I worked at the Air Force Research Laboratory Propulsion Directorate (Edwards AFB, CA) as a civilian Materials Engineer for 35 years. During that time this organization went through a series of names: 6593d Test Group (Development); Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory; Astronautics Laboratory; and Phillips Laboratory Operating Location C. My work was on the mechanical behavior and service life of solid rocket propellants. I retired from government service in October 1997, but I occasionally still work as a consultant.