Interview, Thomas Borrelli, USAF

Thomas Borrelli (b. 1950) was born in Rochester, New York. He attended college at the Rochester Institute of Technology, enlisting in the United States Air Force just days prior to his graduation in 1972. While in the service, Borrelli worked as an equipment specialist. Afterwards, he became an engineer and eventually went to work for Kodak and then Advanced Interconnect Manufacturing, in Victor, New York. Borelli retired in 2011.

In his interview, Borrelli relates how he was able to avoid being drafted into military service by enlisting instead. He discusses the training he acquired as a Precision Measuring Equipment Specialist, a position he earned after scoring high on military electronics tests. Borrelli spent his time in the service stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, in New Jersey. He lived off base and likens his experience to civilian life, having joined the military so near the end of the war. Borelli notes that it is ironic that during his four years in the Air Force he never flew in an airplane.