After completing flight training as a MarCad, I served in VMCJ-2 at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. I flew the F8U-1P (RF8A) and the EF-10 doing Photo Recon; Elint missions around Cuba. I left active duty due to a medical condition. (not ALS) I contracted ALS symptoms in 1999 and was diagnosed with ALS in April 2002. My ALS began in my feet and has very slowly progressed upward. By the grace of God, I am still surviving after 15 years! I still drive using hand controls and stay active with family and church. Without God and my lovely wife by my side, I don't know how I would have faced having ALS.