I had just gotten out of the Army when my mother showed me a newspaper article stating, "Michigan needs Troopers". What the hell, I started the rigorous application process and was offered an academy position on the 1st attempt. Many others try multiple times getting accepted, some never! Being a Young Trooper in the mid 90's was a blast. We were trained by the Best and told to go out on the road to kick ass and take names. Not so much at the end of my 23-year career. I'll tell you through excerpts and my perspective about good times and some not so good being a Road Dog and Motor Man on the MSP Motor Unit for most of my career. The "Stop State Police" hood sign is unique to the Michigan State Police, it meant a great deal to us Road Troopers and now serves no purpose! I was born in a Grosse Pointe Hospital at the height of the Vietnam War and raised in South Detroit, like the Journey song "Don't Stop Believing," until my parents divorced when I was 5 years old. My mother raised four of us kids including my older brother Donny who was inflicted with muscular dystrophy. She had the fortitude to work two jobs and rely on food stamps to raise us. I joined the U.S. Army at 17 becoming an Air Traffic Controller. I attended Macomb Community College then transferred to Western Michigan University obtaining a Bachelor in Aviation. I went on Active Duty in the Army flying OH-58 Helicopters as a Aero-Scout in the 3/17 Cavalry. I left the Army being accepted into the Michigan State Police serving the citizens for 23 years as a Road Dog.
