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Last Name:
RECHNITZER
First Name Middle Initial:
PHILIP (Filvis) (Sgt Fil)
Nick Name:
Filvis
Street:  1711 Lake Cypress Dr City & State: SAFETY HARBOR, FL E-Mail:  rechnitp@aol.com
Zip: 34695 Phone:  (850) 803-6728 Spouse: ANASTASIA
Conflict: See Bio Service Branch: Air Force Unit: See bio
Theater: ETO Basic Training: Date Entered Service: 10 Apr 1984
Bases Stationed: Lackland, Keesler, Duke Field, Camp Red Cloud, Eglin, Osan, Eglin, Incirlik, Aeroporto Dal Molin, Karshi Khanabad, Al Udeid, Baghdad Intl Airport, Bagram, FOB Tombstone Length Of Service: 8208 days
Discharged / Retired: Honorable Date Left Service: 30 Sep 2006 Age When Enlisted: 19
Medals Received: Meritorious Service Medal (2), Joint Service Commendation Medal (3), Air Force Commendation Medal (7), Air Force Achievement Medal (5), Joint Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (7), Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2), Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Award (2), Kosovo Campaign Medal (2), Afghanistan War Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Medal Gold Border (5), Air and Space Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Professional Military Education Medal (4), Air Force Longevity Service Award, Good Conduct Medal (7), Small Arms Marksman Medal (2), NATO Service Medal
Military Job: Admin, Personnel, Joint Planner Occupation After War: MPRI
Primary Civilian Employer:  Military Advisor
Date This Site First Published: 12/1/2007 Date Last Edited: 12/17/2007



Military Bio:

Philip J. Rechnitzer, Jr., “Fil” “Sgt Fil” or “Filvis” as he was called throughout his career, was born in Albany, New York on September 18th, 1964. You might recognize this date as it is also the same birthday as the United States Air Force. He attended Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, New York, and graduated with honors in 1983 and immediately signed up for Delayed Enlistment into the Air Force.

In April 1984, he traveled to Lackland AFB, TX for Basic Military Training. Upon graduation in May, he attended Technical Training at Keesler AFB, MS to learn Administration and Unit Orderly Room management. After completion of technical training, he was ordered to his first active duty assignment to the 728th Tactical Control Squadron “Blue Demons” at Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field 3 (“Duke Field”). The 728th was a mobile Tactical Air Control System (TACS) unit that deployed quarterly to engage in field exercises. During his three years with the 728th, he deployed to Exercise TEAM SPIRIT in Korea in 1986, and volunteered as a member of the “ride out team” during hurricane Elena. His assignment with the Blue Demons introduced Fil to the 80’s military service, the “brown shoe days,” field deployments, and the magic of camaraderie and military life.

Loving ground deployment units Airman Fil volunteered for duty in Korea and was rewarded with a subsequent TACS assignment to the 604th Direct Air Support Squadron, Camp Red Cloud Army Installation, Ouijongbu, Republic of Korea. Camp Red Cloud was located very close to the demilitarized zone in the Korean peninsula during the height of the Cold War. Preparation for a North Korean incursion was paramount and Fil again deployed to the field throughout Korea in support of Exercise ULCHI FOCUS LENS and TEAM SPIRIT 87 and also to the Philippines as perimeter security force during Exercise COPE THUNDER. One of the highlights of Fil’s tour was his dedication in preparing the unit’s Administrative corps for a Tactical Air Command Unit Compliance Inspection (UCI). His exhaustive efforts led to an “Outstanding” rating and his selection as a professional performer. During this assignment, Airman Fil graduated from the NCO Preparatory Course as a Distinguished Graduate. In 1988, Fil’s tour to Korea drew to a close and he returned to FL.

Airman Fil returned to Eglin AFB in April 1988 to the 3205th Consolidated Base Personnel Office (CBPO) later renamed the 96th Military Personnel Flight. While at the CBPO, he worked to allocate and direct Eglin personnel to formal training courses, professional military education schools, and update their classification records. During his tenure he completed NCO Leadership School graduating with a 90% average. But squadron work was his passion, so after 1 year, he later transferred to the
96th Transportation Squadron down the street from the CBPO on Eglin.

In the 5 years he was with the “Transporters”, he became a staff sergeant, a supervisor, created and then became president of the Unit Advisory Council, and was celebrated with numerous accolades and recognition from Base and Major Command officials to include Eglin NCO of the Quarter, Unit NCO of the Year, and HQ Air Force Materiel Command Personnel Manager of the Year. Furthermore, he obtained 2 AA degrees and became a 7-



My Message to Future Generations:

Support your nation. Learn the truth about America's good deeds. Serve. Earn your degree. Volunteer. The formula to be successful in America is not difficult, but is definitely a rewarding challenge.

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