James "Roland" Brown joined the Army at age 18, in 1954, right out of high school. After three years of working and instructing with the Army Security Agency (ASA), Roland returned to civilian life. Six weeks later, he changed to the Air Force uniform and served in Germany with the Air Force Security Service (USAFSS).
In 1960, SSgt Brown was accepted for OCS. In December, OCMaj Brown left Alpha Flight to head up OCS's Second Squadron - Tiger Two! Graduating in the top 20%, Lt. Brown was assigned to Craig AFB, AL for pilot training. From '62 to '66, Roland flew C-124's out of Kelly AFB, TX for Air Force Logistics Command (AFLC) and MAC as Copilot, Aircraft Commander, and Instructor Pilot. In 1964, he attended SOS at Maxwell AFB, AL.
Captain Brown left active duty in October 1966 to fly for Continental Airlines at Los Angeles. He also continued to fly C-124's for the Air Force Reserve out of March AFB, CA and Carswell AFB, TX for a short while. During 17 years with Continental, Roland flew domestic and international flights; he flew different seats on the DC-9, DC-10, 707, 727, and 747 out of bases at L.A., Dallas, El Paso, Denver, and Houston. Captain Brown left Continental during a bitter hostile corporate takeover.
As an entrepreneur, he built, owned, and operated Texas Lube Care ("TLC for your car") in Kingwood, (Houston) TX. Continuing his aviation career, Roland went to work for US Airways in 1984 and later sold his interest in TLC. After flying copilot and captain on several models of the DC-9 and 737, Roland retired from US Airways in March of 1996 as an MD-80 captain. His aviation career covered 35 years and approximately 20,000 flying hours. It seems Roland's destiny was to be a Captain, having been one for the USAF, Continental, and US Airways! Hobbies Roland has enjoyed have included flying light aircraft, soaring in gliders, riding motorcycles, jogging, and traveling. Roland is now retired from both Continental and US Airways, which helps when he's ready to go traveling! Since retiring, Roland has served as President of the Golden Eagles, the association of retired Continental Airlines pilots. He is also a member of the Soaring Eagles, the association of retired US Airways pilots. He is a member of the Masons, Scottish Rite, and the Shriners. Since he never got his college degree earlier in life, Roland is working on that now. He tells his young classmates that he plans to earn his bachelor's degree by age 70!
Roland and Judy were married in December of 2001. Nine children and 14 grand children keep them plenty busy while they work on "happily ever after"! Remembering our OCS days, Roland recalls "How we so reverently sang 'M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E'," after the Friday afternoon parade!