I joined the Army as soon as I turned eighteen, trained in helicopters, and was in combat in Viet Nam about six months later as a helicopter door gunner. Overall it was a positive experience for me and despite some near-death experiences I am very glad to have done it. These were my first serious photographs, made with a Rolliflex 120 camera. I had no technical training in photography and set the exposure by consulting the little bit of paper included with each roll of film.