Havasu Veterans Spotlight: Andy Wilburn on the Lifelong Benefits of Military Service

Raised on a Michigan dairy farm, Lake Havasu City resident Andy Wilburn knew from a young age he wanted more from life. Originally traveling to Havasu seasonally, Wilburn, now 74, relocated permanently after his wife’s death. Despite his veteran status, Wilburn adheres to a stringent daily routine influenced by his military training.

At 19, Wilburn was drafted into the U.S. Army in July 1969. His two years of active duty culminated in 1971. Basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, was followed by advanced training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Initially, Wilburn’s military occupation was in light weapons infantry.

However, his career path shifted after attending a Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academy at Fort Benning, Georgia. “They changed my MOS [Military Occupational Specialty] from light weapons infantry to forward observers,” he recalled. This transition demanded more rigorous physical training, where weighing around 120 pounds, he faced challenges like shin splints.

Wilburn’s journey saw further delays when his shot records were misplaced, causing his transfer from Fort Benning to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he completed the remainder of his service. Amidst these assignments, Wilburn participated in a two-month training exercise in Germany.

His base later became a transition post for troops returning from Vietnam. As he worked with an infantry unit, he witnessed a significant turnover of troops. After his military service ended in 1971, Wilburn began employment with the Department of Defense, coinciding with the Veterans Readjustment Act’s initiation.

Initially starting as a meat cutter’s helper, Wilburn’s military experience facilitated his progression to a second-level supervisor over 32 years, encompassing civil engineering roles and serving as a structural superintendent. He praised the military for providing the necessary training for motivated individuals to advance.

Wilburn retired at age 52, but the discipline instilled in him by the Army remained. After his wife’s death in 2016, his military training helped him cope. “The Army taught me discipline,” Wilburn stated. “It teaches you that you can do more than you think.”

Serving through the Vietnam War brought both positive and negative experiences. Wilburn reminisced about a schoolmate and friend who didn’t return from Vietnam. “He was in Vietnam for 11 months and ended up dying,” he shared. “Every time I go back to Michigan, I take a beer and have it with him.”

Despite personal losses, Wilburn persevered, maintaining his military-inspired routine. “They push you. Even after I retired, I still ran probably until ten years ago,” he noted. “I used to jog five, six miles every day.”

Wilburn’s journey from a Michigan dairy farm to a dedicated military and government service career exemplifies resilience and the lasting impact of disciplined training.