F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- In 1955, the same year the Pentagon announced its plans to develop ICBMs armed with nuclear missiles, a Warren member enlisted into the Air Force. He officially retired for the second time Sept. 7, having more than 52 years of military service under his belt. 

Bill Dickson enlisted in March of 1955 as an aircraft bomb technician for B-47s. Mr. Dickson said he chose to join the military because he grew up in a small community in South-central Nebraska and the only skills he possessed were seasonal farming and construction. 

"I wanted to do something else," he said. "I wanted something more." 

Mr. Dickson said the military was quite different when he first joined. 

"The military wasn't as family oriented," said Mr. Dickson. "Our first priority was always the military." 

In 1960, Mr. Dickson cross-trained into the missile electronic career field. 

Some assignment locations he's had during his enlisted career include Little Rock., Ark., New York, overseas locations and Warren. 

"One of my fondest memories of serving would have to be the time I spent in Okinawa, Japan, from September, 1967, to March, 1968," he said. 

Warren was where he chose to retire from active duty in February, 1985 as a master sergeant. 

Shortly after retiring, Mr. Dickson decided he could now help the military in a different way. A position opened up at the bowling alley here. He applied, got the job and began his second Air Force run. 

"I have really enjoyed this job," he said. "It gave me the opportunity to help service members, particularly the young men and women in the service." 

With more than a half a century of military service, Mr. Dickson has seen many changes in the Air Force and throughout the military. 

"Back in the day, it was a lot more military," he said. "As an Airman, our living quarters were three to a room instead of the one-person units like today," Mr. Dickson said. 

Mr. Dickson said he's wondering if his second retirement will stick this time because he really enjoys working with the military. 

With much knowledge on the military, Mr. Dickson advises Airmen of this generation to apply their self to anything they do in the service. 

"[Airmen should] perform to best of their ability in their job and they will go far," Mr. Dickson said.