I spent almost 22-years in the Air Force, retiring in 1983. Fifteen of those 22-years were spent as a Drill Instructor (T.I.) at Lackland AFB, in San Antonio, TX.  The experiences I derived during those 15 years of training basic recruits in the 60s, 70s & 80s, set the stage for what was to come.

I met many individuals at Lackland that had a profound influence on my life.  People such as Chief Master Sergeant Edward B. Kourt (deceased), and retired Chief Master Sergeant Dave Wilhelm, my mentor, are just two of the "special" individuals who guided me, and taught me the true meaning of dedication, integrity, honor, and loyalty.

These influences have remained with me, and for the past 17 years, have been a stead-fast platform for my work as a Massachusetts licensed Private Detective.  All that I learned from these great men, and the years I spent training young men and women, aided greatly in my professional work as a PI.

My first book, THE NINTH COMMANDMENT, is the true story of four very difficult cases I worked in and around the Boston area during the mid-90's.  The results of the homicide case within the book caused me to leave the Commonwealth of Massachusetts forever, and move back to San Antonio, TX.  The death of the young child in that case filled me with a multitude of varied emotions, to include a sense of rage that lingered for a long time.

Although a small book of only 168 pages, each page is packed with hard-boiled emotion, and depicts the true nature of the actual work of a Private Detective.  The book is labeled as "fiction" because names, dates, locations, etc, were changed.

TUFFY'S HEROES, my 2nd book, which is now in release, was my life's work.  It took me almost 30 years to complete it, and the results are truly fantastic!  I’ve been receiving e-mails from G.I.s deployed all over the world, including Iraq, who praise the book and just love the read!

 This book is like no other written about military basic training. The training scenes are hard-core and relentless.  However, the humor involved in the "up close and personal" associations between basic trainees and their T.I.s is like nothing you've EVER read before!

The book does not have any "dead time" or time consuming lengthy paragraphs.  There is something happening on each and every page of TUFFY'S HEROES!   And most important, you don't have to be in the military or have been in the military to enjoy the book.

There is a specific character within the storyline named Airman Basic Mike Plopper.  He is a very small, timid 18 year-old basic trainee with the lowest self-esteem one could possibly imagine.  His T.I. notices this situation almost immediately upon Plopper's arrival at Lackland AFB.  The six week "rocky" road the T.I. makes Airman Basic Plopper traverse to eliminate his low self esteem, develop his character, and build a strong foundation based upon self-discipline, is breathtaking! !  You'll feel shock, sadness, anger, humility and then...Well, you'll just have to read all about Airman basic Mike Plopper's road to success!

 Airman Plopper has become quite the “charmer” when it comes to the women who have read TUFFY’S HEROES. Many of the e-mails I receive from women talk about how much they adored the small trainee!

Major Chin Ho Wok appears to be the most popular character in TUFFY’S HEROES according to all the e-mails. This 5’ 3” tall Chinese American basic training Squadron Commander has actually taken the reading public by storm!  His “ill” temper and manner of speech has readers in stitches!  I shall not disclose anymore about this outstanding character except to quote the good major’s favorite words and the words being echoed by all who have read this book…”puckin’ hat!!!”

So readers, order your copy of  TUFFY’S HEROES now, and dwelve into the world of Air Force basic training in the 1960s, filled with the greatest group of fantastic characters you’ll ever read about!!

Tuffy