‘The military changed my whole life’ — Tim Oman
MADISON – At 17 years old, Tim Oman became a “party animal.”
Oman quit school in tenth grade and “just partied like there was no tomorrow during 1967-69” in Denver, California and south of the border. In his own apartment, he worked manpower jobs for $1.65/hour doing manual labor, such as washing dishes.
His partying lifestyle lasted until he was past 19 years old.
“In the 1960s, young male Americans had a draft number. I figured I’d join the Navy, but the Navy didn’t want me because I didn’t have a GED,” Oman said.
However, he visited a Marine recruiter, which led to a ready-made enlistment contract, during the Vietnam era. He then completed his GED.
Nineteen-year-old Oman joined the Marines in October 1969 and served until February 1974. He then served in active Marines Reserves from 1974-1976.
After boot camp, ITR and other Advanced Training, PFC Oman deployed to Vietnam in 1970 and served one year. He left as a Corporal when his unit (Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Air Wing) at Da Nang Airbase relocated to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.
Oman repaired air-traffic control electronics in containerized shells or Conex. He didn’t see direct combat but saw A-4 Tomcats, Harriers and helicopters limping back from fighting.
Oman, 68, believes his life story is “success from failures, struggles and military-taught determination. The Marine Corps and Army changed my life in a good way … When I look back, that point when I entered the military changed my whole life.”
“The military taught me discipline, respect, esprit de corps and work ethic. The Marines had to beat those ideals into me since I was a bit stubborn, but those ideals carried over to the Army,” he said.
Oman served as Army CID Agent six years, including time as linguist investigator with German police.
During 30 years of service, Oman earned Meritorious Service Medal and 14 others, including Distinguished Instructor Badge and TRADOC instructor of the Year.
In civilian life, he worked as a criminal investigator; police officer; FBI agent; National Director, IA Forensics Laboratory; and Manager, CIA CyberForensics Lab. He earned bachelor and master’s degrees at Jacksonville State University.
Oman is a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (Post 5162) and American Legion (Post 229).
After 13 years together, he and wife Pat bought a home in Huntsville in 2017. Both were married previously; they have two daughters, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
While enjoying time with Pat, Tim likes biking, “playing bad tennis and bad golf,” plus traveling.
