumstances.

    As previously mentioned, my position and knowledge in the field of alcoholism and Employee Assistance Programs allowed me to travel and participate in conferences throughout the United States. On one of these trips my wife and I stayed on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California while I attended a conference on board the ship. The four days aboard the ship was a nostalgic  occasion and my wife spent most of her time visiting the various staterooms and reading the literature made available to her. She was in complete awe reading the passenger lists and the names of many famous people on the lists.

    I shall be ever grateful to the Navy Officer responsible for hiring me. Also the supervisors, while working for the Navy, were outstanding and they referred many troubled employees to the EAP. They were very interested in attending my workshops and the training they received produced positive results. All during my tour with the Navy, there was little pressure regarding my position and I looked forward to the challenge that my position required.

    While employed by the Navy I was afforded a high honor. I was invited to be part of the ceremony honoring Marty Mann for her forty five years of dedication in helping others to recover from the insidious disease of alcoholism. Through the years I have contributed minutely compared to Marty. Her death in 1980 left a vacuum in my life. She was the pillar of strength in the field of alcoholism and highly respected by all who knew her.

    Another experience which shall forever be a part of my memory was being asked to speak at the "Alcoholism Hour" at the Betty Ford Alcoholism Treatment Center. It was there that I met President and Betty Ford and many dignitaries who were either recovered or interested in the problem of alcoholism. I shall never forget the handshake from President Ford. He has massive hands and I felt like a midget in his presence. Betty Ford was one of the most gracious ladies who made one feel like they were equal.

    I made a pledge to retire when I reached age sixty-five and that day finally arrived. I retired from the Navy and to my surprise, was awarded the Meritorious Civil Service Award. This was the highest award presented for services at a duty station. It was an honor to receive this recognition and was especially meaningful when presented by the Navy Air Rework Commander.

    I was also surprised when attending the monthly meeting of the Association of Labor Management Consultants on Alcoholism in 1983. They had a meeting to honor me for my contribution to the Employee Assistance Program. At the meeting I was presented with trophy and made an honorary member of the San Francisco Chapter.

    I had read an article appearing in People Magazine regarding the loss of George McGovern's daughter to the problem of alcoholism. I was so moved by the article that I sent a letter to People Magazine expressing my deep emotional reaction to this tragedy, with the suggestion that, if it was felt appropriate, to forward my condolences to Senator McGovern, with an article I had published in a national magazine. To my surprise, it was forwarded and Senator McGovern sent me a short but meaningful letter thanking me for my response. When his book was published titled, "Terry" he sent me a copy with an endorsement which read, "To Bill Swegan who has sought to help alcoholics for the past 48 years with the admiration of George McGovern". That truly was a humbling experience. Chapter 7

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